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Old City of Sana'a

Yemen
Factors affecting the property in 2023*
  • Civil unrest
  • Desertification
  • Housing
  • Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
  • Land conversion
  • Management activities
  • War
  • Other Threats:

    Functional decay of the residential neighborhoods; Physical damage and instability of buildings; Problems with the network for the evacuation of rainwater

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Problems with the rainwater drainage network
  • Modern constructions and uncontrolled expansion of commercial activities (issue resolved)
  • Lack of a Safeguarding Plan (issue resolved)
  • Fly-over bridge project (issue resolved)
  • Uncontrolled vertical and horizontal additions
  • Management activities (Use of inappropriate building materials and techniques)
  • Densification of the historic fabric through occupation of green areas
  • Functional decay of the residential neighbourhoods
  • Continued vulnerability of the property, as a result of extreme conditions since 2011
  • Threats arising from the armed conflict in Yemen
  • Physical damage and instability of buildings
  • Urgent need for shelter for displaced residents
  • Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
  • Desertification of green areas and public gardens/orchards
  • Works at the Great Mosque of Sana'a and Al-Nahareen Mosque
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Damages and threats related to the armed conflict in Yemen

Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

Not yet drafted

Corrective Measures for the property

Not yet identified

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

Not yet identified

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2023

Total amount granted: 1988: USD 374,800, UNDP/UNESCO project in support of local staff training and fund-raising. 2004-2006: USD 680,000 for the Inventory of the historic city (Italian Funds-in-Trust and Fund for the International Campaign for the Safeguarding of the city of Sanaa);

USD 12,000 for technical assistance in support of the reconstruction of the al-Qasimi neighborhood (Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH));

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;

2018-2021: 9,780,000 EUR from the European Union for the project “Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen” (Shibam, Sana’a, Zabid and Aden);

2019: USD 100,000 from the Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) for the reconstruction of the al-Qasimi neighborhood in old Sanaa;

2020: USD 97,245 from the Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) for post flood emergency interventions in Sana’a;

2022-2026: USD 22,552,000 from the European Union for the project: Youth Employment through Culture and Heritage in Yemen

2023: USD 925,925 from Japan for Building Climate-resilient Communities in Historic Cities in Yemen through Strengthened Disaster Risk Management and Awareness (Old City of Sana’a and Old Walled City of Shibam)

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2023
Requests approved: 6 (from 1990-2014)
Total amount approved : 101,997 USD
Missions to the property until 2023**

1998, 1999, 2003: World Heritage Centre monitoring missions; 2003 to 2005 and 2010: World Heritage Centre and experts’ missions

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2023

On 31 January 2022, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, an executive summary of which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/385, presenting the following information:

  • The Old City of Sana'a continues to face many challenges and threats from the conflict in Yemen as well as those arising from natural factors, including the impact of heavy rains resulting in threats to around 380 earthen structures and the collapse of the sewer system;
  • The implementation of conservation projects, supported by the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, has continued in the framework of the European Union funded project: "Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen" in partnership with the Social Fund for Development (SFD). The project supported capacity-building, including a workshop about managing cultural heritage sites during disasters and conflicts involving 46 trainees and museum managers in Yemen, documentation, and in securing and strengthening historic buildings in the Old City;
  • Local actors have also contributed to rescue projects for threatened buildings;
  • Funding from the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund has helped to secure buildings in the al-Qasimi neighbourhood and elsewhere from flood damage;
  • No further work has been carried out in the Great Mosque of Sana'a, and work at Al-Nahareen Mosque is currently suspended and plans will be referred to the World Heritage Centre;
  • There has been no progress with the National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016-2020, nor in implementing the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage;
  • There are no current intentions to propose modification to the property boundary, but a clarification of the existing property boundary has been proposed;
  • Support from the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen is acknowledged and UNESCO, the Advisory Bodies, and the international community are urged by the State Party to continue supporting the property, through further conservation funding and capacity building with site managers and others working in the city.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2023

The ongoing situation in Yemen, in combination with a lack of regular maintenance and of organizational support and resources, continues to obstruct effective heritage management and physical conservation works. In addition, damage arising from torrential rains in 2020 is not yet fully repaired and heavy rains continue to pose a threat to the stability of many structures.

