Factors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsProposal for a 32m-high building in the vicinity of the AcropolisInternational Assistance granted to the property until 2003Requests Approved:0Total Amount Approved:0USD

Missions to the property until 2003**Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2003The Centre has continued in the past months to receive complaints regarding the proposal for a 32m-high building in the vicinity of the Acropolis. The 26th session of the Committee requested the State Party to give urgent consideration to a redefinition of the buffer zone in order to better protect the visual setting of the monument; to undertake a visual impact study, notably concerning the site of the Acropolis; to provide information on any development projects which have an impact on the visual integrity of the World Heritage site; and finally, to submit, by 1 February 2003, a report on these matters. At the time of the preparation of this working document, no report had been received from the authorities.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2003 Adopted Draft Decision27COM7B.67Acropolis, Athens (Greece)The World Heritage Committee,1.Regretsthat the Greek authorities did not provide the report requested by 1 February 2003 until 2 July 2003;2.Recallsits request (26 COM 21 (b) 49) that the State Party give urgent consideration to a redefinition of the buffer zone in order to better protect the visual setting of the monument;3.Further recallsits request (26 COM 21 (b) 49) that the State Party provide information on any development projects, which may impact on the visual integrity of the World Heritage property and undertake a visual impact study, notably concerning the property of the Acropolis;4.Urgesthe State Party to prevent any activity which would cause irreversible damage to the outstanding universal value of the property;5.Requeststhe State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.

Amphitheatre of El Jem(Tunisia)Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1992Despite the efforts of specialists and the Tunisian authorities for conserving this site, the Bureau was concerned about the modifications which affected its environment, and requested the competent authorities to take urgent measures necessary to re-establish the' harmony of the site and its surroundings, halt all new constructions in the immediate environs and demolish the shopping arcade constructed on one side of the amphitheatre. If it is not possible to demolish the arcade, then it would be desirable to conceal it with a hedge. Insofar as the organization of spectacles inside the amphitheatre does not imply irreversible developments, the Bureau considered that the recreational activities do not constitute a threat to the conservation of the site.The Permanent Delegate of Tunisia to UNESCO has informed the World Heritage Centre that the President of the Republic has instructed the competent authorities in charge of the protection of the archeological site to take all the necessary measures to implement the recommendations of the Bureau. Accordingly, all new construction works have been halted and the shopping arcade built on one side of the amphitheatre is to be concealed by a hedge in order to avoid any direct interaction between the commercial area and the archeological site; furthermore, the construction of permanent structures within the amphitheatre has been prohibited.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1992 Adopted Draft Decision16BURVI.43El Jem (Tunisia)Despite the fact that it was aware of the efforts of specialists and the Tunisian authorities for conserving this site, the Bureau was, however, concerned about the modifications which affected the environment of the site and requested the competent authorities to take urgent measures necessary to reestablish the harmony of the site and its surroundings, halt all new constructions in the immediate environs and demolish the shopping arcade constructed on one side of the amphitheatre. If it is not possible to demolish the arcade, then it would be desirable to conceal it with a hedge. Insofar as the organization of spectacles inside the amphitheatre does not imply irreversible developments, the Bureau considered that the recreational activities do not constitute a threat to the conservation of the site.16COMVIIISOC: El Jem (Tunisia)El Jem (Tunisia)Regarding the site of El Jem (Tunisia), the Committee was informed of the measures taken at the highest level of Government, as the President of the Republic of Tunisia had transmitted through, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to the concerns of the Bureau, the decisions pertaining to a halt in the construction of any extension to the shopping arcade and to the ban on construction of any permanent structures within the amphitheatre. Concerning this point, the Delegate from Tunisia took the floor to thank the Committee for its interest in heritage at large and to the site of El Jem. From now on, new constructions are prohibited by order of the President within a radius of 100 meters around the amphitheatre. Furthermore, the Committee requested the Centre to write to the President of the Republic to thank him for his intervention for the safeguard of the national heritage.

Ancient City of DamascusFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsa)Poor state of conservation;b)Inappropriate restoration techniques;c)Lack of a buffer zone;d)Lack of a management plan.Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2007Since its inscription on the World Heritage List, the conservation of the Ancient City of Damascus has not been addressed in a comprehensive study and no global conservation actions have been taken. It is urgent to point out that the state of conservation of the property is very poor. Although the main monuments and buildings are more or less well conserved, the urban fabric has considerably degraded since the inscription of the Ancient City of Damascus on the World Heritage List.Several single monuments were and are being restored, however inappropriate restoration techniques are often used within the property: for example, in the Ayyubid building al-Madrassa al-Adliyeh (7thcentury AD), Ayyubid ashlar stones have been partially cut and covered with mechanically cut stones cladding in large portions of the monument; this technique had been previously used also in the Roman perimeter of the Great Omeyyade Mosque of Damascus and was stopped following UNESCO recommendations in 1997. In private dwellings and in all historical buildings in general, reconstructions in cement are allowed provided that the original forms are reproduced; the use of the the traditional construction techniques in timber structure and mud bricks is not compulsory.In addition, two alarming recent developments within the inscribed property have occurred without the World Heritage Centre being informed: several housing units have been destroyed in two locations to allow for new constructions, one adjacent to the Sitt Ruqiyah Mosque and the other situated along the Medhat Pasha Street (the former Roman cardo).Moreover, and despite a World Heritage Centre mission in 2001 in which a definition of a buffer zone was agreed upon in principle with the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, the State Party did not yet officially submit a plan showing the buffer zone to the World Heritage Secretariat.Nevertheless, in 2006, the State Party undertook a major positive step: the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment produced a Conservation Action Plan for the World Heritage property and transmitted it, in Arabic, to the World Heritage Centre. This Plan - that is still to be endorsed by several governmental agencies before its implementation is allowed - provides a comprehensive analysis of the conservation problems of the property and lists a series of remedial actions on the urban level. Although the Action Plan needs to be modified in some areas, mainly by cancelling the idea of a ring road around the city walls, and by up-dating the urban regulations and technical requirements of restoration works, its implementation can contribute to considerably improving the propertys physical conditions.Within the framework of the implementation of the proposed Action Plan, all infrastructure services within the property will be buried. Therefore, any underground excavations that are planned should be supervised by competent and vigilant archaeologists, since these excavations will concern valuable and highly informative archaeological evidence that constitutes an intrinsic part of the propertys value.In a recent World Heritage Centre mission to Syria (January 2007), the Governor of Damascus informed the Centre of a large scale project that involves the Malik Faisal area, tangent to the northern perimeter of the city walls. The project foresees to demolish the whole area, including large portions of the historical urban fabric inscribed on the National Register - that form part of the agreed upon buffer zone -, clear the constructions that hide the city walls, replace them with gardens, and, build a new 32 meter wide road parallel to the city walls, partly covering the Barada river that runs in this area.The World Heritage Centre informed the State Party during the January 2007 mission and by letter immediately upon return, of the negative impact that this project would have on the World Heritage property, and on the necessity to inform the World Heritage Committee, as per theOperational Guidelines, before such a project is implemented. The State Party reacted by inviting the World Heritage Centre, in March 2007, to advise on the modifications that need to be done, and to take part as well in a national meeting on the Malik Faisal project, involving all the stakeholders. To answer this request, the World Heritage Centre dispatched a senior urban planner and a member of the Secretariat to Damascus from 28 March to 2 April. The members of the mission concluded that the planned project on the World Heritage property would have tangible and immediate negative effects on the propertys historical and heritage values, and harmful impact on the human, social, and economic levels. Moreover, the members of the mission highlighted the fact that the historical suburbs concerned by the Governorates project undeniably constitute a natural buffer zone to the property.Finally, the mission underlined that, as mentioned in theOperational Guidelines(paragraphs 178 and 179), a World Heritage property - as defined in Articles 1 and 2 of theConvention- can be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger by the Committee in the cases of ascertained danger due to serious deterioration of materials and/or serious deterioration of structure and/or ornamental features, or potential danger because of lack of conservation policy and/or threatening effects of regional planning projects. Concern is indeed raised by the project foreseen in the northern outskirts of the property because of its negative and significant impact.The World Heritage Centre communicated these conclusions by letter to the State Party on 23 April 2007, and proposed to support the Syrian Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in planning an implementing an alternative pilot project for the urban rehabilitation of the Malik Faisal area, before the end of the year 2008 in which Damascus has been designated as the Capital of Culture for the Arab World.At the time of drafting this document, no answer was officially received by the World Heritage Centre regarding the possible decision of cancelling the project foreseen in the Malik Faisal area. Such a decision would be indispensable for the protection of the World Heritage Propertys integrity and open the way to reinforced cooperation with the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in the field of urban rehabilitation.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 200731COM7B.58Ancient City of Damascus (Syrian Arab Republic)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-07/31.COM/7B.Add,2.Notes with satisfactionthat the State Party has prepared an Action Plan for the conservation of the property;3.Encouragesthe State Party to implement the Action Plan provided that:a) Any ring road around the property must respect the integrity of the property;b) Infrastructure works are planned and implemented under high quality archaeological supervision;c) The legal framework for the protection of the property is improved and detailed;d) The use of traditional restoration techniques within the property becomes compulsory to guarantee the preservation of the property's integrity;4.Urgesthe State Party to refrain from undertaking any demolition work within the property and its buffer zone, in case such work impacts on the integrity of the property;5.Invitesthe State Party to consider extending the boundaries of the property in order to include its valuable historical neighbourhoods andrequeststhe State Party to define the boundaries of the proposed buffer zone and to officially provide a map of this zone to the World Heritage Centre for approval by the Committee;6.Requeststhe State Party, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of theOperational Guidelines, to inform the World Heritage Centre in advance of any planned changes and any foreseen project within and around the property;7.Further requeststhe State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission in order to assess the situation and to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by1 February 2008, a progress report on the above recommendations and on the state of conservation of the property for examination by the Committee at its 32nd session in 2008.

