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ConsultationMeetingontheImplementationoftheWorldHeritageEarthenArchitectureProgramme(WHEAP)intheArabStates–StrategiesandApproaches11January,2010,UNESCOHeadquarters

MEETINGREPORTPreparedbyCatherineHaas,architect,consultantwithJanaWeydt,WorldHeritageCentre/AfricaUnitincorporatingnotesbyJohnHurd,ICOMOSScientificCommissionforEarthenArchitecturalHeritage(ISCEAH)/presidentICOMOSAdvisoryCommitteeWiththefinancialsupportoftheJointShaikhEbrahimBinMohammedAl‐KhalifaCentreforCultureandResearch/ARCAPITABankB.S.C.InitiativefortheSupporttotheWorldHeritageConvention,Bahrain,andtheWorldHeritageFund

UNESCOWorldHeritageCentre AfricaUnit

________________________________________________________________________________________WHEAPConsultationmeeting/11January2010 2

1IntroductionThefirstonedayconsultationmeetingontheimplementationoftheWorldHeritageEarthenArchitectureProgramme(WHEAP)intheArabStateswasheldwithintheframeworkofthe10yearWHEAPprogramme(2007‐2017)adoptedatthe31stsessionoftheWorldHeritageCommitteeperdecision31COM21C(2007,Christchurch,NewZealand).ThismeetingwasplannedwithinthePhase2(2009‐2010):“regional”pilotphaseinAfricaandArabstates.Thegoalofthemeetingwastodiscussthestrategyoftheprogramme,issuesoffundraisingandtodefinearoadmapwithprioritiescontainingconcreteactionsfortheregions.Aftertheintroductionoftheparticipants,themeetingstartedwithapresentationoftheoverallframeworkprogrammeofWHEAP,itshistory,objectives,activitiesandstructurewithadescriptionofcurrentandaccomplishedactivitiesandtheobtainedfinancialsupport.ThiswasfollowedbyninepresentationsbyparticipantsoftheconferenceonthechallengesandexperiencesinearthenarchitectureheritagepreservationintheArabStates.Theconferenceconcludedwithabrainstormingonthestrategyoftheimplementation,possiblethematicprioritiesoftheprogrammeandacallforsuggestionsandproposalsofactionsfromtheparticipants.1.1OverallframeworkoftheWHEAPProgrammePresentedbyMrLazareEloundou/UNESCOWorldHeritageCentre/ChiefofAfricaUnitOver10%ofWHpropertiesareearthenarchitecturalsitesand107outofthe689culturalpropertiesinscribedontheWorldHeritageListwereidentifiedin2009toincorporateearthenstructures.In2001,theWorldHeritageCommitteeapprovedEarthenarchitectureasathematicprogramme.ThemainobjectivesoftheprogrammearetodevelopappropriatemethodsforasustainableconservationofthedifferenttypesofearthenarchitecturalheritageincludedintheWorldHeritageoraStatesParties’TentativeListandtoensurethatbestpracticesarebroadlydisseminatedforapplicationatpropertiesprotectedundertheWorldHeritageConvention.Theorientationandtheexpectedoutputwerebrieflypresentedalongwiththefourmainactivitiesoftheprogramme:research,training,promotion/advocacy,andinsitupilotprojectswhicharisefromopportunitiesofcollaborationwithgovernmentsandinstitutionsand/orpriorityproblemsofconservation.Theprogrammeframeworkhasestablishedatimelineinfourphases,whichprovidesaregionalfocusthatmovesfromcontinenttocontinent.CooperationwithStateParties,localpartnersandtheconsolidationofanetworkofinstitutionsandexpertstodevelopthisprogrammeiscriticaltoitssuccess.TheconsultationmeetingpresentedtheobjectivesofthecurrentPhase2.Theseobjectivesareopenforfurtherdetaileddefinitioninresponsetoneeds,themesandprioritiesspecifictotheAfricanandArabcountries.Theachievementsofthefirstthreeyearsoftheprogramme(2007,2008,2009)werelistedandtheto‐datefinancialsupportbytheWorldHeritage


