Europa Nostra’s Post

Europa Nostra and EIB Institute announce Europe’s 7 Most Endangered Heritage Sites 2024, and among them is: Working-class Housing (fr. courées) in Roubaix-Tourcoing https://lnkd.in/eyAqmEm7 "The selection of the 7 sites was made on the basis of the heritage significance and cultural value of each of the sites, as well as the serious danger that they are facing today. The level of engagement of local communities and the commitment of public and private stakeholders to saving these sites were considered crucial added values."

📣 Guidebook for Action on the World Heritage in Danger, a tool for protecting and safeguarding our cultural and natural treasures, through practical recommendations, strategies and examples.

"UNESCO's WORLD HERITAGE Committee" For the 1st time India will host the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee. (Establishment: The World Heritage Committee was formed under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention during the 17th session of the General Conference on November 16, 1972. Membership: Comprising 21 States Parties to the convention, the members are elected by the General Assembly. Current members include: Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Türkiye, Ukraine, Viet Nam, and Zambia. The term of office for a Committee member lasts for six years. (Implementation: The Committee oversees the en- forcement of the World Heritage Convention, manages the World Heritage Fund, and distributes financial aid. World Heritage Sites List: It holds the authority to determine whether a property should be added to the World Heritage List. Monitoring Conservation Efforts: The Committee reviews conservation reports of inscribed properties and requires States Parties to address any management deficiencies. World Heritage in Danger: It has the power to both inscribe and remove properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The Flow Country has just achieved inscription status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the first peatland WHS anywhere. It is Scotland’s first WHS inscribed for purely natural criteria, and the first in mainland UK for the global importance of its natural ecosystems! This area of Caithness and Sutherland in northern Scotland, covering nearly 2,000 sq km, is one of the world's most extensive and intact blanket bog systems. Recognised for its outstanding cultural, historical, and scientific significance, the designation by UNESCO places it among 121 landscapes globally. The Flow Country spans 4,000 sq km, including pools, lochs, hills, and mountains, supporting diverse species such as sphagnum mosses, rare birds, and carnivorous plants. Formed over millennia, the peat bogs are crucial for carbon storage, containing up to 400 million tonnes of carbon. https://lnkd.in/e_Uf8_M4

World Heritage Day, observed annually on April 18th, celebrates and raises awareness of cultural heritage sites globally. Also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, it emphasizes the preservation of cultural heritage. This day recognizes sites listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. The theme for World Heritage Day 2024 is "Discover and Experience Diversity," highlighting the world's diverse cultural and natural treasures. This theme encourages deeper appreciation and understanding of various cultures, traditions, and ecosystems that form our shared heritage. The idea of World Heritage Day was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to UNESCO in 1982 and was officially adopted in 1983 during UNESCO's 22nd conference. Since then, ICOMOS has recommended specific themes each year for global celebrations. World Heritage Day is not just about recognizing listed sites; it also emphasizes the broader appreciation of all culturally significant landscapes. It reminds us of the importance of conserving and protecting these sites for future generations. This day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about the conservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage sites. It educates people about the rich history, traditions, and biodiversity presented by these treasures. It also promotes sustainable tourism practices to protect these sites and empower local communities. Currently, there are 1199 World Heritage Sites globally, including cultural, natural, and mixed sites, with 56 sites on the danger list. . . . #WorldHeritageDay #CulturalHeritage #NaturalHeritage #UNESCO #ICOMOS #PreserveOurPast #HeritageConservation #CulturalDiversity #HistoricSites #GlobalHeritage #SustainableTourism #ProtectOurHeritage #HeritageAwareness #SharedHistory #ConservationEfforts #UNESCOWorldHeritage #CulturalTreasures #HeritageProtection #HistoricalSites #CulturalPreservation #CelebrateDiversity #OurSharedHeritage #HeritageSites #CulturalLandscapes #ProtectOurPast #HeritageEducation #HeritageForFuture