Archaeological Site of Volubilis(Morocco)

Factors affecting the property in 2007* Housing Interpretative and visitation facilities Management systems/ management planFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsa)Pressures linked to development and the need to preserve the landscape;b)Implementation of a large-scale construction project at the entrance to the property;c)Lack of a management plan.Missions to the property until 2007**2003: World Heritage Centre mission; April 2005: expert mission; February 2007: joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS missionConservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2007Since 2005, large-scale development projects undertaken on the property of Volubilis are cause for concern. These new, large-scale constructions have a serious visual impact on the surrounding landscape. The State Party was urgently requested to review the project and consider its modification. To this end, the Ministry of Culture, contracting authority for the development work, created an expert committee responsible for the implementation of the recommendations of the World Heritage Centre experts and the decision taken by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006).As requested by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its Decision30 COM 7B.55,the State Party transmitted a report on the state of conservation of the property to the World Heritage Centre in January 2007.It gives a detailed description of the Development Plan for Volubilis, containing the modifications made according to the recommendations of the Committee in paragraph 4 of its Decision30 COM 7B.55.Thus, the idea to build a theatre on the property has been abandonned; there will be no built construction, and the choice of a lightweight, temporary structure for the duration of the events was adopted. The area reserved for the interpretation centre has been reduced: 420 square metres instead of 520. In its lower part (covered area, but open to the outside), the interpretation centre will house the stelae and statues. In its upper part, there will be an area for the promotion of regional heritage, an area for the presentation of Volubillis, a large aerial photo of the property and a temporary exhibition area. An important attention is given to the use of natural materials for the project (wood and stone).The updated management plan of the property, requested by the Committee in its Decision30 COM 7B.55, paragraph 5, isunder preparation. Its main points are presented in the above-mentioned report. A drafting committee, comprsing representatives of all the departments concerned, supported by multidisciplinary experts, has been created for this purpose. The management plan will take into consideration the national laws in force and will conform to the charters and international conventions dealing with the conservation and management of cultural heritage. However, in view of the evolution of the different specifications, this will require periodical updating and reevaluation. A request for international assistance could be submitted by the State Party for the provision of expertise for the preparation of this plan. The reactive monitoring mission sent to the property in February 2007 noted the property management ensured by a conservator, an assistant conservator and archaeologists, amongst whom were teachers from the National Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage. Staff responsible for guarding and property surveillance, as well as staff in charge of ticketing and guide services are present at the property. However, there is still an urgent need for a management plan for the property.The Ministry of Culture, in the State Partys report of January 2007, proposed that the buffer zone, requested by the Committee in its Decisions29 COM 7B.100and30 COM 7B.55,correspond to the extremely vast zone of protection, defined by theDahirof 19 Novembre 1920.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2007 Adopted Draft Decision31COM7B.66Archaeological site of Volubilis (Morocco)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-07/31.COM/7B,2.Recalling Decisions29 COM 7B.100and30 COM 7B.55, adopted at its 29th session (Durban,2005) and 30th sessions (Vilnius, 2006) respectively,3.Notes with satisfactionthat the State Party has taken into account the recommendations of the Committee in order to maintain the visual integrity of the property, notably by modifying the development project on the periphery of the property;4.Urgesthe State Party, in accordance with paragraph 5 of Decision30 COM 7B.55, to prepare a management plan for the property, including a programme for the management of new installations, and to transmit it to the World Heritage Centre;5.Requeststhe State Party, in accordance with Decisions29 COM 7B.100and30 COM 7B.55, to define the boundaries of the area of the proposed buffer zone and to officially provide a map of this zone to the World Heritage Centre by1 February 2008for approval by the Committee at its 32nd session in 2008.31COM8B.57Nomination of natural, mixed and cultural properties to the world heritage list - Archaeological Site of VolubilisThe World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocuments WHC-07/31.COM/8B.Add and WHC-07/31.COM/INF.8B1.Add,2.Refersa decision on the proposed buffer zone for theArchaeological Site of Volubilis,Morocco, back to the State Party to allow it to provide more details on the area of the zone and the protective policies in place.

Cathedral, Alczar and Archivo de Indias in Seville(Spain)Factors affecting the property in 2013* Housing Management systems/ management planFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reports High-rise development in the vicinity of the property (Torre Pelli-Cajasol); Inappropriate protection for the wider setting and buffer zone to address development pressures.International Assistance granted to the property until 2013Requests Approved:0Total Amount Approved:0USD