Fundandvariousinternationaldonorswassummarized.ThereisanurgentneedforfinancialsupportfortheprogrammemanagementforPhase2.ThecurrentprogrammemanagementproposalcallsforoverallmanagementbyWHC,asteeringcommitteewithrepresentativesoftheprogrammepartners,atechnicalsecretariatatCRAterre‐ENSAG,anadvisoryrolebyICCROMandICOMOS‐ISCEAH,regionalinstitutionsandascientificcounsellorfromUdineUniversity.2Summaryofpresentations2.1AbuDhabiAuthorityforCultureandHeritage(ADACH),AbuDhabi,UnitedArabEmiratesByDr.SamiEl‐Masri,DeputyDirectorGeneralAbuDhabiAuthorityforCultureandHeritage(ADACH)andDr.HossamMahdy,BuildingConservationSupervisorAspartofitsmandatetoconservethetangibleheritageofAbuDhabiEmirate,theAbuDhabiAuthorityforCultureandHeritage(ADACH),asanorganoftheAbuDhabiGovernmentwithalocalmandate,hasbeendevelopingpoliciesandprogrammingnumerousinitiativesfortheinventory,conservation,andpromotionofAbuDhabi’shistoricbuildings,sitesandcollections.ThisisbasedontheAbuDhabiCulturalHeritageManagementStrategy,preparedbyaUNESCO‐ledteamofexpertsin2005,andtheADACHStrategicPlan2009‐2013.AreaplanninginitiativesbyADACHarecurrentlyfocusedonthepreparationoftheAlAinOasisCulturalQuarterMasterPlan,theQattaraOasisMasterPlanandtheplanningofaCentreforDesign,ArtsandCrafts.ADACHalsotargetstocompletetheAbuDhabiEmirateinventoryoftangibleculturalpropertiesandtohave30%ofAbuDhabi’shistoricalbuildingsandsitesconserved.Furthermore,anapplicationwasmadetoUNESCOinJanuary2009fornominationoftheCulturalSitesofAlAinasaWorldHeritageSite.TheBuildingandSiteInitiativesrespondtothreeareas:conservationofruins,conservationandrehabilitationleadingtonewusage,andemergencyconservationinterventions.ExamplesofADACHinitiativesincludeAlJahiliFort—fullyrehabilitatedandnowhousinganinformationcentreandexhibitionspaces,AlJahiliMosque,BinHadiHouse—conservedasasemi‐ruinedsitewithdetailedarchaeologicalinvestigations,MuwaijiPalace—transformedintoaregionalresearchcentre,AbdullahBinSalemAlDarmakiHouse,AlMuraijibFort,KhalfanandSaifHouse.ADACHplanstoestablishaCentreforEarthenBuildingConservationandConstructiontoopeninMarch2011,whichaimstoprovideacademicandvocationaltrainingintheconservationandnewconstructionofearthenstructures,aswellasopportunitiesforresearchandpublication.Thecentreisregionalandinternationalinscope.ItwillproposeaspecialisedcurriculuminEnglishandArabicfortwodifferenttrainingcourses:oneforarchitects,civilengineers,conservators,andarchaeologists,andanotherforcraftsmen(masons,carpenters,paintersetc.)


2.2Ghadames,LibyaByMrIbrahimBachirMalik,GhadamesOldTownAdministrationOffice,LibyaGhadamesissituated12kmfromtheborderofTunisia,14kmfromthebordertoAlgeriaandabout600kmsouthofTripoli.Thesite’ssurfaceisabout8.2hectares.ThesiteisknowninPhoenicianandRomantimes.ItscurrentformisaMuslimtownof1300housesand176publicbuildings,surroundedbyawallpiercedbysevendoorsforsevencoveredstreetseachleadingtoasquare.Thecityenclosesinitscoreafountainandabasinandissurroundedbypalmtrees.25yearsago,afterthedisappearanceofthespring,itsinhabitantsabandonedthecityinsearchofwaterandmodernamenities.Today,theGhadamesDevelopmentAuthorityhasrenovatedabout35%ofthehouses.Inordertoperformmaintenanceandrestorationwork,theAuthorityconductedresearchontraditionalmethods,skillsandbuildingtechniquesknownbytheolderpopulation.Thespringwasreintroduced,thenetworkofwaterchannelsleadingfromthespringthroughmosquesoutsidethetownwasrestoredandgeneralconservationandrehabilitationworkonwallstructures,streetsandhousescarriedout.CRAterre–ENSAGcollaboratedtocreatearesearchlaboratoryandanadobebrickfactoryiscurrentlyproducingabout8000brickperday.Ghadameshasnotyetseenthereturnofinhabitants.HopewasexpressedthattheraisedawarenessofearthenarchitectureandaneconomicincentivethroughactivitiesthatcanbeheldinthehousesofGhadameswillresultininhabitantswantingtomovebacktotherenovatedstructures.TheGovernmentownsthecityandisfinanciallysupportingitsrenovationandpresentingthetowntoitsVIPguests.About14houseshavebeentransformedintoguesthouseswithrunningwaterandabout50touristsperdayareallowedtovisitGhadames.2.3ExperiencesandChallengesintheFieldofConservationofEarthenArchitecture:TheAlgerianCaseByMsYasmineTerki,Architectedesmonumentshistoriques,MinistèredelaCulture,Alger,AlgeriaTheMinistryofCultureisinchargeoftheprotectionofnationalheritage.38KsourareunderthelegalprotectionoftheMinistryofCulture.A1998lawdefinesprovisoryanddefinitivemeasuresrelatedtotheprotectionofnationalheritageandadefinitiveclassificationleadstothecreationofasafeguardedsector.Intheory,ownersareobligatedtomaintaintheirhouses.Therealityshowsadesertionoftheoldhistorictownsthatdonotrespondtomoderndomesticexpectations.PhotosoftheKsardeMoughel,KsardeChetmaandKsardeElDechraElHamrawerepresented.ManyhistoriccentresofKsourshowserioussignsofdegradation.InhabitantsstilllivinginKsourgenerallydonotmaintaintheirhouses.Theyeitherbuildextensionsinconcreteorcementoutsidethewallsoraroominconcreteintheoldhouses.Bylawtheycanbeexpropriatedbutitseemsimpossibletofindnewusesforthehundredsofexpropriatedhouses.


