The 10th Anniversary of the 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape brings together cities and experts
The 10th Anniversary of the 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL Recommendation) took place online through a launch event for the UNESCO HUL Call for Action and a global conference on the application of the HUL Recommendation to World Heritage cities.
The online events, consisting of several meetings and workshops, took place between 16 and 24 June 2021, marking the beginning of the celebrations. The events gathered more than 86 speakers (including 9 Mayors/city leaders and 35 renowned experts) from 39 countries. Site managers and city authorities presented case studies from 19 World Heritage cities and 15 mayors and heads of organizations provided video messages reconfirming the importance of the HUL Recommendation and reaffirming their commitment to support the UNESCO HUL Call for Action. The four days of exchange and discussion provided a rich opportunity to share experiences, challenges and lessons learned from the local strategies and actions to implement the HUL Recommendation.
On 16 and 21 June, six preliminary technical sessions were carried out, including 19 case studies examining the implementation of the HUL Recommendation in World Heritage Cities in the different world regions. With the contribution of high-level Chairs and Rapporteurs, the sessions highlighted the central role of urban heritage and culture for sustainable development, and its potential to address current challenges such as climate change, community engagement, as well as recovery and resilience in the context of the ongoing pandemic crisis.
On 23 June, the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the HUL Recommendation was opened by Mr Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, who launched the HUL Call for Action, inviting cities and settlements worldwide to raise awareness about the Recommendation and accelerate inclusive urban heritage management through the HUL Recommendation approach. Mayors and City leaders from all regions of the world gathered in two panels to share experiences and perspectives on the application of HUL in their cities, followed by a session of insights provided by high-level experts.
On 24 June, the session Implementing the HUL Recommendation in World Heritage Cities engaged heritage professionals, experts, and representatives around two round tables on the topics of the role of heritage in sustainable development, local communities' involvement in urban policies, and the relationship between natural and built heritage, among others. The session was opened by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, Ms Mechtild Rössler, who highlighted the importance of the HUL Recommendation for World Heritage cities, urban planning, and future generations. Finally, the Deputy Director of the World Heritage Centre, Ms Jyoti Hosagrahar, provided a summary of the lessons learned during the four-day event, outlining the steps forward in the implementation of the HUL Recommendation.
To discover more, learn about the HUL Call for Action, and access the session recordings, please visit the event webpage.
