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28 September

• World Heritage sites get conservation safeguard
  By Beatrice Kaldun, UNESCO Beijing
  The ongoing conservation and management of World Heritage sites in China has received a massive boost through a three-year Fundsin-Trust (FIT) partnership between UNESCO and Mercedes-Benz (China). Since the start of the scheme in 2007, a World Heritage site has been chosen every year to be the beneficiary of environmental, natural and cultural protection, based on the recommendations of Chinese authorities and UNESCO. To date, three World Heritage sites have been selected: the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries in 2007; the South China Karst in 2008; and the Lushan National Park in 2009. Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries is home to more than 30 per cent of the world’s pandas, as well as other endangered animals. It covers 924,500 ha and contains seven nature reserves and nine scenic parks. It is rated as one of the botanically richest sites in the world, outside the tropical rainforests.
  More information: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001835/183540e.pdf VOICES UNESCO in the Asia-Pacific (Page 13)

24 September

• Through the streets of Icheri Sheher (Baku, Azerbaijan)
  Icheri Sheher (Ichari Shahar, Itcheri Cheher - the Internal City), or also Köhne Sheher (the Old City) is a fortress in the centre of Baku. It starts from the shore of the Caspian Sea, with Qiz Qalasi (the Tower of the Young Girl), symbol of the capital. Icheri Sheher is the oldest part of Baku. In December 2000, Icheri Sheher became the first property in Azerbaijan to be inscribed as UNESCO World heritage. The majority of its walls and towers remain. Icheri Sheher represents a colourful zone, with its labyrinth of narrow avenues and old buildings. The paved streets, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, two caravanserails (old inns), the Tower of the Young Girl from the 11th century, a dozen small mosques, that do not imply, generally, any particular outstanding feature, the baths, the small warehouses of carpets and souvenirs around the Tower of the Young Girl, all this ensemble provides an unforgettable tone to the Old City. This report proposes a small stroll through the streets of Icheri Sheher which will impregnate you with the spirit of previous centuries.
  More information in French: http://www.archivesaudiovisuelles.fr/1903/home.asp?id=1903

• Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism for Local Economic Development - “What, Who and How? Enhancing Economic Benefits of Archaeological World Heritage Sites”
  The World Bank. Washington, DC (USA) 28 September 2009
  Since October 2008 Professor Brent Lane of the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School has been working with the International Scientific Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management (ICAHM) on ways to better measure and enhance local economic impacts of World Heritage Sites (WHS). The outcome of this work will be applications of sustainable tourism and economic development practices that enhance the local economic potential of archaeological World Heritage Sites in targeted developing countries.
  More information: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/
  EXTURBANDEVELOPMENT/ EXTCHD/0,,contentMDK:22317156%7EpagePK:210058%7
  EpiPK:210062%7 EtheSitePK:430430%7EisCURL:Y,00.html

22 September

• Brazil names Pantanal wetland
  Brazil has designated another small portion of the famed Pantanal wetlands for the Ramsar List. According to Nadia Castro, based on the RIS information, the Reserva Particular del Patrimonio Natural (RPPN) “Fazenda Rio Negro” in Mato Grosso del Sur (7,000 hectares, 19°33'S 056°13'W) is a well-preserved example of the Pantanal of Nhecolândia, a subregion of the Brazilian Pantanal that is characterized by the abundant presence of freshwater or alkaline lakes (‘baías’ and ‘salinas’, respectively), as well as permanent and intermittent rivers. The site hosts more than 400 species of plants, 350 of birds and 70 of mammals. Among them stand out threatened species, such as the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), and Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus).
  More information: http://www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-26-76^24002_4000_0__

• Removal of Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj from the Montreux Record
  The Convention on Wetlands congratulates the government of the Republic of Senegal for implementing measures to ensure the successful improvement of the ecological character of Ramsar site Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj (Site No. 138), thereby leading to its removal from the Montreux Record of Ramsar sites under threat. This site, characterized by lakes, tidal creeks and ponds linked by a network of channels in the Senegal River Floodplain, was designated as a Ramsar site as it fulfilled Criteria 1 and 3, is a unique example of a near-natural wetland type, and is recognized as supporting populations of flora and fauna important for the maintenance of the region’s biodiversity.
  More information: http://www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-26-45-84^24019_4000_0__

