Historic Areas of Istanbul
Factors affecting the property in 1998*
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Management activities
- Management systems/ management plan
- Other Threats:
Need to monitor movements which could affect the structure of the building
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Need for information on the Urban development Plan
- Need to monitor the structure of the buildings
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1998
Total amount approved : 354,000 USD
| 1998 |
Historic Areas of Istanbul, Turkey (NOT IMPLEMENTED)
(Approved)
Reapproval: 01 Jun, 1999 (n°1161 - 5,000 USD)
|
5,000 USD |
| 1998 | Conservation work of the mosaics at Hagia Sophia, ... (Approved) | 50,000 USD |
| 1998 | Technical co-operation for the “House of Fatih ... (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
| 1994 | Historic Areas of Istanbul - Restoration of the mosaics ... (Approved) | 80,000 USD |
| 1994 | Restoration of the mosaics of Aghia Sophia, Istanbul (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
| 1994 | Purchase of material and funding of international ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1992 | Carrying out analytical studies on materials and ... (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
| 1991 | Restoration works of the mosaics of the dome of St ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1987 | Equipment for Istanbul (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
| 1987 | Contribution to a training course on wood and stone ... (Approved) | 12,000 USD |
| 1986 | Training and equipment for the safeguarding of Istanbul (Approved) | 47,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 1998**
November 1993: expert mission; October 1998: joint UNESCO / ICOMOS monitoring mission
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1998
A feasibility study on the revitalization of the Balat and Fener quarters of the historic district of Istanbul was undertaken by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre under contract from the European Commission. This study initially included the area of Zeyrek, renowned for the wooden buildings of the Ottoman period, as well as Balat and Fener, all three areas being part of the district of Fatih which is protected under national law as a buffer zone to the World Heritage protected area.
Since the European Commission’s project was focused on the feasibility of restoring historic buildings as social housing, Zeyrek was excluded as a direct beneficiary due to the abandonment of the area by the population caused by the dangerous condition of the buildings. The alarming state of conservation of the historic wooden buildings in Zeyrek led to a reactive monitoring mission by ICOMOS in November 1997.
The EC-commissioned study completed in April enabled a general evaluation on the application of national laws concerning the protection of cultural sites in the Fatih District. Initial conclusions point to the degradation of the historic buildings in this protected district due to the inapplicability of the very strict regulations within the socio-economic reality of the area. The degree of poverty among the local inhabitants compounded by strict building regulations have led to the “freezing” of development, degradation of the built environment and social conditions.
Close co-operation with the Municipality of Fatih during the implementation of this feasibility study for the EC-led to the establishment of a community advisory service by the Fatih Municipality to continue dialogue with the local inhabitants on their housing improvement needs which will also benefit national and local efforts to protect the built heritage of this historic district.
UNESCO will continue to co-operate with the European Commission, the Fatih Municipality, and the concerned national authorities to strengthen practical measures for the protection of cultural heritage in Fatih aimed to promote the integrity of the World Heritage Historic Areas of Istanbul and for these cultural assets to benefit the socio-economic development of the local community. The European Parliament has decided to allocate ECU 3 million for the operational phase of this housing improvement project which also includes the adaptive re-use of historic buildings for community welfare centres.
ICOMOS will inform the Bureau of the outcome of the reactive monitoring mission to Zeyrek undertaken in November 1997.
Action Required
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1998
The Monument of Hagia Sonhia of the Archaeological Park
In 1993, an expert mission visited Hagia Sophia, one of the main monuments of the World Heritage Historic Areas of Istanbul. A series of recommendations for its rehabilitation elaborated by the UNESCO mission in 1993 was approved by the Government of Turkey, who subsequently increased its budgetary allocation for their implementation. In March 1998 another mission visited the monument and stressed the need for an advisory body of international and national experts which can meet regularly to advise the national team composed of the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Central Conservation and Restoration Laboratory, in charge of the restoration of this monument. It also noted that the restoration of the mosaics of Hagia Sophia for which the World Heritage Fund has contributed US$ 80,000 between 1983 and 1994, was progressing satisfactorily. To increase the rhythm of the work, the Central Laboratory has requested additional human and financial resources (request to be considered under International Assistance).