Missions to the property until 2013**November 2011: ICOMOS Advisory MissionConservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2013The State Party submitted a state of conservation report on 31 January 2013, informing on the progress on some of the requests of the Committee at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012).a)Progress with Special Protection Plans, buffer zone and protection of the wider settingThe extended Conjunto Histrico, which was declared by Royal Decree on 2 November 2009, covers 783.5hectares, including the historic city and the modern city with 19th and 20th century extensions. As it was considered unfeasible to prepare an encompassing Special Protection Plan, it has been divided into 27 sectors and an approved plan is required for each.The 2011 mission noted that it is important for the Special Protection Plans to be completed and approved for all sectors. Some sectors are so complex that they have been divided into smaller sub-sectors for which plans are to be approved separately.The State Party report provides a useful analysis of the progress with the plans for all these sectors. Four sectors areconsidered to be sufficiently protected by the Heritage of Cultural Interest (HCI) legislation, as they fall within an HCI or are adjacent to one;these are Sector 6 Royal Alczar, Sector 11 Hospital de las Cinco Llagas, Sector 15 La Cartuja, and Sector 26 Ibero-American Exhibition enclosure.Concerning other 16 sectors, some of them are at the approval stage for the Special Protection Plan, while others are still in an earlier stage (previous steps as organizational standards and/or cataloguing, etc). Therefore there are 7 sectors which have specific issues and require a more detailed analysis and a new Special Protection Plan. It is expected that all the Special Protection Plans will have been developed and definitively approved within the first six months of 2013.The State Party reports that the current buffer zone does not have specific protection but its area will be covered by the Special Protection Plans that should provide adequate control.The value of these sectors that make up the buffer zone has been identified in terms of their intrinsic value rather than of their relationship to the property. Nevertheless, as previously reported to the Committee, an extensive survey has been carried out of the area surrounding the property to allow a full understanding of how it relates to its immediate setting.The State Party report sets out details as to how controls of height, voids, archaeology, urban spaces, visual pollution and other pertinent issues are dealt with. It also stresses the fact that most of the buildings in the buffer zone are listed, and there are few urban voids which means that urban developments that could impact on the property are not expected.The protection for the wider setting is not specifically dealt with in the State Party report but the information provided on development projects includes control measures.b)Details of all major building projects that might impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)Three potential high-rise developments are mentioned in the State Party report. These are taller than the average and are all to the south of the property, at a distance varying from 2.6 to 5km from the property. Currently none have licences and the projects are not likely to become active in the short to medium term. In each of the cases the conclusion drawn is that the distance between the development and the property means that there will be no visual impact.In general terms, the StateParty reportsthat it is not possible to determine the building heights in the areas of projected growth based solely on the assessments of the current General Plan. Therefore, to avoid future urban developments which could visually impact on the property, the State Party reports that adequate control measures will be implemented through the Municipality and specifically the Urban Directorate, who will request an Impact Study with appropriate images and photographs for all buildings over 20 storeys high in order to confirm that there will be no visual impact.c)Other mattersThe request by the Committee for the State Party to collaborate with ICOMOS on studies necessary to avoid further high-rise buildings that would impact adversely on the OUV was not addressed in the State Party report. However, in a letter from the State Party dated 11 April 2013, ICOMOS has been requested to collaborate with the Spanish authorities on this matter.The Spanish authorities informed the World Heritage Centre that an international expert meeting in Seville on historic urban landscapes and contemporary architecture (Decision 36 COM 7B.88) will be held in September 2013.Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2013The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note the progress with finalising and approving the Special Protection Plans and also note that these are due for completion during 2013. The buffer zone will be entirely covered by Special Protection Plans. Taking also into account the density of protected structures and the lack of areas for development, all these elements provide a basis for its protection.Although the specific measures to control the wider setting of the property are not mentioned, it appears that controls will be put in place by the authorities to limit the height of buildings that might impact adversely on the OUV of the property. It should be ensured that Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA) are undertaken in line with the ICOMOS Guidance on HIAs for new constructions that could potentially impact the OUV of the property.The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies recommend that the Committee remind the State Party of the importance of collaborating with the Advisory Bodies on studies necessary to avoid further high-rise buildings that would impact adversely on the OUV.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2013 Adopted Draft Decision37COM7B.84Cathedral, Alczar and Archivo de Indias in Seville (Spain) (C 383 rev)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-13/37.COM/7B,2.RecallingDecision36 COM 7B.88, adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),3.Notesthe progress with finalising and approving Special Protection Plans for sectors of the Conjunto Histrico, due for completion in 2013;4.Also notesthat the buffer zone will be completely covered by these Plans which should provide it with adequate protection;5.Further notesthat for the wider setting, the local authorities will be tasked with establishing adequate control measures for new constructions;6.Considersthat impact assessments for new constructions which can potentially impact the Outstanding Universal Value should be carried out in line with the ICOMOS Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments;7.Takes notethat no collaboration with ICOMOS has so far been undertaken on studies necessary to avoid further high-rise buildings that would impact adversely on the Outstanding Universal Value, butnotes furthermorethe request made by the State Party to ICOMOS to start this process;8.Requeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by1February2015, a progress report on the implementation of the above.Read more

City of Graz Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg(Austria)Factors affecting the property in 2007* HousingFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsUrban development pressureInternational Assistance granted to the property until 2007Requests Approved:0Total Amount Approved:0USD

Missions to the property until 2007**Joint UNESCO/ICOMOS missions in February 2005 and October 2006.2006Report On The Joint Unesco-Icomos Reactive Monitoring Mission To The City Of Graz Historic Centre, Austria 20 ...

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2007At the request of the Austrian authorities, a UNESCO/ICOMOS expert mission went to the property on 20 October 2006 to follow up on the first joint mission of February 2005. The mission evaluated the re-worked design and possible adaptation of the Department Store project of Kastner & hler, located in the core zone of the property. Major architectural changes for the project have been proposed (i.e. reduction of height, reduction of number of shed roofs, integrating staircases and access to the roof). These changes were welcomed by the mission, but a number of points still need to be discussed within the consultation process, particularly the impact of the air-conditioning, and other technical elements, relationships between materials, colours, design and maintenance implications.Furthermore, the legally binding plan must be implemented by the City of Graz to ensure the quality of the Kastner & hler project during the subsequent planning stages. A contract between the City of Graz and the Kastner & hler Company should also be negotiated in order to integrate the new project into the protected urban landscape. This contract should include the following elements:a) At least the two highest roofs should be reduced;b) Consideration should be given to revising the gables by closing them;c) All technical equipment should be precisely defined and integrated into the shed roofs;d) The staircases should be taken into consideration;e) There should be no large window or glass elements, which are inappropriate in this context. Any larger windows should be divided or structured so as to give a homogeneous appearance.In addition, the mission provided the authorities with two specific recommendations designed to inform local communities:f) To illustrate the height of the roof elements by means of scaffolding so as to permit a realistic assessment of their impact on the World Heritage historic centre;g) To provide an example of the materials to be used in the building so as to make it possible to evaluate the roofscape as seen from the Schlossberg in its impacts on the famous view of the city.The State Partys report sent on 1 February 2007 clearly indicated that the City of Graz will take into account the recommendations expressed during the expert mission. In addition, a statement by representatives of the Kastner & hler department store was also included in the report, accepting the recommendations made by the mission.On 31 January 2007 the State Party submitted a management plan and a master plan for the World Heritage property. While the State Party in its report informed about the elaboration of the two plans, the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS regret that no additional information about on-going and new large-scale construction projects in the core and the buffer zones of the property was provided by the State Party.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2007 Adopted Draft Decision31COM7B.106City of Graz Historic Centre (Austria)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-07/31.COM/7B,2.RecallingDecision30 COM 7B.76, adopted at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006),3.Notes with satisfactionthat the State Party has submitted a management plan and a master plan for the World Heritage property;4.Encouragesthe State Party to continue the implementation of the missions recommendations, in accordance with the Vienna Memorandum World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture, Managing the Historic Urban Landscape (2005);5.Requeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre an updated report on the current situation and on any major development projects by1 February 2009for examination by the Committee at its 33rd session in 2009.