• Research expedition visits UK's two new sites in South Atlantic. Gough and Inaccessible Islands
  Gough and Inaccessible are two island nature reserves in the mid South Atlantic that are part of the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Together they form a single World Heritage Site. Most recently they have been afforded the status of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, being designated on 20 November 2008.During September-November 2009 a multi-national expedition is visiting the two islands to conduct biological research and to undertake conservation management activities. Here in the link John Cooper and Peter Ryan describe the expedition, with a few remarkable photographs.
  More information: http://www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-26-45-84^24050_4000_1__

17 September

• Heritage Conservation Network (HCN) Goes Adventures in Preservation (AiP) and Announces their 2010 Schedule of Volunteer Vacations
  Heritage Conservation Network, a non-profit dedicated to saving the world’s architectural heritage, has changed its name to Adventures in Preservation, effective September 1, 2009. AiP will continue offering the same high-quality, hands-on volunteer vacations they have offered since 2002, giving participants the opportunity to help preserve historic buildings around the world. The new name is intended to highlight the participant experience and reflect the critical role that workshop participants play in each project’s success. Adventure in Preservation’s 2010 series of hands-on building conservation workshops begins in February in the World Heritage Site of Lamu, Kenya, with participants learning skills needed to repair and restore a traditional coral rag building.
  More information: http://www.adventuresinpreservation.org/

• "UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe – A Network for Cultural Dialogue and Cultural Tourism"
  Conference during the German Presidency of the EU Council 13 and 14 June 2007 in Lübeck (Germany)
  The international conference "UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe - A Network for Cultural Dialogue and Cultural Tourism" took place on 13 and 14 June 2007 in Lübeck, Germany. Over 280 participants from 30 countries of all continents developed forms of cooperation for the foundation of a European UNESCO World Heritage sites network. As outstanding places of the European cultural and natural heritage, World Heritage sites may significantly contribute to the enhancement of cultural dialogue within the EU and increase the value of cultural tourism across Europe. With 830 Sites in more than 130 States, the World Heritage Programme is also an excellent instrument for cultural dialogue between Europe and other regions of the world.
  More information: http://www.unesco.de/luebeck-konferenz-2007.html?&L=1

• Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof
  In 2006, UNESCO inscribed the ensemble entitled ‘Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof’ in the World Heritage List. In the High Middle Ages Regensburg was a political centre of the Holy Roman Empire and a flourishing European trading centre. The old town is considered an outstanding example of an intact medieval city. Architectural highlights include the patrician houses and towers, the cathedral and the 12th century stone bridge.
  More information: http://www.regensburg.de/

• Cologne Cathedral (Germany)
  Cologne Cathedral, constructed between 1248 and 1880, is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. At the time of its completion in the 19th century, the cathedral was the tallest building in the world. The builders of Cologne Cathedral had perfected the cathedral as a form. The design of the western façade broke every convention: as the largest church façade in the world, it was to cover a surface area of 7,000 square metres, flanked by two mighty 156-metre towers.
  More information: http://www.koelner-dom.de/index.php?id=19167&L=1

• Monuments in Berlin (Germany)
  The special organization of the United Nations for Education, Science, Culture and Communication (UNESCO) established an "International Convention for the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humankind" in 1972, which since has been signed by 158 countries. The objective was to create a list of cultural and natural treasures, which, beyond their national significance, are of irreplaceable value to humanity as a whole. To date, 630 cultural and natural sites in 118 nations have been registered on this list. Since 1990 these include the Berlin-Potsdam cultural landscape with its palaces and parks, and the Berliner Museuminsel was added in early December 1999. A tour of Berlin's landscape of historical monuments begins with a presentation of its monuments, which have stirred attention worldwide and for which the state thus bears special responsibility.
  More information: http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/denkmal/denkmale_in_berlin/en/weltkulturerbe/