Evenifthegovernmentpaysforthetotalityoftherehabilitationtheinhabitantsdonotreturn,astheexperienceoftheKsardeBeniAbbasshows.Algeria’schallengeistoavoidtheabandonmentoftheKsour.Thereisaneedtocreateapublicestablishmentthatcanrehabilitatetheimageofearthenarchitecturebasedonitscapacitytorespondtothecontemporarynormsofcomfort,securityandsustainability.Acontributiontowardsthisimageimprovementwastheexhibition“Terres,d’Afriqueetd’ailleurs”presentedinAlgerinJuly2009attheoccasionoftheInternationalPanafricaFestival.AninformationanddocumentationseminaronearthenarchitectureforarchitecturestudentswillbeheldinApril2010.2.4CERKAS,Programmed’ArchitecturedeTerreduPatrimoineMondialByDr.MohamedBoussalh,CentredeConservationetdeRéhabilitationdupatrimoineArchitecturaldesZonesAtlasiquesetSubatlasiques(CERKAS),Ouarzazate,MoroccoAftertheKsarAïtBenhaddouhasbeenabandonedbyitsinhabitants,itwasconsideredtobeanendangeredsite.Threeyearsago,incollaborationwithCRAterre‐ENSAG,CERKASdefinedandputinplaceamanagementplanincorporatingrehabilitationpolicies.TheplanhasbeentranslatedintoArabicandisnowavailableinFrenchandArabic.Atourismplanhasbeendevelopedtoefficientlymanagetheflowof250000visitorsatKsarAïtBenhaddoueveryyear.Thishasledtoawelcomecentreoutsidethesite,pavedandconsolidatedpathwaysandsteps,andamenitiessuchastrashcansanddrinkingfountains.Toolshavebeengiventothelocalpopulationandtwolocalshavebeentrainedforhealthemergencies.Consolidationworkoftheoutsidewall,refurbishmentoftheoutsideareasandanti‐erosionworkhasbeencarriedout.Studiestomanagewastewaterareunderway.Electrificationofthesiteisplanedforthisyear.Incollaborationwithprivatepartners,CERKAShasrestoredbuildingsthathavebeenputtouseagainsuchasaweavingworkshop.InadditiontoworkattheKsar,GranariesandKasbahshavebeenrestored.SomehavebeentransformedintoexhibitionspacesorworkspacesforlocalNGOs.CERKASisalsoworkingontheinventoryofearthenarchitectureoftheDraaValleybycreatingadatabase.Thisinventoryisbasedonorthophotosfromdifferentperiodsatvariousscalesthathavebeendigitizedandenteredintoageographicinformationsystem(GIS).EachinventoryitemintheGISdataisaccompaniedbyphotosanddescriptiveinformation.IntheDraavalleytheinformationincludessociologicalandtypologicalstudies.TheanalysisofevolutionofthepalmgrovesoftheDraavalleybetween1987and2004hasbeenconductedbasedonthevegetationandnewconstructions.PertherequestbytheMinistryofTourismafoottravelitineraryhasbeenmappedbetweenKsourandpalmgroves.


