The objects of this thesis are buffer zones of historic urban structures, their concepts in regard to their efficiency. In the first and second chapter the work presents introduction to the theme, pursuing definitions and features. In this trend, the third chapter binds the first two chapters, dealing with the history of the buffer zones. The fourth chapter presents the current situation of theme in Slovakia and abroad. Subsequently, the objective and methodology are introduced in fifth and sixth chapter. The seventh chapter is divided into theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part includes analyzes of the selected historic urban structures with buffer zones, enrolled in the World Heritage List and analyzes of problems related to them. The theoretical part is concluded by formulating the hypothesis. The practical part presents an algorithm of methodology for the verification of the efficiency of the buffer zones, applied to 16 specific examples of selected historic urban structures. Subsequently, a case study is presented with the verification of the efficiency of the buffer zone in two alternatives and possible increase is outlined. The eighth chapter is a synthesis of the results and evaluation of the application of the verification methodology. In the conclusion possible directions and future of this theme and concept of use of this paper are outlined.