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 Heidelberg Castle and Old Town, Germany, to the World Heritage List in order to allow the State Party to consider submitting a new nomination in order to:
a) Demonstrate the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, by means of a more comprehensive comparative analysis, including not only German cities but other European cities inscribed on the World Heritage List; and also to demonstrate how the spiritual or intangible values are expressed in material components by strengthening the arguments used for the appliance of the proposed criteria;
b) Highlight the main importance of the Castle and to refer to the universal significance of the debates over preserving or reconstructing Heidelberg Castle that raged during the last third of the 19thcentury and the beginning of the 20thcentury;
c) Highlight the outstanding significance of the university tradition;
d) Check whether the protection, conservation and management measures need revision based on any further justification of the Outstanding Universal Value as an ensemble.
3. Recommends that the State Party give consideration to the following:
a) Continue with plans to build the tunnel along the Old Town Neckar riverfront so as to link the Old Town again with the river and limit the visual impact of the highway;
b) Incorporate in the monitoring process indicators concerning restoration and renovation techniques, and the forces of development and change in order to maintain the city's historic character and functions;
c) Organise a programme for improving the knowledge and understanding of traditional building techniques and materials (with special attention for plaster, paint and maintenance of windows), and appropriate information sessions for property owners.
d) For the castle area, develop an archaeological research programme for the Hortus Palatinus and the recording of sub-surface remains through non-destructive archaeological investigations.
4. Recommends the State Party to consider the possibility of linking this property in a serial nomination with other already inscribed properties related to university towns.