2.5ABriefontheAccomplishmentsofSaudiCommissionforTourismandAntiquities(SCTA)intheFieldofEarthenHeritageByMr.MohammadYosofAlaidaroos,Antiquities&Museums,Riyadh,KingdomofSaudiArabiaEarthenheritageisarelevantpartoftheKingdomofSaudiArabia’sheritage.SCTAdevelopedastrategyforthelong‐termpreservationofitsheritage.Thisstrategyisbasedonthreeareas:improvingawarenessofearthenheritage,mappingandlistingimportantormajorearthensites(archaeologicalsites,urbancentre,historicalbuildingsandmonuments)andrecognitionofregionalstylesandtypologiesofearthenarchitecture.SCTAworksontherehabilitationandnewconstructionsoftheKingAbdul‐AzizHistoricalCentreinRiyadhandonenlistingthreeArchaeological&CulturalsitesonUNESCOWHList.ThefirstintegratedexperienceandthemostimportantprojectunderwayisAtturaifinAddariyah.SCTAhaspreparedthenominationfileforWorldHeritageListandthemanagementplan.Itwillbeexaminedbytheupcoming34thsessionoftheWHCommitteeinBrasilia,Brazil.Thisleadtodocumentation,surveyandconditionassessmentofthesite,conservationstudies,rehabilitationandreuseprojects.Toguaranteethelong‐termsustainabilityoftheprojectamanagementplanhasbeenpreparedtakingintoconsiderationtheeconomicaspectinvolvedinthereuseofthevillageasaLivingHeritageMuseum.ItishopedthatAddariyahcanbecomeamodelforthestudyandpreservationofearthheritageandanexampleofmodernandsensitivereuseofanabandonedmajorhistoricalsite.Oneoftheobjectivesistoestablishacentreofearthenconstructionanddeveloptrainingprograminclosecoordinationwithuniversitiesandinternationalinstitutions.2.6EarthenArchitectureinMauritaniaByMr.SalehNamiOuldMohamedKaber,Directeurdupatrimoineculturel,MinistèredelaCulture,delaJeunesseetdesSports,Nouakchott,MauritaniaEarthenArchitectureinMauritaniahasahistoryofseveralthousandyears.Duetoitsfragilenatureandthelocalclimaticconditions,aswellasthemassiveexodusofinhabitantstothecapital,itsconservationisfacingdifficulties.Somesuccessfulexperimentswerepresented.ForexampletheSpanishcooperationinthecityofOualataledtotherehabilitationofseveralhousesandurbanbuildings,asinthecityofAtar.InthecityofKaedi,ontheSenegalRiver,earthenarchitecturewasusedforahospitalwithallamenities.Theactionsplannedfor2010aremultiple:establishacompletelistingandmappingofallearthenarchitecturesites,studyasystemoftechnicalsupervisionformaintenanceofprivatehousesinselectedcities,andstudytosetupcapacitybuildingactivitiesonearthenArchitectureconservation.Thewishistorehabilitateprioritysitesthatcanbeusedandmaintainedsuchaslibrariesorlocalcraftshops.


2.7EarthenArchitecturalHeritageinSyriaByMr.MahmoudBendakir,CRAterre‐ENSAG,Grenoble,FranceEarthenarchitectureinSyriais11,000yearsold.ItsrichMesopotamianheritageanditsdiversityareunderrepresentedintheWHList.Earthenarchitectureexistsinarchaeologicalsites,ruralarchitectureandoldurbancentres.MrBendakirpresentedtwoofhispublicationswhichpresentrecentworkonearthenarchitectureinSyria:“LesvestigesdeMari,Lapreservationd’unearchitecturemillénaireenterre”ontheworkofMariandtheconservationofrawearthbricks;and“ArchitecturedeterreenSyrie,unetraditiondeonzemillenaires”aboutruralSyrianearthenarchitectureandoldurbancores.Since1991theFrenchArchaeologicalMissionhascollaboratedwithCRAterretodevelopaconservation,presentationandtouristicdevelopmentprogrammeatTellHariri,Mari.SyrianarchaeologistsarecurrentlyworkingincooperationwithinternationalmissionsfromItaly,Germany,France,EU,andtheUnitedStatesatvarioussites:TellMardikh,Ebla,Mishrifeh‐Qatna,Rawda,TellChiekhHamad,TellBeyday,Nabada,andTellMozan,Urkesh.Aprojectfornextyearistogatherallsiteteamstogethertopromoteexperienceandinformationexchange.2.8ATHARProgramme,ConservationofCulturalHeritageintheArabRegionByMr.JosephKing,ICCROM,Rome,ItalyATHARwaslaunchedin2003.TheprogrammewhichfirstfocusedonSyria,JordanandLebanonhasnowbeenextendedtotheentireArabStateregion.TheoverallgoalofATHARistocontributetotheprotectionandpromotionofculturalheritageintheArabregion,andbroadenaccess,appreciationandunderstandingofitspast.Theprogrammeisstructuredinthreebranches:DevelopmentofProfessionalEducation,InstitutionalCapacityBuildingandPublicOutreach.ATHARorganizesacoreregionaleducationprogrammecalled“ConservationofHeritageSites”invariouscountries.Itcontainscoursesindocumentationandmanagement,conservationofmosaicsanddecorativesurfaces,andconservationofstoneandearthenstructures.Thisincludeslabworkandtestingofearthenmaterialsaswellason‐siteworkonmasonryconservationindampbuildings.Thankstothisprogramme,apublicationtitled“ConservationofCulturalHeritageintheArabregion,IssuesintheConservationandManagementofHeritageSites”isnowinpressandfieldprojectsarelaunchedsuchastheconservationplanfortheAlKhamisMosque,Bahrain.Theimportanceofeducationateverylevelwasunderlined;notonlyattheuniversitylevel,butalsomasons,carpentersandothercraftsmen.2.9PresentationofCRAterreByMrThierryJoffroy,ChairmanofCRAterre‐ENSAG,Grenoble,FranceCRAterre‐ENSAGwasfounded30yearsagobyagroupofstudentsinterestedinearthenculturalheritage.CRAterreworksasanNGOandasauniversitywitharesearchlaboratoryandapostgraduatecoursespecializedinearthenarchitectureandbuildingculturesattheENSAG.Itsmainfieldsareresearchand


