Hundred and seventy-fifth session JERUSALEM AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 33 C/RESOLUTION 50 AND 174 EX/DECISION 12 SUMMARY

Transcription

1 ex United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Executive Board Hundred and seventy-fifth session 175 EX/15 PARIS, 28 July 2006 Original: English Item 14 of the provisional agenda JERUSALEM AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 33 C/RESOLUTION 50 AND 174 EX/DECISION 12 SUMMARY This document is presented in pursuance of 33 C/Resolution 50 and 174 EX/Decision 12, by which the Director-General was requested to report on the progress made concerning UNESCO s contribution towards the safeguarding of the Old City of Jerusalem, in particular with regard to the preparation of an action plan for the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem. An addendum to the present document will be prepared in order to reflect the decisions of the 30th session of the World Heritage Committee (8-16 July 2006, Vilnius, Lithuania) and the recommendations of the second meeting of the International Committee of Experts on the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem which is to be held on 4 and 5 September C/Resolution 39 (adopted by the General Conference in October 2003) requested the Director-General to establish, within a year, an equitably composed committee of experts to be entrusted with proposing, on an exclusively scientific and technical basis, guidelines for a plan of action and proposals for its implementation. The first meeting of this Committee took place on 25 and 26 January Its report was distributed to Member States, as an annex to document 33 C/13.

2 175 EX/15 page 2 2. The Executive Board (174 EX/Decision 12) and the General Conference (33 C/Resolution 50) invited the Director-General to submit to the Executive Board at its 175th session an Action Plan based on the guidelines proposed by the International Committee of Experts. 3. To prepare such an Action Plan, which will be submitted to the International Committee of Experts in September 2006 for its consideration and approval, the World Heritage Centre fielded several technical missions to Jerusalem, in September and December 2005, March and June Thanks to the generous financial contribution from the Government of Italy, as well as assistance provided from the Government of Spain, and with the agreement of the concerned parties, preparatory work has been carried out with a view to complete the five pillars of the Action Plan, as follows: Needs Map for the Conservation of Historic Monuments and Sites 4. This component of the Plan will identify all the historic monuments and sites of the Old City, their state of conservation, use, typology, ownership and heritage value, and generate a basic information tool to prepare conservation and possible adaptive reuse projects. In this first phase, it is planned to identify monuments and sites, transfer the data on a Geographic Information System (GIS), and carry out the survey of a limited number of monuments/sites. Project profiles 5. A number of conservation and restoration project sheets (between 15 and 20) will be elaborated among those identified during the preparation of the Needs Map, in order to prepare the implementation of the second phase of the Action Plan. The project profiles will identify specific areas or buildings, their state of conservation, their current and potential use, and the main restoration and conservation measures to be undertaken. They will contain a preliminary project description accompanied by a budget estimate of the interventions. At the end of this phase, a booklet will be designed and published in order for it to be submitted to potential donors for funding. This booklet, which could be made available also online, will be the first fund-raising tool to mobilize international support to carry out the conservation of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem. Improvement of housing 6. This project aims at the improvement of the quality of the housing stock and of the living conditions of the inhabitants preserving the ordinary architectural elements of the urban fabric as an essential component of the World Heritage Site of Jerusalem. Different activities are planned: (a) (b) Elaboration of a Manual for housing maintenance and rehabilitation; a technical handbook for professionals and craftsmen: the Manual will be a practical and operational rehabilitation tool, designed to bring simple and illustrated answers to concrete problems through technical files. Training courses to disseminate the Manual: the training of local experts and craftsmen is an essential step to disseminate the Manual. Moreover, the involvement of the communities living in the area is a prerequisite for their participation in future maintenance.

3 175 EX/15 page 3 Development of micro-credit schemes 7. In parallel with the preparation of the Manual, a feasibility study has been undertaken to develop a housing renovation and conservation micro-credit system for the residents of the Old City of Jerusalem. It should also aim at identifying possible financing sources. Revitalizing cultural life 8. In accordance with the guidelines defined by the International Committee of Experts, which stressed in the Action Plan the need for awareness programmes for the local population focusing on women and youth and for capacity-building of local professionals in heritage conservation and management, a number of cultural activities have been identified. They could take place in renovated houses or premises, and will be discussed during the second meeting of the Committee of Experts in September These include training activities to support craftsmanship. 9. The state of conservation of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 and on the World Heritage List in Danger in 1982, will be presented during the 30th session of the World Heritage Committee which is to take place in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July The second meeting of the International Committee of Experts will be convened on 4 and 5 September 2006, in order to examine the progress made in the preparation of the Action Plan. An addendum to the present document will be submitted to the Executive Board at its 175th session, which will contain the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee of Experts as well as the decisions taken by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session. Printed on recycled paper

