Historic Centre of Lima
Factors affecting the property in 2011*
- Housing
- Interpretative and visitation facilities
- Management activities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Fires in 1998 and 2001 (issue resolved);
- Non-formalization of the procedures to set up a Management Coordination Unit to implement the Strategic Plan;
- Revision of the Master and Strategic Plans;
- New development projects within the Historic Centre including urban transportation systems (Corredor Segregado) and interventions in historical buildings;
- Development of the cable car project for tourism purposes.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2011
Total amount approved : 94,500 USD
| 2002 | Emergency Assistance for the Historic Centre of Lima (Approved) | 48,000 USD |
| 1994 | Financial contribution to pursue a conservation policy ... (Approved) | 19,500 USD |
| 1990 | Elaboration of the extension of the nomination of San ... (Approved) | 7,000 USD |
| 1989 | Contribution to conservation works on the convent of ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2011**
1994: Systematic monitoring report UNDP/UNESCO; March-April 2003: ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission; January 2010: joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2011
The World Heritage Centre received the state of conservation report on 2 February 2011. The report presented a summary of the activities undertaken by the Municipal Government of Lima, which included the inauguration of the Municipal Theatre, the finalization of restoration projects which had been ongoing in monumental buildings (Metropolitan Museum, Bodega y Cuadra House and the Eclectic Balcony House), the issuing of 58 new licences to conduct work on several buildings within the Historic Centre (eight of them in monumental buildings and seven in buildings of monumental value). It was indicated that all licences were approved by the National Institute of Culture (INC). Brief information on projects related to the maintenance of roads, traffic lights, gardens and public infrastructure have also been included. It was also indicated that between 2003 and 2010, a total of 506 works (private and public investments) had been carried out. The report also included information on the Municipality continuing with the declaration of 17 monumental buildings in “ruinous conditions” in order to allow prompt recovery and necessary interventions. A chapter on intangible heritage was also included.
a) High Capacity Segregated Corridor
Regarding the Corredor Segregado de Alta Capacidad (High Capacity Segregated Corridor) transportation system, the station Jiron de la Unión has been built in spite of the commitment made by the Municipality of Lima during the 2010 reactive monitoring mission and the Committee’s Decision to halt the construction of the station at Jirón de la Unión. The INC and the mission had expressed their concern regarding the construction of this station as it would create a rupture of the visual setting of this monumental area. No alternative designs for the route of the Corredor Segregado within the Historic Centre, including studies of specific transportation systems for the inscribed property have been included even though they were requested by the 2010 mission.
b) Decision making process
No information has been included regarding the options to streamline decision-making processes for the approval of projects at the inscribed property, especially within the framework of the creation of the Ministry of Culture. Also, there is no information on the status of the development of appropriate guidance tools and precise policies for interventions at the Historic Centre for decision-makers and property owners.
c) Cable Car project
Regarding the proposed cable car project, no information has been included in the report, however media reports indicate that the project is still of interest of the Municipality and the Ministry of Culture is currently evaluating the project. During the 2010 reactive monitoring mission, the Municipality agreed to postpone this project and evaluate other routes that would not affect the property’s Outstanding Universal Value.
d) Other issues
The reactive monitoring mission also requested information on the following planned projects: Linea Amarilla, Commercial Centre in Rimac, Montserrat Urban Renewal Project, the Plaza Acho Project, and other projects that may be undertaken within the protected area; no information was submitted regarding these. Additional information was also requested on the inclusion of Rimac in the valorization plans of Cercado, however this was also not provided. No information was included regarding the construction of the metro in Lima, also called Tren Eléctrico (Electric Train), even though part of its route may go through the Historic Centre.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2011
The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies recommend that the World Heritage Committee regret that the State Party has not provided all the information it had requested, and has not fully implemented the recommendations of the 2010 World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission. They also note that the station at Jirón de la Unión was built and re-named Camana-Carabaya station, despite the Municipality’s commitment and the assessments made by the INC. This location is a very important urban junction of the Historic Centre of Lima. It was indicated by the mission that the station’s construction at this location would create a rupture in the visual setting of this monumental area and have a negative impact on the urban character and setting of this section of the property. More information on the impact of the construction of the Tren Eléctrico in Lima needs to be submitted in order to evaluate the impact of its construction in the Outstanding Universal Value of the property.
The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies further recommend that the Committee also regret that no information has been submitted in relation to the cable car project, taking into account that this touristic development is still under consideration by the National Authorities. The UNESCO Office in Lima has been contacted by the investor in charge of the construction of the cable car who confirmed the intent to carry out the project.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2011
35 COM 7B.134
Historic Centre of Lima (Peru) (C 500 bis)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7B.116, adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010),
3. Acknowledges the information provided by the State Party on the actions being taken in the property, and requests the State Party to fully implement the recommendations of the 2010 World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission, with special attention to:
a) Developing appropriate guidance tools and precise policies for interventions at the Historic Centre both for decision-makers and for property owners,
b) Enhancing collaboration among specialized agencies to streamline decision-making processes and to secure the required resources to have a fully operational management system in place,
c) Submit the required information on other urban projects to be undertaken within the property, such as Linea Amarilla, the Commercial Centre in Rimac, the Montserrat Urban Renewal Project and the Plaza Acho Project;
4. Regrets that the station Jirón de la Unión has been built despite the commitment of the Municipality and the Committee decision, and also requests the State Party to:
a) Complete all the necessary actions to return the area between Camana and Carabaya Streets to the state in which it was prior to the construction of the station Jirón de la Unión,
b) Develop alternative plans for the High Capacity Segregated Corridor, including studies of specific transportation systems for the inscribed property and submit them to the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies by 30 November 2011;
5. Further requests the State Party to send complete technical and graphic information:
a) Regarding the construction of the Tren Eléctrico and the impact of its trace in the protected area,
b) Confirming the halting of the Cable Car project that was presented to the 2010 mission and the alternative routes identified, and carry out visual and environmental impact studies and develop plans that do not impact the attributes sustaining the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
6. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, 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 37th session in 2013.
Draft Decision: 35 COM 7B.134
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7B.116, adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010),
3. Acknowledges the information provided by the State Party on the actions being taken in the property, and requests the State Party to fully implement the recommendations of the 2010 World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission, with special attention to:
a) Developing appropriate guidance tools and precise policies for interventions at the Historic Centre both for decision-makers and for property owners,
b) Enhancing collaboration among specialized agencies to streamline decision-making processes and to secure the required resources to have a fully operational management system in place,
c) Submit the required information on other urban projects to be undertaken within the property, such as Linea Amarilla, Commercial Centre in Rimac, Montserrat Urban Renewal Project and the Plaza Acho Project;
4. Regrets that the station Jirón de la Unión has been built despite the commitment of the Municipality and the Committee Decision, and also requests the State Party to:
a) Complete all the necessary actions to return the area between Camana and Carabaya Streets to the state in which it was prior to the construction of the station Jirón de la Unión,
b) Develop alternative plans for the High Capacity Segregated Corridor, including studies of specific transportation systems for the inscribed property and submit them to the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies by 30 November 2011;
5. Further requests the State Party to send complete technical and graphic information,
a) Regarding the construction of the Tren Eléctrico and the impact of its trace in the protected area,
b) Confirming the halting of the Cable Car project that was presented to the 2010 mission and the alternative routes identified, and carry out visual and environmental impact studies and develop plans that do not impact the attributes sustaining the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
6. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, 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 37th session in 2013.
Peru
* :
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.
