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State of Conservation Old Walled City of Shibam 2016

Old Walled City of Shibam

Yemen
Factors affecting the property in 2016*
  • Civil unrest
  • Financial resources
  • Flooding
  • Human resources
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Floods (issue previously reported as being resolved)
  • Poor  maintenance (issue previously reported as being resolved)
  • Damage to historic buildings
  • Reduction in support and resources arising from political and socio-economic disturbances
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Threats from natural elements
  • Lack of organizational support and material resources for conservation
  • Threats related to the armed conflict
Corrective Measures for the property

Not yet identified

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

Not yet identified

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2016
Requests approved: 6 (from 1982-1999)
Total amount approved : 121,966 USD
1999 Exposition of the photographs of the architectures in ... (Approved)   166 USD
1998 Supplement for the handcraft centre in Shibam (Approved)   20,000 USD
1993 Emergency measures regarding the drainage system Shibam ... (Approved)   40,500 USD
1993 Financial contribution to organize an evaluation ... (Approved)   9,500 USD
1988 4 fellowships for specialists working on the World ... (Approved)   31,800 USD
1982 Elaboration of a plan for the installation of a waste ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2016**
2009 Report on the WHC Mission to Yemen, 21-31 January 2009
1997 Report on the WHC Mission to Yemen, November 1997
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2016

In December 2015, the State Party submitted a report on recent damages to the property. On 29 March 2016, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property. An executive summary of the state of conservation report and the full damage report are available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/192/documents/.

The State Party reports that, in addition to the continuing threat of rain and floods, the property continues to be affected by political and socio-economic disturbances, and by armed conflict which broke out in 2015.

On 20 November 2015, a car exploded near the city wall causing severe damage to historic buildings on the southern and western edges of the city. The General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY), the Shibam local authority, some NGOs and representatives of the owners of the houses responded quickly and the damage has been documented. 160 buildings are reported as being damaged to varying degrees; 20 have suffered severe damage and another 60 medium damage. Wooden windows, doors and architectural details have been affected, with cracking to earthen walls and ceilings and, in some cases, destruction of entire building facades.

Despite these challenges, concerned governmental institutions, in cooperation with civil society, are striving to preserve and maintain Shibam’s historic heritage. GOPHCY has conducted some emergency activities with support from the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha, including technical studies.

The State Party has indicated that international support continues to be essential for the protection of Yemeni heritage and to facilitate preparation for post-conflict protection and conservation. The State Party therefore proposes that an international conference should be convened to promote the safeguarding of cultural heritage, to highlight recent destruction, to prepare technical proposals and raise awareness of the need for financial support for implementation of the measures needed to necessary to protect and conserve Yemen’s cultural heritage.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2016

The security situation in Yemen continues to prevent both effective heritage management and physical conservation works within the property. Future donor support is necessarily constrained unless and until the security situation improves. However, the efforts of both GOPHCY and the Shibam community, under extremely challenging circumstances, should be acknowledged. In July 2015, UNESCO organized an Expert Meeting which elaborated an Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural heritage, with short, medium and long term actions, some of which can be conducted by the State Party with remote technical support by UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies, but which would require immediate financial support.

Owing to the security situation, it has not been possible to make progress with the preparation of a management plan, nor the Action Plan arising from the draft National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016 – 2020, which was prepared in collaboration with the German Agency for International Corporation (GIZ). The strategic objectives of this national strategy align with elements of the ‘Urgent Action Plan’ and of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) previously adopted by the Committee. It is highly desirable that this Action Plan be prepared taking into account the new developments related to the conflict, the UNESCO Emergency Action Plan of July 2015, reviewed by the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies and implemented. However, without both political support and substantial allocation of public-sector resources, implementation of the Action Plan may prove challenging.

In coordination with the UNESCO Doha Office and ICCROM Athar, workshops focused on capacity building to respond to the effects of the continuing crisis and conflicts, have been organized in Amman, Cairo and Tunis, with a number of Yemeni experts being able to participate. The UNESCO Emergency Action Plan of July 2015 identified urgent actions to address the impact of the conflict on Yemeni heritage; however, the plans arising from this work are yet to be funded and implemented on site.

It would be desirable for a Reactive Monitoring mission to visit the property in order to advise on short-term repair works and to identify both the DSOCR and associated corrective measures, as soon as the security situation allows.