education/training.Complementaryactivitiesaredisseminationofknowledgeandpublicationsaswellassiteprojectsandprogrammes.CRAterrehasprojectsin15Arabcountriesandhasworkedon25sitesdiverseinage,structureandtypology.IthascontributedtotheinscriptionoffiveWorldHeritageproperties,twomorenominationfilesareinprogress.ThevisionofCRAterreistopreservelocalsolutionsanddevelopthemtoensureaharmoniousglobalization.Itsmandateistoenablepeopleandtheirorganizationstohaveabettercontrolovertheirownbuiltenvironment.CRAterre‐ENSAGisamultidisciplinarygroupwhichbuildsanetworkandseekspartnershipwithmorethan100organisations(researchcentres,universities…)CRAterreisinpartnershipwiththeWorldHeritageCentresince1994andtheUNESCOChair"EarthenArchitecture,BuildingCulturesandSustainableDevelopment"residesatCRAterre.Itaimstoacceleratethedisseminationofscientificandtechnicalknowledgeandskillsrelatingtoearthenarchitectureanditsconservationwithintheinternationalcommunity.CRAterresuggestedthefollowingrecommendationsforconsiderationwhenlaunchingtheWHEAPintheArabStates:‐ThevarietyofconservationenvironmentisgreatinArabcountries,agreatdiversityofcasesexistsandthereforeadiversityofresponsesmustbeconsidered.Thisimposestoadoptamethodologicalanditerativeapproach.‐Thereisaneedtogivesomefocusonvalueorienteddecisionmakingandmanagementplanningatpropertyaswellasatnational/regionallevels.‐Thereisapossibilityforthematicapproaches:historiccities(Ksour),archaeologicalsites,monuments.‐Traditionalbuildingskillshavetobepreservedthroughtraditionaltransmission,researchonoldpracticesandvocationaltraining.‐Thechallengeistoconservetheculturaldiversitywhileallowingaccesstomodernity.Howmuchchangecanbeallowed/promotedtoensurethatthevaluesarekeptwhilepeoplearesatisfied?3DiscussionAfterthevariouspresentationsabrainstormingwasheldtodiscussthestrategyoftheimplementationofWHEAPintheArabStatesRegionandpossiblethematicpriorities.Thediscussionfocusedontheoreticalissues,sustainabilityissuesandtraining/technicalissues;themaindiscussionpointsaresummarizedhereafter.3.1AuthenticityandIntegrityEartharchitectureisbynaturefragile,itsconservationdifficult.Reconstruction,rehabilitationandadaptivereuseworkmightimperiltheintegrityand/ortheauthenticityofheritagesites.Whatisthepercentageofreconstructionpossibleforarchaeologicalsites,architecturesitesandfortsandvillages?Thedifferentiationofvaluesofmaterialwasacknowledgedbetweenanarchaeologicalsitewithmaterialdating2000yearsin


