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Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou

Morocco
Factors affecting the property in 2014*
  • Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Partial abandonment of the property;
  • Gully erosion;
  • Rock falls due to erosion;
  • Increased offences in old ksar and degradation;
  • Delays in the establishment of a technical and administrative structure responsible for the property;
  • Uncontrolled tourism and visitor pressure.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2014
Requests approved: 3 (from 2001-2007)
Total amount approved : 52,333 USD
Missions to the property until 2014**

September 2003: reactive monitoring mission; November 2003: World Heritage Centre mission; April 2006: joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission; February 2007: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission. 

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2014

On 31 January 2013, a report on the state of conservation of the property was submitted by the State Party and is available at the following Internet address: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/444/documents/.

The report indicates that the new management entity created in 2010 falls under the authority of the Cultural Heritage Directorate (Ministry of Culture) with a conservator of historic monuments based at the property as its director. The management entity has an annual operating budget allocated by the Cultural Heritage Directorate and has a clearly defined mandate enabling it to fulfill its role. The report recalls the existence of a management committee, chaired by the Governor of the Province. This committee is responsible for the monitoring and execution of decisions, in consultation with representatives of the inhabitants of Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou. As indicated in the report, the management entity ensures the secretariat of the management committee. With regard to the relationship of the management entity with the Centre for Conservation and Rehabilitation of Architectural Heritage of Atlas and Sub-Atlas Zones (CERKAS), the report indicates that this latter body has an important technical role and works in close collaboration with the conservator of historic monuments, who directs the management entity.

In terms of conservation, the State Party confirms that the construction work for the bridge linking the World Heritage property and the new village overlooking Oued El Maleh was completed in 2011. It also highlights the benefits of the construction of the bridge for the local population and especially for the inhabitants of the ksar. Indeed, it is indicated that the achievement of this construction, exclusively for pedestrian use, has enabled, among others, an increase in the number of inhabitants living in the ksar due to the improved accessibility of the site, encouragement in the establishment of infrastructures required for the creation of activities generating income for the population, notably linked to tourism. Finally, the report provides information regarding the budget for the restoration of the houses in the ksar in 2014 and 2015, under the supervision of CERKAS.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2014

The report confirms the strengthening of the management system. The inauguration of the bridge linking the World Heritage area and the new village overlooking Oued El Maleh, the work for which was completed in 2011, has had a positive impact on the life of the inhabitants and contributed towards the reinforcement of the management system of the property.

It is therefore recommended that the World Heritage Committee request the State Party to provide additional information regarding the cooperative mechanism established between the management entity and the management committee, as well as the positive impact of the commissioning of the bridge linking the two banks of the Oued El Maleh. This information could be used as an example of good practice in the integrated management of an urban ensemble including an historic area inscribed on the World Heritage List. It is also recommended that the State Party adopt an approach focused on the historic urban landscape as an additional tool in the sustainable development of the property.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2014
38 COM 7B.3
Ksar Ait-Ben-Haddou (Morocco) (C 444)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.55, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
  3. Commends the State Party for the efforts achieved in the management and conservation of the property;
  4. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre more detailed information on the management system established and the positive impact of the commissioning of the bridge linking the two banks of the Oued El Maleh, so that this may be used as an example of good practice in integrated management of an urban ensemble including an historic area inscribed on the World Heritage List;
  5. Recommends the State Party adopt an approach focused on historic urban landscape as an additional tool in the sustainable management of the property.

Draft Decision:   38 COM 7B.3

The World Heritage Committee,

  1.   Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B.Add,
  2.   Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.55, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
  3.   Commends the State Party for the efforts achieved in the management and conservation of the property;
  4.   Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre more detailed information on the management system established and the positive impact of the commissioning of the bridge linking the two banks of the Oued El Maleh, so that this may be used as an example of good practice in integrated management of an urban ensemble including an historic area inscribed on the World Heritage List;
  5.   Recommends the State Party adopt an approach focused on historic urban landscape as an additional tool in the sustainable management of the property.
Report year: 2014
Morocco
Date of Inscription: 1987
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iv)(v)
Documents examined by the Committee
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2014) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 38COM (2014)
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.


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