Attributes

According to the Resource Manual 'Preparing World Heritage Nominations', "Attributes are aspects of a property which are associated with or express the Outstanding Universal Value. Attributes can be tangible or intangible. The Operational Guidelines indicate a range of types of attribute which might convey Outstanding Universal Value, including:

• form and design;
• materials and substance;
• use and function;
• traditions, techniques and management systems;
• location and setting;
• language, and other forms of intangible heritage; and
• spirit and feeling (Paragraph 82).

This list is for guidance. It is essential that the attributes identified for a property should flow from the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value and the justification for the criteria. Attributes must be identified as they are vital to understanding authenticity and integrity, and are the focus of protection, conservation and management.

For natural properties, it is more common to speak of ’features’, although the word attributes is sometimes used. Examples of attributes for natural properties could include:

• visual or aesthetic significance;
• scale of the extent of physical features or natural habitats;
• intactness of physical or ecological processes;
• naturalness, and intactness of natural systems;
• viability;
• rarity”.

Source(s): The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011)