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State of Conservation Chan Chan Archaeological ... 2017

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone

Peru
Factors affecting the property in 2017*
  • Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
  • Illegal activities
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Water (rain/water table)
  • Other Threats:

    Continuous deterioration of earthen architecture structures and decorated surfaces from lack of conservation and maintenance practices

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Continuous deterioration of earthen architecture structures and decorated surfaces from lack of conservation and maintenance practices
  • Illegal occupation of the property
  • Unregulated farming activities
  • Rising water table levels
  • Delay in implementing protective measures (legislation and regulations already passed by the National Authorities)
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Fragile state of conservation of earthen structures and decorated surfaces due to extreme climatic conditions (El Niño phenomenon) and other environmental factors
  • Inadequate management system in place
  • Insufficient capacity and resources for the implementation of conservation measures
  • Increase in the levels of the phreatic water table
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/4647

Corrective Measures for the property

 Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4647

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4647
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2017
Requests approved: 5 (from 1987-1998)
Total amount approved : 118,700 USD
1998 Master Plan for Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Approved)   8,700 USD
1997 Emergency assistance for the Archaeological Zone of ... (Approved)   50,000 USD
1997 Technical advice for the preparation of an Integral ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
1994 Regional and International Course on the Conservation ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
1987 Consultancy and equipment for the safeguarding of Chan ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2017**

1997: ICOMOS mission; February 2007: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS and ICCROM mission; November 2010 and December 2014: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring missions

2014 Report on the Joint UNESCO-WHC / ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) (C 366) ...
2007 Report on the Joint Unesco – ICOMOS – ICCROM Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Archaeological Zone of Chan Chan, ...
2002 WHC Mission Report, Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
1997 ICOMOS Expert Mission Report, Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2017

On 6 February 2017, the State Party submitted a report, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/366/documents/, which provides updated information on actions undertaken in 2016, and on the implementation of the corrective measures and Decision 40 COM 7A.4, as follows:

  • The inter-institutional cooperation agreement between Plan COPESCO (Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism) and the Ministry of Culture for the expansion of the site museum has been signed, and foresees the expansion of the exhibition space, visitor services, areas for administration and management, facilities for conservation workshops as well as the required space for the Pan-American Conservation Centre for Earthen Heritage Sites (PCCEHS);
  • The Archaeological Intervention Manual is in implementation whereas the Risk Prevention Plan is in process of development on the basis of guidelines established in 2013. In the first semester of 2017 inter-institutional and interdisciplinary groups will start preparing the first risk response plans to identified threats;
  • The Decentralised Department of Culture-La Libertad (DDC-LIB, Ministry of Culture) submitted, in April 2016, Guidelines for the Regulation of the Buffer Zones to the Provincial Municipality of Trujillo, which are now under review by the Planning and Urban Development Office (PLANDET);
  • The updated version of the Master Plan for the Conservation and Management of the Chan Chan Archaeological Complex is in its final phase of approval by the Minister of Culture;
  • The Draft Regulations of Law 28161 regarding illegal occupation was referred to and evaluated by the Prime Minister´s Office and the observations made are now under review.

Furthermore, the State Party reports on conservation and maintenance actions undertaken in 2015 and 2016, as well as on the completion of the preventive measures that were decided in response to the El Niño phenomenon of 2014.

Comprehensive information on several Public Investments Projects (PIP) is also reported, along with detailed information on budget and implementation of the activities of the Pan-American Centre for the Conservation of Earthen Heritage Sites. Moreover, its activities in 2016 were concentrated on research, environmental and conservation monitoring, and documentation with the use of advanced technology. Cleaning and awareness activities were also implemented.

As to the completion of the corrective measures, the report includes an assessment of the progress made in the achievement of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and concludes that the completion of the main issues – approval of the updated Master Plan, approval of Law 28161 and regulations of the buffer zone - are still pending.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2017

It is considered that important progress has been made in the conservation and management of the property, the implementation of the corrective measures and the achievement of the DSOCR.

The agreement for the expansion of the museum, its facilities and the Conservation Centre is welcomed. It is recommended that the Committee congratulate the State Party for its actions in areas of research, monitoring, conservation and awareness raising.

It is noted that the three following main pending matters are in the final stage of conclusion:

  • The formal adoption of the Master Plan by the Minister of Culture;
  • The review of the Guidelines document proposed by DDC-LIB, for the regulation of the buffer zone, by the Planning and Urban Development Office of the Municipality of Trujillo;
  • The review of the draft regulations for Law 28161, which will address the issue of illegal occupations, following observations made by the Office of the Prime Minister.