4 ex United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Executive Board Hundred and seventy-fifth session 175 EX/15 Add. PARIS, 10 October 2006 Original: English/French Item 14 of the provisional agenda JERUSALEM AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 33 C/RESOLUTION 50 AND 174 EX/DECISION 12 ADDENDUM SUMMARY This Addendum to document 175 EX/15 presents the decision of the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, Lithuania, 8-16 July 2006) concerning the state of conservation of the site inscribed on the World Heritage List in Danger as well as the recommendations of the second meeting of the International Committee of Experts on the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, which was held at UNESCO Headquarters on 4 and 5 September Decision proposed: paragraph Document 175 EX/15 outlined progress achieved in the Director-General s initiative as regards the action of UNESCO towards the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, in pursuance of 33 C/Resolution 50 and 174 EX/Decision In addition to the reports presented to the General Conference and Executive Board of UNESCO, the state of conservation of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem is also examined during the sessions of the World Heritage Committee, which take place every year, the Old City of Jerusalem being inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1981, and on the World Heritage List in Danger since The World Heritage Committee held its 30th session in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 8 to 16 July It examined the report presented by the Secretariat on the state of conservation of the Old City of Jerusalem, based on the findings of the various missions that took place between February-March 2004 and March 2006, identifying as main risks for the cultural heritage the following threats: natural risk factors; lack of planning, governance and management

5 175 EX/15 Add. page 2 processes; alteration of the urban and social fabric; impact of archaeological excavations; deterioration of monuments; urban environment and visual integrity; traffic, access and circulation. The Committee adopted, without debate and by consensus, 30 COM 7.A.34, attached as an annex to this document. 3. As mentioned in document 175 EX/15, the Director-General convened the second meeting of the International Committee of Experts on the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem on 4 and 5 September The objectives of the meeting were to review the progress made since September 2005 towards the elaboration of the Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, and to provide guidelines for its implementation. 4. The meeting was chaired by the Assistant Director-General for Culture, assisted by the Director of the World Heritage Centre. In addition to the 12 members of the Committee, two of the experts contributing to the elaboration of the Action Plan also attended the meeting in order to present the results of their work. The first day of the meeting was devoted to the presentation of the activities carried out so far to discussions on the reports produced and to further refinement of the Action Plan, while the second day consisted in the elaboration of recommendations for implementing the second phase of the Action Plan. 5. Four documents were submitted to the Committee for evaluation: The Needs Map of Monuments and Historic Sites, which aims at constituting a consolidated inventory, based on the integration of existing sources, with a resulting listing of some 550 heritage objects ; The Manual for Housing Rehabilitation, which is still in a draft form and consists of a 40-page booklet on types of architecture, building arts, transformation process of the urban fabric and the skyline of the Old City of Jerusalem, and a set of 60 technical cards, proposing solutions to the most common rehabilitation issues encountered; The Concept for a Housing Micro-Finance Programme, to design a tool for financing small housing rehabilitation projects; The Proposals for cultural activities, aiming at strengthening existing cultural institutions, developing arts and sports activities for youth, and promoting crafts and cultural tourism. 6. The members of the Committee expressed their appreciation for the work carried out. Several recommendations were made to improve the existing work so as to complete the draft Action Plan, which was endorsed, and to move forward into the second phase. (a) The list of criteria which should be applied to select the renovation projects was agreed upon, with some suggestions to add to those already identified so as to better respond to social needs, emphasizing the rehabilitation of building or areas for community oriented activities, the development of model projects for housing or street projects with a multiplier effect, offering on-the-job training opportunities. The next step would be to undertake an assessment of the feasibility of a limited number of projects, among the 39 already identified. (b) Training was considered as one of the essential means to promote appropriate maintenance and repairs, and to assist the inhabitants in improving their living environment while conserving the cultural heritage. In particular, the need to diversify the training tools, developing a variety of graphic and written communication strategies

