This year, UNESCO just announced the designation of eight new sites and the World Heritage Site Committee will continue voting on new additions until July 28, 2021.
Eight new sites
- Korean Tidal Flats, Republic of Korea
- Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, Thailand
- Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands, Georgia
- Arslantepe Mound, Turkey
- The Dutch Water Defence Lines, Netherland
- Colonies of Benevolence, Belgium/The Netherlands
- The emporium of the world, China
- Ramappa Temple, India
UNESCO’s selection criteria
To be recognised, sites must meet at least one out of ten critical selection criteria, such as:
- representing a masterpiece of human creative genius;
- exhibiting an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world of developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;
- bearing a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
- being an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history;
Being recognised as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites can impact positively on a community’s education, economy and culture. More external investment, stronger bonding of “community sense” and greater social inclusion can be achieved through a focus on protecting and promoting heritage matters.