comparisonwithanon‐listeddwellingwithmaterialthathasbeentraditionallyrenewed.Advocacyforthepreservationanddocumentationofintangibleaspectsoftraditionalconstructionandmaintenancesystemswasunderlined.Thisleadstoimportantethicalquestionslinkedtoauthenticity,conservationandcontinueduse:DoStatesPartiespursuedeliberatepoliciestodiscouragecontinuedfulltimeoccupancyofearthWHsites?Towhatextentisitdesirabletoadaptthereuseofsuchplacesfromtraditionallifestylestotouristfocusandoccupation?Towhatextentdoesthiscompromisetheintegrityofearthenheritageplaces?Towhatextentdoesthistypeofpolicycompromisehumanrights?3.2AbandonmentandAdaptiveRe‐useAbandonmentandactiveclearanceoftraditionaltowns,villagesandstructureswasstatedasafact.Systemstomaintainlocaloccupancyoftraditionalsettlementsandcentralpoliciestopermitcontinuedhabitationoftraditionalsettlementsshouldbeinstalled.Designofscopeforadaptivere‐useofstructuresandplansforrevitalizationofabandonedplacesshouldbeputinplace.Interventionsshouldrespondtotheneedoflocalsocietieswhilemaintainingauthenticityofstructures.Thereisalackofinfrastructuretoencouragecontinueduseoftraditionalsettlements(Roadsandaccess,schools,shopsetc.)Themaintainingofearthstructuresneedstobecoupledwithafightforpovertyalleviationofinhabitants.Siteinterventionsmustrespondtoconservationdemandsbutalsotolifeandworknecessitiesofinhabitants.Thedemonstrationofaneconomicincentivetobegainedbythelocalpopulationwillimprovetheusers’valueassessmentandmaintainingpatterns.3.3TrainingTechnicalIssuesThereisalackoftrainingatthenationalandsitemanagementlevelandatatechnicallevelforimprovedunderstandingofconservationneedsandsystems.Theprogrammeneedstocarryoutregionaltrainingworkshopsforbothmanagementsystemsandpolicies,andtechnicalapproachestoconservationincludinginventories,sitemanagementplanning,disasterpreparednesspolicies,conservationtechnologies,appropriatedocumentationandsurvey,sheltering,maintenanceprogrammesandethicsrelatedtovaluesandthepreservationofoutstandinguniversalvaluethroughrespectforauthenticityandintegrity.Inadditiontotechnicaltrainingonconservation,thereisaneedforsociologicalandanthropologicalstudiesonlocalculturesthatproducedearthenarchitecture.Therewasanargumentmadeaboutseeingearthenhousingarchitectureasanevolution,aresultofatypologicalprocess.Asuggestionistore‐initiatetheculturalprocessonvernaculararchitecturetokeeporcontinuesavingthetraditionalskillsandtechniquesandtoaccepttheevolutionofmethods.3.4LackofRegionalandComparativeStudiesTheprogrammeneedstodemonstrateandencouragethetechniquesandpracticalapproachtoregionalstudiesincludingcomparativeanalysisbetweensitesinsomedetail.Decorationandsurfacefinishes,intangibleaspectsoftraditionsinvolvedin


constructionandtraditionalandsuperstitiousmaintenancesystemsshouldbeincludedinanysuchstudy.3.5EmergencyResponsetoThreatsandDamageFactorsAsafirstprinciple,disasterpreparednessandplanningshouldbespeciallyhighlightedduringallactivities.Thisincludesfireprotection,contingencyplanningforfloodandsevereweatherconditions,prioritisationofwhatrequiresthemosturgentprotectionincludingmoveableheritageetc.Capacitybuildingandtrainingofskilleddisasterandriskresponseteamsandtheestablishmentofregionalco‐operationbetweensuchteamsshouldbeencouraged.3.6AdvocacyAdvocacyneedstoencompassthedisseminationofthemanyvaluesoftraditionalsettlementsandstructuresandthelesstangibleaspectsofculturesurroundingtraditionalbuildingsystems.Thequestionof‘whatshouldweadvocate’needstobediscussedbothatinternationalleveland,duetoculturaldifferencesofvaluesandexpression,atregionalandlocallevels.ThepromotionmaterialandcampaignsshouldbeaimedfirsttoGovernmentlevels.Theadvocacyforthepreservationanddocumentationoftraditionalknowledgesystemsmayalsobelonghere.TheimageofearthenarchitectureintheArabStatesisanimageofpoverty,generallyrejected.AnegativeimageofatypologyofheritagearchitecturecanchangeasseeninmanyEuropeancitycores,whichhavebeenabandonedthenreclaimed.CurrentlyinSouthAmericanewconstructionineartharesignsofsophisticationandwealth.Thislackofawarenessonthequalitiesofeartharchitecturemayneedtoberevertedwiththehelpofprofessionals.Advocacyimportantlyincludestheencouragementofcontinueduseofearthbothasanaccessibleandasa‘greenmaterial’.TheUNESCOWorldHeritageCentreinitiativeforthesafeguardingofNewGournaisanimportantcontributiontothisaspectofadvocacy.Contemporaryandmoderneartharchitecturecanmodernizetheimageofearthasamaterial.Valuesinherentincontemporarygreenbuildingandgreentechnologycanbeassociatedtoearthenarchitecture.Furthergeneralresearchonthescientificqualitiesofearthenarchitectureshouldbedonetoadvocateearthasamaterial(Climaticvalues,seismicresistanceetc.)3.7LegalFrameworks,PlanningCodesandConstructionGuidelinesLegislationonearthenarchitectureshouldbesoughtforineachcountry,andshouldbeencouragedtoallowearthasamaterialfornewconstructions,extensionsoradaptiveusesforinstallationormodernamenities.Conservationofsitesinurbanareasshouldbeintegratedinageneralurbanplanningframeworkapprovedbyplanningauthorities.Regionalworkshopscouldincludediscussionsandfactfindinginthecurriculum.