The Zevrek Conservation Site
With regard to the Zeyrek Conservation Site in Fatih District of Istanbul which is protected as part of the World Heritage area for the value of the Ottoman epoch timber buildings, the State Party submitted in May 1998, a Technical Co-operation request. This request concerned a detailed technical evaluation and the preparation of the repair schedules of these historic timber buildings, following the alarming report presented by ICOMOS to the twenty-second session of the Bureau. This request also included activities to support the Municipality of Fatih to establish a Fatih Heritage House, a service to advise the inhabitants of Fatih (including Zeyrek) of the housing improvement and conservation methods of the historic buildings, the majority of which are under private ownership. The Secretariat reported to the Bureau at its twenty-second ordinary session held in June 1998 that the urgency of these activities was due to the need to convince the European Union not to exclude Zeyrek from its rehabilitation project aimed at housing improvement, despite the fact that the majority of the Ottoman epoch buildings in Zeyrek had been abandonned by the inhabitants due to their dangerous condition. The Bureau decided to postpone its decision concerning the grant of this request to its extraordinary session in November 1998 and to await additional information. The UNESCO/EC project office and the ICOMOS expert who undertook another reactive monitoring mission in October 1998, reconfirmed the need for urgent measures to (a) prevent the further loss of these Ottoman epoch buildings by at least providing emergency shoring to avoid their collapse; (b) carry out training in conservation skills to stop the use of cement and inappropriate material in the restoration/reconstruction work being carried out on some of these buildings by the private sector; and (c) mobilize the Fatih Heritage House to undertake actions to organize the inhabitants to invest the required self-financing component in the co-funding scheme for housing improvement under the ELI/Turkish Government programme, expected to become operational by September 1999.
The Bureau, having noted the State Party’s request for UNESCO to establish a team of national and international experts to strengthen the on-going effort for the restoration of the mosaics of Hagia Sophia, recommended the Government to organize, in close collaboration with the Secretariat, an international expert meeting to take stock of the actions accomplished and to draw up a medium-term plan of action for the continuation of the work and to prepare the terms of reference for the international experts required by the Central Laboratory.
The Bureau expressed concern over the state of conservation of the Ottoman epoch timber buildings in Zeyrek as reported by ICOMOS and the Secretariat and requested the State Party to inform the Secretariat by 15 April 1999, for examination by the Bureau at its twenty-third ordinary session, on measures it intends to take for the preservation of this important site which forms an integral part of the World Heritage Historic Areas of Istanbul. The Bureau furthermore, requested the Secretariat to maintain close collaboration with the European Commission and the Fatih Municipality to maximize the benefits of the funded project in Fatih for the rehabilitation of historic buildings in the World Heritage protected areas.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1998
22 EXT.BUR V.3
Requests for international assistance - Cultural heritage
TRAINING
Brazil (Specialized course on Integrated Territorial and Urban Conservation – Brazil programme ITUC 1999-2000) - US$ 49,900
The outgoing Bureau recommended the approval of US$ 49,000 by the Committee.
China (Training programme for site managers of World Heritage Cities in China – Consolidation of the International Conference for Mayors of Historic Cities in China and the European Union) - US$ 35,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended the approval of US$ 35,000 by the Committee. ICCROM announced its full support and availability to actively participate to further develop the programme of this activity.
The Bureau, appreciating the initiatives taken by the Chinese Government to address the problems faced in the preservation of urban historical fabric in the context of rapid urban development in Asia, strongly supported this request.
The Bureau recommended that the Committee may wish to request the State Party to strengthen the proposed programme by increasing links between ICCROM’s ITUC programme and this training exercise, as proposed by ICCROM in their evaluation of the request.
Furthermore, the Bureau recommended that the Committee request the State Party to give sufficient attention to follow-up after the training activity.
Colombia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama (Training in underwater archaeology) - US$ 59,838
The outgoing Bureau recommended that the Committee request the States Parties to reformulate the request, so that the project proposed was relevant to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
Furthermore, it encouraged the State Party to utilize the network of existing international organizations and institutions specializing in underwater heritage conservation, and to consider the possibility of extending the target audience quantitatively and geographically.
Lebanon (Training Programme of Conservators-Restorers in the field of Mural Paintings at the World Heritage sites of Lebanon) - US$ 60,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended the approval of US$ 60,000 by the Committee, requesting the State Party to conduct the activity at a subregional level, including participants from the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan.
