As early as 1979, indeed only four years after the proclamation of the World Heritage Convention, Kathmandu Valley was inscribed in the World Heritage List for its outstanding universal value as the cultural heritage of humankind. It was recognized that Kathmandu Valley, more precisely its seven monument zones - Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupati, Bauddha, Swayambhu and Changu Narayan embody the uniquely intricate and yet refined urban fabrics blended with Hindu, Buddhist and indigenous Newari cultures. This particularity does not exist in any other parts of the world but only in the Valley.
Over the last decade, Nepal has undergone a rapid social, economic and political transformation. Kathmandu has changed its characteristics from the traditional capital town of the Himalayan Kingdom into that of a "modern" city, and has become one of the world's most popular tourists' destinations. The traditional architectural beauty and unique structures, together with skills and materials associated with it, have to bow out in front of "modernization". Some important features in the universal value of the monument zones have been distorted if not lost. And finally in 2003, Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site was included in the "In-Danger" List, urging an urgent appropriate action not only to Nepal but also to the world to save the Valley.
The present publication is part of UNESCO's valuable contributions to the continued efforts in safeguarding the Kathmandu Valley. This, however, would not be completed without the participation and co-operation of the concerned expert and partners. The author, Mr. Kai Weise, Architect based in Nepal, with the financial assistance from the Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany in Kathmandu, had prepared in 2003-2004, a survey highlighting the present status of the seven monument zones. UNESCO Kathmandu Office found the survey extremely informative and useful with important implications for future interventions. In co-operation with the municipalities and The Department of Archaeology, HMG/Nepal, Mr Weise elaborated the survey further by adding priority areas for interventions, and evolved a technical survey into a present form of document for a wider audience.
At the crossroads of the Asian Himalayan civilization, Kathmandu valley with its ancient Hindu and Buddhist monuments and three glorious palace areas illustrates Nepali art at its height. Among them, seven monument zones have been recognized as the property of mankind and inscribed in the list of World Heritage Sites
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Publisher:
UNESCO
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(2004
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Type / Script:
Publication
in English
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Keywords:
CULTURAL HERITAGE, CIVILIZATION, HISTORIC BUILDINGS, MONUMENTS, CULTURAL DIVERSITY, CULTURE, RELIGIOUS GROUPS, LANGUAGES, CIVIL SOCIETY, TOURISM, SOIL CONSERVATION, FOREST CONSERVATION, POPULATION, ENVIRONMENT, CAPACITY BUILDING, DOCUMENTATION, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, ARCHAEOLOGY, COMMUNITY AWARENESS, RECONSTRUCTION, URBANIZATION, ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, COMMERCIALIZATION, INTERVENTION, AGRARIAN REFORM
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Thematic Group:
UNESCO
:
Educational, Scientific and Cultural
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Thesaurus:
15.00.00
- Cultural Development
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Reference Link:
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