·      UNESCO’s declaration concerning the intentional destruction of cultural heritage (2003), explains that, ‘Heritage is an important component of the cultural identity of communities, groups, and individuals, and ... its intentional destruction may have adverse consequences, not just related to buildings and the physical landscape, but also to members of a community and their traditions and values. Heritage and its management remain a multi-tasking activity involving large number of stakeholders and cannot be performed in isolation. In the past, heritage management was considered and seen as the exclusive responsibility of the parastatal agencies to the exclusion of other stakeholders, which has, invariably and perpetually, led to emergence of numerous problems and road-blocks in effectively managing and preserving the valuable heritage. Looking at the entire context and gamut of managing the heritage; effective heritage conservation strategy must be made participatory and should revolve around and involve active participation of local communities on all issues related to planning, development, implementation and management of heritage. Ignoring communities/ public participation has been the root-cause of damage and destruction caused to majority of valuable built heritage existing in India. Effective and active participation of communities has yielded dividends in ensuring control over allocation of project resources and for implementing project activities; periodic monitoring and evaluation of project activities making both the government and the citizens accepting responsibilities and performing activities related to heritage ; valuing each group's contribution; inclusion of community's representatives as "partners" in decision-making; making success of the citizen's participation; making heritage conservation people centric; optimizing available resources of both government and communities; safeguarding the valuable heritage; making value addition to available heritage; identifying new heritage and disseminating the idea of heritage conservation at the local level.

New guide illuminates path to recovering damaged heritage https://ow.ly/A55A50QHAs1

    UNESCO’s declaration concerning the intentional destruction of cultural heritage (2003), explains that, ‘Heritage is an important component of the cultural identity of communities, groups, and individuals, and ... its intentional destruction may have adverse consequences, not just related to buildings and the physical landscape, but also to members of a community and their traditions and values. Heritage and its management remain a multi-tasking activity involving large number of stakeholders and cannot be performed in isolation. In the past, heritage management was considered and seen as the exclusive responsibility of the parastatal agencies to the exclusion of other stakeholders, which has, invariably and perpetually, led to emergence of numerous problems and road-blocks in effectively managing and preserving the valuable heritage. Looking at the entire context and gamut of managing the heritage; effective heritage conservation strategy must be made participatory and should revolve around and involve active participation of local communities on all issues related to planning, development, implementation and management of heritage. Ignoring communities/ public participation has been the root-cause of damage and destruction caused to majority of valuable built heritage existing in India. Effective and active participation of communities has yielded dividends in ensuring control over allocation of project resources and for implementing project activities; periodic monitoring and evaluation of project activities making both the government and the citizens accepting responsibilities and performing activities related to heritage ; valuing each group's contribution; inclusion of community's representatives as "partners" in decision-making; making success of the citizen's participation; making heritage conservation people centric; optimizing available resources of both government and communities; safeguarding the valuable heritage; making value addition to available heritage; identifying new heritage and disseminating the idea of heritage conservation at the local level.

Heritage Conservation is important as it provides a sense of identity and continuity in a fast - changing world. Bodies in India that look after Heritage Conservation are :- 1. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) : There are many sites that are listed in Heritage sites by UNESCO like Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Sun Temple, Humayun's Tomb, etc. 2. INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage) : Founded in 1984 in New Delhi, INTACH is recognised as one of the world's largest organisations, with over 190 chapters across the Country. 3. ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) : The Indian government's archeological Survey of India is in charge of conducting archeological research and maintaining the nation's culturally significant historical sites. During the British Raj, Alexander Cunningham, who also served as the organization's first Director-General, formed it in 1861. 4. ICOMOS (Council on Monuments and Sites) : A membership-based organization, ICOMOS India offers a forum for people and representatives of organizations involved in the preservation, protection, restoration, and improvement of cultural heritage sites and locations to interact and share ideas about the guiding concepts and accepted methods in the industry. 5. AKTC (Aga Khan Trust for Culture) : The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) encourages discussion on the value of historic memory, cultural legacy, and the built environment. https://lnkd.in/gxmwRTth

In the past 3 days, I’ve visited a number of World Heritage Sites in Turkey, including: - The ruins of the oldest city in the world, Çatalhöyük (hint: streets hadn’t been invented yet); - A three-adjoining-valleys cave village, Zelve, where a monastery and a mosque sat across from each other and living in peace for centuries; - Two of the “underground cities” in the Cappadocia region. I learned about the strength of human ingenuity in meeting the urban needs of the times, early feats of engineering, stories of resilience and the human spirit. Sadly, much of this heritage is being lost due to erosion, accelerated through the pace of climate change. Still, so much learning and inspiration. #cityplanning #urbanplanning #urbandesign #plangirltravels #TravellingUrbanEnthusiasts #travellingplanners #learningbyseeing