C O N T E X T 9 0 : J U LY 2 0 0 5 7 considers that a property is suitable for inscription on the world heritage list, it must first include it on the tentative list for the country concerned – after consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including site managers, local and regional authorities, local communities, non-governmental organisations, and any other interested parties. That list is then periodically (usually around every ten years) updated, and submitted to the secretariat of the World Heritage Centre.This enables all concerned to consider whether it would be appropriate for the properties concerned to be nominated and inscribed, in the light of the criteria considered above. A property can only be nominated when it has been on the tentative list for at least a year. A state may then nominate a site to the secretariat. The advisory bodies will be consulted for their views, seeking further information from the nominating government where necessary. The World Heritage Committee, which meets once a year, in July, decides whether or not to inscribe the property on the list. A property that is rejected may not be nominated again, other than in exceptional circumstances, such as where new information comes forward. As for the extent of a world heritage site, the Operational Guidelines state that the delineation of boundaries is an essential requirement in the establishment of effective protection of nominated properties. Thus, for cultural sites, ‘boundaries should be drawn to include all those areas and attributes which are a direct tangible expression of the outstanding universal value of the property, as well as those areas which in the light of future research possibilities offer potential to contribute to and enhance such understanding.’ The boundaries of the nominated property may coincide with one or more existing or proposed protected areas (such as, in the UK, conservation areas), but that will not always be appropriate. Wherever necessary for the proper conservation of the property, an adequate buffer zone should be provided. Clearly the implications of this in practice will vary considerably, according to the type of site. It seems that the sites inscribed on the list in the first few years of its existence did not have precise boundaries. That is no doubt being gradually rectified. Since 1995 it has not been possible for a site to be inscribed without a of human creative genius; (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, townplanning or landscape design; (iii) bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation which is living or which has disappeared; (iv) be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history; (v) be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change; (vi) be directly or tangible associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic works of outstanding universal significance. (The committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria)… To be deemed of outstanding universal value, a property must also meet the conditions of integrity and/or authenticity and must have an adequate protection and management system to ensure its safeguarding.’ Following the annual meeting of the committee in July 2004, 611 cultural sites, 154 natural sites and 23 mixed sites had been identified in 134 nations.There is now strong emphasis on establishing a representative, balanced and credible list – in other words, the west European states whose sites are currently well represented will in future find it more difficult to have further sites inscribed. Procedure Article 11 of the convention requires each state party to select properties in its territory that conform to the above criteria, and submit an inventory of them to the World Heritage Committee. The committee will then produce and periodically update a list of all such properties which it considers as having outstanding universal value. The practical outworking of this is provided for in the Operational Guidelines. Where a state (in practice, the relevant department of the national government) Liverpool’s Albert Dock warehouses, part of the world heritage site, form the largest group of Grade l listed buildings in England. Designed by Jesse Hartley, they opened in 1846–47. Liverpool’sWilliam Brown Street Conservation Area now forms the city’s principal cultural quarter. Its northern edge is defined by the former County Sessions Court, theWalker Art Gallery, the Picton Library, the museum and the former College of Technology, comprising an exceptionally fine parade of civic buildings.
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