Cologne Cathedral(Germany)Factors affecting the property in 2007* Housing Management systems/ management planFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsa) Urban development pressure through high-rise building project impacting on the visual integrity of the Cathedral as a landmark;b) Lack of buffer zone.International Assistance granted to the property until 2007Requests Approved:0Total Amount Approved:0USD

Missions to the property until 2007**Workshop of November 2003Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2007Current conservation issuesa)Urban renewal of Deutz:A workshop procedure has been put in place to design a planning framework for the site of Cologne/Deutz, the ICE railway terminal and its surroundings. The report dated 20 January 2007 by the State Party presented the results of the workshop to define three solutions for the neighbourhood around the Klnmesse/Deutz train station, which would be compatible with the World Heritage status. Based on the three proposals, framework requirements have been formulated for the planning decisions that will be adopted by the city council meeting during March 2007.The council is also waiting for a real-estate analysis to assess which project, under economic considerations, would have the greatest chance for implementation.b)Buffer zone:On 14 December 2006, the city council of Cologne adopted the decision to establish a buffer zone with extension to the east bank of the Rhine. A draft map with the new proposed boundaries for the buffer zone was received by the World Heritage Centre.The State Party, in its state of conservation report, assured the World Heritage Centre that any future planning decisions and measures regarding the buffer zone of the World Heritage property will take into account theViennaMemorandum on World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture, Managing the Historic Urban Landscape(2005).Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2007 Adopted Draft Decision31COM7B.110Cologne Cathedral (Germany)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-07/31.COM/7B,2.RecallingDecisions29 COM 7A.29and30 COM 7A.30, adopted at its 29th (Durban, 2005) and 30th (Vilnius, 2006) sessions respectively,3.Notes with satisfactionthe urban planning consultation process undertaken for the development of the Deutz area andrecallsthe need to take into account the recommendations of the Vienna Memorandum on World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture, Managing the Historic Urban Landscape (2005);4.Takes notesthat a buffer zone, including the right bank of the river, has been proposed, andurgesthe State Party to submit it officially in accordance with theOperational Guidelinesby1 February 2008;5.Also urgesthe State Party to present details of appropriate protective measures for the buffer zone;6.Requeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre an updated report by1 February 2008on the final decision concerning the proposals of urban development in the Deutz area for examination by the Committee at its 32nd session in 2008.

Factors affecting the property in 2008* Housing Management systems/ management planFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsa) Urban development pressure through high-rise building project impacting on the visual integrity of the Cathedral as a landmark;b) Lack of buffer zone.International Assistance granted to the property until 2008Requests Approved:0Total Amount Approved:0USD

Missions to the property until 2008**November 2003: WorkshopConservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2008Buffer zone:The State Party of Germany, in its letter dated 30 January 2008 provided the World Heritage Centre with a map of a buffer zone, as requested by the World Heritage Committee. It covers the east bank of the Rhine with the size of 258 hectares. This buffer zone was already adopted by the City Council of Cologne on 14 December 2006, but was not officially submitted to the World Heritage Centre according to the procedures in place. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the buffer zone, the State Party stated in its report that any future planning decision and measures in the Cathedral buffer zone will take into account the outstanding universal value and the visual integrity of the World Heritage site. The boundaries of the buffer zone were transmitted to ICOMOS for review, as a minor boundary modification (to be discussed under Item 8 of the Agenda DocumentWHC-08/32.COM/8B.Add).Urban renewal of Deutz:As part of the consultation process, a workshop was held for the design of a planning framework for the site of Cologne/Deutz, the ICE railway terminal and its surroundings. Its results were presented in the State Party report of 2007 defining three World Heritage status compatible solutions for the area of the Klnmesse/ Deutz train station. Based on the three proposals, framework requirements have been formulated for the planning decisions. No further decision regarding the implementation of a proposal has been taken at the time of the preparation of this document.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2008 Adopted Draft Decision32COM7B.92Cologne Cathedral (Germany) (C 292 rev)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocumentWHC-08/32.COM/7B,2.RecallingDecisions30 COM 7A.30and31 COM 7B.110, adopted at its 30th (Vilnius, 2006) and 31st (Christchurch, 2007) sessions respectively,3.Notesthe submission of a buffer zone including the east bank of the river andrecallsthe need to take into account the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and its integrity for any further development in the buffer zone;4.Takes notethat an urban planning consultation process for the development of the Deutz area took place in 2007, andurgesthe State Party to provide further information prior to taking a decision concerning the future development of this area;5.Requeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by1 February 2009,a detailed report on the progress concerning the proposals of urban development in the Deutz area.Read more32COM8B.60Examination of nominations and minor modifications to the boundaries of naturel, mixed and cultural properties to the World Heritage List - Cologne Cathedral (GERMANY)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examined DocumentsWHC-08/32.COM/8B.AddandWHC-08/32.COM/INF.8B1.Add,2. Approves the minor modification to the boundaries ofCologneCathedral, Germany;3. Requests that the protection measures which apply to the new buffer zone should be specified in more detail, thereby supplementing the management plan;4. Recommends that reflection should continue concerning the limits of an extended buffer zone based on historic criteria.

Complex of Hu Monuments(Viet Nam)Factors affecting the property in 2011* Ground transport infrastructure HousingFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsa) Development of the road infrastructure and modern constructions in and around the Citadel;b) Urban infrastructure of Hu and its surroundings.Missions to the property until 2011**November 2003: Monitoring mission by international expert; October 2006: joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission; September 2008: Expert mission within the framework of France/UNESCO Cooperation AgreementConservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2011By Decision33 COM 7B.85,adopted at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009), the World Heritage Committee requested the State Party to ensure that the management plan is integrated in the larger regulatory framework being developed for the city of Hue (master plan).It urged the State Party to complete the works needed to minimize the negative impact of noise and visual pollution on the Minh Mang and Khai Dinh tombs. Furthermore, it reiterated its request to the State Party to refrain from carrying out major infrastructure projects within the areas being considered for the extension of the property, as recommended by the 2006 mission, until an appropriate regulatory framework is approved, including the management plan for the property.As requested by the World Heritage Committee, the State Party submitted to the World Heritage Centre a draft Statement of Universal Outstanding Value (OUV) on 1 February 2011.The State Party submitted its state of conservation report on 18 April 2011, outlining progress as follows in meeting the Committees requests:a) Illegal buildings and inventory of properties of heritage significanceThe State Party reports that a survey of illegal households in Zone 1 was carried out in 2010, in order to plan the relocation of these households step by step. The survey showed that the number of illegal households located in the protection Zone 1 has been reduced from 3687 in 2003 to 3147 in 2010.However, the report does not specify how many illegal households were removed during the period of 2009-2010 covered by the present report.In addition, within the programme for Resettlement of Boat People of Hue City, the report notes that 892 households of boat people have been resettled in new residential district.The report also notes that work continued with Waseda University in studying the historical water system in the citadel and related recommendations including the preparation of plans to protect the historical landscape environment and drafting guidelines on Conservation and Regeneration of the Traditional environmental management System in the area of the royal tombs peripheries.However, the report does not mention the requested work on the inventory of properties of heritage significance within the citadel, one of the recommendations made by the 2006 mission.b) Suspension of major infrastructure projectsThe State Party report notes that the provincial government has taken into careful consideration the request to restrict major infrastructure projects, excepting those considered most important, such as the replacement of old Bach Ho Bridge (railroad, pedestrian and motor-bike), with a new motor vehicular road bridge for solving the traffic jam problems on Phy Xuan bridge and Truong and Tien bridge. The project was approved in 2005 and will be built during 2009-2012. The replaced bridge is located outside the buffer zone of the property, over the Huong River.Regarding the repairing and upgrading a section of the provincial route (2.5 km long) to Khai Dinh to prevent degradation and erosion, the work on this section will respect the original route. In particular the construction of the road running in front of the tomb (450M long), will be mostly retained and consolidated with a thin layer of asphalt. The repair work is to be implemented from February to December 2011.On the other hand, the State Party carried out major preservation and restoration on Hue traditional garden houses. During 2009-2010 the local government has restored four heritage houses inside the citadel with funding from the European Union; three traditional garden houses in Thuy Zuan Ward, as well as eight garden houses.c) Development of a management planThe State Party and local authorities have realised that the development of a comprehensive management plan requires in-depth studies, high professional competencies, the participation of many government agencies and priority investment on the part of the national government. The State Party report notes that the Hue Monument Conservation Centre continued to co-operate with Urban Solutions from Netherlands to implement phases 2-3 of the management plan framework of Hue heritage. However, it does not stipulate whether the current elaboration of the management plan is integrated in the larger regulatory framework being developed for the city of Hue (master plan).d) Action plan to mitigate impacts of noise pollution on Minh Mang and Khai Dinh TombsThe State Party reports that trees have been planted in order to mitigate the negative effects of noise and vision at the Tomb in particular for the South west route (the bypass route around Hue City passing along Minh Mang tomb). In 2010, a project for the rehabilitation of the green belt land surrounding the Minh Mang tombs was established for implementation in 2011-2012.Reducing negative visual impacts from Khai Dinh tomb was carried out by cultivating grass and climbing plants on the talus well. The State Party reports that this has considerably reduced the negative visual impact on the tombs.Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2011The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note the progress made by the State Party in addressing the requests made by the World Heritage Committee in Decision33 COM 7B.85(Seville, 2009), notably in dealing with illegal buildings, development of a management plan and carrying out mitigating measures at the Minh Mang and Khai Dinh Tombs to reduce the impact of the new highway, as well as restriction of major infrastructure projects within the protected area as well as the buffer zone. They would welcome information on how the management plan under preparation will be integrated in the context of the new Master Plan for the larger city of Hue.The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note, however, that no information has been provided regarding redefinition of boundaries in order to reflect the significant geomantic elements associated with the inscribed monuments.The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies also note that a series of other development and conservation activities have been carried out in Hue for which the World Heritage Centre has not received detailed information concerning approaches planned in advance of decision-making for assessment of potential impacts on OUV, authenticity and integrity in line with the requirements of Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines. These include the replacement of old Bach Ho Bridge and the repair and upgrading of a section of the provincial route (2.5 km long) to Khai Dinh, the restoration of the Buu Thanh Mon gate and the royal screen, Truong Sanh Cung Residence, Long Duc Dien Temple, as well as improvements to landmark setting and panels erecting for introducing the protection zone.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2011 Adopted Draft Decision35COM7B.81Complex of Hu Monuments (Viet nam) (C 678)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-11/35.COM/7B.Add,2.RecallingDecision33 COM 7B.85, adopted at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009),3.Notesthe progress made by the State Party in dealing with illegal buildings, the on-going process for the development of a management plan, the carrying out of mitigating measures at the Minh Mang and Khai Dinh Tombs to reduce the impact of the new highway, as well as restricting some major infrastructure projects within the protected area and the buffer zone;4.Encouragesthe State Party to consider an extension of the property to include its surrounding cultural landscape that is related spatially to the major monuments;5.Requeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, any new development or conservation projects which might have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;6.Alsorequeststhe State Party to complete the Management Plan without further delay and to ensure in the process its integration into the larger regulatory framework being developed for the city of Hue (Master Plan);7.Furtherrequeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by1 February 2013, a detailed report on the progress achieved in the implementation of the above.