Russian Federation (International training workshop for World Heritage cultural site managers from Eastern and Central Europe) - US$ 40,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended the approval of US$ 40,000 by the Committee, subject to the agreement by the State Party to co-operate closely with ICCROM for developing the curriculum and widening the scope of themes to be addressed, to include new modules of conservation management.
TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION
Brazil (Restoration of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Congonhas) - US$ 32,574
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 32,574 by the Committee.
Cuba (Rescue and preservation activities of La Estrella Fortress and of Smith (Gramma) Key at the San Pedro de la Roca Castle, Santiago de Cuba) - US$ 50,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 50,000 by the Committee.
Egypt (Rehabilitation programme for Islamic Cairo) - US$ 200,000 (US$ 600,000 oveer three years)
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 120,000 by the Committee, subject to the State Party agreeing to report on the progress made in each phase of the implementation of the programme to the Committee, and subject to the State Party agreeing to contribute an equal amount of funds for the first year.
Ghana (Documentation research for Forts and Castles of Ghana) - US$ 40,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 40,000 by the Committee, considering the importance of documenting historical data and iconographic material for enhanced management and conservation of the Forts and Castles of Ghana.
However, the Bureau recommended approval of this grant, subject to the :
(i) Terms of Reference for the international consultant explicitly including a preliminary mission to Ghana to develop proper policies for compilation, storage, handling and conservation of the collection, and;
(ii) World Heritage Centre ascertaining that there are trained staff members at GMMB who would be assigned to the Documentation Centre.
Peru (Emergency measures at the Lines and Geoglyphes of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana) - US$ 50,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 50,000 by the Committee.
Philippines (GIS for mapping the Rice Terraces of the Philippines, and for strengthening enhanced management) - US$ 131,846
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 50,000 by the Committee for the purchase of computer equipment through the UNESCO Equipment Unit, and for partially funding the international expert services, subject to the authorities of the Philippines securing funds from other international agencies or donors such as UNDP.
The Bureau recommended that the Committee requests the UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in the Asia-Pacific Region and the UNESCO Representative in Jakarta to assist the authorities of the Philippines in mobilizing such funds from other sources.
Syrian Arab Republic (Conservation Projects for the Ancient City of Damascus) - US$ 50,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 30,000 by the Committee on the condition that the State Party submits detailed information concerning the budget breakdown.
Turkey (Conservation work of the mosaics of Hagia Sophia) - US$ 100,000 (US$ 250,000 over two years)
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 50,000 by the Committee, representing the last contribution for the conservation works for the mosaics of the Hagia Sophia.
22 BUR V.B.67
Historic Areas of Istanbul (Turkey)
The Secretariat informed the Bureau on the European Union-funded project on the Feasibility Study for the Rehabilitation of the Areas of Balat and Fener of Fatih District, Istanbul executed by the World Heritage Centre. This study initially included the area of Zeyrek, renowned for the wooden buildings of the Ottoman period, which is part of Fatih District and one of the three districts of the historic centre of Istanbul that is protected under national law as a conservation area. The three districts contain monuments, sites or buffer zones of the World Heritage site.
It was reported that Zeyrek was excluded as a direct beneficiary of the EU-funded project focused on housing improvement of the poor inhabitants because the population had already abandoned it due to the dangerous conditions of the buildings in Zeyrek. The alarming state of conservation of the historic timber buildings of Zeyrek which are included in the inventory of monuments and sites under World Heritage protection, led to a reactive monitoring mission by ICOMOS in November 1997.
The EU-commissioned study completed in April 1998, enabled a general evaluation on the application of national cultural heritage protection laws in Fatih District. Initial conclusions indicated that part of the cause of the degradation of the historic buildings was due to the poverty of the inhabitants of these buildings compounded by the strict regulations which have led to the “freezing” of development and hence the degradation of the built environment and the eventual exodus of the inhabitants.
The Secretariat also reported that the European Parliament had already approved a budgetary appropriation of 3 million ECU for the national execution of this project. UNESCO expressed its wish to continue being involved in the operational phase of the project as a member of the scientific advisory group of the project so that the impact of this social development project in a World Heritage buffer zone could be monitored and reported to the Committee as required.
