Historic Centre of Puebla
Factors affecting the property in 2003*
- Commercial development
- Deliberate destruction of heritage
- Housing
- Underground transport infrastructure
- Other Threats:
Fire in December 2002
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Urban development project including the demolition of a great number of colonial constructions (issue resolved)
- Earthquake in 1999 (issue resolved)
- Commercial development
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2003
Total amount approved : 68,000 USD
| 1999 | Emergency measures to repair and consolidate the ... (Approved) | 50,000 USD |
| 1994 | Expert services to advise on the further development of ... (Approved) | 18,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2003**
June 1994: UNESCO expert mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2003
WHC:
From December 2002 through March 2003, the Secretariat received several complaints concerning the fire of 29 December 2002, followed by the demolition of three houses in the historic centre, as well as the project for the construction of parking lots announced by the Mayor’s spokesman in the press. In a letter dated 11 February 2003, the national authorities confirmed the information concerning the fire and the unauthorized destruction of the three houses. An investigation is underway regarding this matter. Furthermore, on 30 January 2003, the Mayor sent a copy of a project of the Integral Plan for the Rehabilitation of the Historic Centre of Puebla to the Centre, that included the construction of underground parking lots in the historic centre. The national authorities informed the Secretariat that by 3 March 2002, only the geo-technical sounding had been carried out. By a fax of 14 March, the State Party informed the Secretariat that the entire project of the Integral Plan for the Rehabilitation of the Historic Centre of the City of Puebla is the subject of consultations between the national institutions concerned, including INAH. It indicated, moreover, that the final approval for all the proposed activities is the responsibility of the Ministry for Social Development.
ICOMOS:
ICOMOS was informed that three buildings situated in the Boulevard Héroes del 5 de Mayo between 2 Oriente y Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, and within the Monumental Zone (Zona de Monumentos) of Puebla, had been demolished for public safety reasons. These buildings that were in a critical state of conservation, had, however, resisted the earthquake tremors of 15 June 1999 and were awaiting consolidation and restoration. Other buildings have been shored up and partially rebuilt in order to save them. Such is the case of the building situated at 12 Oriente 207, the state of which was considered alarming for public security following technical studies and expert recommendations, and which was shored up to forestall all risk of collapse.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2003
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2003
27 COM 7B.94
Historic Centre of Puebla (Mexico)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Taking note of the information provided,;
2. Noting with regret the demolition of three houses,;
3. Encourages the State Party to enhance the participation of local organisations and associations in finalising the Integral Plan for the Rehabiliation of the Historic Centre of Puebla and, to ensure that full respect of the urban and architectural heritage of the historic centre, and further encourages the State Party to remain vigilant with regard to the content and objectives of the Plan;
4. Commends the establishment of a working group involving the Municipality and Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia (INAH);
5. Requests the Mexican authorities to provide a detailed monitoring report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Draft Decision: 27 COM 7 (b) 94
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Takes note of the information provide;
2. Notes with regret the demolition of three houses;
3. Encourages the State Party to encourage the participation of local organizations and associations in finalising the Integral Plan for the Rehabilitation of the Urban and Architectural heritage of the Historic Centre of Puebla, and further encourages it to remain vigilant with regard to the content and implications of the Plan;
4. Commends the establishment of a working group involving the Mayor and INAH;
5. Requests the Mexican authorities to provide a detailed monitoring report before 1 February 2004 for consideration at its 28th session.
Mexico
* :
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.
