Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá

• Severe deterioration of historic buildings 
• Conflicting interests of different stakeholders with regard to the use, management and conservation of the historic centre 
• Limited capacity for the rehabilitation and maintenance of historic structures 
• Deficiencies in the implementation of the legislative framework for protection 
• Lack of implementation of clear conservation and management policies for the property 
• Demolition of urban ensembles and buildings 
• Forced displacement of occupants and squatters 
• Urban development projects within the protected area (i.e. Cinta Costera) 
• Visual impact of the Cinta Costera project Maritime Viaduct
• Inadequate long-term financial sustainability of conservation and management efforts

On 24 January 2017, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/790/documents. The State Party clarifies that the baseline for this report is the Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (RSOUV), as adopted by Committee Decision 37 COM 8E. Regarding specific recommendations of Decision 40 COM 8B.34, it is informed that:

• ICOMOS was requested to assist with capacity-building in Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA) during an Advisory mission foreseen for 2017;
• Preliminary activities have been undertaken on the view-shed and view corridor analysis, and the preliminary conclusions, recommendations and proposed corrective measures are expected in 2017;
• Preliminary reduction and mitigation measures of existing developments have been identified for Panamá Viejo in the form of strategic tree-planting and for the Historic District in the form of further efforts to regulate building heights in nearby areas;
• Long-term and sustainable government funding is being secured through fixed allocations from the National Institute for Culture (INAC) (yearly contribution of USD 400,000 to the Patronato de Panama Viejo), budgets on a project basis commitments of the Mayor of Panama (12 million for the Cathedral of Panama), or in the framework of major projects such as the 45-million project between INAC and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) aimed to support the conservation and management of cultural heritage.

In addition, the report includes updated information on pressing areas related to the property’s state of conservation, such as:

• Update of the planning framework (revision of the 1995 Management Plan for the Historic District of Panama and implementation of the Management Plan for Panama Viejo 2014-2019);
• Improving mobility and accessibility for pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the Historic District and surrounding neighborhoods;
• Improving waste management in the Historic District, which has increased due to growing tourism developments;
• Interpretation tools and educational activities, among others.

Finally, the State Party reports on a number of urban development projects in the vicinity of the property:

• Construction of a business centre within the buffer zone of Panama Viejo: participation of the Patronato de Panama Viejo in the planning process ensured the application of national guidelines for the buffer zone and mitigation measures;
• Ocean front development to the east of Panama Viejo outside of the buffer zone: the construction of five high-rise residential buildings;
• Real estate developments that comply with legislation in force: a 164-room Hotel Casco Viejo at the waterfront of the Historical District that involves the restoration of the Club Unión, and towers of up to 27 stories outside of the property.

The report includes an overview of the inscription history, past Reactive Monitoring and Advisory missions’ recommendations and a substantive analysis of the state of conservation of both components of the property, namely the Archaeological Site of Panama Viejo and the Historical District of Panama. It outlines the requirements for management and conservation actions, as well as potential threats. It responds, at times in a preliminary manner, to the recommendations of the Committee and of the previous World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS missions.

It is noted that the report does not address in a substantive matter the significant boundary modification requested by the Committee, except in the observation that the State Party requested ICOMOS´ assistance on how to proceed in this matter. A new proposal is due by 1 February 2018.

It is appreciated that the State Party requested the advice of ICOMOS on incorporating the Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) for projects and developments.

The urgent need to incorporate such assessments in planning mechanisms and regulations is made evident by ongoing developments including the significant restoration of the Hotel Casco Viejo, the construction of the high-rise towers to the east of Panama Viejo and similar projects to the east of the Historic District.  It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to give the highest priority to the implementation of its previous recommendations to put in place mechanisms to protect specific sensitive areas in the buffer zone and wider setting of the property as part of the preparation of the significant boundary modification.

As to the Hotel Casco Viejo, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide the designs of the hotel including the restoration project of the Club Unión, together with studies on vehicular access, waste management and other relevant aspects for assessing impacts on heritage as soon as possible for evaluation by the Advisory Bodies.

It is noted with concern that the State Party report confirms that most of the previously identified factors affecting the property continue to exist and that tourism and urban development pressure is accelerating. While the entities in charge of the property (the Patronato de Panama Viejo and the National Directorate of Historical Heritage) have increased their management capacity, it is emphasized that heritage values of the property can only be protected if heritage is incorporated in overall urban, tourism and development policies and priorities with the participation of all stakeholders.