The Bureau was informed that this EU-funded project has already resulted in the establishment of a community advisory service by the Municipality of Fatih to enable dialogue between the inhabitants and the authorities on the improvement of housing and the urban environment. The Secretariat stressed the importance of this project which foresees, for the very first time, the investment of social housing funds of the Turkish Ministry of Housing into the rehabilitation of historic buildings, which has been to date, used only for the construction of new low-cost housing buildings. This could set a precedent that may lead to public and international development funds being made available to the rehabilitation of vernacular houses in other areas of Historic Istanbul and other historic cities in Turkey.
The Delegate of Lebanon questioned why the World Heritage Centre was implementing this EU-funded feasibility study, which was not specifically approved by the Committee and adds to the workload of the Centre. The Director of the Centre responded that it was within the function of the Centre as part of the UNESCO Secretariat and carried out under instructions from the Director-General who attaches the greatest importance to this “up-stream” study. The Secretariat added that this study was the first entrusted to UNESCO for implementation that tangibly demonstrates the European Commission’s response to UNESCO’s promotion of the cultural dimension of development and to the “Humanize the City” appeal launched by the Director-General at the Habitat II City Summit Conference in 1996.
The Observer of Greece stated that the Committee should not be involved in buffer zone areas and should be concerned only with the core World Heritage site. The Secretariat stated that in Istanbul, as in many historic cities inscribed on the World Heritage List in the 1980s, the inventory of monuments and the exact delimitation of the World Heritage protected areas are unclear, but that in any case, the entire district of Fatih is protected under national law and constitutes a buffer zone. The Secretariat further noted that this feasibility study is an example of the mobilising role of UNESCO for international co-operation activities that bridge social development and heritage preservation in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention.
The Delegate of Benin raised his concern over the World Heritage emblem being used by the Centre in letterheads and in reports of projects since this may give the impression of the Committee’s involvement or commitment. He also expressed concern about the European Commission or other entities making agreements that concern World Heritage. The Secretariat responded that this EC-UNESCO project was like other extrabudgetary projects being executed by UNESCO that are financed from the Japan Funds-in-Trust, the Italian Funds-in-Trust or UNDP among other donor sources, or activities under the International Safeguarding Campaigns that are for World Heritage sites but not financed through the World Heritage Fund.
The Observer of Thailand recalled the creation of the World Heritage Centre within UNESCO and underlined that all agreements concerning World Heritage sites should be approved by the Committee or its Chairperson. If the Director-General of UNESCO assigns functions to the Centre which are outside its scope of work, this would add to its workload and it would be preferable if this type of project would be assigned to the Division of Physical Heritage.
The Chairperson recalled that a decision was made in Merida at the twentieth session of the Committee that the Centre is not to sign any contracts or agreements that commit the World Heritage Committee and that such contracts are to be signed by the Committee Chairperson. The Secretariat stated that this project agreement with the European Commission does not commit the Committee in any way (N.B. the EC-UNESCO project agreement was signed by the Director of the Bureau for External Funding Relations (BER), on behalf of the Director-General). The purpose of the state of conservation report was to inform the Bureau of the alarming state of conservation of Zeyrek which is part of the World Heritage site and to provide information on innovative international aid activities that support World Heritage preservation. The Chairperson stated that he would look into the agreement(s) and/or contract(s) related to this project and would report back to the twenty-second extraordinary session of the Bureau, if necessary.
The Bureau took note of the report of the Secretariat on the study carried out jointly by UNESCO, the Fatih Municipality and the Institut Francais d’Etudes Anatoliennes under contract from the European Commission and supported the integrated community development approach in heritage preservation. The Bureau requested the Secretariat and the State Party to inform the Committee at its twenty-second session on the progress of the European Union project. The Bureau, furthermore, expressed its concern over the state of conservation of the historic buildings in Zeyrek and requested the State Party to report on its conservation efforts.
