Agricultural landscapes are a testimony to humanity’s long interaction with the land, often unique examples of people and nature coexisting and influencing each other. They demonstrate a rich cultural and landscape diversity, sustainable land-use systems and in some cases people’s daily struggle for survival under extreme climatic and environmental conditions.
The 19th-century coffee plantations in Cuba; Stari Grad Plain in Croatia, where grapes and olives have been harvested since ancient Greek times; Konso Cultural Landscape in Ethiopia, where fortified settlements embody a living cultural tradition stretching back twenty-one generations and adapted to a harsh environment; and the subak water management system in Bali (Indonesia), where the spiritual, human and natural worlds are brought together in a philosophy that has shaped the landscape while ensuring prolific rice production – all of these are exceptional examples of an enduring and harmonious interaction.
This issue will also present the new World Heritage sites inscribed during the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, Phnom Penh (Cambodia) in June 2013.
Table of Contents
World Heritage agricultural landscapes, p. 6
Agricultural landscapes demonstrate a rich cultural and landscape diversity, sustainable land-use systems and in some cases people’s daily struggle for survival under extreme climatic and environmental conditions.
Stari Grad Plain
Ancient Greek farming in the Adriatic, p. 14
The original agricultural activity of the plain, mainly centring on grapes and olives, has been maintained since Greek times to the present.
Gateways to sacred lands: Bali’s water temples and rices terraces, p. 20
The subak system of democratic and egalitarian farming practices has enabled the Balinese to become the most prolific rice growers in the archipelago, despite the challenge of supporting a dense population.
Archaeological Landscape of the First Coffee Plantations in the South-East of Cuba, p. 28
The remains of the 19th-century coffee plantations in the foothills of the Sierra Maestra are unique evidence of a pioneer form of agriculture in a difficult terrain.
Konso, Ethiopia’s living cultural landscape, p. 38
The Konso Cultural Landscape constitutes a spectacular example of a living cultural tradition stretching back twenty generations (more than 400 years) adapted to its dry hostile environment.
Close-up
New World Heritage sites 2013, p. 46
Presentation of the new World Heritage sites inscribed at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, Phnom Penh (Cambodia) in June 2013.
Forum, p. 57
Interview, p. 58
Parviz Koohafkan, GIAHS Coordinator, FAO and Bioversity International.
Advisory Bodies, p. 60
IFLA-ICOMOS: Agricultural landscapes in a World Heritage context.
Conventions, p. 64
UNESCO, agriculture and food security.
News, p. 67
Preservation, p. 68
World Heritage Committee meets at Phnom Penh and Angkor; RRF grants support to Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai; Violence in the Sangha Trinational site; Africa prepares for risk; Culture is a key to sustainable development; Heritage and Resilience; Religious representatives involved in World Heritage; Capacity-building on small islands; Twinning bird reservoirs; Visual impacts on World Heritage.
In Danger, p. 76
Islamic heritage to be preserved in Bamiyan Valley; Reconstruction of Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga; Assessing damage in Mali; Logging at East Rennell leads to Danger Listing; Bam removed from Danger List; Syria’s World Heritage sites in danger.
Outreach, p. 82
Renewed strategic partnership with Panasonic; How-to guides on sustainable tourism; Youths practise hands-on site conservation at 2013 World Heritage Youth Forum; Youth Action for World Heritage; Partnership for sustainable tourism; The Case of the Lost World Heritage, 9th episode.
