Island of Mozambique
Factors affecting the property in 2008*
- Housing
- Management systems/ management plan
- Solid waste
- Other Threats:
a) Delay in implementing rehabilitation of the San Sebastian Fortressb) Buildings threatened with collapse
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
a) Delay in implementing rehabilitation of the San Sebastian Fortress;
b) Management plan not yet finalised;
c) Buildings threatened with collapse;
d) Lack of development control and threats to authenticity;
e) Lack of adequate sewage system.
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2008
Total amount provided to the property: Japan Funds in Trust: USD 1,108,078; UCCLA: USD 526,015 and Portugal/IPAD: USD 102,900.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2008
Total amount approved : 134,880 USD
| 2001 | Preparation of a management/conservation plan for the ... (Approved) | 29,980 USD |
| 1999 | Rehabilitation of the Market- Island of Mozambique (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
| 1996 | Finalisation of an integral conservation plan for ... (Approved) | 19,900 USD |
| 1995 | 2 high-level missions on the conservation and ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1994 | Financial contribution to repairs for the roofs of Sao ... (Approved) | 35,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2008**
2005: World Heritage Centre missions; 2006: World Heritage Centre missions; February 2007: ICOMOS mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2008
In its report submitted to the World Heritage Centre on 1 February 2008, the State Party presented the progress in implementing the decisions of the World Heritage Committee:
Emergency Action Plan
An Emergency Plan has been prepared for the Cabinet of Conservation of Mozambique Island and it includes the following major activities:
1. An inventory of immovable properties existing in the Island. The inventory indicates that there are 1,192 immovable properties in Macuti town, 557 in the Stone town and 42 ruins;
2. A letter directed to the owners of the ruins to sensitize them about their obligations to restore and make use of them.
As a result, the report states that many ruins have been now properly maintained with a better appearance. No further details are provided for the Plan or for any short-term remedial actions.
Management plan
A request has been made to the Africa 2009 Programme to assist with the preparation of a conservation and management plan. This request will be considered by the Africa 2009 steering committee at its next meeting.
The State Party also reported that in 2007, the Portuguese Government allocated USD 250,000 to the African Development Bank for the preparation of a Master Plan to be started in 2008. No further information has been received on this allocation. There is clearly a need, if this project goes ahead, for the Master Plan to be strongly linked to the proposed management plan.
Timetable for the restoration of the San Sebastian Fortress
Based on an architectural survey, an implementation strategy has been devised for 2007-8 and for a budget of USD 1 million. This includes:
a) removal of all invasive vegetation;
b) structural consolidation and repair;
c) rehabilitation of the original water collection and storage system;
d) construction of a new cistern to provide a source of water for use by the local population;
e) provision of basic infrastructural services and facilities;
f) restoration of one building to accommodate facilities, to set restoration standards and to provide on-the-job training for local craftsmen.
g) appointment of a site manager in January 2008, the letting of a main contract in January 2008 and fund-raising for a subsequent phase II. Phase I is due for completion in December 2008.
Raising awarenees on World Heritage values
No progress has yet been made on this but a project to sensitise stakeholders on the value and significance of the Island of Mozambique, and on the Convention, has been included as part of an International Assistance request.
The State Party also reported on the completion of the restoration project for Casa Girassol one of the main monuments on the island. This has been accomplished with the support of the City of Bergen and will act as an exemplar for conservation work on the Island.
Overall progress has been made in addressing the conservation of the San Sebastian Fortress and in applying for assistance for finalizing the conservation and management plan and these, together with the work on Casa Girassol are to be welcomed.
At its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007), the World Heritage Committee reaffirmed its great concern “that the Island of Mozambique continues to be threatened by serious degradation of its historical monuments and urban structure and is in danger of loosing its authenticity”. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies are concerned that very little progress has been made in addressing the fundamental problems affecting the outstanding universal value of the property. They consider that there is a need to raise the profile of this property in order to mobilize support for a coordinated action from the international community. They recommend a reactive monitoring mission from the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in order to assess the extent of the degradation of the property and the threats affecting its outstanding universal value. The mission would also identify, in consultation with the relevant authorities, a Desired state of conservation, the corrective measures needed and the timeframe for implementation.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2008
32 COM 7B.51
Island of Mozambique (Mozambique) (C 599)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7B.48, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),
3. Notes the progress made in phase 1 of a project for the rehabilitation of the San Sebastian Fortress, and the completion of the restoration of Casa Girassol;
4. Expresses its concern that no progress has been made with the Conservation and management plan but acknowledges that an application for help in finalizing the Plan has been submitted to the Africa 2009 Programme for promoting a better understanding of World Heritage values;
5. Also expresses its serious concern that there has been little progress in addressing the serious degradation of historical monuments and urban structures, which is threatening the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
6. Urges the State Party to address the most severe degradation and put in place short-term remedial actions, including capacity building, in collaboration with all the stakeholders;
7. Calls upon the international community, in collaboration with UNESCO, to support the creation of partnerships to allow an integrated approach to the sustainable development of the property;
8. Requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of integrity and authenticity, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;
9. Also requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS / ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission to examine the state of conservation of the property and determine if it is under ascertained or potential threats, as defined by Paragraph 179 of the Operational Guidelines;
10. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a report on the progress made in implementing the Emergency Action Plan and in undertaking short-term remedial actions, and on the preparation of the Conservation and management plan, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009, with a view to considering, in the absence of substantial progress, the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Draft Decision: 32 COM 7B.51
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7B.48, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),
3. Notes the progress made in phase 1 of a project for the rehabilitation of the San Sebastian Fortress, and the completion of the restoration of Casa Girassol;
4. Expresses its concern that no progress has been made with the Conservation and management plan but acknowledges that an application for help in finalizing the Plan has been submitted to the Africa 2009 Programme for promoting a better understanding of World Heritage values;
5. Also expresses its serious concern that there has been little progress in addressing the serious degradation of historical monuments and urban structures, which is threatening the outstanding universal value of the property;
6. Urges the State Party to address the most severe degradation and put in place short-term remedial actions, including capacity building, in collaboration with all the stakeholders;
7. Calls upon the international community, in collaboration with UNESCO, to support the creation of partnerships to allow an integrated approach to the sustainable development of the property;
8. Requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS / ICCROM reactive monitoring mission to examine the state of conservation of the property and determine if it is under ascertained or potential threats, as defined by Paragraph 179 of the Operational Guidelines;
9. Also requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, to develop, prior to the arrival of the mission, a draft Statement of outstanding universal value including the conditions of integrity and authenticity, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;
10. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a report on the progress made in implementing the Emergency Action Plan and in undertaking short-term remedial actions, and on the preparation of the Conservation and management plan, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009, with a view to considering, in the absence of substantial progress, the possible inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
MozambiqueExports
* :
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.
