Following the decision of the World Heritage Committee at its twenty-first session, actions were undertaken to resolve the problems created by the construction of the Rey Chico, the preparation of a new management plan and the revitalisation of the Albayzin quarter. A seminar organized by the UNESCO Centre of Andalucia, based in Grenada, brought together participants of the Andalucia Junta, the City of Grenada and peoples’ associations of the Albayzin, to evaluate the actions already undertaken and to elaborate concrete proposals for the revitalisation of the quarter and the participation of the inhabitants in this process.
New construction of the Rey Chico
Repeated interventions by the Director-General of UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee and Secretariat have finally resulted in a solution which was outlined in a letter to the Centre from the Ambassador of Spain to UNESCO dated 15 April 1998. In conformity with the Law 16/1985, Article 37, the Mayor’s Office of Grenada informed the Ministry of Culture and the Andalucia Junta that it had begun expropriation procedures of the building. At the same time, the Mayor’s Office concluded an agreement with the property developer of the Rey Chico to exchange the new Rey Chico construction with the « Carmen de las Palmas », building belonging to the Mayor’s Office situated outside the site.
Revision of the management plan of the site
The Committee’s request for the revision of the management plan of the Alhambra and the Generalife, by an overall management plan for the entire site and the creation of a Spain-UNESCO scientific committee has not been implemented. In recent correspondence to the Director-General, the Councillor of the Andalucia Junta informed that it was not possible to create an institutional co-ordination structure because, on the one hand, the management of the Alhambra and the Generalife was attached to the Alhambra Patronat and on the other Albayzin was attached to the City of Grenada.
Revitalisation of Albayzin
A seminar organized by the UNESCO Centre of Andalucia with assistance from Treasury
Funds of Grenada, was held from 2 to 6 February 1998 in the offices of the Escuela de Estudios Arabes in Albayzin. Inspite of the fact that the preparations for the seminar were carried out under difficult conditions (Rey Chico problem and restricted funds available from the UNESCO Centre), the seminar had positive results and several commitments were made:
- the inhabitants recognized their heritage and their role in its conservation,
- the savings bank of Grenada undertook to grant low interest loans for the rehabilitation of these buildings,
- the Chamber of Commerce will create an artisan’s label for Albayzin,
- the Mayor’s office will repair the roads and bury the cables, improve the access roads and establish a minibus network; the inhabitants appreciate its technical office for Albayzin,
- the Junta will fund up to 300 million pesetas for the rehabilitation of Albayzin heritage over four years, not counting the investment foreseen in the other sectors,
- the Episcopat will open a part of the Santa Isabel La Real Monastery and churches to visitors and create a school for artisans,
- the Escuela de Estudios Arabes will continue the rehabilitation of Moorish dwellings with funding from the World Monument Fund (American Express) and the Aga Khan Foundation.
Action Required
The Bureau thanks the national, regional and local authorities for the efforts undertaken and the results achieved in the satisfactory conclusion of the matter concerning the new construction of the Rey Chico. The Bureau also commends the UNESCO Centre of Andalucia for the success of the seminar in revitalising Albayzin and thanks those who contributed towards its convening and successful outcome. It finally thanks the Mayor’s Office, the Junta and the religious and economic authorities for the work undertaken in the rehabilitation of the quarter, its encouragement of tourism and development of its artisans. However, the Bureau reminds the authorities of the absolute necessity to apply the Convention and the Guidelines with regard to the management plan and the unicity of the site. Consequently, the Bureau forthwith requests the Spanish authorities to establish without delay the Spain-UNESCO scientific committee and to convene it as soon as possible so that the measures necessary for the appropriate management of the site be identified and programmed.