Integrity

The concept of Integrity is described in the Operational Guidelines paragraphs 87-95. Integrity applies to both natural and cultural properties, and is defined as a measure of the completeness or intactness of the attributes that convey Outstanding Universal Value.

According to the World Heritage Resource Manual ‘Managing Cultural Heritage’ (UNESCO 2013), the key words to understanding integrity are” ’wholeness’, ’intactness’ and ’absence of threats’. These can be understood as follows:

• Wholeness: all the necessary attributes are within the property;
• Intactness: all the necessary attributes are still present – none are lost or have been significantly damaged or have decayed;
• Absence of threats: none of the attributes are threatened by development, deterioration or neglect.”

For example, a property whose scenic value depends on a waterfall, would meet the conditions of integrity if it includes adjacent catchment and downstream areas that are integrally linked to the maintenance of the aesthetic qualities of the property.’ (Operational Guidelines, Paragraph 92).

Source(s): Managing Cultural World Heritage