a) Raise of the underground water level;
b) Risks of flooding (Valleys of Kings and Queens);
c) Absence of a comprehensive Management Plan;
d) Major infrastructure and development projects taking place or scheduled;
e) Uncontrolled urban development;
f) Housing and agricultural encroachment on the West Bank;
g) Demolitions in the villages of Gurna on the West Bank of the Nile and transfer of the population.
The State Party has submitted a state of conservation report on 15 February 2010 which highlights responses to the requests made by the World Heritage Committee during its 33rd session (Seville, 2009):
a) In response to the World Heritage Committee's request to revise the design of the Avenue of the Sphinxes and to submit it with appropriate details, the State Party declares its will to develop an overall and detailed urban plan, based on a multi-disciplinary approach and benefiting from international expertise, to ensure the integration of the “avenue” in the urban context. The plan is expected to be completed in the six coming months. The State Party acknowledges the loss of an historical minaret which collapsed from too hasty demolition of adjacent buildings.
b) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request for an integrated Management Plan for Karnak, Luxor and the West Bank, the State Party has promised a “Super Master Plan” for the two river banks in 2010.
The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies consider that there could be a confusion between a Master Plan and a Management Plan that would integrate all the components of the property. At the request of the State Party, the World Heritage Centre has earmarked extrabudgetary funds to support the preparation of the integrated Management Plan.
c) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request for a formal co-ordination mechanism under the responsibility of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) to review all projects with the potential to affect the property and its buffer zone, the State Party is creating a Piloting Committee for Heritage Conservation and Urban Rehabilitation with a range of functions including implementation of the Master Plan, and integrating the Corniche and Avenue of the Sphinxes projects in the city centre rehabilitation.
d) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request for the development of a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, the State Party notes efforts to establish a dialogue on this subject with the World Heritage Centre. However, the State Party has not yet submitted a draft Statement.
e) In relation to the landing stage for cruise boats to be developed in the West Bank, the State Party notes its eagerness to formulate terms of reference for an international bid for the development and implementation of an inland harbour, in order to limit tourist development, reduce the sail boat docking area, and establish clear limitations and building regulations for related commercial and leisure activities.
f) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request for the development of a buffer zone on the West Bank, the State Party has not reported.
g) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s request to adopt the recommendations made by the recent joint mission of 2009, the State Party reported on plans for development of the Corniche, and on the Hassan Fathy New Gurna village largely based on the recommendations.
At the request of the State Party, the World Heritage Centre has earmarked extrabudgetary funds to develop a conservation and restoration project at New Gurna, within the framework of the World Heritage Earthen Architecture programme.
h) In response to the World Heritage Committee’s suggestion that the State Party organise an international consultation in order to design projects and plans to highlight and present the property's Outstanding Universal Value, the State Party notes that it is strengthening the dialogue with international experts.
The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies acknowledge the submission of a complete state of conservation report from the State Party. However while this report includes several positive segments (on for example the development of plans for the Corniche and for New Gurna), some of the World Heritage Committee’s requests remain unmet.
The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies remain concerned by the rapid pace of works undertaken by the State Party in the property without adequate detailed projects with underlined research and methodology being submitted to the World Heritage Centre as required by paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies are also concerned by the number of other World Heritage Committee requests not yet met by the State Party.