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State of Conservation Old City of Sana'a 2018

Old City of Sana'a

Yemen
Factors affecting the property in 2018*
  • Civil unrest
  • Housing
  • Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
  • Land conversion
  • Management activities
  • War
  • Other Threats:

    Functional decay of the residential neighborhoods; Physical damage and instability of buildings

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Modern constructions and uncontrolled expansion of commercial activities (issue resolved)
  • Lack of a Safeguarding Plan (issue resolved)
  • Fly-over bridge project (issue resolved)
  • Uncontrolled vertical and horizontal additions
  • Management activities (Use of inappropriate building materials and techniques)
  • Densification of the historic fabric through occupation of green areas
  • Functional decay of the residential neighbourhoods
  • Continuing vulnerability of the property, as a result of extreme conditions since 2011
  • Threats arising from the armed conflict in Yemen
  • Physical damage and instability of buildings
  • Urgent need for shelter for displaced residents
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Damages and threats related to the armed conflict in Yemen

Corrective Measures for the property

Not yet identified

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

Not yet identified

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2018

Total amount granted: 1988: USD 374,800, UNDP/UNESCO project in support of local staff training and fund-raising. 2004-2006: USD 60,000 for the Inventory of the historic city (Italian Funds-in-Trust); USD 12,000 for technical assistance in support of the reconstruction of the al-Qasimi neighborhood (Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH)

Total amount granted to Yemeni cultural properties: USD 194,836 from the European Union for damage assessments, capacity development and emergency stabilization of damaged buildings and protection of archaeological sites. Total amount of USD 35,000 from UNESCO Regular Programme for the Sustainable Management of Tangible Heritage in the GCC and Yemen

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2018
Requests approved: 6 (from 1990-2014)
Total amount approved : 101,997 USD
2014 Preparation of the conservation plan - Old City of ... (Approved)   29,830 USD
2003 Conservation plan for Old City of Sana'a (Approved)   20,000 USD
2000 The Gardens of the old city of Sana'a (Approved)   20,000 USD
1999 Exposition of the photographs of the architectures in ... (Approved)   167 USD
1998 Preservation of Al-Maidan steambath in Sana'a (Approved)   19,000 USD
1990 Mission to advise on restoration works on Sana'a Mosque (Approved)   13,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2018**

1998, 1999, 2003: World Heritage Centre monitoring missions; 2003 to 2005 and 2010: World Heritage Centre and experts missions

2009 Report on the WHC Mission to Yemen, 21-31 January 2009
1998 Monitoring Mission Report, Old City of Sana'a, June 1998
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2018

Local sources provided a report on the property’s state of conservation, which contains the following information:

  • The Old City of Sana'a continues to be severely affected by armed conflict and socio-economic decline. The AI-Qasimi, AI-Alfolihi, Almadrasah, Salah Al-Din and AI-Bukairia neighbourhoods in the Old City of Sana'a were previously severely damaged while additional damage occurred at Salah Al-Din and Bukairia in November 2017;
  • Despite the inventory and assessment project for the damage incurred to the historic buildings that the General Authority for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY) had undertaken, emergency interventions could not be completed owing to the security situation and lack of funds, except for construction of bearing walls to severely damaged buildings in the Al-Qasimi area;
  • Technical actors have taken action to prevent or remedy inappropriate constructions within the historic city. However, a number of interventions have arisen through actions by individuals responding to the economic and social pressures facing local residents and amid a lack of adequate governance.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2018

The armed conflict in Yemen continues to severely affect and further threaten the OUV of the property.

GOPHCY’s involvement in damage assessment, documentation, first-aid interventions, preparatory training and communication with the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Office in Doha and the Advisory Bodies is highly appreciated. However, the exchanges of information and consultation on the state of conservation of the property and first-aid measures need to be backed-up with resources that allow implementation of physical conservation actions.

The situation within the property for both residents and historic buildings remains dire. The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS have supported reconstruction plans to sustain shelter for the inhabitants, and provided detailed technical restoration and reconstruction guidelines that reconcile the provision of housing and basic shelter and services needs for the inhabitants, with the necessity of restoring damaged buildings based on surveys and documentation, and using traditional construction techniques and materials as much as possible. Indeed, unregulated new constructions and inadequate restorations will incrementally affect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property. It is therefore recommended that the Committee request the State Party to consult the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in order to ensure that restoration and reconstruction works at the property abide by basic technical requirements.

Support from the international community remains essential for capacity building to conduct adequate preventive and conservation measures at the property, in relation to the armed conflict, within the framework of the July 2015 Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage. Financial support is necessarily constrained until the security situation improves, emergency interventions for the reconstruction of destroyed houses still require immediate financial and technical support, to sustain people’s livelihoods and ensure that these interventions include due consideration of the property’s OUV.

