Vilnius Historic Centre
Factors affecting the property in 1997*
- Management systems/ management plan
- Other Threats:
Need for a comprehensive rehabilitation programme
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Limited financial resources (issue resolved);
- Need for a comprehensive rehabilitation programme
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1997
Total amount approved : 63,630 USD
| 1997 | Technical cooperation for the churches of St Bernard ... (Approved) | 15,000 USD |
| 1997 | Request to Organize a Training Course in Edinburgh Old ... (Approved) | 8,630 USD |
| 1996 | Financial assistance to launch the rehabilitation ... (Approved) | 25,000 USD |
| 1995 | Restoration strategy for the Old Town of Vilnius (Approved) | 15,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 1997**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1997
As foreseen, the International Donors' Conference, jointly organized by the Government of Lithuania and UNESCO, was held in Vilnius from 24 to 26 February last. This Conference was considered to be most successful both by participants and the Lithuanian authorities. The strategy for the enhancement of Old Vilnius, developed by international experts and the Lithuanians, was adopted by the Municipal Counsel of Vilnius and the Government of Lithuania, and endorsed by the Conference. The Agency for the Revitalization of Old Vilnius (OTRA) was created, as well as the Development Fund for Old Vilnius. An agreement was concluded between, on the one hand, UNDP and UNESCO and, on the other, the City of Vilnius and the Lithuanian Government, to support the establishment of OTRA, the elaboration of a programme of small projects involving the participation of citizens of the old City, and the institution of an operational framework to channel international technical assistance. Financial measures for the rehabilitation of the infrastructures of Old Vilnius were foreseen, such as the inclusion of a programme for Old Vilnius in the national investment budget and the issuance of municipal obligations.
A training programme for the safeguarding and presentation of Old Vilnius was initiated with the participation of ICCROM and the Edinburgh Old Town Renewal Trust.
With regard to bilateral assistance for Vilnius, Denmark and Canada have pledged to continue their cooperation. Furthermore, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Commission and private investment banks have offered their assistance to support the programme for the enhancement of Old Vilnius.
Action Required
The Bureau commended the State Party and the cooperating governments, institutions and agencies for their joint effort to conserve and rehabilitate the Vilnius Historic Centre, and requested to be kept informed on the progress made. The Bureau also recommended to the State Party to accelerate the operationalization of the OTRA as a key element for the revitalization of the Historic Centre. It called upon international and bilateral donors to further discussions with the Lithuanian authorities with a view to initiating cooperative agreements along the lines endorsed at the donors' meeting in February in Vilnius.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1997
21 BUR IV.B.47
Historic City of Vilnius (Lithuania)
After having taken note of the report made by World Heritage Centre consultant, the Bureau commended the State Party and the cooperating governments, institutions and agencies for their joint effort to conserve and rehabilitate the Vilnius Historic Centre, and requested to be kept informed on the progress made. The Bureau also recommended to the State Party to accelerate the operationalization of the Agency for the Revitalization of Old Vilnius (OTRA) as a key element for the revitalization of the Historic Centre. It called upon international and bilateral donors to further discussions with the Lithuanian authorities with a view to initiating cooperative agreements along the lines endorsed at the donors' meeting which was held in February 1997 in Vilnius.
Lithuania
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