22 COM VII.43
Reports on the State of Conservation of Cultural Properties Noted by the Committee
VII.43 The Committee noted the decisions of the twenty-second extraordinary session of the Bureau as reflected in the Report of the Bureau session (Working Document WHC-98/CONF.203/5) and included in Annex IV of this report on the following properties:
Rapa Nui National Park (Chile)
The Mountain Resort and Its Outlying Temples in Chengde (China)
The Potala Palace, Lhasa (China)
Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu (China)
Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (China)
City of Quito (Ecuador)
Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (Egypt)
Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (Egypt)
Islamic Cairo (Egypt)
Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn (Estonia)
Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town in Quedlinburg (Germany)
Historic Centre of Florence (Italy)
Quseir Amra (Jordan)
Luang Prabang (Laos)
Baalbek (Lebanon)
Tyre (Lebanon)
Vilnius Historic Centre (Lithuania)
Old Towns of Djenné (Mali)
City of Cusco (Peru)
Archaeological site of Chavin (Peru)
Historic Centre of Lima (Peru)
The Baroque Churches of the Philippines (The Philippines)
Historic Centre of Porto (Portugal)
Island of Gorée (Senegal)
Sacred City of Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka)
Ancient City of Polonnaruva (Sri Lanka)
Ancient City of Sigiriya (Sri Lanka)
Site of Palmyra (Syrian Arab Republic)
Historic Areas of Istanbul (Turkey)
Kiev: Saint Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings (Ukraine)
Complex of Hué Monuments (Vietnam)
Old City of Sana'a (Yemen)
22 BUR VIII.1
Requests for International Assistance
NATURAL HERITAGE
Dominica (Technical Co-operation for the Morne Trois Pitons National Park inscription ceremony and Regional Conference on the World Heritage Convention)
The Bureau approved US$ 30,000 for the organization of this regional conference.
United Republic of Tanzania (Technical Co-operation for a Natural Heritage Workshop for “Kilimanjaro Stakeholders”)
The Bureau approved US$ 30,000, subject to the Tanzanian authorities providing information concerning other organizations contributing to the activity and confirming the exact dates of the Workshop.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Bulgaria (Technical Co-operation for the purchase of dehumidifying equipment for the Boyana Church)
The Bureau approved up to US$ 25,000 for this request on the condition that the UNESCO Purchasing Unit assist the State Party in purchasing the necessary equipment.
Colombia (Technical Co-operation for the conservation of the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro)
The Bureau approved US$ 30,000 for the structural conservation of the burial chambers at this site.
Syrian Arab Republic (Technical Co-operation for the restoration and conservation of the Roman Baths in the south of the Ancient City of Bosra)
The Bureau approved US$ 30,000 for the restoration and conservation of the Roman Baths within the Ancient City of Bosra.
Turkey (Technical Co-operation for the “House of Fatih Inhabitants” within the Historic Centre of Istanbul)
The Bureau postponed the approval of this request for US$ 30,000 to its twenty-second extraordinary session.
The Bureau requested that maps clearly indicating the core and buffer zone of the Historic Centre of Istanbul as well as further detailed budget breakdown information be submitted to the Bureau for its examination.
Cambodia (Emergency Assistance for the restoration of the steps of the West Moat of Angkor Wat)
In view of the fact that the Emergency Assistance Reserve of the World Heritage Fund for 1998 was exhausted at the time this request was submitted, the Bureau approved US$ 28,595 under the Technical Co-operation budget for carrying out the hydrological and topographical studies.
The Bureau recommended that the State Party requests further funding under the 1999 World Heritage Fund budget after the completion of these studies.
Sri Lanka (Emergency Assistance for the Sacred City of Kandy)
In view of the fact that the Emergency Assistance Reserve of the World Heritage Fund for 1998 was exhausted at the time this request was considered, the Bureau approved US$ 25,000 out of the Technical Co-operation budget, to carry out the initial emergency measures for Dalada Maligawa, including a provision for an ICOMOS or ICCROM expert mission.
The Bureau recommended the State Party to request further funding under the 1999 World Heritage Fund budget.