Fert / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape(Austria,Hungary)Factors affecting the property in 2009* Housing Major visitor accommodation and associated infrastructureFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsa) High-rise hotel development;b) Large-scale heart clinic development.International Assistance granted to the property until 2009Requests Approved:0Total Amount Approved:0USD

Missions to the property until 2009**February 2007: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/IUCN mission,2007Report On Icomos Unesco Iucn Reactive Monitoring Mission To Fert / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape, Austria ...

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2009On 21 January 2009, the States Parties jointly provided an updated report on the state of conservation of the property informing about progress made on the implementation of zoning regulations as well as the introduction of supplementary strategies for the development and protection of vernacular buildings in the management plan.The States Parties indicated that six expert workshops were held during 2008 that concluded with the drafting of new Construction Guidelines Criteria for Building within the World Heritage Site, which were approved by the Austrian authorities. As part of the exercise, an additional zone was established aiming at protecting important views outside the buffer zone (a so-called sight protection zone).The Austrian authorities further established an Advisory Board with representatives from different administrative levels in Austria as well as observers from the Hungarian authorities. Based on the new Construction Guidelines, this Advisory Board has the role to review any project likely to have major impact on the property.The Austrian State Party further informed that construction works of the hotel project in Parndorf have started with the agreed-upon height of 47.2m. The controversial construction project of a heart clinic in Winden was abandoned.The Hungarian authorities expressed their support to the above-mentioned Construction Guidelines while also stating that the guidelines will not be applied to the Hungarian part of the property due to already existing classifications and regulations. They further informed that in 2008 the Hungarian Parliament amended the Act on the National Spatial Plan with the regional classification of Zone of Cultural Heritage Sites, covering World Heritage properties as well as sites on the Hungarian Tentative List. It is further planned to prepare a specific World Heritage act for integration into Hungarian legislation.The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, although welcoming the principle of Construction Guidelines for the property, are concerned by some of the details. The guidelines dictate the maximum height and volume for new building according to various designated zones. In some cases the maximum height would appear to be considerably greater than that of existing traditional buildings up to 14m in villages. Although the guidelines call for the limits of the existing settlements to be respected, there are also categories of buildings in isolated areas outside villages and in meadows. For these the maximum height is 10 m outside the villages and 7m in the open wetland zone. In the setting of the property, the height limit is 25m. Furthermore, the zones seem to have been delineated according to the natural aspects of the landscape (National Park, priority areas for nature) and the view points of tourists, rather than being based on the attributes of the cultural landscape that carry Outstanding Universal Value. It is suggested that the heights and zones should be reviewed.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2009 Adopted Draft Decision33COM7B.92Fert / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape (Austria/Hungary) (C 772 rev)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-09/33.COM/7B,2.RecallingDecision31 COM 7B.107, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),3.Notes with appreciationthe States Parties' joint efforts and activities and welcomes the fact that the controversial heart clinic project has been abandoned;4.Also notesthe development of Construction Guidelines, however expresses its concern that these appear to be encouraging development that is larger in scale than the existing vernacular buildings and would allow development in inappropriate locations and may impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;5.Requeststhe State Party of Austria to re-assess the Construction Guidelines to ensure that they respect the form and scale of traditional buildings, do not encourage development on open land, and are based on zoning that reflects the attributes of this cultural landscape, and submit them to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies.

Historic Centre of Macao(China)Factors affecting the property in 2009* HousingInternational Assistance granted to the property until 2009Requests Approved:0Total Amount Approved:0USD

