Decision 41 COM 7B.61

City of Quito (Ecuador) (C 2)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7B.5, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
3. Taking note of the information provided regarding the management structure and planning mechanisms for the historic centre of Quito, recommends that the State Party further clarify roles, responsibilities and interactions of institutions at various levels of government and requests the State Party to provide the Comprehensive Action and Management Plan as soon as it becomes available, to the World Heritage Centre, for evaluation by the Advisory Bodies;
4. Regarding the metro project and the possible location of the main station in the historic centre, regrets that the State Party has commenced the implementation of the metro station at one of the most emblematic and significant attributes of the property, the Square of San Francisco;
5. Urges the State Party to take the necessary measures to ensure the continuing urban coherence of the Square as a key attribute of Outstanding Universal Value and to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations of the 2016 ICOMOS Advisory mission;
6. Also requests the State Party to prepare and submit a report on the institutional and administrative arrangements that have been made regarding planning and construction of the metro line and underground station, including archaeological research, potential emergency interventions, and any changes to the paving of the square;
7. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018.