• Berlin Modernism Housing Estates
  The property consists of six housing estates that testify to innovative housing policies from 1910 to 1933, especially during the Weimar Republic, when the city of Berlin was particularly progressive socially, politically and culturally. The property is an outstanding example of the building reform movement that contributed to improving housing and living conditions for people with low incomes through novel approaches to town planning, architecture and garden design. The estates also provide exceptional examples of new urban and architectural typologies, featuring fresh design solutions, as well as technical and aesthetic innovations. Bruno Taut, Martin Wagner and Walter Gropius were among the leading architects of these projects which exercised considerable influence on the development of housing around the world.
  More information: http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/denkmal/
  denkmale_in_berlin/de/weltkulturerbe/siedlungen/

• Solidarity Day of World Heritage Cities - 8 September 2009
  Theme: “Accessible Heritage, Heritage for everyone”
  The Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) was created on 8 September 1993 in Fez (Marocco). In commemoration of this big event, 8 September was declared “Solidarity Day of World Heritage Cities” and all these cities are welcomed to commemorate it every year. The OWHC urges the administration of each member city to take advantage of this day to stress the important responsibility of the city to protect as well as promote world heritage and especially the privilege of having a part of that heritage in their city.
  More information: http://www.ciudadespatrimonio.eu/index.asp?idioma=in

• The Wadden Sea
  The Wadden Sea (Germany / The Netherlands) comprises the Dutch Wadden Sea Conservation Area and the German Wadden Sea National Parks of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. It is a large temperate, relatively flat coastal wetland environment, formed by the intricate interactions between physical and biological factors that have given rise to a multitude of transitional habitats with tidal channels, sandy shoals, sea-grass meadows, mussel beds, sandbars, mudflats, salt marshes, estuaries, beaches and dunes.
  More information: http://www.unesco.de/3607.html?&L=1

11 September

• Agreement between the Algerian Ministry of Culture and the INRAP with the support of the World Heritage Centre
  On 21 July 2009, the Algerian Ministry of Culture and the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) signed a cooperation agreement with the support of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The ceremony took place in Algiers with the participation of the Algerian Ministry of Culture's Director of International Cooperation, the Ambassador of France, the President of INRAP and the Program Specialist representing the World Heritage Centre. The agreement allowed archaeological diagnostic works before construction began of the Algiers subway station, Place des Martyrs. This preventive archaeological operation, unprecedented in Algeria, was initiated by the national authorities and led by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and in partnership with INRAP.
  More information: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/550

• World Heritage Centre signs agreement with DBU for site conservation in Europe
  The UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the German Federal Foundation for the Environment (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, DBU) have signed a Partnership Agreement which provides a strategic framework for future cooperation for the conservation of World Heritage sites in Europe. Signed in July 2009 by Francesco Bandarin, Director of the World Heritage Centre, and Mr Fritz Brickwedde, Secretary General of DBU, the agreement aims to support effective and preventative conservation measures at natural World Heritage sites and cultural landscapes through developing innovative management and monitoring tools and promoting education through the World Heritage in Young Hands initiative.
  More information: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/553

• Rapid Response Facility launches new website
  The Rapid Response Facility (RRF), the emergency small grants programme jointly operated by Fauna & Flora International (FFI), UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and the United Nations Foundation, has just launched a new website at www.rapid-response.org. The RRF is a unique small grant programme. With a target processing time for grant applications of just 8 working days, the RRF provides rapid support to enable conservation practitioners to tackle emergencies in some of the World's most important sites for biodiversity. To date it has supported 16 rapid interventions in 14 UNESCO designated natural World Heritage sites, responding to the conservation impacts of a range of emergencies such as natural disaster, armed conflict and sudden increases in illegal activity within these protected areas.
  More information: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/552

9 September

• UNESCO World Heritage Desk Diary 2010
  The UNESCO World Heritage Desk Diary 2010 features a helpful week-at-a-glance design. It is illustrated with 79 colour photos of World Heritage sites, each accompanied by a short caption. The diary also introduces the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage: its objectives, the selection criteria, the institutions which ensure its implementation, as well as a list of sites and states that are party to the Convention.
  More information: http://publishing.unesco.org/details.aspx?Code_Livre=4704