Missions to the property until 2009**January 2009: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring missionConservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2009The World Heritage Committee, in its Decision32 COM 7B.68,focussed on two principal conservation issues.a) Negative Impacts of Urban Development near buffer zonesIt noted with concern that that urban development around the propertys buffer zones, especially around the Guia Hill and Lighthouse and the Monte Fortress (Mount Fort), might impact negatively on the visual integrity of the property. These concerns had already led to the State Party issuing a Chief Executive Directive 83/2008 in April 2008 designed to mitigate this threat in sensitive areas through the use of building height controls. While welcoming these measures the World Heritage Committee requested the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to the property to determine whether the measures are adequate to ensure the long term protection of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property.b) Statement of Outstanding Universal ValueIn order to make such a determination, as well as to develop a comprehensive long-term strategy to safeguard the property, there was seen to be an urgent need to clearly define the propertys Outstanding Universal Value. Decision32 COM 7B.68therefore requested the State Party to develop, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of integrity and authenticity. The Decision further asked that the mission provide advice on defining the setting of the property and any possible revision of the boundary of the buffer zone that might be required.It further requested the State Party to submit an updated report on the progress made in implementing the measures mentioned above. A joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission visited Macao from 18 to 24 January 2009. Its report covered the main concerns raised in32 COM 7B.68but also identified another serious issue and made eleven recommendations for staged action. The mission found that the Chief Executive Directive 83/2008 introducing measures to reduce the height of the buildings constructed or planned near the Guia Hill and Lighthouse and establish new controls over the area provided adequate protection to maintain the visual connections between the Guia Lighthouse and the sea, towards the east, and to the Monte Fortress, to the west. It noted, however, that to the south, the visual connection had already been compromised by several tall buildings on the more distant reclaimed land, mostly constructed before the inscription, and it therefore concluded that the newly proposed buildings near the Guia Hills southern buffer zone would not constitute a problem once their height had been reduced in line with Chief Executive Directive.The mission found that a larger issue was that the present management and conservation system was inadequate indeed a significant risk for the future conservation of the property. While the system, with its boundaries and legal provisions, is effective for protecting the main monuments, a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value was needed to ensure that the very important visual and functional linkages between the monuments and the wider land and seascape of Macao were also protected. Without such linkages it would be difficult to understand why Macao had come to be what it is today a trading port along commercial sea-routes. The mission therefore recommended more work to identify these linkages through a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value that included identifying the attributes that carry Outstanding Universal Value and then to develop the appropriate legal and planning tools to protect them. This would include, in the medium term, a comprehensive urban plan that seeks to protect the heritage significance of what is left of the historic urban landscape, related to the setting and views of the property. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies will be able to provide assistance to the State Party in developing these components of the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, within the framework of the forthcoming periodic reporting exercise for Asia and the Pacific.The State Party responded to Decision32 COM 7B.68on 13 February 2009, shortly after receiving the mission, assuring the World Heritage Committee that the monuments inside the property are in a very good state of conservation through continuous efforts that are in line with conservation charters and supported by sound financial resources made possible by Macaos growing economy. The response confirmed that measures adopted to mitigate against the negative impacts of development projects on the visual integrity of the property are as outlined in its response to the World Heritage Committee in March 2008 and subsequently written into legislation under Chief Executive Directive 83/2008. The response also indicated that the drafting of the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, including conditions of authenticity and integrity is under way and the final Statement will be submitted for consideration by the World Heritage Committee.The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies take note of the State Party report.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2009 Adopted Draft Decision33COM7B.67Historic Centre of Macao (China) (C 1110)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocumentWHC-09/33.COM/7B,2.RecallingDecision32 COM 7B.68, adopted at its 32nd session (Quebec City, 2008),3.Welcomesthe measures taken by the State Party of China to mitigate possible negative impacts of development projects on the visual integrity of the property by reducing height limits for construction in sensitive areas surrounding the Guia Hill and the Monte Fortress;4.Notes with concern, however, the apparent inadequacy of the current management system, with its buffer zone and legal provisions, to protect effectively the very important visual and functional linkages between the inscribed monuments and the wider urban land and seascape of Macao;5.Requeststhe State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the above-mentioned linkages;6.Also requeststhe State Party to develop the appropriate legal and planning tools to protect these linkages, including a comprehensive urban plan that seeks to protect the heritage significance of what is left of the historic urban landscape that contributes to the setting and views of the property;7.Further requeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by1 February 2011,an updated report on the progress made in implementing the measures mentioned above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011.

Historic Centre of Prague(Czech Republic)Factors affecting the property in 2012* Housing Management systems/ management planFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsa) Development of high rise constructions on the Pankrc plain;b) Lack of effectiveness of existing planning, management and conservation measures for the property;International Assistance granted to the property until 2012Requests Approved:0 (from2003-2003)Total Amount Approved:40,000USD2003Demande d'assistance d'urgence pour la restauration du Centre ... 40,000USD

Missions to the property until 2012**March 2008 and January 2010: World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring missions2008Report of the UNESCO-ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Historic Center of Prague, 27 February - 2 March 2008

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2012On 31 January 2012, a report on the state of conservation of the Historic Centre of Prague was submitted by the State Party in response to the World Heritage Committees Decision35 COM 7B.89. This report addresses all items requested by the Committee and contains additional information in response to all recommendations of the 2010 reactive monitoring mission, on current conservation issues identified by the national authorities as well as a description of all major restoration, conservation or construction works that took place since the last report in 2011, including information on works planned in accordance with Paragraph 172 of theOperational Guidelines.The State Party also submitted a request for a minor modification to the buffer zone, which will be examined by the World Heritage Committee under Item 8 of the Agenda (Document WHC-12/36.COM/8B.Add).a) Limitations on high-rise developmentsThe State Party reported that while a new land-use plan is under development, an intermediate amendment to the existing land-use plan had been finalized and is awaiting approval of the Prague City Assembly expected in the first quarter of 2012. The amendment defines buildings of excessive height in three categories: (1) buildings above 40 meters, (2) buildings of significant mass or volume not complying with the standard city proportions, and (3) buildings, which may impact panoramic views. Once the Decree is approved, the area in which buildings of excessive height are banned will have been enlarged and 3D skyline models will determine criteria and benchmarks for exceptional approval of excessive heights outside the prohibition zone.The Pankrc Plain will be included in the zone in which excessive height buildings are entirely banned. The State Party also reports that the construction permissions of the Epoque skyscrapers, issued before the World Heritage Committee recommendation on height limits in its Decision32 COM 7B.86,were successfully revoked in August 2011. The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS consider the land-use plan amendment, once passed, an important achievement in the protection of the historic centre of Prague and welcome the information that the construction permission of the Epoque towers was finally revoked.b) Physical downgrading of the Eastern HighwayFollowing the recommendation of the 2010 reactive monitoring mission the State Party is committed to physically downgrade the North-South Trunk Road (Eastern Highway) as soon as the Blanca tunnel provides an alternative route, which is expected for 2014. At present, a new concept for the transformation of the North-South Trunk Road is under preparation and shall be based on principles of converting the road to an urban boulevard by reducing its width to two lanes and introducing pedestrian and bicycle paths.c) Vyehrad andikov StationsThe rehabilitation of Vyehrad Station according to the State Party will involve restoration and repairs to the historic structure and construction of two new buildings in its vicinity, which will not exceed the standard height and proportions of surrounding buildings. The rehabilitation has not yet been approved by the respective building permission authority. For ikov Station visualization studies of the different proposals had been prepared. However, since in the meantime the Ministry of Culture requested to declare the group of buildings a cultural monument, all plans will need to be revised, since none of these plans was in accordance with the regulations and restrictions imposed for cultural monuments. The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS welcome the information on a request for declaration of the ikov Station as a cultural monument and would like to be kept informed about emerging new proposals.d) Regulations applying to infill, rehabilitation and conservationIn 2009, the City Council adopted the Concept for a more efficient care for the heritage in the City of Prague prepared by the Culture, Monument Care and Tourism Department. It includes methodological guidelines for urban interior solutions specifically for the area of the property as well as a methodology for assessing new structures and annexes. Following a resolution of the City Council on 30 August 2011, these methods will be further developed and specified on the basis of a comprehensive four-phase architectural and urban analysis of the property.e) Management PlanIn 2009 the State Party had submitted a draft Management Plan for the property. The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS encourage the State Party to finalize this Management Plan, taking into account the comments provided by ICOMOS in May 2009 and the recommendations of the World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission in 2010, and submit the finalized Management Plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2012The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS welcome the information received and acknowledge the progress made. They recommend that the World Heritage Committee request the State Party to notify the World Heritage Centre once the amendment to the land-use plan has been officially adopted by the City Assembly, and to pursue the development of proposals for the physical downgrading of the North-South Trunk Road and the finalization of the Management Plan. They further recommend encouraging the State Party to continue informing the World Heritage Centre, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of theOperational Guidelines, about any envisaged developments before making decisions that may be difficultDecisions adopted by the Committee in 2012 Adopted Draft Decision36COM 7B.73Historic Centre of Prague (Czech Republic) (C 616)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-12/36.COM/7B,2.RecallingDecision 35 COM 7B.89, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),3.Welcomesthe information that the building permissions for the Epoque Towers on the Pankrc Plain have been revoked andacknowledgesthe progress towards a land-use plan amendment extending the height restriction zone on the basis of a ban on buildings of excessive height and detailed regulations for the authorisation of high buildings outside the prohibition zone;4.Requeststhe State Party to notify the World Heritage Centre when the amendment to the land-use plan has been passed by the Prague City Assembly;5.Also requeststhe State Party to provide the finalized Management Plan to the World Heritage Centre by1 February 2013;6.Encouragesthe State Party to continue informing the World Heritage Centre, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of theOperational Guidelines, about any envisaged developments, major restorations or rehabilitations;7.Further requeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by1February 2014, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property, including the progress towards a design for downgrading the North-South Trunk Road and the rehabilitation plans for Vyehrad and ikov Stations.Read more36COM8B.59Cultural Properties - Examination of minor boundary modifications - Historic Centre of Prague (Czech Republic)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocuments WHC-12/36.COM/8B.Add and WHC-12/36.COM/INF.8B1.Add,2.Approvesthe proposed buffer zones for theHistoric Centre of Prague, Czech Republic.

