Unesco keeps Coro on the list of heritage in danger

UNESCO fears rains will damage Coro / Photo: Minci

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee agreed on Tuesday to keep the historic centre of Vienna and the Venezuelan city of Coro and its port, among others, on the list of heritage in danger, leaving new additions such as the megalith of Stonehenge to be discussed.

The Venezuelan town of Coro and its port, seen by UNESCO as a surviving example of the fusion of local traditions with Spanish Mudejar and Dutch architectural techniques, joined the list of properties in danger in 2005 after the damage to its structures caused by heavy rains.

Nearly 20 years later, little progress has been made, the protected areas bodies said.

Advances

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has revealed that the information it has on the progress made in the South American country is not complete, and has highlighted the need to implement efficient measures to rehabilitate it.

The debate in New Delhi, which is hosting the 46th annual meeting of UNESCO, on the state of conservation of sites already inscribed on the list of at-risk sites, focused on the historic centre of the Austrian capital.

One

Vienna’s city centre was included in the list in 2017, due to the construction of high-rise buildings that obstruct the view towards the Belvedere Gardens.

Countries such as Greece and Qatar have noted the progress made by the Austrian government in restructuring the landscape, but have stressed that this is not yet enough to remove it from the red list.

“We will show all members that being on the danger list is not a punishment,” said the Argentine spokesman.

New Delhi / EFE