World Heritage Sites

The essence of the concept of World Heritage is that something is of such great value that it should be preserved for all people and for all time. A range of activities is still possible within a World Heritage area, as long as the activities do not threaten its values. (For example, tourism often increases in many World Heritage areas)

UNESCO adopted a treaty, known as “The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage” in 1972. (nb.UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). The aim of this convention is to promote cooperation among nations to protect sites of outstanding value. By signing the convention, each country agrees to conserve not only the World Heritage sites in their own country, but those all over the world. Countries also contribute money, professional advice and emergency assistance for sites in danger.

Now it’s your turn –

  1. Explain the concept of “heritage”.
  2. In your own words, explain why UNESCO was formed.

Criteria for World Heritage Listing

To be included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List a place must be of outstanding value to the world.

CULTURAL CRITERIA

  1. Represents human creative genius
  2. Shows important exchange of human values over time or over an area. It can be displayed in architecture, technology, monuments, town planning or landscape design
  3. Evidence of a civilisation that has disappeared or which still exists
  4. An outstanding building or landscape that represents significant stage(s) in human history
  5. An outstanding example of human settlement or land use representing human interaction with the environment
  6. Directly associated with events or traditions

NATURAL CRITERIA

  1. Represents major stages of the Earth’s natural history, including record of life, geological processes and landforms
  2. Represents ongoing processes in evolution and development of living things on land and water, developing ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.
  3. Contains natural phenomena or areas of natural beauty and importance.
  4. Important and significant natural habitats for conservation of biodiversity. May contain threatened species with value for science or conservation.

Now it’s your turn –

  1. What makes a potential World Heritage Site outstanding value to the world?
  2. Are there any commonalities between the list of criteria for natural and cultural world heritage sites?

International treaties and Agreements

UNITED NATIONS

—UNESCO adopted an international treaty called the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972.

—This is an agreement between countries that have signed the convention. It defines the types of natural and cultural sites that can be on the World Heritage List.

—The convention sets out the duties of governments in identifying, protecting, preserving and reporting on existing and potential sites

GOVERNMENTS

—The governments of the countries that sign the convention agree to identify and nominate properties in their national territory. They also have to give details on how the site is going to be protected, and devise a management plan.

ADVISORY BODIES

—IUCN—The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is an international organisation that investigates natural and mixed sites, and reports on conservation.

—ICOMOS—The International Council on Monuments and Sites is a non-government organisation that investigates cultural and mixed sites.

—ICCROM—The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property provides advice on how to conserve sites properly.

—WHC—The World Heritage Committee meets once a year and is made up of 21 member countries. It has the final say on whether a site will be World Heritage listed or not, and allocates funds and examines reports on the state of conservation of sites already on the World Heritage List. It also decides on sites that need to be on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Now it’s your turn –

Research the Australian natural World Heritage site - Uluru and complete the following questions:-

  1. What is being done to protect this site for future generations?
  2. Describe any conflict that exists between the government, the traditional owners and the tourists that use the site.
  3. Explain the role of the above Advisory bodies in managing World Heritage sites?

Global citizens and World Heritage

—Global citizens can become actively involved in the protection and management of World Heritage sites

—There are many non-government organisations that provide opportunities to volunteer at World Heritage sites.

—These include the Earthwatch Institute, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Rempart.

World Heritage in danger

—Some sites are in danger as they are not being properly managed or are threatened by natural activity. It is not only the responsibility of international organisations to preserve World Heritage sites—the actions of global citizens are also important

—Because there are threats to World Heritage sites, the World Heritage Committee (WHC) created the List of World Heritage in Danger. The WHC lists sites that are in danger of destruction or degradation. The threats can include rapid urban or tourist development; armed conflict; serious fires, earthquakes and landslides; volcanic eruptions; changes in water level, floods and tidal waves

Now it’s your turn –

  1. List the potential threats to a world heritage site.
  2. Identify ONE site (cultural OR natural) that is currently under threat.
  3. Describe the threat and the actions being taken by non-government organisations to protect this site.

Case study: “Dracula Park”

Study the newspaper article and respond to the following questions below:-

  1. Where is Sighisoara? Give two reasons why Sighisoara is a special place.
  2. Why did the Rumanian Government become worried about Dracula Park?
  3. How did the Rumanians solve the problem of the location of Dracula Park?
  4. Describe the possible perspectives of the following people about the location of Dracula Park

Snagov hotel owner
UNESCO spokesperson
Rumanian Minister for Tourism
Unemployed Rumanian
Dracula Park Shareholder
  1. Do you think “Mickey Mouse with fangs” will spoil medieval Rumania or renew its poor economy?
  2. List the advantages that a country might gain by having World Heritage sites.

Bliss & Paine (2005)GEOactive 1.Jacaranda: Queensland. Pages 40-45

Activity: “Your Own World Heritage Site”

Choose 1 site, anywhere in the world, that YOU would like to have listed as a World Heritage Site. Research that site so you are able to write a letterto the Committee in charge of the World Heritage Listings.

  1. Write a letter to the World Heritage Listing Committee proposing the addition of your site to World Heritage. In your letter:-

identify the reasons WHY the site should be listed.

explain what VALUE your chosen site extends to the community and world environment.

Word Puzzle Poem: “Heritage”

  1. For each letter using the starting letter in each line create a sentence or word to address the importance of protecting and preserving our past for our own identity and future generations e.g. maybe could be H = Historical importance .

H
E
R
I
T
A
G
E