Criteria for the inclusion of properties in the
World Heritage List
Cultural criteria:
A monument, group of buildings or site which is nominated for inclusion
in the World Heritage List will be considered to be of outstanding
universal value for the purpose of the Convention when the World
Heritage Committee finds that it meets one or more of the following
criteria and the test of authenticity. These criteria are defined
by the Committee in its Operational
Guidelines. Each property nominated should:
| i. |
represent a masterpiece of human creative genius; or |
| ii. |
exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span
of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments
in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning
or landscape design; or |
| iii. |
bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural
tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has
disappeared; or |
| iv. |
be an outstanding example of a type of building or architectural
or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a)
significant stage(s) in human history; or |
| v. |
be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement
or land-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures),
especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of
irreversible change; or |
| vi. |
be directly or tangibly associated with events or living
traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary
works of outstanding universal significance (the Committee considers
that this criterion should justify inclusion in the List only
in exceptional circumstances and in conjunction with other criteria
cultural or natural); |
Natural criteria:
A natural heritage property which is nominated for inclusion in
the World Heritage List will be considered to be of outstanding
universal value for the purposes of the Convention when the Committee
finds that it meets one or more of the following criteria specified
by Operational
Guidelines and fulfilling the conditions of integrity set out
below. Sites nominated should:
| i. |
be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's
history, including the record of life, significant on-going
geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant
geomorphic or physiographic features; or |
| ii. |
be outstanding examples representing significant on-going
ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development
of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and
communities of plants and animals; or |
| iii. |
contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional
natural beauty and aesthetic importance; or |
| iv. |
contain the most important and significant natural habitats
for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including
those containing threatened species of outstanding universal
value from the point of view of science or conservation;
|
When a site on the List is seriously endangered,
it is included on the List
of World Heritage in Danger, which gives it the right
to special attention and international assistance.
|
World Heritage
