Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz
Factors affecting the property in 2006*
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Lack of comprehensive conservation and management plan.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2006
Total amount approved : 15,000 USD
| 1999 | Training Workshop in the Preparation of World Heritage ... (Approved) | 15,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2006**
A monitoring mission by an international expert from 23-29 October 2002.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2006
On 3 February 2006, a report was sent, in Russian, by the Permanent Delegation of Uzbekistan to UNESCO, concerning the state of conservation of the property. This document has been later translated into English by the same delegation.
Unfortunately, in this document, nothing is mentioned concerning the management plan of the Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, nor does it provide updated information on the state of conservation of the site. Such management plan should include a description of the physical attributes that it aims to conserve, specific activities to protect these attributes, provisions for monitoring the state of conservation, comprehensive landscape planning, and details on how the management system operates in aspects such as decision-making structure, budgeting, monitoring, specific conservation / restoration projects.
During the reactive monitoring mission to Samarkand, the ICOMOS expert also paid a short visit to Shakrisyabz. Time was not sufficient to review the general situation of the whole site, however the mission was informed that the Ak-Sarai Palace compound area had been exposed after demolition of military barracks. There is an urgent need for archaeological excavations and comprehensive landscape planning to integrate these parts into the general urban development with proper concern for the integrity and authenticity of the site. This planning goes beyond the traditional approach to conservation of individual historic monuments. It will require the strengthening of the local capacities in urban development and cultural heritage preservation in order to create a positive understanding, by all stakeholders, that conservation and development are not mutually exclusive objectives, but part of a single process.
The UNESCO-Tashkent Office has pointed out that the line of very ancient mulberry trees probably planted as part of the original layout of Timur’s Ak Sarai palace gardens may be cut down. These trees should be preserved as part of a large-scale archaeological investigation and preservation project.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2006
30 COM 7B.70
State of Conservation (Historic Center of Shakhrisyabz)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7B.62, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),
3. Notes with concern that a management plan for the property based on the principles set out in the Operational Guidelines still needs to be prepared;
4. Requests the State Party, with assistance from the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a comprehensive management plan, clearly based on the outstanding universal value of the property and specifically targeted at the situation in Shakhrisyabz;
5. Also requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a progress report by 1 February 2007 on the preparation of the above-mentioned management plan, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.
Draft Decision: 30 COM 7B.70
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7B.62, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),
3. Notes with concern that a management plan for the property based on the principles set out in the Operational Guidelines still needs to be prepared;
4. Requests the State Party, with assistance from the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a comprehensive management plan specifically targeted at the situation in Shakhrisyabz, and clearly based on the outstanding universal value of the property;
5. Also requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a progress report by 1 February 2007 on the preparation of the above-mentioned management plan, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.
Uzbekistan
Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