Pending improvements of the security situation, it would be appropriate for the international community to continue to express its support for the State Party and GOPHCY, and where possible to offer technical proposals and practical support.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2016
40 COM 7A.25
Old Walled City of Shibam (Yemen) (C 192)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decisions 22 BUR V.B.72 and 39 COM 7B.60, adopted at the 22nd session of its Bureau (UNESCO, 1998) and at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015) respectively,
  3. Expresses its concern at the recent damage caused to the Old Walled City of Shibam as a result of armed conflict, and that the property continues to be subject to significant threats from natural elements, and a lack of organisational support and material resources for physical conservation projects;
  4. Acknowledges the efforts of the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY), the local authorities, and the community of Shibam to protect and conserve the property despite the very difficult conditions in the city;
  5. Notes with regret that, owing to the security situation in Yemen, it has not been possible to prepare a management plan for the property, nor to progress on the draft ‘National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016 – 2020’ nor to prepare a complementary Action Plan and requests the State Party to ensure that both the management plan and the Action Plan, when prepared, should address the current situation and include provisions for conservation of damaged buildings, local community awareness, and should be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
  6. Also requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property, once the security situation has improved, to assess current conditions at the property, to advise on short-term repair and conservation works and to contribute to the development of a set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their implementation, as well as the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  7. Welcomes the continuing support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) for Yemeni cultural heritage;
  8. Calls on the international community to provide financial support for the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s cultural heritage, adopted at the UNESCO Expert meeting in July 2015;
  9. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, 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 41st session in 2017;
  10. Decides to retain the Old Walled City of Shibam (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
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40 COM 8C.2
Update of the list of World Heritage in Danger (retained sites)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/16/40.COM/7A, WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add and WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add.2),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 40 COM 7A.26)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 40 COM 7A.27)
  • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 40 COM 7A.32)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 40 COM 7A.1)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.34)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 40 COM 7A.2)
  • Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.35)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.36)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.37)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.38)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.39)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.40)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.41)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 40 COM 7A.9)
  • Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.43)
  • Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 40 COM 7A.28)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.33)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 40 COM 7A.48)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 40 COM 7A.10)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 40 COM 7A.11)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 40 COM 7A.12)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 40 COM 7A.13)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 40 COM 7A.44)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 40 COM 7A.6)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 40 COM 7A.7)
  • Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 40 COM 7A.45)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 40 COM 7A.14)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 40 COM 7A.15)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 40 COM 7A.3)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 40 COM 7A.4)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.46)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 40 COM 7A. 30)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 40 COM 7A.49)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 40 COM 7A.16)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 40 COM 7A.17)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 40 COM 7A.18)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 40 COM 7A.19)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 40 COM 7A.20)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 40 COM 7A.21)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 40 COM 7A.8)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 40 COM 7A.31)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.47)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.50)
  • Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 40 COM 7A.5)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 40 COM 7A.23)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 40 COM 7A.24)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 40 COM 7A.25).
Read more
Draft Decision: 40 COM 7A.25

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decisions 22 BUR V.B.72 and 39 COM 7B.60, adopted at the 22nd session of its Bureau (UNESCO, 1998) and at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015) respectively,
  3. Expresses its concern at the recent damage caused to the Old Walled City of Shibam as a result of armed conflict, and that the property continues to be subject to significant threats from natural elements, and a lack of organisational support and material resources for physical conservation projects;
  4. Acknowledges the efforts of the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY), the local authorities, and the community of Shibam to protect and conserve the property despite the very difficult conditions in the city;
  5. Notes with regret that, owing to the security situation in Yemen, it has not been possible to prepare a management plan for the property, nor to progress on the draft ‘National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016 – 2020’ nor to prepare a complementary Action Plan and requests the State Party to ensure that both the management plan and the Action Plan, when prepared, should address the current situation and include provisions for conservation of damaged buildings, local community awareness, and should be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
  6. Also requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property, once the security situation has improved, to assess current conditions at the property, to advise on short-term repair and conservation works and to contribute to the development of a set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their implementation, as well as the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  7. Welcomes the continuing support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) for Yemeni cultural heritage;
  8. Calls on the international community to provide financial support for the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s cultural heritage, adopted at the UNESCO Expert meeting in July 2015;
  9. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, 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 41st session in 2017;
  10. Decides to retain the Old Walled City of Shibam (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Previous 2015 Next 2017
Report year: 2016
Yemen
Date of Inscription: 1982
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iii)(iv)(v)
Danger List (dates): 2015-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2016) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 40COM (2016)
Exports
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* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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