Tipasa

• Deliberate destruction of heritage: Deterioration of the remains due to vandalism, theft and uncontrolled visitation causing accumulation of rubbish
• Erosion and siltation/ deposition: Natural degradation caused by littoral erosion, marine salt, rainwater runoff and vegetation covering part of the inscribed sectors
• Housing
• Human resources: Lack of capacities for site conservation,
• Illegal activities: Urbanisation on the outskirts of the property where, in the absence of a defined buffer zone, illegal construction provokes land disputes
• Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
• Management activities
• Marine transport infrastructure: Proposed port development
• Unsuitable restoration techniques, and poor conservation conditions for the archaeological remains

Total amount granted: USD 9,564 from the Italian Funds-in-Trust

On 29 November 2023, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/193/documents/. Progress in a number of areas is presented in this report, as follows:

• Regular monitoring, conservation and maintenance of the archaeological sites are carried out by staff of the heritage authority (OGEBC). Conservation conditions are reported as satisfactory overall;
• Inventory work has already been carried out for the main monuments and is continuing for all immoveable heritage; work is also being extended to the objects in the museum and storage;
• In collaboration with the Czech Litomyšl Faculty of Restoration, two objects displayed in the museum’s courtyard were cleaned and restored;
• The risk reduction programme has resumed. It includes reinforcement of fences in sensitive areas, installation of solar-powered lighting, fire and anti-intrusion systems, as well as improvement of visitor services (automated turnstiles, visitor trails);
• The presentation of the site is enhanced with signage and the creation of an audio guide; plans for an interpretation centre at the Angelevy Villa are taken forward;
• A project is being developed to open the Royal Mauritanian Mausoleum to the public;
• Training workshops were organized in view of developing the Management Plan, notably in partnership with the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH);
• Within the updated Master Plan for development and urban planning, the breakwater of Tipasa port will be painted with murals to reduce its visual impact;
• A study will be undertaken for the establishment of a wastewater collection system for the municipality of Tipasa, with particular attention to the property;
• A working group has been established to reflect on the maritime extension to the buffer zone, undertaking desk-based research and a diving campaign to identify and document the underwater archaeological heritage.

It is reassuring to see that management activities seem largely to have resumed after the closure of the archaeological areas and the deferral of various projects due to COVID-19. However, there are some activities that do not seem to be making progress and the State Party report does not fully address the Committee’s requests or the recommendations of the 2017 Advisory mission.

Management planning seems to have focused only on capacity building for the management team. While such activities are to be commended, there is now a need to complete the plan in a timely fashion and ensure the engagement of stakeholders in that process. Many of the issues mentioned below could benefit from being included within the framework of a Management Plan, which would ensure that all actions are considered within a holistic and structured framework with clear management objectives based on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).

Much new infrastructure is being installed at the property (e.g., signage, paths, turnstiles, lighting, fire and anti-intrusion systems, fencing, etc.). While this can contribute to management and improve the visitor experience, it is important to have a full understanding of the potential cumulative impact of these multiple additions on the sense of place. No information has been shared by the State Party on whether the proposed lighting system has been modified, as previously requested, to ensure that the most appropriate solution is implemented.

It is also concerning that the State Party report contains no information on the current status of the port development project, nor if it was revised in line with the recommendations provided by the 2017 Advisory mission, as requested by the Committee.

In the last state of conservation report, it was reported that one element of the port development project had already been implemented: there was an urgency to reinforce the cliff under the West Archaeological Park due to a landslide risk. In response, the Committee requested that the State Party take technical advice to improve the final result of these emergency measures. However, the State Party reports that they now consider the cliff reinforcement project to be completed.

Another recommendation of the 2017 Advisory mission had been to find landscaping solutions to reduce the visual impact of the breakwater which had already been constructed at Tipasa port. The report notes that within the updates to the Tipasa Master Plan for development and urban planning, the breakwater is being painted with artistic frescoes with the aim of reducing its visual impact.

After delays due to COVID-19, efforts are now being resumed to study the water pooling issues and the maritime extension of the buffer zone. As both projects are in their early stages, there is the opportunity for greater dialogue with the State Party on the proposals as they are drawn up, and it would be beneficial for the results of these studies to be shared as soon as possible for technical review.