22 COM XII
Requests for International Assistance: Cultural Heritage
Cultural Heritage: Requests examined by the Committee
|
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/ 14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved (US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
|
B.2.1.1 |
Brazil |
Training |
Specialized course on Integrated Territorial and Urban Conservation - Brazil programme ITUC 1999-2000 |
49,900 |
|
|
B.2.1.2 |
China |
Training |
Training programme for site managers of World Heritage Cities in China - Consolidation of the International Conference for Mayors of Historic Cities in China and the European Union |
35,000 |
The Committee requested the State Party to strengthen the proposed programme by increasing links between ICCROM's ITUC programme and this training exercise, as proposed by ICCROM in their evaluation of the request. Furthermore, the Committee requested the State Party to give sufficient attention to follow-up after the training activity. The Observer of China expressed her Government's appreciation for the grant from the World Heritage Fund for carrying out this activity. |
|
B.2.1.3 |
Colombia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama |
Training |
Training in underwater archaeology |
|
The Committee did not approve this request. It took note of the advisory bodies' comments: ICCROM, although supporting the initiative of the States Parties, suggested reformulation of the request to strengthen the component of conservation within the programme. ICOMOS, stating that neither the specialized ICOMOS Underwater Cultural Heritage Committee nor ICOMOS had been consulted on the formulation of this request, stressed that emphasis should be placed on conservation if this activity was to be funded under the World Heritage Fund, as part of the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. The Committee requested the States Parties to reformulate the request, so that the project proposed was directly relevant to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Furthermore, it encouraged the State Party to utilize the network of existing international organizations and institutions specializing in underwater heritage conservation, and to consider the possibility of extending the target audience quantitatively and geographically. The Committee took note that the United States of America had announced that, if requested, it could make available the specialized expertise for underwater heritage protection from the relevant USA authorities and the National Park Service. The Committee noted that there was a draft UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Underwater Heritage. |
|
B.2.1.4 |
Lebanon |
Training |
Training Programme of Conservators-Restorers in the field of Mural Paintings at the World Heritage sites of Lebanon |
60,000 |
The Committee requested the State Party to conduct the activity at a sub-regional level, including participants from the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan. |
|
B.2.1.5 |
Russia |
Training |
International training workshop for World Heritage cultural site managers from Eastern and Central Europe |
40,000 |
The Committee approved US$ 40,000, subject to the agreement by the State Party to co-operate closely with ICCROM for developing the curriculum and widening the scope of themes to be addressed, to include new modules of conservation management. |
|
Cultural Heritage |
Sub-total |
Training |
184,900 |
||
|
B.2.2.1 |
Brazil |
Technical Co-operation |
Restoration of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Congonhas |
32,574 |
|
|
B.2.2.2 |
Cuba |
Technical |
Rescue and preservation activities of La Estrella Fortress and of Smith (Gramma) Key at the San Pedro de la Roca Castle, Santiago de Cuba |
50,000 |
|
|
B.2.2.3 |
Egypt |
Technical Co-operation |
Rehabilitation programme for Islamic Cairo |
120,000
|
The Committee approved US$ 120,000, stressing that this approval was an exceptional case. The Committee requested the State Party to submit a full report on the implementation of this activity after one year, for presentation to the 23rd Session of the Committee. Although fully supportive of the initiatives taken by the Egyptian authorities, a few Committee members questioned whether such a large grant should be approved, in view of the limited resources available from the World Heritage Fund. Furthermore, a member of the Committee expressed his concern, as a matter of principle, whether the Committee should commit itself to partially funding such a large project for a three-year period. However, the Delegate of Morocco, supported by other Committee members, stressed that Islamic Cairo was one of the most endangered World Heritage sites, and taking into consideration previous grants to Egypt for protecting its heritage sites, the Committee should continue to aid this State Party for rehabilitating Islamic Cairo. The Committee decided to approve US$ 120,000 for the first year of the project, underlining that this was an exceptional case in view of the State Party's commitment to fund an equal amount of funds for the first year of activities, and the Committee further requested the State Party to submit a full report on the progress made in the implementation of this project to the 23rd Session of the Committee. The Observer of Egypt, thanking the Committee for the generous grant for the first year of activities, underlined the tremendous scale of the rehabilitation project for Islamic Cairo. He assured the Committee of his Government's commitment in implementing this hundreds of million dollar project, and stated that the technical assistance grant would represent a minimal portion within the total project budget. |