The European Union-funded project “Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen”, which was implemented between 2018 and 2022 by UNESCO, has promoted livelihood opportunities for youth through urban regeneration, including the maintenance and rehabilitation of buildings, The project has provided job opportunities to 6,263 young Yemenis in the four targeted cities (Old City of Sana’a, Old walled City of Shibam, Old Town of Zabid and historic areas of Aden), and has contributed to damage assessment and conservation. Documentation and conservation works have been undertaken, and a range of training and community awareness programmes have been implemented. In the framework of this project, 210 residential houses have been rehabilitated at this property, and Al-Falihi and Khudair squares with associated infrastructure have been repaired, with the restoration of 58 façades overlooking the squares and the installation of new pavements and drainage. In addition, the National Museum was stabilized and rehabilitated, and parts of the City Wall have been repaired. In terms of capacity building, more than 880 beneficiaries were engaged in training activities focusing on traditional construction techniques and the standards required in the preservation of historical sites. A new phase of the project, entitled ‘Youth Employment through Culture and Heritage in Yemen’ has been launched, with funding by the European Union.

Rehabilitation plans need to reconcile the maintenance of housing and services with the need to restore damaged precincts and buildings, based on survey and documentation, using traditional techniques and materials. Unregulated new constructions and inadequate restorations continue to affect attributes which support the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.

In February-March 2022, the World Heritage Centre received information regarding a reconstruction project for the Shu'ob Gate (Bab Shu’ob). As noted by ICOMOS in relation to this project, hypothetical reconstruction of previously built elements within the property could jeopardise its authenticity. While the merits of reconstructing features that have endured recent damage, arising from conflict, are recognised, work should be based on reliable evidence and be analogous to large-scale ‘repair’ work. The longstanding absence of Shu’ob gate is part of the history of the property, and if there is a desire to interpret the former gate, this should be achieved by means other than through conjectural reconstruction.

In May 2023, UNESCO received a set of documents for a rehabilitation project for souq al-Halaqa, which are currently being technically reviewed by ICOMOS. These documents also include information regarding the design for the reconstruction of Al-Nahareen Mosque.

It would be appropriate to request that no works are implemented in the framework of these projects, pending the conclusion of the technical review, and to recall the obligation to systematically submit information on major projects to the World Heritage Centre, in compliance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, for review by the Advisory Bodies, before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse. It is also important to recall that in accordance with Paragraph 118bis of the Operational Guidelines, proposed major works should be assessed, in line with the new Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessment in a World Heritage Context, as they could have a negative impact on the OUV of the property, including its authenticity and integrity, which is already vulnerable.

Support by UNESCO in the definition of the boundary clarification and a minor boundary modification for the property, in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines, would contribute towards the protection of the property and should be pursued, despite the reluctance to make boundary changes in the current context.

Further support from the international community remains essential for building capacities in preventive and conservation measures. The previously requested Reactive Monitoring mission should visit the property as soon as the situation allows. The challenges in finalizing the National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016-2020, and implementing the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage, are acknowledged and it is hoped that these may progress, following a mission, preferably with international support.

