Decision 45 COM 7B.159

Historic City of Ahmadabad (India) (C 1551)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7B.25 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Welcomes the information provided by the State Party concerning the progress made in addressing the recommendations for strengthening the management system for Ahmadabad, including the documentation of buildings, work towards a detailed map of the property and the completion of the draft Heritage Conservation Plan (HCP), and requests the State Party to amend the draft HCP by continuing to give priority to the completion of these key elements of the management system, including;
   1. The finalisation of the HCP considering the outcomes of the Technical Review by ICOMOS on the final draft,
   2. Development of an implementation plan and associated financial resources for the HCP, including the Visitor Management Plan,
   3. The completion of the documentation of historic buildings and structures in the city, particularly the distinctive ‘pol’ housing,
   4. The completion of the detailed map of the entire property and buffer zone, planned for 2025;
4. Notes the information provided by the State Party as annexures to the HCP such as the Uniform Monument Specific By-Laws and guidelines for issues such as timber conservation, 2022 Urban Design Guidelines, the strengthening of the Ahmadabad World Heritage City Trust, and the ongoing initiatives to manage pollution and traffic congestion, also requests the State Party to implement the recommendations contained in the ICOMOS Technical Review on the 2022 Urban Design Guidelines prior to formalising their implementation;
5. Also welcomes information from the State Party demonstrating the regular use of Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA) for new developments in the property and its buffer zone, and encourages the State Party to ensure that:
   1. Conservation works are subject to HIAs, including those established through Public-Private-People partnerships,
   2. The recommendations contained in the ICOMOS Technical Review of the HIA for the proposed Danapith Fire Station are implemented before any construction commences,
   3. All impact assessments are undertaken following the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context;
6. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2024, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 47th session.