6 175 EX/15 Add. page 3 to suit the various target audiences, was stressed. The use of these tools is to be linked to the implementation of training and financing programmes. The Committee also recommended investigating the possibility of establishing local advisory mechanisms to assist the population in the rehabilitation process. (c) With respect to the possibility of setting up micro-credit schemes, the Committee proposed to further explore the legal and financial dimension of the issue, and to extend the programme to small commercial activities. (d) Finally, the Committee strongly recommended the Secretariat to start implementing some of the cultural activities proposed as soon as possible, in the form of pilot projects, based on existing local institutions. 7. The draft report of the meeting will be circulated for comments among the members of the Committee, before its finalization and formal approval. Proposed draft decision 8. In view of the above, the Executive Board might wish to adopt the following draft decision: The Executive Board, 1. Recalling 32 C/Resolution 39 and 174 EX/Decision 12, as well as the provisions of the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) and the related Protocols, and the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), the inclusion of the Old City of Jerusalem in the World Heritage List and in the List of World Heritage in Danger, and the recommendations, resolutions and decisions of UNESCO on the protection of the cultural heritage, 2. Affirming that nothing in the present decision, which is aimed at the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, shall in any way affect the relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions on the legal status of Jerusalem, 3. Having examined document 175 EX/15 and its addendum concerning Jerusalem, 4. Expresses its sincere thanks to the Director-General for his sustained efforts for the safeguarding of the cultural and natural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, in compliance with 32 C/Resolution 39 of the General Conference and 171 EX/Decision 18 of the Executive Board, and reiterates its concern as to the obstacles and practices to the safeguarding of the cultural and natural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem; 5. Taking note of the declaration by the Director-General concerning Jerusalem at the 172nd session of the Executive Board which appeals to all parties concerned to respect the outstanding universal value of the Old City of Jerusalem and to refrain from anything that may jeopardize the distinctive character of the Old City of Jerusalem inscribed on the World Heritage List and on the List of World Heritage in Danger, invites him to pursue his efforts with the concerned authorities in regard to the safeguarding and preservation of the distinctive character of the Old City of Jerusalem;

7 175 EX/15 Add. page 4 6. Congratulates the Director-General on his initiatives in favour of the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, particularly the latest UNESCO mission (December 2005); 7. Expresses its gratitude to the Director-General for the progress made towards establishing a centre for the conservation of Islamic manuscripts in al-ashrafîya Madrasa within the Esplanade of the Mosques (al-h aram ash-sharîf), requests him to intensify his efforts in that regard, and thanks the United Arab Emirates and the Welfare Association for their support and their generous contribution; 8. Takes note of the information provided in document 175 EX/15 and its addendum concerning the progress made towards the establishment of an action plan based on the guidelines proposed by the International Committee of Experts and the results of the missions on the spot; 9. Encourages UNESCO Member States to contribute to the efforts towards the implementation of the programme activities for the first phase of the action plan for the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem as identified by the experts and the concerned authorities notably by extrabudgetary resources; 10. Invites the Director-General to submit to it at its 176th session such an action plan, and decides to include this item in the agenda of the 176th session of the Executive Board.

8 175 EX/15 Add. Annex ANNEX Decision 30 COM 7A.34 adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session in Vilnius, Lithuania 8-16 July 2006 Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (Site proposed by Jordan) (C 148 rev) The World Heritage Committee, 1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7A.Add.Rev, 2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7A.31 adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005), 3. Further recalling 32 C/Resolution 39 of the General Conference of UNESCO and Decision 172 EX/18 of the Executive Board of UNESCO, as well as the provisions of the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) and the related Protocols, and the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), the inclusion of the Old City of Jerusalem in the World Heritage List and in the List of World Heritage in Danger, and the recommendations, resolutions and decisions of UNESCO on the protection of cultural heritage, 4. Affirming that nothing, in the present decision, which aims at the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, shall in any way affect the relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions on the legal status of Jerusalem, 5. Reiterates its concern as to the obstacles and practices, such as archaeological excavations or new constructions, which could alter the outstanding universal value of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, including its urban and social fabric as well as its visual integrity; 6. Asks the Israeli authorities to provide to the World Heritage Centre all relevant information concerning the new buildings planned in and around the Western Wall Plaza, including the plans for the reconstruction of the access leading to the al-haram ash-sharîf; 7. Invites all authorities and institutions to cooperate constructively for the conservation of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and, in particular, the Israeli authorities to facilitate access of materials and technical staff for the restoration of monuments and housing in the Old City, in particular in the al-haram ash-sharîf; 8. Requests the World Heritage Centre to report on the state of conservation and on the progress in the preparation and implementation of the Action Plan for the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, together with the necessary achievable benchmarks, for the examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007; 9. Further requests the concerned parties to collaborate with the World Heritage Centre in this endeavour and invites all the States Parties to contribute to its implementation through extrabudgetary funding;

9 175 EX/15 Add. Annex page Congratulates the Director-General of UNESCO for his commitment in pursuing a comprehensive initiative for the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem; 11. Decides to retain the Old City of Jerusalem on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Printed on recycled paper