While it is understood that the completion of administrative processes may take long, it is still recommended that the Committee urge the State Party to give high priority to these matters as they are essential requirements for the adequate conservation and management of the property.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2017
41 COM 7A.26
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) (C 366)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.4, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
  3. Congratulates the State Party for the progress made in the implementation of the corrective measures that are required to achieve the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  4. Welcomes the agreement for the extension of the site museum and its facilities, as well as the Pan-American Conservation Centre for Earthen Heritage Sites (PCCEHS), among others;
  5. Acknowledges the commitment expressed by the State Party to update the Archaeological Intervention Manual and the Integral Risk Prevention Plan;
  6. Takes note of the progress made in three main pending issues and that administrative processes for their completion are under way, and urges the State Party to give high priority to:
    1. The formal adoption of the Master Plan by the Minister of Culture,
    2. The formal delimitation of the buffer zone and elaboration of its regulatory measures, which may incorporate the Guidelines document proposed for the Municipality of Trujillo,
    3. The review of the draft regulations for Law 28161 which will address the issue of illegal occupations, following observations made by the Office of the Prime Minister;
  7. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, 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 42nd session in 2018;
  8. Decides to retain Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
41 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/17/41.COM/7A, WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add and WHC/17/41.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 41 COM 7A.54)
    • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 41 COM 7A.55)
    • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 41 COM 7A.2)
    • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 41 COM 7A.23)
    • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.4)
    • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 41 COM 7A.24)
    • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.6)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.7)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.8)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.9)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.10)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.11)
    • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 41 COM 7A.32)
    • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.3)
    • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.18)
    • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 41 COM 7A.33)
    • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.34)
    • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 41 COM 7A.35)
    • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 41 COM 7A.36)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 41 COM 7A.37)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 41 COM 7A.38)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 41 COM 7A.39)
    • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 41 COM 7A.40)
    • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 41 COM 7A.41)
    • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 41 COM 7A.14)
    • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 41 COM 7A.28)
    • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 41 COM 7A.29)
    • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 41 COM 7A.30)
    • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 41 COM 7A.56)
    • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 41 COM 7A.15)
    • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 41 COM 7A.42)
    • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 41 COM 7A.43)
    • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 41 COM 7A.25)
    • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 41 COM 7A.26)
    • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.16)
    • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 41 COM 7A.21)
    • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 41 COM 7A.19)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 41 COM 7A.44)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 41 COM 7A.45)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 41 COM 7A.46)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 41 COM 7A.47)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 41 COM 7A.48)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 41 COM 7A.49)
    • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 41 COM 7A.31)
    • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 41 COM 7A.22)
    • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.17)
    • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.1)
    • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 41 COM 7A.57)
    • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 41 COM 7A.27)
    • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 41 COM 7A.51)
    • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 41 COM 7A.52)
    • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 41 COM 7A.53)
      Read more
      Draft Decision: 41 COM 7A.26

      The World Heritage Committee,

      1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A,
      2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.4, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
      3. Congratulates the State Party for the progress made in the implementation of the corrective measures that are required to achieve the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
      4. Welcomes the agreement for the extension of the site museum and its facilities, as well as the Pan-American Conservation Centre for Earthen Heritage Sites (PCCEHS), among others;
      5. Acknowledges the commitment expressed by the State Party to update the Archaeological Intervention Manual and the Integral Risk Prevention Plan;
      6. Takes note of the progress made in three main pending issues and that administrative processes for their completion are under way, and urges the State Party to give high priority to:
        1. The formal adoption of the Master Plan by the Minister of Culture,
        2. The formal delimitation of the buffer zone and elaboration of its regulatory measures, which may incorporate the Guidelines document proposed for the Municipality of Trujillo,
        3. The review of the draft regulations for Law 28161 which will address the issue of illegal occupations, following observations made by the Office of the Prime Minister;
      7. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, 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 42nd session in 2018;
      8. Decides to retain Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
      Previous 2016 Next 2018
      Report year: 2017
      Peru
      Date of Inscription: 1986
      Category: Cultural
      Criteria: (i)(iii)
      Danger List (dates): 1986-present
      Documents examined by the Committee
      WHC/17/41.COM/7A
      SOC Report by the State Party
      Report (2017) .pdf
      arrow_circle_right 41COM (2017)
      Exports
      Previous 2016 Next 2018

      * : 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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