Historic Town of Zabid

• Serious degradation of the city’s heritage (many houses and the ancient souq are in an alarming state of deterioration)
• Large percentage of the city's houses replaced by inappropriate concrete buildings
• Large sections of the city’s open spaces have been privatized, either illegally or informally and more than 30% of these built-up
• Reduction in support and resources arising from political and socio-economic disturbances

• Serious deterioration of the built heritage (a high percentage of the residential houses being replaced by concrete and multi-storey buildings)
• The remaining houses in the city are rapidly deteriorating, due to the prevailing low income of the inhabitants
• Since the souq activities have been transferred outside the city, the ancient souq is almost empty and free from any type of activity and the shops are falling apart
• The traditional economic role of the city has vanished
• The city in general, is lacking any conservation and rehabilitation strategies
• Threats arising from the armed conflict in Yemen

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4357

Adopted; see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1282

Identified; see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4357

Total amount granted: USD 14,000 from the Italian Funds-in-Trust and the France-UNESCO Co-operation Agreement
Total amount granted to Yemeni cultural properties: USD 194,836 from the European Union for damage assessments, capacity development and emergency stabilization of damaged buildings and protection of archaeological sites
Total amount of USD 35,000 from UNESCO Regular Programme for the Sustainable Management of Tangible Heritage in the GCC and Yemen
USD 12,000 000 from the European Union for the project: Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen (Sana’a, Shibam, Zabid and Aden)

On 21 March 2019, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/611/documents/, and presents the following progress:

• The Historic Town of Zabid continues to face many threats, especially from armed conflict in close proximity to the property. The State Party has expressed particular concern about the bombardment of areas surrounding the property, and groups that might reach the property and cause damage to monuments, despite the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY), and ongoing cooperation with the local council and Zabid communities;
• Owing to the absence of international organizations and the deteriorating economic situation of the country, as well as the unstable security situation, GOPHCY has not been able to take extensive precautionary measures. Some initiatives have occurred, such as paving, improvement and drainage works financed by the Social Fund for Development. Preliminary surveys of damage in the city have been completed by the GOPHCY branch in Zabid. There has been a study of the roofing of the old market (souq), funded by the State Party of Germany, as well as studies on some of the conflict-affected buildings. GOPHCY has also reduced the spread of unauthorized construction and acted to redress previous unauthorized works;
• UNESCO has provided assistance through training programmes for GOPHCY, the General Organization of Antiquities and Museums (GOAM) personnel in Amman, Jordan, and through the Centre for Architectural Training and Studies. It is hoped that future training may further develop local expertise in technical fields that contribute to preserving historical monuments within the property, and in Yemen generally. Urgent financial assistance is still required for the physical conservation of buildings and, thereby, to support local communities’ and post-conflict recovery, which would eventually contribute to the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
• Nevertheless, GOPHCY still lacks the basic tools for maintenance activities, and lacks organizational support. There is an ongoing urgent need for the support of the international community, in addition to the efforts of the World Heritage Centre, Advisory Bodies and existing donors;
• The State Party indicates that it would welcome a Reactive Monitoring mission.

The security situation in Yemen, in combination with a lack of organizational support and resources, continues to obstruct both effective heritage management and physical conservation works within the property. However, the efforts of GOPHCY and local communities in training, documentation, damage assessment, first-aid interventions and other conservation initiatives are commendable. The training programmes that have been conducted in Amman, Jordan, and through the Centre for Architectural Training and Studies are also welcome.

The implementation of the European Union funded project “Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen”, began in 2019 through the UNESCO Office in Doha, and is expected to continue until 2021. The project will contribute to promoting livelihood opportunities for youth through urban regeneration activities. It comprises the restoration of particular buildings in the World Heritage Properties of Sana’a, Shibam and Zabid that have been damaged during the ongoing conflict. The project will also contribute to social cohesion and peace-building through targeted cultural programming and support for the civil society.

It remains necessary for a Reactive Monitoring mission to visit the property in order to advise on short-term repair works and to assist with the identification of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and associated corrective measures and timeframe, as soon as the security situation allows.

In the framework of the Third Cycle of the Periodic Reporting for the Arab States region, information was provided in relation to constructions within the property, without respecting the original materials and building techniques. Construction permits should pass through GOPHCY in order to guarantee compliance with building regulations.

It is recommended that the Committee again urge all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage.

Support from the international community remains essential for ensuring technical and financial resources, and for building capacities in adequate preventive and conservation measures at the property. There is no reported progress in the preparation of a Management Plan, in the finalization of the draft National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016 – 2020. or in the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage, adopted at the UNESCO expert meeting in July 2015. Prospects for financial and technical support are necessarily constrained until the security situation improves. It might be appropriate for the international community to continue to express its support, and where possible, to offer technical assistance.

Considering the above-mentioned information, it is recommended that the Committee retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.