Panama’s heritage sites facing delisting by UNESCO

(newsroompanama.com) Panama faces another hit to its cultural heritage with UNESCO (The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) warning that that possibility of of Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo being delisted as World Heritage sites and put on the endangered list.

 The world body gave Panama's Government until February 1, 2011, to submit a detailed report on the situation of the two areas, prime tourist destinations, which will be assessed by the World Heritage Committee.

"If there is not substantial progress this site will be placed on the list of World Heritage in Danger", Says a UNESCO report prepared for the annual meeting in Brasilia, Brazil, from July 25 August.3

When UNESCO inspectors camed to Panama earlier in the year, concerned residents in Casco Antigua (Viejo) posted signs pointing out problems, but the authorities ordered the signs removed.

CINTA COSTERA PROBLEM

Among the concerns of UNESCO is the Cinta Costera extension, and at one point calls for a halt to the work. The agency questions the lack of information provided by the government.

When the current administration announced the extension of the coastal strip to Amador, it was believed the route would be underground as it passes through Casco Viejo . However, there is now information not yet confirmed that the road would be built along the ancient walls of the historic center, detracting from the original concept.

The 2010 UNESCO mission to Panama in 2010, noted that the Government had initiated the extension of the coastal strip to the Old Town, but had not provided information about the social, conservation requirements and assessments on the effects of work on the historic site, says the paper.

"The mission had to conclude that these studies and evaluations do not exist," the report stresses.

UNESCO also questions some restorations that have taken place in Casco Antiguo which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. It noted that have been aggressive interventions and alterations to existing structures in the area, which are "a serious damage to the integrity and authenticity of the place."

María Eugenia Herrera, director of INAC, (theNational Culture Institute) acknowledged that Panama must do more to preserve the site.

She said that by 2011 she hoped for more work to be done on the restoration of the Old Town.

On the coastal strip, Herrera said that UNESCO was given a concept paper of the work, but "gradually given more detailed information."

The UNESCO report is generating concern got the Association of Residents of Casco Antiguo.

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Original Source: http://www.newsroompanama.com/panama/1547-panamas-heritage-sites-facing-delisting-by-unesco.html
Date Retreived: August 12, 2010.