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State of Conservation Humberstone and Santa ... 2016

Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works

Chile
Factors affecting the property in 2016*
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Wind
  • Other Threats:

    Extremely fragile nature of the industrial buildings that were constructed using local materials such as timber for frames, corrugated iron sheets for roofs and some walls, in addition to stucco and lightweight construction; Lack of maintenance over the past 40 years; Corrosion of metal cladding and dismantlement of some of the structural elements. A few buildings such as the Leaching House are liable to structural collapse if no support is given; Very little conservation work carried out

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Extremely fragile nature of the industrial buildings that were constructed using local materials such as timber for frames, corrugated iron sheets for roofs and some walls, in addition to stucco and lightweight construction
  • Lack of maintenance over the past 40 years as well as vandalism at the property
  • Corrosion of metal cladding and dismantlement of some of the structural elements
  • A few buildings such as the Leaching  House are liable to structural collapse if no support is given
  • Damage caused by earthquakes and the wind
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Extremely fragile nature of the industrial buildings
  • Lack of maintenance for 40 years
  • Vandalism due to looting of re-usable materials
  • Damage caused by the wind
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/5014

Corrective Measures for the property

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/5014

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/5014
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2016
Requests approved: 3 (from 2007-2015)
Total amount approved : 135,000 USD
2015 Post Earthquake 2014 Emergency Assistance for ... (Approved)   75,000 USD
2012 International Expert Meeting - Conservation of Wood ... (Approved)   30,000 USD
2007 Protection and consolidation of the Humberstone and ... (Approved)   30,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2016**

October 2004: ICOMOS evaluation mission; May 2007: World Heritage Centre site visit; April 2010: Joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2016

On 19 February 2016, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, a summary of which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1178/documents.

The State Party reports that, thanks to the World Heritage “Post Earthquake 2014 Emergency Assistance for Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works”, new priority interventions were designed and adapted following the 2014 earthquake. A registry of general damages to the constructive systems and materiality of 36 structures has been completed. Transfer of knowledge of traditional construction techniques to architecture students of the University Arturo Prat was incorporated in this project and two emergency interventions will be undertaken in 2016.

The definition of the buffer zone and the regulatory measures to ensure its adequate protection is ongoing and once concluded, a submission will be made in accordance with the Operational Guidelines.

The State Party is committed to continue the implementation of the corrective measures that will contribute to reach the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR). The National Monuments Council will appoint a professional to support this process and additional collaboration has been made available from the National Centre for Conservation and Restoration.

The report includes an assessment of the progress made in the 2014-2015 period in the implementation of the corrective measures. This includes:

  • Restoration and consolidation works,
  • Studies on the building materials (metal, pampino concrete and wood),
  • Security and surveillance measures,
  • Implementation of the Management Plan and the Heritage Interpretation Plan,
  • Definition and provision of human and financial resources,
  • Visitor and interpretation planning,
  • Restoration of the Pulperia as an “Interpretation centre for the Salpeter Era”.

Among the activities to be carried out in 2016 are:

  • Museography of the interpretation centre at the Pulperia,
  • Documentation Centre in the Santiago Humberstone Salpeter Work,
  • Preparation of an Integral Conservation Plan,
  • Construction of the Humberstone sewage system.

Finally, the State Party indicates that the President of the Republic of Chile submitted the legal texts for the creation of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage to the National Congress.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2016

It should be recalled that the State Party had to respond to major damages caused by a severe earthquake in 2014. In spite of this, the State Party is committed to implement the corrective measures according to the timeframe established at the 37th session of the Committee (Phnom Penh, 2013).

The information on the progress in the creation of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage is noted with interest.

It should also be noted that important progress has been made in the implementation of the corrective measures, thanks to the allocation of dedicated staff and resources, sound planning and the collaboration of institutions at all levels of government. The participation of the University Arturo Prat is of particular interest to transfer knowledge about management and conservation to architecture students.

It is recommended that the Committee commend the State Party for its commitment to implement the corrective measures in a timely manner and encourage the State Party to continue these efforts in order to advance in the achievement of the DSOCR, as adopted by the Committee at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013).

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2016
40 COM 7A.2
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Chile) (C 1178bis)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 39 COM 7A.45, adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
  3. Commends the State Party for its commitment to the full and timely implementation of the corrective measures and for the progress made in a period in which the State Party also had to respond to severe damages caused by the earthquake of 2014;
  4. Acknowledges that the allocation of dedicated staff and resources, efficient planning and coordination among national and local institutions are key factors in the successful implementation of the corrective measures, and particularly welcomes the participation of the University Arturo Prat as a means to transmit knowledge of traditional construction techniques and materials of the property to the young generation of architecture students;
  5. Encourages the State Party to continue the implementation of the corrective measures with the aim to achieve the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) within the established framework;
  6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017;
  7. Decides to retain Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Chile) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
40 COM 8C.2
Update of the list of World Heritage in Danger (retained sites)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/16/40.COM/7A, WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add and WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add.2),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 40 COM 7A.26)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 40 COM 7A.27)
  • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 40 COM 7A.32)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 40 COM 7A.1)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.34)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 40 COM 7A.2)
  • Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.35)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.36)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.37)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.38)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.39)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.40)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.41)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 40 COM 7A.9)
  • Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.43)
  • Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 40 COM 7A.28)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.33)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 40 COM 7A.48)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 40 COM 7A.10)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 40 COM 7A.11)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 40 COM 7A.12)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 40 COM 7A.13)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 40 COM 7A.44)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 40 COM 7A.6)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 40 COM 7A.7)
  • Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 40 COM 7A.45)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 40 COM 7A.14)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 40 COM 7A.15)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 40 COM 7A.3)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 40 COM 7A.4)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.46)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 40 COM 7A. 30)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 40 COM 7A.49)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 40 COM 7A.16)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 40 COM 7A.17)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 40 COM 7A.18)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 40 COM 7A.19)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 40 COM 7A.20)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 40 COM 7A.21)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 40 COM 7A.8)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 40 COM 7A.31)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.47)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.50)
  • Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 40 COM 7A.5)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 40 COM 7A.23)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 40 COM 7A.24)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 40 COM 7A.25).
Read more
Draft Decision: 40 COM 7A.2

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 39 COM 7A.45, adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
  3. Commends the State Party for its committment to the full and timely implementation of the corrective measures and for the progress made in a period in which the State Party also had to respond to severe damages caused by the earthquake of 2014;
  4. Acknowledges that the allocation of dedicated staff and resources, efficient planning and coordination among national and local institutions are key factors in the successful implementation of the corrective measures, and particularly welcomes the participation of the University Arturo Prat as a means to transmit knowledge of traditional construction techniques and materials of the property to the young generation of architecture students;
  5. Encourages the State Party to continue the implementation of the corrective measures with the aim to achieve the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) within the established framework;
  6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017;
  7. Decides to retain Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Chile) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
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Report year: 2016
Chile
Date of Inscription: 2005
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)
Danger List (dates): 2005-2019
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/16/40.COM/7A
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2016) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 40COM (2016)
Exports
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* : 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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