|
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved(US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
|
B.2.2.4 |
Ghana |
Technical |
Documentation research for Forts and Castles of Ghana |
40,000 |
The Committee approved the request, considering the importance of documenting historical data and iconographic material for enhanced management and conservation of the Forts and Castles of Ghana. However, the Committee approved the grant, subject to the following conditions : (a)Terms of Reference for the international consultant explicitly including a preliminary mission to Ghana to develop proper policies for compilation, storage, handling and conservation of the collection, and; (b)The World Heritage Centre ascertaining that there are trained staff members at Ghana Monuments and Museums Board who would be assigned to the Documentation Centre. |
|
B.2.2.5 |
Peru |
Technical |
Emergency measures at the Lines and Geoglyphes of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana |
50,000 |
The Committee noted that the Peruvian authorities were evaluating the state of conservation of the site for possible nomination for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger. |
|
B.2.2.6 |
Philippines |
Technical Co-operation |
GIS for mapping the Rice Terraces of the Philippines, and for strengthening enhanced management. |
50,000 |
The Committee approved US$ 50,000 for purchasing computer equipment and for partially funding the international expert fees. The Observer of the Philippines expressed his Government's appreciation for the generous grant approved by the Committee for producing new and adequate maps for efficient and adequate management of this site of immensely high quality cultural landscape, which is very vulnerable to a variety of adverse impacts. |
|
B.2.2.7 |
Syrian Arab Republic |
Technical Co-operation |
Conservation Projects for the Ancient City of Damascus |
30,000 |
The Committee approved of US$ 30,000 on the condition that the State Party submits further detailed information concerning the budget breakdown. |
|
B.2.2.8 |
Turkey |
Technical Co-operation |
Conservation work of the mosaics of Hagia Sophia |
50,000 |
The Observer of Turkey expressed his Government's appreciation for the Committee's approval for the request, although reduced. He confirmed that the restoration works were being carried out with the best of intentions, and that the national authorities had recently increased the national budget for Hagia Sophia restoration work to US$ 700,000. |
|
Cultural Heritage |
Subtotal |
Technical Co-op. |
422,574 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/ 14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved(US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
|
|
Malta |
Emergency Assistance |
Urgent conservation work for Hagar Qim, Megalithic Temples |
72,448.75 |
The Committee approved an urgent emergency assistance request submitted by Malta. The Committee took note of the evaluations of ICOMOS and ICCROM for the emergency assistance request. The Committee appreciated the urgency to address the catastrophic nature of the collapse of Hagar Qim, and considered this request could be funded from the emergency reserve. The Committee approved US$ 72,448.75 for (a) conducting a preliminary endoscopic survey; (b) reconstruction of the collapsed portion of Hagar Qim; and (c) installing an adequate monitoring system and conducting studies for preparing a long-term protection plan. The Committee requested the UNESCO Equipment Unit to assist the Maltese authorities in procuring the necessary equipment. The Maltese Delegate expressed his Government's deep appreciation for the immediate action taken by the Committee. |
|
Cultural Heritage |
Subtotal |
Emergency Assistance |
72,448.75 |
ICCROM
|
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/ 14Rev. |
Description |
Amount Requested(US$) |
Comments/Observations/ Conditions |
|
ICCROM 1 |
AFRICA-2009 Conservation of immovable cultural heritage in Sub-Saharan Africa |
100,000 |
The Committee noted that the AFRICA-2009 Programme is a joint initiative of the World Heritage Centre, ICCROM and CRATerre-EAG, launched in March 1998 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, with the endorsement of nine Sub-Saharan African States Parties. |
|
ICCROM 2 |
2.1 PAT 99 - Second Pan-American Course on the Conservation and Management of Earthen Architectural and Archaeological Heritage; 2.2 ITUC Programme for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention - Second International ITUC Workshop |
78,470
30,000 |
|
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/14Rev. |
Description |
Amount Requested(US$) |
Comments/Observations/ Conditions |
|
ICCROM 3 |
3.1 Development of global training strategy in South East Asia 3.2 Scientific Development of the World Heritage Convention - Reference manual of methodologies for assessing the state of conservation of World Heritage sites |
25,000
8,000
|
