Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo

• Erosion and siltation/ deposition
• Housing (encroachments and urban pressure)
• Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation (tourism pressure -particularly at Portobelo)
• Land conversion
• Management systems/ management plan (absence of a conservation and management plan)
• Fragile state of the property and accelerated degradation by environmental factors, lack of maintenance and limited conservation planning
• Legal framework
• Lack of established boundaries and buffer zones

• Fragile state of the property and accelerated degradation by environmental factors, lack of maintenance and limited conservation planning
• Erosion
• Lack of established boundaries and buffer zone
• Absence of a conservation and management plan
• Encroachments and urban pressure
• Tourism pressure (particularly at Portobelo)
• Insufficient legislation for the preservation of built heritage and regulations combining the two components of the property

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4763 

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4763 

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4763 
Revised in 2019, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7558 

N/A

On 1 February 2024, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/135/documents/. Progress in a number of conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions is presented in the report, as follows:

The loan of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) for the management and conservation of the property has been extended until December 2025. A revised workplan has been established that includes the following activities:

• The preparation of the Management Plan for the serial property will be contracted and completed in 2024. The terms of reference have been drawn up and will include a Tourism Promotion Plan, Economic Sustainability Plan, Public Use Plan, carrying capacity studies of Portobelo and San Lorenzo, and an Interpretation Plan of the fortresses of Portobelo;
• The Committee referred back the proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification submitted by the State Party. The State Party will consider the Committee’s recommendations to this effect;
• A Land Management Plan for Portobelo was prepared and has been submitted for review by the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies. The plan includes new urban regulations and greater protection of monuments and the buffer zone;
• The Patronato of Portobelo and San Lorenzo completed the first phase of the restoration of the San Lorenzo Castle and its Upper Battery in March 2023. The stabilization of the slopes of Portobelo will continue throughout 2024-2025. The projects for the San Jeronimo, San Fernando and Santiago Fortifications will start in 2024 and should be concluded by the end of 2026;
• The Inter-Institutional Commission of Portobelo and San Lorenzo brings all relevant institutions together to promote coordination and cooperation;
• The Inter-Agency Committee for the Territorial and Urban Development Plan of Portobelo coordinates the actions foreseen in the IADB-loan and the Portobelo Community Development Plan;
• The construction of the San Lorenzo Visitor Centre, located 8 kilometers from the Castle commenced in 2021 and will be completed in August 2024;
• An updated timeframe and workplan for achieving the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), from 2024-2026, are presented.

Significant progress has been made in the implementation of the corrective measures and in light of the extension of the IADB-loan, the timeframe has been extended to 2026.

The extension of the loan of the IADB until December 2025 is appreciated. The corresponding revised work plan for the implementation of the corrective measures to achieve the DSOCR is noted. Since its inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2012, significant delays have occurred, and the State Party should be urged to respect the new work plan for completion in 2026.

It is welcomed that conservation and restoration works at San Lorenzo were concluded and that the works at the Fortifications of San Jeronimo, San Fernando and Santiago will commence in 2024. ICOMOS reviewed earlier documentation on the conservation approach and considered that the works seemed to be carried out with high standards and in compliance with appropriate criteria so as not to pose an adverse impact on the authenticity and integrity of the property.

As to the planning mechanisms, it is noted that the Portobelo Community Development Plan is being implemented and that the Land Management Plan was completed. The State Party should be recommended to consider the eventual advice of the Advisory Bodies on the Land Management Plan. The integrated Management Plan that is scheduled for completion in 2024 is a key component of the corrective measures and the State Party should be requested to submit this plan as soon as it becomes available for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

It is noted that the construction of the Visitor Centre at San Lorenzo with a viewing tower, facilities for visitor assistance, cafeteria, exhibition room, audiovisual room, craft shop and other services started in 2021 without an assessment of its potential impact on the World Heritage property and its buffer zone. It is recalled that a Heritage Impact Assessment was required as per Decisions 44COM 7A.36 and 45COM 7A.19, to fully assess the project’s potential impact and to apply corrective and/or compensatory measures if necessary. As indicated in Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A, ICOMOS undertook a preliminary review of the project in early 2023 and observed that “(…) the overall design and height [of the visitor centre] are rather discordant and disproportionate in relation to its wider setting and surrounding natural landscape. Therefore, it is very likely to pose a significant and permanent adverse impact on its buffer zone and wider setting. In Panama, there are examples of ‘watch tower like’ visitor’s centers which have been designed to blend in with their natural surroundings. Perhaps, several other design options could have been considered prior to commencing the actual construction works. Even though its construction has already started, it would be advisable that the State Party carry out an Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) as soon as possible, in order to fully assess the project's overall impacts and to apply any corrective and/or compensate measures necessary accordingly.” It is noted with regret that no such assessment was provided by the State Party and that the visitor centre will be completed in 2024.