• A joint website for 18 Loire châteaux (France)
  The 18 major heritage sites of the Val de Loire committed to an excellence initiative now have a joint website to attract and win over a new clientele. Overseen by the SEM régionale des Pays de la Loire, this project is conducted in partnership with the 18 sites, the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions (through the SEM, Centre Tourist Board and Val de Loire Mission) and Maison de la France. The purpose is to shed the international spotlight on these tourist sites, by focusing on the historical and cultural wealth of the Loire châteaux as well as their location in the Val de Loire, which is listed as a World Heritage Site between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes.
  More information: http://www.valdeloire.org/front.aspx?SectionId=304&CHANGELANG=en&publiid=5679

• Mission in Luang Prabang (Laos) from 6th to 11th July 2009
  This follow-up, assessment and coordination mission was intended to review how the “river-to-river cooperation” MAEE project has progressed with the authorities of the Water Resources and Environment Office (WREO) in Luang Prabang and other project partners who provide scientific and technical expertise. This project is itself part of the decentralised cooperation of the Centre Region with the Province of Luang Prabang, for which the Val de Loire Mission provides technical support.
  More information: http://www.valdeloire.org/front.aspx?SectionId=51&CHANGELANG=en&publiid=5729

• WHTour: 1001 Wonders - Angkor (Cambodia) Temple of Bayon
  1001wonders.org (formerly world-heritage-tour.org) is listing 1001 cultural and natural sites around the world and is documenting them in panophotographies - immersive and interactive panoramic images. Today 273 sites have been visited : 258 are available on this web site, 15 are currently in post-production and will soon be uploaded. Altogether there are 2161 panophotographies. This project is building a museum atlas which is interactive, immersive, without border and for educational purposes. It is also a testimony and a documentary inventory of natural and cultural sites to future generations.
  More information: http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/southeast-asia/khmer-empire/cambodia/angkor/bayon/map.html

3 September

• Mayors&Heritage: Strasbourg (France) - Interview to Roland Ries, Mayor of Strasbourg
  Born in 1945 in Niederlauterbach (Alsace), he was an associate professor of modern letters. He engaged in politics in 1974, within the Socialist Party. A member of the City Council since 1983, he was, at the beginning of the 1990s, the leading force behind the return of the streetcar in the city of Strasbourg, which made it possible to completely renovate the public spaces of the city. His expertise in urban transportation is recognized on the international level, in particular within the Groupement des Autorités Responsables des Transports (Grouping of the Authorities responsible for transport) of which he has been the president since 2008. He has been Senator of Bas-Rhin since February 2005. A man of culture and dialogue, Roland Ries places at the core of his commitments the humanist values brought on by the history of Strasbourg, the parliamentary capital of Europe...
  More information: http://www.ovpm.org/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=1&pid=409

2 September

• Caribbean Heritage Course in Curacao, November 2009
  The Caribbean Heritage Course in Curacao is for heritage professionals, university students, researchers and decision makers in the entire Caribbean region. The Caribbean Heritage Course in Curacao consists of the course modules 1 and 5 of Caribbean Capacity Building Program (CCBP). Participants must be able to operate on an academic level, and should be working with or active in an agency or institution related to cultural heritage (conservation, research, management or promotion of cultural and natural heritage). The Caribbean Heritage Course will be organized in Curacao’s capital Willemstad, on Unesco’s World Heritage List since 1997. Write to Michael Newton m.newton@monumentenfonds.org
  More information: http://www.una.an/caribbeanheritagecourse/

• Major restoration works in the European royal residences. Versailles (France) 11-12 September 2009
  Professional seminar organised by the Public Establishment of the museum and national estate of Versailles and the Association of European Royal Residences. This meeting is aimed at professional “players” in major restoration projects for Royal Residences in Europe (building owners, project managers, skilled art restorers, scientific experts) as well as a wider public wishing to receive specific training (architecture students, students training to be restorers, etc.). The pro­gramme intends to pre­sent in detail the major res­to­ra­tion works car­ried out in the palace of Versailles and com­pa­res them with other European buil­ding sites on three the­mes : heri­tage res­to­ra­tion, public recep­tion and cultu­ral offe­ring, and finally secu­rity and tech­ni­cal equip­ment. Moreover, the issue of the main­te­nance of sta­tuary in his­to­ri­cal gar­dens will be tack­led in a topi­cal debate.
  More information: http://www.chateauversailles-recherche.fr/francais/les-partenaires/reseau-des-residences-royales/professional-seminar-major.html

