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State of Conservation Old Walled City of Shibam 2019

Old Walled City of Shibam

Yemen
Factors affecting the property in 2019*
  • Civil unrest
  • Financial resources
  • Flooding
  • Human resources
  • War
  • Water (rain/water table)
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
  • Armed conflict situation since 2015
  • Threats from rain and floods
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

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2019

Total amount granted to Yemeni cultural properties: USD 194,836 from the European Union for damage assessments, capacity development and emergency stabilization of damaged buildings and protection of archaeological sites. Total amount of USD 35,000 from UNESCO Regular Programme for the Sustainable Management of Tangible Heritage in the GCC and Yemen. USD 12,000 000 from the European Union for the project: Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen (Sana’a, Shibam, Zabid and Anden)

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2019
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 2019**
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 2019

On 21 March 2019, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/192/documents/ and presents the following progress:

  • Despite the deteriorated condition of the property, economic and social constraints, and a lack of external support, the State Party continues intensive efforts to preserve the cultural heritage values of the property. The General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY) has acted quickly within its available resources to stabilize structures affected by floods and armed conflict. However, basic maintenance tools and financial and organizational support remain lacking. The State Party has also continued to consult with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies;
  • Concern has been expressed that the ‘Shibam Oases Development Project’ is yet to achieve its stated goals, including addressing the conservation needs of the property and its residents, and, that the State Party has not been involved or consulted during the project implementation;
  • The Ministry of Culture has actively consulted with other State Party agencies to appraise them of the problems and difficulties in preserving the cultural heritage of this property and other historic cities inscribed on the World Heritage List. Proposed changes to the heritage protection bylaw have been prepared for submission to the Prime Minister;
  • The report ‘Conservation Status of Shibam Hadramout 2018 – 2019, Strategy for the Management of the Historic City of Shibam’ has been prepared to provide a management strategy for the property, with regard to its physical condition, and, the political and conflict context in Yemen. GOPHCY has developed a series of plans and programmes, including engagement with local authorities and communities, improved communication with international organizations, implementation of building restoration programmes and workshops, and awareness programmes, bulletins and urgent appeals for rescue and restoration;
  • Major projects undertaken include the preparation of a plan for drainage inventory, studies for the repair of flood and conflict-damaged buildings, a study for the restoration and maintenance of the historical palace of Sayoun, and the preparation of a study for a proposed new government complex.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2019

The security situation in Yemen, in combination with the physical circumstances of the property, and lack of organizational support and resources, continues to obstruct effective heritage management and physical conservation works within the property. Support from the international community remains essential for capacity building and for adequate preventive and conservation measures.

The property, built of mud, is located in a flood prone area and remains at severe risk of major damage from natural elements and the effects of armed conflict, unless preventive measures are undertaken. Climate change is likely to exacerbate this problem. Therefore, it is a matter of great concern that the ‘Shibam Oases Development Project’, part of a sustainable food security programme using the Shibam oases that are regarded as the buffer zone of the property, is considered by the State Party not to meet the needs of the property and its residents and that consultation about the project has been inadequate.

The initiatives undertaken by the State Party and its agencies are commendable. Nevertheless, it would be appropriate to submit to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, the report on the ‘Conservation Status of Shibam Hadramout 2018 – 2019, Strategy for the Management of the Historic City of Shibam’, as well as reports on drainage, flooding, and the restoration and maintenance of the historical palace of Sayoun, in addition to full details regarding the proposed new government complex.

The implementation of the European Union funded project Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen, began in 2019 through the UNESCO Office in Doha, and is expected to continue until 2021. The project will contribute to promoting livelihood opportunities for youth through urban regeneration activities. It comprises the restoration of particular buildings in the World Heritage Properties of Sana’a, Shibam and Zabid that have been damaged during the ongoing conflict. The project will also contribute to social cohesion and peace-building through targeted cultural programming and support for the civil society.

In the framework of the Third Cycle of the Periodic Reporting for the Arab States region, it was indicated that floods and damages to the wall are threatening the state of conservation of the property.

Owing to the prevailing security condition in the country, it remains challenging for the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to provide further support to the State Party on first-aid measures and restoration/reconstruction of damaged structures. Also, it does not seem currently possible to arrange the previously-proposed joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission, which would assist the State Party in developing 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). It is recommended that the Committee urge again all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage.

Support from the international community remains essential for capacity building to conduct adequate preventive and conservation measures at the property. There is no reported progress in finalizing the draft National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016 – 2020, nor in the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage, adopted at the UNESCO expert meeting in July 2015. Financial support is necessarily constrained until the security situation improves. However, it would be appropriate for the international community to continue to express its support and where possible to offer technical assistance.

