State of Conservation (SOC)

Requests Approved: 0 (from2001-2001)
Total Amount Ap proved: 75,000USD

Monitoring Mission in 1999; ICOMOS Expert Mission 2000

a) Frequent seismic activity in the region and flooding during the rainy season;

b) Demolition of certain houses in the historical centre and the restoration of San Agustin Church.

The World Heritage Centre received a State of Conservation Report by the State Party in January 2006. The report described the works carried out by the regional, local, foreign and private institutions concerned with the conservation of the site. The works included the restoration of a number of public spaces and historical buildings in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI), as established in the work calendar presented last year. Other projects mentioned in the report included the restoration of facades, underground cabling for the public lighting of the historical centre, the inventory of the historical centre and the inauguration of a restoration school. According to the report, some of these projects are still in the conception stage, while others are being implemented and due to be completed in the following months.

Concerning the demolition of historic houses in the historical centre of Arequipa, the report explained that these houses were not listed as Historic Monuments and did not form part of any monumental urban context. Nevertheless, the National Cultural Institute (INC) of Lima is dealing with the question and sanctions will be imposed on the owners for having demolished the houses without the required authorization.

Regarding the Committee’s request for information on the tower of the San Agustin Church, the State Party has reported that this has now been restored, by the Regional Government, according to its original style and the church has today resumed its normal activities.

The Committee had also encouraged the State Party to implement the Disaster Preparedness Plan at the soonest. This Plan, however, is still being finalized and, according to the report, will be submitted to the World Heritage Centre in the coming months. No specific timeframe was provided.