4ConclusionandCallforActionThediscussionconfirmedtheneedforaregionalintegratedapproachtotheconservationofearthenarchitecture;issuesofmodernearthenarchitectureneedtobeincluded.Thediscussionalsoconfirmedtheneedtointegrateadebateonauthenticityandintegrityofearthenarchitectureespeciallywhenthinkingaboutadaptingthereuseofsitesfromtraditionallifestylestotourism.Thiscouldbedonethroughregionalmeetings.Thereisalackofinfrastructureforcontinuedusesofsettlement.Thereisatrueneedfortrainingatnationalandsitemanagementlevelandopenexchangeofexpertise;thenewCentreofAbuDhabiwasinvitedtobecomeapartneroftheWHEAPandparticularlyforimplementingactivitiesintheArabStates.Otherthemesthatneedtobeaddressedareabandonmentofearthenstructures,regionalstudiesonearthenarchitecture,andresearchontraditionalconservationmethodsincludingcomparativeanalysisbetweensites.Capacitydevelopment,trainingandeducationneedtobeatthecoreoftheprogramme.Emergencyresponsetothreatsanddamagefactorsshouldbeputinplace.Lawsandstatutesneedtobeanalyzed.Advocacyofthevaluesofearthenarchitectureshouldbeencouraged.Insummary,thefollowingactivitieswereidentifiedasbeingmostimportantfortheWHEAPimplementationstrategyintheArabStatesRegion:

• Researchandstudieson:- Traditionalconservationmethods- EconomicpotentialofWHeartharchitecture- Managementofwastewaterandinclusionofmoderninfrastructures

• SeminaronEarthArchitecture:- Eartharchitecturecapacitytorespondtocontemporarynormsof

comfort,securityandsustainability

• Training/workshops:- Sitemanagementplanning- InventoriesanddocumentationandGISmapping- Disasterpreparedness- Conservationofruins- Conservationandnewusageofearthheritagewithexistingcase

studies- Mappingofeartharchitecturesites

Attheendoftheone‐dayconsultationmeeting,Mr.LazareEloundoumadeacalltoallrepresentativesofstatepartiestoprioritizeissuesintheirrespectivecountriesandtoreflectonhoweachorganisationcancontributetoPhase2oftheprogramme.ThesepropositionsaretobesenttotheWHC.Thecallisopenbeyondtheparticipantsofthemeetingtoalargeaudienceofexperts,institutionsandorganisationsthatwishtobeinvolvedintheprogramme.


ANNEX I – LIST OF PARTICIPANTS




ANNEX II– PROGRAMME OF THE MEETING ON 11 JANUARY 2010 Agenda09:00 Welcomecoffee‐arrivalofparticipants09:30 WelcomingaddressbyMr.Bandarin,DirectoroftheWorldHeritageCentre09:45 Presentationandadoptionoftheagenda10:00 WHEAP–Presentationoftheoverallframeworkprogramme

• History(WorldHeritageCommitteedecision31COM21C)• Frameworkagreementandpartnerships• Programmeobjectives,plannedactivitiesandstructure• Achievements,activitiesunderway,financialsupportobtained

10:30 WHEAPpilotphaseI:ArabStates/challengesandexperienceinearthenarchitectureheritagepreservationintheregion‐Presentationsbyparticipants

***11:00Coffeebreak***

12:15 Brainstormingonregionalapproachto:

• Strategyforprogrammeimplementationandpriorities• Fundraisingstrategy• Periodicreporting• ATHARProgramme

***12:45/Lunchbreak***14:30 Continuationofbrainstormingonregionalapproach15:30 Discussionandestablishmentofaroadmap ***16:00Coffeebreak***17:00–17:30Conclusionsandendofthemeeting


