INGENIEUR
always ) associated with religious or other monumental buildings and ensembles .
2 . The second category includes organically evolved landscapes which arose from an initial social , economic , administrative , and / or religious imperative and have developed their present form by association with and in response to their natural environment . Such landscapes reflect that process of evolution in their form and component features . They fall into two sub-categories : - a relic ( or fossil ) landscape is one in which an evolutionary process came to an end at some time in the past , either abruptly or over a period of time . Their significant distinguishing features are , however , still visible in material form ; and
- a continuing landscape is one which retains an active social role in contemporary society closely associated with a traditional way of life , and in which the evolutionary process is still in progress . At the same time it exhibits significant material evidence of its evolution over time .
3 . The final category is the associative cultural landscape . The inscription of such landscapes on the World Heritage List is justifiable by virtue of their powerful religious , artistic or cultural association with their natural element rather than material cultural evidence , which may be insignificant or even absent .
Inscription on the World Heritage List
The extent to which a cultural landscape may be eligible for Inscription on the World Heritage List will be based on its functionality and intelligibility . The sample selected must be substantial enough to adequately represent the totality of the cultural landscape that it illustrates . The possibility of designating long linear areas which represent culturally significant transport and communication networks should not be excluded .
General criteria for protection and management are equally applicable to cultural landscapes . It is important that due attention should be paid to the full range of values represented in the landscape , both cultural and natural . The nominations should be prepared in collaboration with and the full approval of local communities .
The existence of a category of “ cultural landscape ”, included on the World Heritage List on the basis of the criteria set out in the Operational Guidelines , does not exclude the possibility of properties of exceptional importance in relation to both cultural and natural criteria continuing to be inscribed . In such cases , their Outstanding Universal Value must be justified under both sets of criteria .
HISTORIC TOWNS AND TOWN CENTRES
Groups of urban buildings eligible for inscription on the World Heritage List fall into three main categories , namely : 1 . Towns which are no longer inhabited but which provide unchanged archaeological evidence of the past generally satisfy the criterion of authenticity and their state of conservation can be relatively easily controlled ;
2 . Historic towns which are still inhabited and which , by their very nature , have developed and will continue to develop under the influence of socio-economic and cultural change . However , there could be a situation that renders the assessment of their authenticity more difficult and any conservation policy more problematical ;
3 . New towns of the 20 th century which paradoxically have something in common with both the aforementioned categories : while their original urban organisation is clearly recognisable and their authenticity is undeniable , their future may be unclear because their development is largely uncontrollable .
Inscription on the World Heritage List
The significance of Historic Towns and Town Centres can be examined under the factors outlined below :
Towns no longer inhabited The evaluation of towns that are no longer inhabited does not raise any special difficulties other than those related to archaeological properties in general . The criteria calls for uniqueness or exemplary character that led to
52 VOL 85 JANUARY - MARCH 2021