Editorial

Dear Readers,

As this strange and difficult year draws to a close, we grieve for the loved ones lost and applaud the heroic dedication of frontline health-workers everywhere who have fought relentlessly. More than 1.6million people have died this year worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic and more than 71million people have been sickened from it. And these are just the official figures. Lives have been upended. More than 290 million students have had their education interrupted. However, we look forward to the new year with hope.

Reflecting on the year that has passed, we have also learned some lessons from the trying period. First, we have learned of our own fortitude and capacity to adapt. We have been able to change our ways of working and living because it was a matter of survival. And in the face of all challenges, we have continued to work and deliver on our activities and projects as best as possible. Workshops, conservation work, World Heritage periodic reporting exercise and other activities have continued for the most part though in modified ways. This is an important lesson as it demonstrates that making changes which we assumed were impossible, is not, in fact, impossible-an important lesson for pedestrianizing streets or promoting non-motorized transport, for instance.

Second, we have learned the power of digital technology to communicate across the world as well as to document, share, and collaborate through a variety of digital platforms. Many site managers of World Heritage cities have mentioned using the opportunity of the pause in tourism to carry out documentation and plans.. Many others made tourism and educational materials available online, most significantly carrying on instruction and training online, learning equally, the value of human interaction.

Third, we have also learned the power of local communities and global ones. People have reached out to support the neediest in their communities and rediscovered the value of looking out for each other and supporting local producers. Digital technologies have equally enabled us to reach across the world to share and exchange and form virtual communities of those who can support each other – such as the community of those dedicated to World Heritage cities and urban heritage. We have learned to value overcoming differences and fragmentation to reach across – across the street, across the town, or across the world.

Fourth, the importance of sustainable tourism was driven home by the impact of the sudden loss of tourism in many tourism destinations. The tourism industry that had been the single major source of income for many heritage places ceased to provide income with no other livelihood alternatives in place. Yet, the historic properties that had suffered from a constant rush of excessive tourism thrived, and local communities reclaimed the spaces they had forfeited to tourists. We have learned the importance of ensuring alternative local economic development with carefully managed sustainable tourism strategies that would contribute to regenerate historic places. Towards this end, UNESCO has set up a Tourism Task Force.

Finally, we have recognised the enduring value of history and urban heritage for well-being. Historic cities that have lived through centuries of wars, conquests, social and political turmoil, disease, and fires, and still survived have come down to us. These cities offer lessons in health and well-being not only as symbols of stability for having endured but also in their spatial planning and traditional management practices. Health cannot be relegated to the purview of doctors and hospitals alone; planning and management of the urban environment are central to it. Historic cities, where the built and natural features are intricately connected and with the traditions and practices of local communities, were often so designed to promote well-being.

Though the year has been painful, let us keep before us our accomplishments despite everything, and know that we can make the necessary changes to protect the urban environments we value so much, to promote well-being and to respond to the impacts of climate change that is urgently necessary.

2021 is the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL Recommendation). It is also the 20th anniversary of the World Heritage Cities Programme. We invite all World Heritage cities as well as historic cities everywhere to develop activities throughout 2021 to raise awareness of the HUL Recommendation and strengthen its implementation. We invite all World Heritage cities to collaborate with the World Heritage Centre to contribute to and develop activities at the regional and global level.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Jyoti Hosagrahar
Deputy Director, World Heritage Centre

From UNESCO World Heritage Centre

210th session of the Executive Board

The 210th session of the Executive Board takes place from 2 December 2020 to 27 January 2021. The Executive Board is elected by the General Conference and is one of the three constitutional organs of UNESCO. The Board examines the programme of work for the Organization and corresponding budget estimates submitted to it by the Director-General.
At the opening of the Organisation’s 210th Executive Board session, the very first to be held online in the history of UNESCO, the Director-General proposed four major strategic objectives to guide the Organisation’s new strategic direction.

Editorial

From UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Upcoming Events

2021 is the 10th Anniversary of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL Recommendation) and the 20th Anniversary of the World Heritage Cities Programme!

City Focus

Our partners

Publications of interest

Opportunities

Guidelines for Contributions

Keep us updated!