Old City of Sana'a
Factors affecting the property in 2001*
- Housing
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Modern constructions and uncontrolled expansion of commercial activities
- Lack of a Safeguarding Plan
- Increasing number of dilapidated buildings
- Fly-over bridge project (issue resolved)
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2001
Total amount approved : 52,167 USD
| 2000 | The Gardens of the old city of Sana'a (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1999 | Exposition of the photographs of the architectures in ... (Approved) | 167 USD |
| 1998 | Preservation of Al-Maidan steambath in Sana'a (Approved) | 19,000 USD |
| 1990 | Mission to advise on restoration works on Sana'a Mosque (Approved) | 13,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2001**
1989: various UNESCO missions; June 1998: monitoring mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2001
The international safeguarding campaign for the Old City of Sana’a, launched in 1986, obtained positive results, notably the establishment of infrastructure, paving of the streets, development of the Wadi Saïla and creation of a specialised body responsible for its protection.
However, at present, no safeguarding and urbanism plan has been elaborated and implemented. This deficiency has had worrying consequences, as for example, on the one hand, an uncontrolled spreading of the historical Souk towards the residential areas, and on the other, numerous new constructions using modern structures and materials. These constructions are totally incompatible with the City, and of increasing height for residential buildings, resulting in the establishment in the city of several high-rise constructions, the height of which is in excess by several storeys, of the level of other parts of the Old City.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2001
The Bureau may wish to adopt the following decision:
“The Bureau requests the Yemeni authorities to take the necessary measures in order to immediately halt new constructions, additions or alterations within the urban fabric of the Old City, until a Conservation Plan has been prepared and adopted. To this end, the Bureau encourages the Yemeni authorities to submit urgently a request for International Assistance to the Committee, to enable the preparation of such a Plan, in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre."
Yemen
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.
