Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information.

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x

Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena

Colombia
Factors affecting the property in 2008*
  • Ground transport infrastructure
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Marine transport infrastructure
  • Other Threats:

    Dilapidated state of conservation of the Church of Santo Domingo

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

a) Dilapidated state of conservation of the Church of Santo Domingo;

b) Construction of TRANSCARIBE, a new public transportation system and its impact on the wall;

c) Lack of a regulatory conservation management system of the property;

d) Impact of the harbour public works on the fortifications of Cartagena. 

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2008
Requests approved: 6 (from 1988-1999)
Total amount approved : 108,800 USD
Missions to the property until 2008**

2003: ICOMOS mission ; 2006: joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS mission 

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2008

On 3 January 2008, the World Heritage Centre received a report by the State Party presenting the actions taken by the Colombian Government regarding the conclusions and recommendations of the 2006 mission.

According to the report, most of these recommendations will be taken into account in the new Special Protection Plan (PEP) that will be finalized by September 2008. Another study for the state of conservation of the historical centre has been finalized (in partnership with the Interamerican Development Bank) and its results will be taken into account for the PEP. Some participation programmes have started and seem to have been carried out satisfactory, but no clear results where sent.

Concerning land use, there have been changes in the coastal areas around the city in order to build tourist complexes or private residences. It is important to clarify how this situation may affect the historical area.

No clear information of how current regulations are being implemented in order to protect the area. Furthermore, there is no information on some recommendations of the mission, including a timeframe for the finalization of the PEP.

The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS are concerned that despite several joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS missions, which provided detailed advice on conservation and management there has been little progress in improving the protection and management of the property. In particular, there is concern over the lack of a detailed response to the recommendations of the 2006 reactive monitoring mission. 

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2008
32 COM 7B.120
Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena (Colombia) (C 285)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,

2. Recalling Decision 28 COM 15B.112, adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),

3. Deeply regrets that most of the recommendations of the 2006 Reactive Monitoring mission report are still in planning phase and no action has been taken ;

4. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2010, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and on progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the 2006 mission, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session in 2010, focusing on:

a) updated information on the boundaries of the property and buffer zones of the World Heritage property and related regulations;

b) procedures and responsibilities concerning the establishment of urban building regulations;

c) updated information on the instruments for land use control, notably in the property, and policies to promote diversification of activities;

d) advancement of the integral study of the condition of the Fortifications' walls.

Draft Decision: 32 COM 7B.120

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,

2. Recalling Decision 28 COM 15B.112, adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),

3. Deeply regrets that most of the recommendations of the 2006 reactive monitoring mission report are still in planning phase and no action has been taken ;

4. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2010, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and on progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the 2006 mission, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session in 2010, focusing on:

a) Updated information on the boundaries of the core and buffer zones of the World Heritage property and related regulations;

b) Procedures and responsibilities concerning the establishment of urban building regulations;

c) Updated information on the instruments for land use control, notably in the core area, and policies to promote diversification of activities;

d) Advancement of the integral study of the condition of the Fortifications’ walls. 

Report year: 2008
Colombia
Date of Inscription: 1984
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iv)(vi)
Documents examined by the Committee
arrow_circle_right 32COM (2008)
Exports

* : 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.


top