Setting up a World Heritage management framework in Kyiv (Ukraine)
A new, unified buffer zone and a management plan aim to preserve the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage site “Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” and promote its sustainable management and development.
About Kyiv
Kyiv is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. The city is home to the World Heritage site “Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1990 under criteria (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv). The World Heritage site is a serial property with three components:
- Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings
- Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
- Church of the Savior at Berestove.
The State of Conservation reports presented to the World Heritage Committee between 1998 and 2021 reflect ongoing issues regarding the establishment of functioning and efficient management, urban planning and legal frameworks, which had led to improper development in the vicinity of the World Heritage site, threatening its integrity and setting.
Setting up the World Heritage management framework in Kyiv (Ukraine)
As a response to the recommendations by the World Heritage Committee, the World Heritage site Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is developing a sustainable management strategy to preserve the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and strengthen its role as a source of spiritual wellbeing, peace and security; a model of sustainable land use, developed over centuries as a constant process of mutual adaptation of the monastic and church communities and management bodies of the Property; and a source of local livelihoods and stable jobs.
In order to implement this vision, a number of initiatives are being developed, including the revision of the buffer zone, creation of a management plan and a programme of conservation and maintenance of historic buildings.
Buffer zone
At the time of the inscription of the property on the World Heritage List in 1990, its buffer zone was not defined. Separate buffer zones for the different components of the property were approved by the World Heritage Committee during its 29th session (Decision 29COM 8B.56).
Following the recommendations of World Heritage Committee in its 42nd session (Decision 42COM 8B.43) as well as the recommendations of the 2017 and 2020 joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring missions, a unified buffer zone surrounding all the components of the property was proposed. The buffer zone aims to:
- preserve the relationship between the monumental heritage, surrounding urban environment and landscape
- include green areas as part of the significance of the property
- preserve the physical fabric of property, and
- control development pressures around property.
The buffer zone includes general regulations regarding urban development and land uses within the vicinity of the World Heritage site, with additional requirements for designated subzones. It was approved into national law in 2020. During its 44th session, the World Heritage Committee approved the proposed buffer zone as a minor boundary modification (Decision: 44 COM 8B.58).
Management plan
In addition to the buffer zone, a management plan is currently in development by a specialised working group in cooperation with local and national governments and relevant institutions, as well as experts from the Advisory Bodies. During its 44th session, the World Heritage Committee recommended the State Party to update the management plan as soon as possible and submit it to the World Heritage Centre for examination (Decision: 44 COM 8B.58).
Next steps
Additionally, the World Heritage Committee requested the State Party to strictly monitor the application of the buffer zone and establish an efficient system to protect landscape elements, skylines, visual fields and vistas as part of urban regulation documents which are currently in development. Additionally, the World Heritage Committee requested the State Party to establish an inventory of tall buildings, both existing and planned, and to undertake Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA) for developments within the property and its buffer zone as a timely and appropriate method of assessing the multiple and cumulative impacts of planned developments. (Decision: 44 COM 7B.59)
Source: Ms Daryna Nedzelska, World Heritage site, 2020-2021; World Heritage Committee Decisions Report, 2021
Contribution towards the implementation of the 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape
The project aims to contribute to the implementation of the Historic Urban Landscape approach by:
- definition and implementation of new policies identifying and protecting the historic layering and balance of cultural and natural values in the urban environment,
- promoting a landscape approach to urban heritage management,
- developing urban planning tools that protect and manage urban heritage values, including landscape values, and their attributes.
Historic Urban Landscape Tools
Contribution towards Sustainable Development
If fully implemented in accordance with the described plans, the initiative could contribute towards Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
- Target 11.4: the management framework aims to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
Note: the described potential impacts of the projects are only indicative and based on submitted and available information. UNESCO does not endorse the specific initiatives nor ratifies their positive impact.
To learn more
- Listen to the presentation by Ms Daryna Nedzelska during International Scientific and Practical Online Conference on “World Heritage Sites: Sustainable Development Practices for Urban Heritage” on 10 December 2020.
- Consult the documentation dossier presented to the World Heritage Committee in its 44th Session in 2021.
- Browse through the technical drawings developed to support the definition of the buffer zone.
© UNESCO, 2021. Project team: Jyoti Hosagrahar, Alba Zamarbide, Carlota Marijuán Rodríguez.
Cover image: Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Ukraine) © Ko Hon Chiu Vincent. Permanent URL: whc.unesco.org/en/documents/148319
Note: The cases shared in this platform address heritage protection practices in World Heritage sites and beyond. Items being showcased in this website do not entail any type of recognition or inclusion in the World Heritage list or any of its thematic programmes. The practices shared are not assessed in any way by the World Heritage Centre or presented here as model practices nor do they represent complete solutions to heritage management problems. The views expressed by experts and site managers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Heritage Centre. The practices and views shared here are included as a way to provide insights and expand the dialogue on heritage conservation with a view to further urban heritage management practice in general.
Ukraine
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Décisions / Résolutions (2)
Le Comité du patrimoine mondial,
- Ayant examiné les documents WHC/18/42.COM/8B.Add et WHC/18/42.COM/INF.8B1.Add,
- Renvoie la proposition de modification mineure de la zone tampon pour Kiev : Cathédrale Sainte-Sophie et ensemble des bâtiments monastiques et laure de Kievo-Petchersk, Ukraine, afin de permettre à l’État partie de :
- Considérer la création d’une zone tampon unique pour le bien englobant tous les éléments constitutifs ;
- Pour l’élément constitutif de la cathédrale Sainte-Sophie, modifier la zone tampon proposée afin de :
- s’assurer que la délimitation englobe la première rangée de bâtiments de l’autre côté de la voie,
- réduire ou éliminer la partie en retrait de la zone tampon au nord-ouest,
- Pour l’élément constitutif de la laure de Kievo-Petchersk, modifier la zone tampon proposée afin de l’étendre :
- au nord le long de la rive du fleuve jusqu’à l’extrémité nord de l’actuelle zone tampon,
- sur le côté ouest d’un groupe de maisons supplémentaire et y intégrer le territoire délimité par les rues Moskovska, Tsydalena et Leiptsyzka,
- Mettre en œuvre les recommandations de la mission de suivi réactif conjointe Centre du patrimoine mondial/ICOMOS de 2017, et la décision 41 COM 7B.53 concernant les dispositions légales et les mécanismes de gestion de la zone tampon ;
- Recommande que l’État partie note les répercussions possibles sur le bien susceptibles d’apparaître en dehors des zones tampons, conformément au paragraphe 112 des Orientations et s’assure que des mécanismes de protection légale et de gestion sont disponibles pour réglementer les changements et les développements en dehors de la zone tampon afin de garantir l’absence d’incidence négative sur l’intégrité visuelle du bien.
Le Comité du patrimoine mondial,
1. Ayant examiné le document WHC-05/29.COM/8B.Add ;
2. Félicite l'État partie de l'Ukraine d'avoir proposé les zones tampons ;
3. Approuve la modification mineure de la zone tampon de Kiev : cathédrale Sainte-Sophie et de l'ensemble des bâtiments monastiques et laure de Kievo-Petchersk (Ukraine);
4. Accueille avec satisfaction la proposition de l'État partie concernant l'organisation d'une mission sur le site qui examinerait le choix de la limite orientale de la zone tampon, ainsi que la qualité et l'état du tissu urbain du centre de Kiev à l'intérieur comme à l'extérieur de la zone tampon.
En savoir plus sur la décision