Owing to the security conditions prevailing in the country, it remains challenging for the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to provide further support to the State Party on first-aid measures and restoration/reconstruction of damaged structures, nor is it currently possible to arrange a joint Reactive Monitoring mission, despite the State Party’s repeated invitations.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2018
42 COM 7A.38
Old City of Sana’a (Yemen) (C 385)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.52, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Expresses its continuing concern at the damage caused to the cultural heritage of Yemen as a result of armed conflict, and that the Old City of Sana’a has incurred irreversible destruction, and continues to be vulnerable, owing to the current security situation, ongoing social change and continuing lack of organisational support and resources for both heritage management and physical conservation;
  4. Commends the local technical actors and other parties involved in damage assessment, documentation and emergency interventions at the property, and requests that they restore damaged buildings based on surveys and documentation, and using traditional construction techniques and materials, as much as possible, to avoid incrementally affecting the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
  5. Notes the actions taken to address unauthorized construction of new buildings within the property without prior consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies and reiterates its previous request that the State Party submit to the World Heritage Centre, for examination by the Advisory Bodies, further information on these new buildings and on new projects prior to initiating any construction works;
  6. Reiterates the need for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to advise on short-term repair and conservation works, and to contribute to the development of a set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their implementation, as well as the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), as soon as the security situation in Yemen has improved;
  7. Urges all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, in particular the safeguarding of properties on the World Heritage List and those included in the Tentative List of Yemen, and encourages all concerned stakeholders to unite for the preservation of cultural heritage in Yemen;
  8. Reiterates its previous call to the international community to provide technical and financial support, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, for the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage, adopted at the UNESCO expert meeting in July 2015, including funding for capacity building and first-aid restoration and protection measures; and also calls on the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to continue providing technical assistance and support where needed;
  9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, 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 43rd session in 2019;
  10. Decides to retain the Old City of Sana'a (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
42 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/18/42.COM/7A, WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add and WHC/18/42.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 42 COM 7A.1)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 42 COM 7A.2)
  • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 42 COM 7A.5)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 42 COM 7A.8)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.45)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 42 COM 7A.9)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.46)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.47)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.48)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.49)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.50)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.51)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 42 COM 7A.17)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.44)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 42 COM 7A.40)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 42 COM 7A.18)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 42 COM 7A.19)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 42 COM 7A.20)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 42 COM 7A.21)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 42 COM 7A.22)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 42 COM 7A.23)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 42 COM 7A.24)
  • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 42 COM 7A.25)
  • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 42 COM 7A.26)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 42 COM 7A.53)
  • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 42 COM 7A.13)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 42 COM 7A.14)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 42 COM 7A.15)
  • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 42 COM 7A.3)
  • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 42 COM 7A.54)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 42 COM 7A.27)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 42 COM 7A.29)
  • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 42 COM 7A.28)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 42 COM 7A.10)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 42 COM 7A.11)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.55)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 42 COM 7A.6)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 42 COM 7A.41)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 42 COM 7A.30)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 42 COM 7A.31)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 42 COM 7A.32)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 42 COM 7A.33)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 42 COM 7A.34)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 42 COM 7A.35)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 42 COM 7A.16)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 42 COM 7A.7)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.56)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.42)
  • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 42 COM 7A.4)
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 42 COM 7A.12)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 42 COM 7A.37)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 42 COM 7A.38)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 42 COM 7A.39)
Read more
Draft Decision: 42 COM 7A.38

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.52, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Expresses its continuing concern at the damage caused to the cultural heritage of Yemen as a result of armed conflict, and that the Old City of Sana’a has incurred irreversible destruction, and continues to be vulnerable, owing to the current security situation, ongoing social change and continuing lack of organisational support and resources for both heritage management and physical conservation;
  4. Commends the local technical actors and other parties involved in damage assessment, documentation and emergency interventions at the property, and requests that they restore damaged buildings based on surveys and documentation, and using traditional construction techniques and materials, as much as possible, to avoid incrementally affecting the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
  5. Notes the actions taken to address unauthorized construction of new buildings within the property without prior consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies and reiterates its previous request that the State Party submit to the World Heritage Centre, for examination by the Advisory Bodies, further information on these new buildings and on new projects prior to initiating any construction works;
  6. Reiterates the need for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to advise on short-term repair and conservation works, and to contribute to the development of a set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their implementation, as well as the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), as soon as the security situation in Yemen has improved;
  7. Urges all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, in particular the safeguarding of properties on the World Heritage List and those included in the Tentative List of Yemen, and encourages all concerned stakeholders to unite for the preservation of cultural heritage in Yemen;
  8. Reiterates its previous call to the international community to provide technical and financial support, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, for the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage, adopted at the UNESCO expert meeting in July 2015, including funding for capacity building and first-aid restoration and protection measures; and also calls on the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to continue providing technical assistance and support where needed;
  9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, 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 43rd session in 2019;
  10. Decides to retain the Old City of Sana'a (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.  
Previous 2017 Next 2019
Report year: 2018
Yemen
Date of Inscription: 1986
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iv)(v)(vi)
Danger List (dates): 2015-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add
arrow_circle_right 42COM (2018)
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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