Considering the above-mentioned information, it is recommended that the Committee retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2019
43 COM 7A.40
Old Walled City of Shibam (Yemen) (C 192)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.2,
  2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 7A.39, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
  3. Commends the State Party and the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY), the community and the other concerned stakeholders of Shibam for their efforts to protect and conserve the property and to maintain communication with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, despite the very difficult conditions;
  4. Expresses its continuing concern at the damage caused to the property as a result of natural elements and the ongoing armed conflict, and that the property continues to be vulnerable, owing to the residual impact of previous flooding as well as the current security situation, ongoing social change and continuing lack of organizational support and resources for both heritage management and physical conservation;
  5. Notes the concerns expressed by the State Party that the ‘Shibam Oases Development Project’ does not meet the needs of the property and its residents and that consultation about the project has been inadequate, and reiterates its previous request that the State Party submit details of this project to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  6. Encourages the State Party to continue its collaboration with the UNESCO Doha Office in the implementation of the “Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen” project;
  7. Also requests the State Party to also submit the report ‘Conservation Status of Shibam Hadramout 2018 – 2019, Strategy for the Management of the Historic City of Shibam’, and the reports on drainage, flooding and the restoration and maintenance of the historical palace of Sayoun, as well as full details regarding the proposed new government complex, to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  8. Reiterates the need for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to advise on 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), as soon as the security situation in Yemen has improved;
  9. Urges all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage and the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, in particular the safeguarding of properties on the World Heritage List and those included in the Tentative List of Yemen, and also encourages all concerned stakeholders to unite for the preservation of cultural heritage in Yemen;
  10. Reiterates its previous calls for the international community to provide technical and financial support, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, 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, including funding for capacity building and first-aid restoration and protection measures, and calls on the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to continue providing the State Party with technical assistance and support where needed;
  11. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2020, 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 44th session in 2020;
  12. Decides to retain Old Walled City of Shibam (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
43 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/19/43.COM/7A, WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add, WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.3 and WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.3.Corr),
  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 43 COM 7A.41)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision43 COM 7A.42)
  • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 43 COM 7A.45)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 43 COM 7A.48)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.5)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.6)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.7)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.8)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.9)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.10)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.11)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 43 COM 7A.17)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.4)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 43 COM 7A.1)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 43 COM 7A.18)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 43 COM 7A.19)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 43 COM 7A.20)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 43 COM 7A.22)
  • Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks (Decision 43 COM 7A.12)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 43 COM 7A.23)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 43 COM 7A.24)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 43 COM 7A.25)
  • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 43 COM 7A.26)
  • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 43 COM 7A.27)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 43 COM 7A.13)
  • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 43 COM 7A.53)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 43 COM 7A.54)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 43 COM 7A.55)
  • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 43 COM 7A.43)
  • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 43 COM 7A.14)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 43 COM 7A.30)
  • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 43 COM 7A.29)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 43 COM 7A.50)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 43 COM 7A.51)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.15)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 43 COM 7A.46)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 43 COM 7A.2)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 43 COM 7A.31)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 43 COM 7A.32)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 43 COM 7A.33)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 43 COM 7A.34)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 43 COM 7A.35)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 43 COM 7A.36)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 43 COM 7A.56)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 43 COM 7A.47)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.16)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.3)
  • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 43 COM 7A.44)
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 43 COM 7A.52)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 43 COM 7A.38)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 43 COM 7A.39)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 43 COM 7A.40)
Read more
Draft Decision: 43 COM 7A.40

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.2,
  2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 7A.39, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
  3. Commends the State Party and the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY), the community and the other concerned stakeholders of Shibam for their efforts to protect and conserve the property and to maintain communication with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, despite the very difficult conditions;
  4. Expresses its continuing concern at the damage caused to the property as a result of natural elements and the ongoing armed conflict, and that the property continues to be vulnerable, owing to the residual impact of previous flooding as well as the current security situation, ongoing social change and continuing lack of organizational support and resources for both heritage management and physical conservation;
  5. Notes the concerns expressed by the State Party that the ‘Shibam Oases Development Project’ does not meet the needs of the property and its residents and that consultation about the project has been inadequate, and reiterates its previous request that the State Party submit details of this project to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  6. Encourages the State Party to continue its collaboration with the UNESCO Doha Office in the implementation of the “Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen” project;
  7. Also requests the State Party to also submit the report ‘Conservation Status of Shibam Hadramout 2018 – 2019, Strategy for the Management of the Historic City of Shibam’, and the reports on drainage, flooding and the restoration and maintenance of the historical palace of Sayoun, as well as full details regarding the proposed new government complex, to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  8. Reiterates the need for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to advise on 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), as soon as the security situation in Yemen has improved;
  9. Urges all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage and the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, in particular the safeguarding of properties on the World Heritage List and those included in the Tentative List of Yemen, and also encourages all concerned stakeholders to unite for the preservation of cultural heritage in Yemen;
  10. Reiterates its previous calls for the international community to provide technical and financial support, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, 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, including funding for capacity building and first-aid restoration and protection measures, and calls on the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to continue providing the State Party with technical assistance and support where needed;
  11. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2020, 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 44th session in 2020;
  12. Decides to retain Old Walled City of Shibam (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Previous 2018 Next 2021
Report year: 2019
Yemen
Date of Inscription: 1982
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iii)(iv)(v)
Danger List (dates): 2015-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/19/43.COM/7A.add.2
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2019) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 43COM (2019)
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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