Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison

Need to iimplement a programme of studies and training on traditional building conservation, crafts and materials, and in collaboration with local tertiary institutions, and to implement a programme of measuring and documenting all the listed buildings within the property

In response to the requests made by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session (Decision 36 COM 7B.95), the State Party submitted a report on the implementation of the management plan for the property and other progresses. The report is accessible at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1376/documents. In 2011 it was established a national committee for management and monitoring, the Barbados World Heritage Committee (BWHC), which now manages the property under the presidency of the Town and Country Development Planning Office (TCDPO). The BWHC has launched seven themed action plans: Protecting, Preserving and Enhancing Heritage; Education, Capacity Building and Research; Traffic Management; Tourism Management; Heritage and Cultural Interpretation; Public Awareness; and Risk Management. Financial support is granted by the Ministries, departments and NGOs that compose the BWHC. In addition, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth is assisting in drafting the terms of reference for a new Foundation responsible for fundraising and identification of funding sources addressed to the management plan implementation.

The State Party continues developing educational, training and conservation programmes, such as the Heritage in Classroom Workshops, carried out in 2013, and the proposal for a project for the preservation and conservation of the traditional wooden houses (chattel houses) planned to start in 2015. Furthermore, a request was submitted in October 2013 to the World Heritage Centre for International Assistance for the development of an introductory course in conservation techniques aimed at academic staff. In 2013 the TCDPO entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with qualified consultants who are undertaking a technical assessment of listed buildings in the property. Phase 1 identified, measured and documented 18 Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, while another 20 buildings were identified in Phase 2, scheduled to be completed by March 2014. Phase 3 is planned to begin in September 2014.

Information on urban development projects was also submitted, notably for the Marina, the Bridgetown port and the Constitution River, all within the limits of the property and buffer zone.

For those reasons, the urgent conservation issues with regard to the property are being addressed and the State Party is commended for its continuous efforts. Nevertheless, the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies will continue monitoring the interventions at the property, particularly the major development projects, as well as follow-up on the implementation of the management plan.