Case Law

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC-07/31.COM/8B and WHC-07/31.COM/INF.8B.1,
2. Refers the nomination of the Batanes Cultural Landscapes, Philippines, back to the State Party in order to allow it to provide additional information on the basis of further survey and research on:

a) The evolution of the landscape as a holistic reflection of history and cultural traditions, and of the interaction between culture and nature;

b) The chronological history of the landscape, the way the landscape has been shaped by farming, forestry and fishing practices, and the natural resources that have been used;

c) More detailed assessments and recording of archaeological sites and settlement patterns;

d) The intangible associations between people and their surroundings, practices, rituals, belief systems and occupations, in order to understand better how the landscape is a physical reflection of a culture;

e) Ways of actively supporting traditional agricultural, forestry and other landscape practices;

f) Whether there is potential for the islands to hold a significant place in the scientific study of Austronesian migrations;

g) The natural values of the islands.

3.      Recommends, pending further research, that the State Party consider, in the future, a renomination of this property to include all the islands of the archipelago either in a core zone or in a buffer zone.

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC-07/31.COM/8B and WHC-07/31.COM/INF.8B.1,

2. Defers the examination of the nomination of the Bregenzerwald Cultural Landscape, Austria, to the World Heritage List to allow the State Party to consider submitting a new nomination, in order to:

     a) Consider the full significance of the Bregenzerwald as part of the wider Alpine Region;

     b) Consider whether, possibly in collaboration with other States Parties, the property with other sites could reflect the Alpine landscape farming traditions and their association with the development of ideas about landscape appreciation;

     c) Create an integrated Management Plan or system that could integrate the cultural and natural components, and address, amongst other issues: landscape surveys, historical development of the cultural landscape, inventory of properties and ensembles, options for protecting the farming systems, hay meadows and pastures, support for forestry regeneration, support for traditional building practices, ways to achieve protection of the wider landscape and involvement of local communities;

     d) Put in place enhanced protection for the landscape and its various elements.