Old City of Sana'a

• 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
• Desertification of green areas and public gardens/orchards
• Problems with the network for the evacuation of rainwater

Damages and threats related to the armed conflict in Yemen

Not yet identified

Not yet identified

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. USD 12,000,000 from the European Union for the project: Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen (Shibam, Sana’a, Zabid and Aden)

On 21 March 2019, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/385/documents/, and presents the following progress:

• The armed conflict in Yemen continues to threaten the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to cause economic and social impact. Although the frequency of air strikes has decreased, the Al-Qassimi, Alfolihi, Madrassa, Al-Bakiria and Bahr Rajraj neighbourhoods remain affected;
• There is little available support or funding to carry out maintenance and conservation actions, nor to establish and implement corrective measures aimed at removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger. Repairs have been carried out in Al-Qasimi, but other areas remain unstable, with buildings in danger of collapse and residents being displaced. The resulting economic and social pressure has resulted in building violations, which are being addressed through demolition orders and education;
• Through the Ministry of Culture, the State Party has supported and involved community and government organizations, including the Tourism Promotion Board and Education Office in campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of cultural heritage. The Ministry of Culture has contributed to the restoration of damaged monuments and buildings through the Heritage and Cultural Development Fund;
• UNESCO and the World Heritage Centre have funded a damage inventory and assessment, undertaken by the Centre for Architectural Training and Studies, in addition to supporting capacity building;
• The review of a heritage protection bylaw will be submitted to the Prime Minister for adoption;
• The High Committee for Old City of Sana’a Protection has been reactivated to raise awareness, seek funds, encourage community participation and monitoring, and safeguard the property. The first national symposium for the preservation of Sana’a heritage took place in July 2018, focusing on sustainable protection and conservation of the old city, on support for the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY) and on building a common vision for strategies needed to prevent the destruction of Yemeni heritage through cooperation between civil society and the government;
• The State Party requires assistance in ensuring the protection of its heritage, as well as support for institutional and legislative preservation processes, such as guidelines for restoration, construction and rehabilitation, documentation of buildings and spaces, the preparation of the initial phase of a Conservation and Development Plan, and the preparation of a Management Plan for the property.

The security situation in Yemen, in combination with a lack of organizational support and resources, continues to obstruct both effective heritage management and physical conservation works within the property. However, the efforts of the State Party and other international actors, including the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to provide training, and technical guidelines are commended. These efforts are contributing to the assessment and restoration of damaged monuments and buildings, as well as to the broader objectives of providing shelter. The State Party and its agencies have undertaken work on inventories, evaluation of damage, and repair and conservation works (although details are lacking). It is positive that there are a range of training and community awareness programmes, despite the challenging circumstances. Nevertheless, damages to the historic fabric and the ongoing displacement of residents create a dire situation within the property.

The property continues to require reconstruction plans that reconcile the provision of housing and services with the need to restore damaged precincts and buildings, based on survey and documentation, and by using traditional techniques and materials. Unregulated new constructions and inadequate restorations incrementally affect the OUV of the property. It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to continue to consult the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to ensure that works at the property meet basic technical requirements.

The implementation of the European Union funded project Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen began in 2019 through UNESCO Office in Doha, and is expected to continue until 2021. The project will contribute to promoting livelihood opportunities for youth through urban regeneration activities. It comprises the restoration of particular buildings in the World Heritage Properties of Sana’a, Shibam and Zabid that have been damaged during the ongoing conflict. The project will also contribute to social cohesion and peace-building through targeted cultural programming and support for the civil society. This project is very welcome, while recognising that qualified professionals would be needed for the rehabilitation of buildings.

The reactivation of the High Committee for Old City of Sana’a Protection is a positive step, as is the national symposium for the preservation of Sana’a heritage and the resulting re-enforcement of GOPHCY’s important role in conservation, training, and communication with UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies. However, such exchanges of information need to be backed-up by resources that allow the implementation of physical conservation actions.

In the framework of the Third Cycle of the Periodic Reporting for the Arab States region, information was provided on the issue of desertification owing to the lack of maintenance and water shortage. Buildings were damaged by heavy rains, while problems with the city’s collapsed rainwater collection system require urgent attention. Urban pressure has increased in the buffer zone, with constructions that do not respect the original materials and construction techniques. Construction permits should pass through GOPHCY in order to guarantee compliance with regulations.

Owing to the prevailing security conditions, it remains challenging for the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to provide support to the State Party on first-aid measures and in restoration/reconstruction of damaged structures. Currently, it is not possible to arrange the previously-proposed joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission, which would aim at assisting the State Party in developing 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).

The Committee might wish to urge again all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the OUV of the property, and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage.

Support from the international community remains essential for building capacities in adequate preventive and conservation measures at the property. There is no reported progress in finalizing the draft National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016 – 2020, nor in the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage, adopted at the UNESCO expert meeting in July 2015. Financial and technical support is necessarily constrained until the security situation improves. However, it might be appropriate for the international community to continue to express its support and, where possible, to offer technical assistance.

Considering the above-mentioned information, it is recommended that the Committee retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.