From United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and UNESCO:
A landmark report providing the first detailed account of the devastating damage to the World Heritage Property of the Ancient City of Aleppo in the wake of years of armed conflict has been published by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and UNESCO.
The Ancient City of Aleppo is one of six Syrian World Heritage sites added to UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger in 2013. Five Years of Conflict: The State of Cultural Heritage in the Ancient City of Aleppo draws on satellite imagery assessment of a total of 518 sites, including the Citadel and the City’s Great Mosque (Omayyad Mosque). The findings, which are the most accurate to date, show that more than 10 per cent of the historic buildings of Aleppo were destroyed and some buildings have been severely damaged.
However, the assessment also found that a few buildings remain undamaged and 51 per cent of all buildings assessed are moderately damaged. The publication is a crucial tool as it provides technical information to plan the restoration and rehabilitation of the city.
Using publicly available satellite images and applying scientific methodology, imagery analysts from UNITAR’s Operational Satellite Applications Programme-UNOSAT worked closely with UNESCO’s cultural heritage experts as well as architects and archaeologists to assess damages to the City. A similar report assessing the state of all Syrian properties on the World Heritage list as well on the country’s Tentative List is under development and planned for publication in 2019.
Resources
Direct to Full Text Report
143 pages; PDF.
Direct to Report by Section
Additional Information
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