The
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC) praised on Tuesday the progress
achieved by Egypt in preserving Historic Cairo, and proposed recommendations
for the preservation efforts. Written By/ Nevine El-Aref.
In
its annual report on the Urban Regeneration of the Historic Cairo Project
(URHC) published on Tuesday, the WHC praised "serious steps" taken by
Egypt to develop the area and "preserve its architectural and urban
heritage."
The
WHC welcomed "steps that have been taken to start and plan a major
[project to restore Historic Cairo] under the control of the Ministry of
Antiquities and the scope of its urban, cultural, economic and social goals
aimed at revitalising the old city structures, and a one-year work programme to
undertake studies and define an overall master plan."
The
WHC report praised the progress carried out by Egypt "in conformity with
the recommendations of the committee... in terms of putting in place both short
and long-term measures to address the urgent problems facing the urban fabric
of the old city and its socio-economic structures."
The
report also acknowledged efforts by Egyptian authorities to remove illegally
erected structures in historic Cairo and raise awareness among local residents
of the archaeological importance of the area.
The
WHC also welcomed proposals to put in place a new management structure for the
URHC, which would include the formation of a new body that could be
instrumental in driving the URHC Project forward.
The
committee recommended that Egypt give priority to the work of the URHC project
"to achieve its goals and submit the draft master plan and establish
benchmarks so that progress can be monitored and defined over time."
Mohamed
Abdel-Aziz, general director of the URHC, told Ahram Online that the Ministry
of Antiquities is scheduled to submit an update report on the state of
conservation in Historic Cairo for review by the WHC at its 43rd session in
2019.
Abdel-Aziz
also said that Egypt will invite a joint World Heritage Center and ICOMOS
monitoring mission to view the progress on the project and the impact of recent
administrative measures.
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