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State of Conservation (SOC)

Historic Centre of Brugge (2009)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Ap proved: 0USD

Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

In February 2008, information was received by the World Heritage Centre from a foundation raising concerns about interventions and new constructions at the World Heritage property which could have an impact on its authenticity and integrity, as well as the state of conservation of some of the historic buildings. Subsequently, on 17 July 2008 the World Heritage Centre requested additional information to the State Party regarding the construction of new buildings at the Historic Centre. An information dossier was submitted on 26 November 2008 from the City of Brugges through the Permanent Delegation of Belgium to UNESCO which presented the policy for the protection of historic buildings and for the qualitative urban renovation at the property, including the prevailing principles to integrate conservation and restoration with the life of an evolving and contemporary city with new architecture to reflect this notion.

The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS remain concerned about the potential impacts of new constructions, in particular of the Museum of History and the interventions at the Casselberg, Sept Tours and Bouclier Français, on the authenticity and integrity of the property as well as the challenges faced for the integration of contemporary architecture within the historic ensemble, an issue that needs to be systematically and comprehensively analysed to balance the conservation needs to sustain the Outstanding Universal Value of the property with the demands of an evolving city.

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

33COM7B.94
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-09/33.COM/7B.Add,

2. Takes note of the information provided by the State Party in response to concerns raised regarding the state of conservation of the property and the proposals for new construction and interventions at the Historic Centre;

3. Requests the State Party to submit, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, to the World Heritage Centre the specific details of the project for the Museum of History and for the interventions at the Casselberg, Sept Tours and Bouclier Français and results from the studies and consultations for consideration by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS prior to their approval;

4. Also requests that the State Party invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to assess the potential impact of these and other projects on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;

5. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2011, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and on the progress made in the implementation of the above recommendations, for the examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011.

Draft Decision: 33 COM 7B.94

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-09/33.COM/7B.Add,

2. Takes note of the information provided by the State Party in response to concerns raised regarding the state of conservation of the property and the proposals for new construction and interventions at the Historic Centre;

3. Requests the State Party to submit, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, to the World Heritage Centre the specific details of the project for the Museum of History and for the interventions at the Casselberg, Sept Tours and Bouclier Français and results from the studies and consultations for consideration by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS prior to their approval;

4. Also requests that the State Party invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to assess the potential impact of these and other projects on the Outstanding Universal Value, integrity and authenticity of the property;

5. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2011, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and on the progress made in the implementation of the above recommendations, for the examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011.

 

Historic Centre of Brugge
State Party:
Belgium
Date of Inscription: 2000
Nomination records (Year): 1999
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(iv)(vi)
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2012
2010
2009
Threats*
  • Housing
  • Interpretative and visitation facilities
  • Management activities
  • Other Threats:
Documents
WHC-09/33.COM/7B.Add
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 759

* : 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.