3.1 The Committee approved US$ 25,000, requesting ICCROM to carry out a needs assessment, which would lead to the development of training curricula, which could be used (a) within university architecture and urban planning departments to teach future architects and urban planners the basics of heritage conservation; and (b) by heritage site-managers to introduce and train the inhabitants, owners, community and religious leaders, local administrators and other stakeholders of World Heritage cultural sites, on the scientific basis of heritage conservation and maintenance. The Committee recommended that ICCROM develop this strategy in South-East Asia, in close co-operation with the States Parties concerned, the World Heritage Centre and the UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in the Asia-Pacific. 3.2 IUCN welcomed the opportunity of using this activity to enhance co-operation between the three Advisory Bodies. IUCN, reiterated the need to tightly define the target audience for the manual and that it should be aimed to support the capacity of the States Parties, as well as to enhance the process of monitoring to strengthen the management of World Heritage sites. The Committee took note that the Bureau: (1) recommended that while strongly supporting this activity, consideration for translation of the final manual into several languages should be considered from the outset; and (2) for identifying the best procedure in producing such a manual, recommended approval of an initial US$ 8,000 to hold a brainstorming session between the advisory bodies and the World Heritage Centre. Based upon the results of the first step, proposals could be made to the 23rd session of the Bureau for further funding to implement the second and third phases of this activity. |
|
ICCROM |
241,470 |
Cultural Heritage: Requests examined by the Bureau
|
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved(US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
|
B.1.1.1 |
Argentina |
Training |
Support for a Master Programme in Conservation of Heritage |
25,000 |
The Bureau decided that US$ 3,000 for promotional material would not be granted in view of the limited funds available. ICCROM advised that the Committee and Bureau address the issue of recurring requests for training assistance. ICCROM stressed that this request, as with others coming from post-graduate conservation programmes on a continuing basis, raises questions which may demand policy clarification on the Committee's part. With the number of training requests now far in excess of support funds, and with over 100 such post-graduate programmes in place in the world, it is clear that the Committee's training funds cannot be permanently committed to support operations for only a small number of these programmes. The global training strategy meeting held in Rome on 16-17 November proposes a set of criteria by which to guide future assessments of training requests. ICCROM proposes an early review of the recommendations emerging from this meeting, in order to be able to present these criteria to the Bureau meeting of June 1999. With formal consensus built around such training assistance evaluation criteria, it should be possible to ensure allocation of available funds to highest impact/highest priority programmes. |
|
B.1.1.2 |
Cuba |
Training |
Training for preventive conservation |
30,000 |
The Bureau decided to set aside the US$ 30,000 under the training assistance budget, in anticipation of the submission by the Cuban authorities of a reformulated request, until the 23rd Session of the Bureau. The Cuban authorities and ICCROM agreed to cooperate to reformulate the request, following the decision of the Bureau. |
|
Cultural heritage |
Subtotal |
Training |
55,000 |
|
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/ 14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved(US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
|
B.1.2.1 |
Bulgaria |
Technical Co-operation |
Technical Equipment for Monitoring Boyana Church |
20,650 |
|
|
B.1.2.2 |
Cuba |
Technical Co-operation |
Conservation and management of Morro-Cabana in Havana |
28,777 |
|
|
B.1.2.3 |
Kenya |
Technical Co-operation |
Establishment of national cultural sites database and GIS facilities |
|
The Bureau did not approve this request. It requested the State Party to pay its dues to the World Heritage Fund, and thereafter submit a request for preparatory assistance to prepare nominations for submission to the World Heritage Committee. The Bureau requested the Secretariat and the advisory bodies to assist the State Party in preparing a preparatory assistance request, and a Tentative List. |
|
B.1.2.4 |
Peru |
Technical Co-operation |
Protection of Chan Chan Archaeological Zone |
8,700 |
The Bureau approved an additional US$ 8,700 for preparing a master plan for Chan Chan Archaeological Zone site, in addition to the US$ 20,000 approved in 1997. |
|
B.1.2.5 |
Turkey |
Technical Co-operation |
"House of Fatih Inhabitants" within the Historic Centre of Istanbul |
30,000 |
After the Bureau approved this request, the Observer of Turkey thanked the Bureau for making funds available from the World Heritage Fund for this project. Thanking the Secretariat for its excellent work in developing this project, the Observer of Turkey underlined that this grant would have a multiplier effect ("seed money"), to stimulate general interest in conservation, as prioritized by the Committee in paragraph 109 of the Operation Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Finally, the Observer of Turkey requested that Annex A to the Working Document WHC-98/CONF.203/14Rev, be updated and attached to the report of the twenty-second session of the World Heritage Committee, including the statement made by Professor F. Francioni, the former Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, concerning this request. (See Annex IX) |
|
Cultural heritage |
Subtotal |
Technical Co-operation |
88,127 |
No draft Decision
TürkiyeExports
* :
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.