Historic Centre of Riga(Latvia)Factors affecting the property in 2009* Housing Legal frameworkFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsa) High-rise building projects located in the buffer zone threating the visual integrity of the propertyb) Regulations for building permissions and guidelines for new construction projects within Riga and its buffer zoneConservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2009At its 32nd session (Quebec City, 2008), the World Heritage Committee expressed its appreciation to the State Party for the general success of its efforts to halt high-rise developments in the buffer zone of the World Heritage property with the exception of the development plan of the Southern Kipsala zone.While acknowledging the State Partys contention that the development plans at Kipsala were in place at the time of inscription in 1997, and were then not challenged, the World Heritage Committee regretted their implementation including construction of a 20 storey tower and also regretted that the new Conception project proposal for the left bank of the Daugava River (as presented to the joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission of March 2008) did not deviate greatly from previous submissions, and would result in significant negative impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage property. The World Heritage Committee also endorsed the recommendations of the 2008 joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission, and requested the State Party to implement them.The State Party provided the report requested by the World HeritageCommittee on 30 January.2009. The report addresses in turn the principal recommendations of the joint mission:a) Revised, Conception Project, taking into consideration the visual integrity of the World Heritage propertyThe State Party report notes that the Daugava Left-bank Development Concept was completely reviewed once again in 2008, and that the initial project has been significantly changed, reducing the density and height of several high-rise buildings to 121m (maximum authorised), moving away the new buildings from the River Daugava and the buffer zone of the property and refusing building permission to several high-rise building projects. However, the report indicates that it is not possible to refuse completely the high-rise buildings in the Conception as some projects were approved before the inscription of the property in the World Heritage List. This concerns three high-rise buildings in the southern part of Kipsala (buffer zone), for which no reduction if height seems to be proposed by the State Party, although requested by the World Heritage Committee.The State Party further notes that the economic recession has limited planned construction activity, and that the public may be favouring low-rise construction for future housing. In addition, an analysis by international consultants has pointed out the inadequacy of many of the planned investment projects, particularly from an infrastructure and traffic management perspective. The consultants report suggests limiting construction on the left bank of the river Daugava. The report notes that several construction projects are already suspended, such as the competition winning project for high-rise buildings on the island Klversala.The State Party analysis of the visual impact of the River Daugava Left bank silhouette suggests that from some view points, the Historic Centre of Riga panorama is already disturbed by existing buildings especially by the Swedbank (former Hansabanka) building. While it is not possible to correct this mistake, the State Partys analysis of the visual impact of current projects as seen from view points in the territory of the Historic Centre of Riga), suggests that the revised River Daugava Left bank silhouette composition does not impact significantly the view corridors of the city.b) Implementation of the legal framework for the preservation and development of Old Riga and review of projectsThe State Party report notes that Latvia is the only country in the world to adopt the highest level World Heritage protection rules (national legislation, Cabinet of Ministers regulations, municipal regulations, etc.). The report informs about provisions, laws and regulations to ensure that tall buildings are kept at distances from the historic core, to protect views to the Historic Centre.However, the State Party report does not comment directly on the degree to which these important laws are being implemented, or on the efforts of the Council on the Preservation and Development of the Historic Centre of Riga on the review of projects for impacts on Outstanding Universal Value and integrity. Furthermore, its necessary to specify how the Daugava Left-bank Silhouette Development Concept project revision is implemented in terms of the existing legal framework for the preservation and development of Old Riga and in the amended territorial planning regulations.c) Historic setting and urban fabricThe State Party report notes several recent initiatives and seminars which have focused on this design challenge and that in recent years the quality of projects has improved. The firm position of the State Inspection against copies and replicas is noted, as well as its efforts to defend established public open space from being built up. Finally the report notes that new projects within the property and its buffer zone are now the subject of international competitions, and a multi-level project evaluation system, assuring significant public discussion.d) Programme for Preserving the Wooden Architecture of RigaThe State Party notes amendments to the legislation in January 2008 which preserve and protect characteristic wooden architecture in the Historic Centre of Riga by requiring that replacements of lost buildings maintain original size and materials. As well, the State Party notes that in spring 2008, the Ministry of Culture adopted The Strategy of Wooden Architecture preservation 2008-2011 to facilitate awareness raising in this area and to support particular projects.e) Co-operation between the Municipality, the State Inspection and other stakeholdersThe State Party report notes recent initiatives to provide greater exchange between stakeholders in project review, including initiation of a multilevel project evaluation system. The report also notes the public dimension of the meetings of the Council for the Preservation and Development of the Historic Centre of Riga, whose members include representatives of all sectors and levels: national and municipal authorities, the UNESCO National Commission, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government,as well as professional associations. The report also informs about the important work of the Riga City Architect Office in evaluation and control of contemporary architecture projects.f) Awareness-raising, presentation, signage and promotion of the World Heritage areaThe State Party report notes the success of recent efforts to improve local heritage awareness, citing the example of initiatives in the Latgale district, the involvement of the mass media in developing television programmes which promote cultural heritage exploration and understanding, the development of the State Inspection web page, and the value of the use of the panorama and silhouette of the Historic Centre of Riga as European Heritage Label site in July 2007.The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies consider that the State Party has made a strong effort to respond fully to the decisions by the World Heritage Committee and the recommendations of the 2008 reactive monitoring mission in modifying the Daugava-Left-bank Development Silhouette Concept by reducing the density and height of several high-rise buildings and moving several new buildings further away from the buffer zone. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies agree with the State Partys analysis that the revised Daugava-Left-bank Development Silhouette Concept does not significantly impact on view corridors from the City. There are still concerns however that such high-density development in this area could have a major socio-economic impact on the property.The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note that the issue of high-rise buildings adjacent to World Heritage properties or in their buffer zone is being discussed for many cases and that policy advice is being developed, including with a proposed UNESCO Recommendation relating to Historic Urban Landscapes (see Document WHC-09/33.COM/7.1).Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2009 Adopted Draft Decision33COM7B.111Historic Centre of Riga (Latvia) (C 852)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-09/33.COM/7B,2.RecallingDecision32 COM 7B.97, adopted at its 32nd session (Quebec City, 2008),3.Notes with appreciationthe comprehensive efforts made by the State Party in the last year to respond to the decisions of the World Heritage Committee and the recommendations by the 2008 reactive monitoring mission;4.Acknowledgesthe efforts of the State Party to modify the "Daugava Left-bank Silhouette Development Concept" in reducing the height and density of planned buildings, and re-locating these buildings farther from the water's edge, in ways which reduce the visual impact of the planned projects on the Outstanding Universal Value and integrity of the property;5.Requeststhe State Party to provide a report on:a) How the revised "Daugava Left-bank Silhouette Development Concept" project is implemented in terms of the existing legal framework for the preservation and development of Old Riga and in the amended territorial planning regulations and how control mechanisms are guaranteed,b) The progress on the five recommendations of the Council for the Preservation and Development of the Historic Centre of Riga on the Daugava river left-bank Silhouette Development conception as specified in the State Party's report,c) The progress on the additional view points of the visual analysis as suggested by the Council for the Preservation and Development of the Historic Centre of Riga as specified in the State Party's report;6.Encouragesthe State Party to apply a holistic planning approach for the city, at both a large and a small scale, fully taking into account the impact of projects on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;7.Also requeststhe State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed on the state of conservation of the property and on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2008 mission report.

Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments(Russian Federation)Factors affecting the property in 2012* Housing Management systems/ management planFactors*affecting the property identified in previous reportsa) Quality of new design projects in the inscribed zone;b) High-rise development ;c) Confusion over definition and extent of inscribed property and its buffer zones.Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2012On 28 February 2012, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011).a)Boundary issuesThe State Party informs that since 2005 systematic work on the retrospective inventory of the property has been carried out by the authorities. A national working group has been formed in 2010 by the Committee on State Control, Use and Protection of Historical and Cultural Landmarks of St. Petersburg (KGIOP), with the objective of clarifying the components of the serial property and its boundaries. The State Party also transmitted within the report the conclusions and outcomes of the International Expert Forum on boundary issues held in Saint Petersburg in May 2011 during which an international open-ended group of experts has been established. This group will inventory and clarify the boundaries of the property on the basis of the report prepared by the national working group and the Atlas of the World Heritage propertys components prepared by the KGIOP.b) Legal frameworkThe Federal Law "On Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of Russian Federation" is applicable to certain individual structures within the property.The Master Plan of St.Petersburg, approved in 2005, adopted areas of protection of cultural heritage sites in accordance with the established zone mode. These include historic buildings, skyline, panoramas and views. Parameters for construction and reconstruction are regulated throughout the whole property and in the proposed buffer zone. In 2009, on the basis of the Master Plan, Land Use and Development Rules were adopted, including territorial zoning and city planning regulations which prohibit new construction in the protected areas except for the regeneration of the historical landscape.The State Party underlined that the recognition of the property as a landmark would not be possible without amendments to the federal legislation. In this regard, since 2011, the City Government is exploring, with the State Duma, ways to enhance the legal protection for the World Heritage property.c) Revised Okhta Centre projectThe St. Petersburg Government by its Decree of 8 December 2010 invalidated its previously issued decision of 22 September 2009 which provided authorization for deviation from the boundary parameters of construction of "Okhta-Center". The project of the Okhta Centre tower construction was cancelled. The revised architectural project has not been officially submitted to any authority yet. In September 2011, the investor Joint Stock Company Gazprom requested the authorities to submit to the World Heritage Centre within the framework of Paragraph 172 of theOperational Guidelinesa formal request of information regarding the international rules of law and procedures of the approval of a new project of the Lakhta Public and Business Center. Following a letter of the World Heritage Centre of 25 October 2011, the State Party submitted within the report an explanatory note prepared by the investor clarifying the exact situation of a new location and providing information about the new project of the Lakhta Center.The new construction is planned in Primorskiy District of St. Petersburg, on the outskirts of the city, 6 miles away from the historic center of St. Petersburg. According to the State Party, the plot of land for the project was not classified as an area of historical and cultural significance and is located outside the zones of protection of cultural heritage and does not fall within the boundaries of the protected areas of World Heritage or their buffer zones. The Russian State Hydrometeorological University carried out a special assessment of climatic characteristics in the Primorskiy District which concluded that the cloudy weather prevailing in St. Petersburg (237 to 256 days a year) makes it difficult to observe the tall building up to its top and retains only the lower 100 - 200 meters visible.The concept of the project includes construction of a skyscraper with a major office (the same design developed for the Okhta Center tower is used for the Lakhta Center), research and sports center, yacht club, career oriented park for children, hotel, exhibition halls, as well as shopping and entertainment facilities. The Kalinin District federal court of St. Petersburg, and later at the Municipal Court of St. Petersburg, has recognized the legitimacy of the investors permission because it will not affect the visual perception of the protected panoramas. In June 2011 public hearings were held in the Primorskiy District regarding the Lakhta business Center. d)Statement of Outstanding Universal ValueA revised draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value was submitted to the World Heritage Centre, as requested by the World Heritage Committee.e) Management of the propertyThe supervision over the status of the property is carried out by KGIOP and the Department for State Protection, Preservation and Use of the Cultural Heritage Properties of the Committee for Culture of the Government of Leningrad Region, within the limits of their authority. The possibility to coordinate actions of the entities of the Russian Federation is very complicated due to the fact that each of these constituent entities, in accordance with the current Russian law carries out economic activities on its territory based on its own financial plans and independent master plans for development of their territory.f) State of conservationThe Government of St. Petersburg has established preservation of the historic centre as a priority which prevails over the concept of compromise and so-called rational balance between preservation and development. The development of a long-term programme for the conservation and restoration of the Historic Center of St. Petersburg (2012-2018) has been started in order to provide comprehensive rehabilitation of the historic environment, taking into account social interests and interests of private investors.g) Communities involvementThe report informs that the Governor of St. Petersburg has engaged in a dialogue with the public city-protection movement, through theCommittee on Protection of Landmarks.Representatives of social organizations and movements are members of the Council for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage of the Government of St.Petersburg.Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2012The World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies note the cancelation of the Okhta Centre Tower project and the planning of the new construction Lakhta Center in the Primorskiy District of St. Petersburg. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies consider that the new project accompanied by a detailed heritage impact assessment, in conformity with the ICOMOS Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for World Heritage cultural properties, should be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies before any final decisions are made. The assessment should take into account any potential impact of the project not only to the Historic City of St. Petersburg but also the numerous components of the property, such as the Peterhof Palace, Kronshtadt, etc.The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note that certain key issues related to the propertys preservation addressed by the 2010 reactive monitoring mission still remain unresolved. These include the lack of a joint Master Plan of the propertys entire territory and its buffer zone in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region proposing the legal protection modes in accordance with principles of integrated conservation. Also, the management of the property is still shared between two Federal entities. There is no Management Plan for the property, which might cover stakeholders, activities and resources. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies would like to recall the recommendations of two previous monitoring missions concerning the designation of a principal management authority with sufficient authority to control the authenticity and integrity of the property, as well as the need to develop an overall Management Plan for the property.They also note that the City Government is exploring, with the State Duma, ways to enhance the legal protection for the World Heritage property and would appreciate to receive detailed documents regarding these initiatives. They recommend to the Committee to invite the State Party to study, in coordination with the World Heritage Centre, feasibility to develop a legal mechanism for protection and management of the World Heritage properties in the Russian Federation.Finally, they also note the submission of the revised draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value.Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2012 Adopted Draft Decision36COM7B.85Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments (Russian Federation) (C 540)The World Heritage Committee,1.Having examinedDocument WHC-12/36.COM/7B,2.RecallingDecision35 COM 7B.104, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),3.Notesthe conclusions of the International expert forum on boundary issues held in Saint Petersburg regarding the establishment of an international open-ended group of experts on boundary issue;4.Welcomesthe efforts of the State Party deployed for cancelation of the Okhta-Center tower project,also notesthe development of a new skyscraper project of the Lakhta business Center in the Primorskiy District of St. Petersburg andrequeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, a detailed heritage impact assessment for this new project prepared in conformity with the ICOMOS Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for World Heritage cultural properties, before any final decisions are made;5.Invitesthe State Party to designate a principal management authority with sufficient authority to control the property, as well as to develop an overall Management Plan for the property, including a Plan for Environmental Design and Urbanism for the entire territory, as well as a Safeguarding Plan defining appropriate degrees of intervention for each element of the property;6.Also invitesthe State Party to study, in coordination with the World Heritage Centre, the feasibility to develop a legal mechanism for the protection and management of the World Heritage properties in the Russian Federation;7.Takes notethat the State Party submitted a draft retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value for the property, as requested in Decision35 COM 7B.104;8.Also requeststhe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by1 February 2014, 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 38th session in 2014.Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2014On 31 January 2014, the State Party submitted a detailed state of conservation report that addressed the progress made in the implementation of the World Heritage Committee Decision adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012), including the results of an international open-ended group of experts on boundary issue, as well as information regarding development of a legal mechanism for the protection and management of the World Heritage properties in the Russian Federation.Th