ANNEX III– NOTES BY JOHN HURD / JANUARY 2010 BelowaresomeroughnotesthatevolvefromthemeetingatUNESCOParis,11January2010onthetopicoftheArabStates.AsproposedbyVeroniqueDauge,IhavelimitedthescopeofthesenotestoafocusonWHsites,althoughatthemeetingyouwillrecallthatweoccasionallywanderedintoabroaderframework.WhilethefocusofthismeetingwastheArabStates,itisclearthatmanypointsraisedatthebrainstormingsessionalsoapplyinafarwiderinternationalcontext.Thesenotesareaimedtoenhancethealreadyexcellentexistingprogrammeandtheymayaddtopicstothelistandclarifyitemsthatarealreadylisted.Challenges:

1. Lackoftrainingbothatthenationalandsitemanagementlevelandatatechnicallevel,astoolsforimprovedunderstandingofconservationneedsandsystems.

Theprogrammeneedstocarryoutregionaltrainingworkshopsforbothmanagementsystemsandpolicies,andtechnicalapproachestoconservationincludinginventories,sitemanagementplanning,disasterpreparednesspolicies,Conservationtechnologies,Appropriatedocumentationandsurvey,sheltering,maintenanceprogrammesandethicsrelatedtovaluesandthepreservationofOutstandingUniversalValuethroughrespectforAuthenticityandIntegrity.[Iwouldpresentacaveathere.ItispossibletodemonstratesomeofthesetopicsonactualWHproperties,butgiventheethicalconsiderationofnotexperimentingonauthentichistoricstructures,thatsuchworkshopsrecallthiscaveatwhentraininginbothmaterialstestingandonpracticaltechniquesofconservationandrestoration.Thisinstilsgoodhabits!].

2. Abandonmentandindeedactiveclearanceoftraditionaltowns,villagesandstructures.

Systemstomaintainlocaloccupancyoftraditionalsettlementsandindeedcentralpoliciestopermitcontinuedhabitationoftraditionalsettlements.Designofscopeforadaptivere‐useofstructuresandplansforrevitalisationofabandonedplaces[Seealsopoint7]

3. Lackofregionalandcomparativestudies.Theprogrammeneedstodemonstrateandencouragethetechniquesandpracticalapproachtoregionalstudiesincludingcomparativeanalysisbetweensitesinsomedetail.Decorationandsurfacefinishes,intangibleaspectsoftraditionsinvolvedin


constructionandtraditionalandsuperstitiousmaintenancesystemsshouldbeincludedinanysuchstudy.

4. Emergencyresponsetothreatsanddamagefactors.Asafirstprinciple,disasterpreparednessandplanningshouldbespeciallyhighlightedduringallactivities.Fireprotection,contingencyplanningforfloodandsevereweatherconditions,prioritisationofwhatrequiresthemosturgentprotectionincludingmoveableheritageetc.Encouragingtheformationandtrainingofskilleddisasterandriskresponseteamsandtheestablishmentofregionalco‐operationbetweensuchteams.

5. Advocacy,especiallyinthedisseminationofthemanyvaluesoftraditionalsettlements,structuresandthelesstangibleaspectsofculturesurroundingtraditionalbuildingsystems.

Thisisselfevidentandperhapsthequestionof“whatshouldweadvocate”requiresanotherbrainstorming,bothatinternationallevelandduetoculturaldifferencesofvaluesandexpression,atregionalandlocallevels.Advocacyimportantlyincludestheencouragementofcontinueduseofearthbothasanaccessibleandasa“green”material.TheinitiativeatNewGournaisanimportantcontributiontothisaspectofadvocacy.AshighlightedbyJoeKingandothers,theadvocacyforthepreservationanddocumentationoftraditionalknowledgesystemsmayalsobelonghere.

6. Modernlawsandstatutes,planningcodesandconstructionguidelines.Alsoselfevident.Perhapsregionalworkshopsshouldincludediscussionsandfactfindinginthecurriculum.

7. Lackofinfrastructuretoencouragecontinueduseoftraditionalsettlements.Roadsandaccess,schools,shopsetc.

ThisrisesfrompointsveryclearlyraisedbyJasmineTerkibutleadsintoanimportantethicalquestion.DostatespartiespursuedeliberatepoliciestodiscouragecontinuedfulltimeoccupancyofearthWHsites?Towhatextentisitdesirabletoadaptthereuseofsuchplacesfromtraditionallifestylestotouristfocusandoccupation?Towhatextentdoesthiscompromisetheintegrityofearthenheritageplaces?Towhatextentdoesthistypeofpolicycompromisehumanrights?That’sitfornowandIhopethatthesepointswillbeinsomewayaddedinto,whatisalready,averygoodagendaforprogramme,developedoverthelastyears.JohnHurd.January2010.