L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre

a) New constructions within the historic centre;

b) Lack of valid detailed planning documents;

c) Inadequate infrastructure including the sewage system.

The state of conservation report submitted by the State Party on 12 March 2007 provides the following information:

a) The boundaries of the historical area of centre of L’viv, which define the buffer zone of the Ensemble of the Historical Centre, have been approved by decree of L’viv City Executive Committee n° 1311 dated 9 December 2005, and submitted for approval to State Service of Protection of Cultural Heritage. This comprises a territory of 2441 hectares. The following zones have also been indicated: zone of regulation of construction (4355 hectares); zone of protection of historical urban landscape; zone of special regulation of construction in adjacent villages and suburban construction on the territory of former adjacent villages. A number of projects to define the boundaries of territories and protection zones of monuments of the Ensemble of the Historical Centre have also been worked out. The list of monuments includes the ensemble of St. Yuri’s Church, the ensemble of St Kazimir’s Church, the ensemble of Benedictine Monastery, the ensemble of St Onufriy’s Monastery, St. Voitsekh’s Church. Protection zones for these areas have been approved by corresponding decrees of L’viv City Executive Committee.

b) A working group on the coordination of work in historical areas and protection zones of objects inscribed on the World Heritage List was formed by the decree of Ministry of Construction, Architecture and Municipal Facilities n° 318 dated 25 September 2006.

c) In 1998-2007; a comprehensive programme for the preservation of historical buildings in L’viv approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers n° 1266 dated 15 November 1997 was carried out by Directorate for Protection of Historical Environment together with other directorates of L’viv City Council. Work plans for the management and maintenance of sites are being worked out and implemented annually. The plan is to be completed in 2007.

d) The finances from the general fund of the State Budget for 2006 were 4 281,319 Euros and from the local budget 283,047 Euros for the property; the number of tourists in 2006 was 161,000, including 41,800 foreign tourists.

e) The following research is being carried out to ensure the successful implementation of the protection, renovation and restoration activities: Research aimed at determining the reasons of deterioration of historical buildings of the city including engineering and geological analysis of soil in the historical part of the city; geophysical analysis of influence of vibration from vehicle traffic and the creation of a monitoring system of the geological environment. The results of the research prove that vibration from vehicle traffic is one of the reasons of deterioration of buildings in the historical part of the city, are used in working out tram and automobile routes in the central part of the city. During the reconstruction of Rynok Square, vibration absorber plates were installed.

Concerning protection, conservation and restoration activities, the following is noted:

f) A project of regeneration and restoration of five blocks within the territory of the Ensemble of the Historical Centre, which demonstrated the advantages of policy approach to processing project documentation;

g) A project of pedestrian pavements in the central part of the city;

h) A project of regeneration of the central part of L’viv;

i) Stock-taking of landscape and architectural complexes of the city, including defining their territories and protection zones;

j) A project of defining territories and protection zones of monuments of national importance including St. Kazimir’s Church, and the complex of Carmelite Monastery; and historical and architectural base plans and projects for the protection of additional suburban territories around the historical centre.

Finally, the State Party considers it is necessary to create, in co-ordination with ICCROM, a Training Centre on protection, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, as well as a school for restoration techniques. The good quality topographic maps with the boundaries of the World Heritage property and its buffer zone received from the State Party indicate different boundaries than in the nomination. The State Party should submit topographic maps indicating the exact boundaries of the property as inscribed in the World Heritage List. If required, the State Party, in compliance with Chapter III of the Operational Guidelines, could submit a proposal for a boundary modification.

The World Heritage Centre notes that the State Party did not provide any information concerning the revised Master Plan for the World Heritage property the Historic Centre of L’viv.