The Old City of Sana’a remains subject to ascertained and potential danger, and it would be appropriate for the property to remain on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2023
45 COM 7A.49
Old City of Sana’a (Yemen) (C 385)
The World Heritage Committee,
  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.26 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
  3. Commends the efforts undertaken in capacity building, awareness raising, damage assessment, documentation and emergency interventions at the property, and requests that they continue in consultation with UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies;
  4. Expresses its continuing concern that the Old City of Sana’a has incurred irreversible damages and continues to be vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and security challenges, and continuing limited support and resources for both heritage management and physical conservation;
  5. Urges the State Party to:
    1. Submit information on all major projects to the World Heritage Centre, in compliance with paragraphs 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines, for review before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, while recalling that major transformations, should be assessed in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, as they could have a negative impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property,
    2. Pursue the elaboration of proposals for a boundary clarification and a minor boundary modification in close coordination with UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies, to be submitted in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines,
    3. Consider ratifying the Second Protocol (1999) of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict;
  6. Commends the outcomes of the first phase of the UNESCO/EU Cash for Work Project in Yemen, the launch of the new EU-funded UNESCO Project ‘Youth Employment through Culture and Heritage, as well as the implementation of the Japan-funded project ‘Building Climate-resilient Communities in Historic Cities in Yemen through Strengthened Disaster Risk Management and Awareness’;
  7. Notes with concern that current circumstances and lack of resources continue to prevent progress with the National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016-2020 and the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage;
  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 processes required to enable the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, including the implementation of corrective measures, as soon as the situation in Yemen allows;
  9. Continues to urge all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the OUV of the property, and to fulfil their obligations under international law, in particular the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, especially sites on the World Heritage List and those included in the Tentative List of Yemen, and appeals to all States Parties to cooperate in the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347;
  10. Reiterates its previous calls to 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, including funding for capacity building and first-aid restoration and protection measures;
  11. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, 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 46th session;
  12. Decides to retain Old City of Sana'a (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
    45 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/23/45.COM/7A, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.3, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.4),
    2. Having examined the recommendations of the Advisory Bodies, 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 45 COM 7A.51)
    • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 45 COM 7A.52)
    • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 45 COM 7A.55)
    • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 45 COM 7A.18)
    • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.3)
    • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.4)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.5)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.6)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.7)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.8)
    • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 45 COM 7A.26)
    • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.1)
    • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.15)
    • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 45 COM 7A.27)
    • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.28)
    • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 45 COM 7A.29)
    • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 45 COM 7A.31)
    • Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks (Decision 45 COM 7A.10)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 45 COM 7A.33)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 45 COM 7A.34)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 45 COM 7A.35)
    • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 45 COM 7A.36)
    • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 45 COM 7A.37)
    • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 45 COM 7A.11)
    • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 45 COM 7A.22)
    • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 45 COM 7A.23)
    • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 45 COM 7A.24)
    • Mexico, Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Decision 45 COM 7A.2)
    • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 45 COM 7A.53)
    • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 45 COM 7A.12)
    • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 45 COM 7A.39)
    • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 45 COM 7A.38)
    • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 45 COM 7A.19)
    • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 45 COM 7A.20)
    • Romania, Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (Decision 45 COM 7A.56)
    • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.13)
    • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 45 COM 7A.57)
    • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 45 COM 7A.16)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 45 COM 7A.40)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 45 COM 7A.41)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 45 COM 7A.42)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 45 COM 7A.43)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 45COM 7A.44)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 45 COM 7A.45)
    • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.14)
    • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.17)
    • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 45 COM 7A.54)
    • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 45 COM 7A.21)
    • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 45 COM 7A.47)
    • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 45 COM 7A.49)
    • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 45 COM 7A.50)
    3.    Recalls that the following properties were inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger at its 18th extraordinary session (UNESCO, 2023):
    • Lebanon, Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.1)
    • Ukraine, The Historic Centre of Odesa (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.2)
    • Yemen, Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.3)
    Draft Decision: 45 COM 7A.49

    The World Heritage Committee,

    1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
    2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.26, adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/Online, 2021),
    3. Commends the efforts undertaken in capacity building, awareness raising, damage assessment, documentation and emergency interventions at the property, and requests that they continue in consultation with UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies;
    4. Expresses its continuing concern that the Old City of Sana’a has incurred irreversible damages and continues to be vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and security challenges, and continuing limited support and resources for both heritage management and physical conservation;
    5. Urges the State Party to:
      1. Submit information on all major projects to the World Heritage Centre, in compliance with paragraphs 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines, for review before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, while recalling that major transformations, should be assessed in line with the new Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, as they could have a negative impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property,
      2. Pursue the elaboration of proposals for a boundary clarification and a minor boundary modification in close coordination with UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies, to be submitted in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines,
      3. Consider ratifying the Second Protocol (1999) of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict;
    6. Commends the outcomes of the first phase of the UNESCO/EU Cash for Work Project in Yemen, the launch of the new EU-funded UNESCO Project ‘Youth Employment through Culture and Heritage, as well as the implementation of the Japan-funded project ‘Building Climate-resilient Communities in Historic Cities in Yemen through Strengthened Disaster Risk Management and Awareness’;
    7. Notes with concern that current circumstances and lack of resources continue to prevent progress with the National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016-2020 and the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage;
    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 processes required to enable the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, including the implementation of corrective measures, as soon as the situation in Yemen allows;
    9. Continues to urge all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the OUV of the property, and to fulfil their obligations under international law, in particular the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, especially sites on the World Heritage List and those included in the Tentative List of Yemen, and appeals to all States Parties to cooperate in the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347;
    10. Reiterates its previous calls to 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, including funding for capacity building and first-aid restoration and protection measures;
    11. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, 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 46th session;
    12. Decides to retain Old City of Sana'a (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
    Report year: 2023
    Yemen
    Date of Inscription: 1986
    Category: Cultural
    Criteria: (iv)(v)(vi)
    Danger List (dates): 2015-present
    Documents examined by the Committee
    SOC Report by the State Party
    Report (2022) .pdf
    Initialy proposed for examination in 2022
    arrow_circle_right 45COM (2023)
    Exports

    * : 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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