Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
Factors affecting the property in 2000*
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Management systems/ management plan
- Society's valuing of heritage
- Other Threats:
This site has progressively become abandoned and has degraded
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2000
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2000**
August 2000: World Heritage Centre epxert mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2000
A mission report dated August 2000 formulated the following recommendations:
· Status of the site at the national level: finalise the process of listing the site, including the private properties included therein;
· Strengthen the capacities of the CERKAS responsible for the site;
· Create a management commission for the site;
· Create a working group to elaborate a management plan;
· Content of the management plan and the timeframe for its elaboration.
However, since the inscription on the World Heritage List of Ksar Ait Ben Hadou, this site has progressively become abandoned and has degraded and the report recommends that the site be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. This inscription is fully justified given its present state and deterioration of a large area, as well as the fact that the corrective measures which are required should be undertaken most urgently. It comprises an adobe architecture which can last for centuries if it is regularly monitored and maintained, but may “collapse” in a few decades if not properly kept in good repair.
Consequently, it was recommended that the authorities request that this site be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger before the month of November 2000 so that a decision may be taken during the next meeting of the World Heritage Committee in December 2000. Furthermore, financial assistance should be requested for the implementation of the afore-mentioned recommendations.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2000
24 COM VIII.iii.35-43
State of conservation reports of cultural properties which the Committee noted
VIII.35 Brasilia (Brazil)
Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian (China)
The Potala Palace, Lhasa (China)
VIII.36 Islamic Cairo (Egypt)
VIII.37 Roman Monuments, Cathedral St Peter and Liebfrauen-Church in Trier (Germany)
Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin (Germany)
Classical Weimar (Germany)
Hortabagy National Park (Hungary)
VIII.38 Khajuraho Group of Monuments (India) Sun Temple of Konarak (India) Petra (Jordan) Luang Prabang (Lao People's Democratic Republic) Byblos (Lebanon) Ksar Ait Ben Haddou (Morocco) VIII.39 Island of Mozambique (Mozambique) Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha (Nepal) Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo - San Lorenzo (Panama) Archaeological Site of Chavin (Peru) VIII.40 Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (Philippines)
VIII.41 Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Philippines)
VIII.42 Cultural Landscape of Sintra (Portugal)
VIII.43 Istanbul (Turkey)
Complex of Hué Monuments (Vietnam)
The Bureau is requested to examine additional information that may be available at the time of its session and take the appropriate decision thereupon.
Morocco
* :
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.