• Recreation the Viceroy facade of the former Zacateca Convent of San Agustin (Mexico)
  The baroque facade that the Zacateca Convent of San Agustín had in the 16th century, which was demolished after the instauration of the Laws of the Reformation, could be admired last Thursday night, by means of a virtual restoration that was possible with the use of vanguard multimedia technology that reproduced the details and colorful of the novohispanic building. This is the multimedia project of the former Convent of the Augustinian order, considered unique in its category in Latin America, and one of the three existing ones in the world, after Ontario, Canada, and the Acropolis of Athens, Greece, where it recreates virtually the Parthenon.
  More information: http://dti.inah.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3599&Itemid=337

• 10th Anniversary of the France-UNESCO Convention
  Signed in 1997 and entered into force in 1999, the France-UNESCO Convention for architectural, urban and landscape heritage is a tool for cooperation, by which France places financial and technical assistance at UNESCO's disposal. The France-UNESCO Convention contributes to the development of concrete actions in the framework of the major objectives of the United Nations and is designed to respond to the "duty of the international community to co-operate in the protection of the heritage" as required by the World Heritage Convention to assure this shared responsibility. This partnership is guided by a desire for common actions and the sharing of experiences between States, under the aegis of UNESCO. It mobilizes the know how of French heritage urban development professionals, experts and managers. The World Heritage Center, Special projects Unit has just released a booklet to enhance 10 years of active work in the field conservation and cultural development. This UNESCO booklet was prepared thanks to the support of the French Government: Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes, Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, Ministère de l'Écologie, de l'Énergie, du Développement durable et de l'Aménagement du Territoire within the framework of the France-UNESCO Convention.
  More information: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/547/

• Marine spatial planning and World Heritage
  Last June UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) published the guide, "Marine Spatial Planning: A step-by-step approach toward ecosystem-based management". The guide offers countries an operational framework to conserve the value of their marine heritage while at the same time allowing sustainable use of the economic potential of the ocean. The ten steps identified in the guide are based on international good practice with marine spatial planning and have been refined in two regions, including the Ha Long Bay World Heritage site in Vietnam. A systematic approach to the allocation of appropriate uses of marine space can support effective management of World Heritage sites and can be particularly useful for the planning and management of multiple uses in areas surrounding marine World Heritage properties.
  More information is available at: http://www.unesco-ioc-marinesp.be/

• Meeting to read cultural landscape
  14 of curious young Europeans discovered southern Transylvania reading the cultural landscape of Tarnava Mare during 2 days. On the 15th and 16th of August, an intercultural meeting permitted 14 young tourists and local persons to get a more precise idea of the rich heritage of Transylvania, while reading its cultural landscape.
  More information: http://www.culture-routes.lu/php/fo_index.php?lng=en&back=
  %252Fphp%252Ffo_index.php%253Flng%253Den%2526
  dest%253Dbd_ac_lst&dest=bd_ac_det&id=00003013

• (in Italian) Stromboli: da Terra di Dio a terra di cinema - Museo del Cinema di Stromboli (Italia)
  Nell’anno del 60° Anniversario della realizzazione dell’opera rosselliniana Stromboli – Terra di Dio nasce il Museo del Cinema di Stromboli, luogo ideale dove raccogliere e restituire all’isola la sua memoria cinematografica che, in attesa dell’allestimento fisico vive principalmente nella dimensione virtuale del web “caratteristica del suo approccio trasversale, multimediale e orgogliosamente indipendente”. Tafter intervista Alberto Bougleux, ideatore e direttore artistico del Museo, e Ornella Costanzo, responsabile della Produzione esecutiva e della progettazione.
  More information: http://www.tafter.it/2009/09/02/stromboli-da-terra-di-dio-a-terra-di-cinema/