Mission Report

Earthen architecture on the Lalibela World Heritage Site

Ishanlosen ODIAUA, ARCHITECT

Lalibela, Ethiopia
4 – 11 July 2010

With the financial support of the Italian Government

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Cover Photograph: View of Lalibela from Sebat Woyra (Seven Olives) Hill, July 2010

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... 3

List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ 4
Abbreviations and Acronyms................................................................................................... 5
Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... 6
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 7
1.1 Mission objective ................................................................................................................................ 7
1.2. Mission Implementation................................................................................................................... 7
2. Results...................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Characteristics of traditional earth houses and analysis of their state of conservation 9
2.1.1 Typologies of traditional earth houses ............................................................................................. 10
2.1.2 State of conservation of traditional earth buildings ................................................................... 12
2.2 Urban Characteristics of the World Heritage property ......................................................... 12
2.2.1 Ongoing changes and projects affecting the Lalibela urban landscape ............................ 14
2.3 Site management workshop .......................................................................................................... 15
2.4 Meeting with local authorities and other stakeholders......................................................... 16
3. Recommendations .............................................................................................................18
3.1 SWOT Analysis................................................................................................................................... 19
3.1.1 Strengths.......................................................................................................................................................... 19
3.1.2 Weaknesses .................................................................................................................................................... 19
3.1.3 Opportunities ................................................................................................................................................ 19
3.1.4 Threats.............................................................................................................................................................. 19
3.2 Action Plan for WHEAP in Lalibela .............................................................................................. 19
3.1.2 In situ pilot projects ................................................................................................................................... 20
3.1.3 Research .......................................................................................................................................................... 20
3.1.4 Training ............................................................................................................................................................ 21
3.1.5 Promotion/Advocacy ................................................................................................................................ 21
3.3 Recommendations for follow up work ....................................................................................... 22
4. Conclusions ..........................................................................................................................22
Annex 1 Map..........................................................................................................................23
Annex 2 Additional Photos ...............................................................................................24
Annex 3 References ............................................................................................................28
Annex 4 Mission programme ..........................................................................................29
Annex 5 Contacts .................................................................................................................30
Annex 6 Report on the National workshop.................................................................31
Annex 7 Extracts from WHEAP project document....................................................32
Development objective: ............................................................................................................................................. 32
Specific objectives: ....................................................................................................................................................... 32

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List of Figures
Figure 1 Part of church compound affected by first stage of resettlement programme. ................................ 9
Figure 2 Tukuls in Hadish Adi ........................................................................................................................ 9
Figure 3 Ground and first floor plan variation of a circular tukul (courtesy ARCCH) ..................................... 10
Figure 4 Unoccupied circular tukuls in church compound ........................................................................... 10
Figure 5 Remains of a square-shaped traditional building in church compound .......................................... 11
Figure 6 Variation of traditional tukul building in church compound ........................................................... 11
Figure 7 New buildings around Lalibela ....................................................................................................... 13
Figure 8 Urban sprawl of Lalibela, viewed from the Sebat Woyra Hill ......................................................... 14
Figure 9 Ongoing development project in Lalibela ....................................................................................... 15
Figure 10 New earth buildings under construction in Lalibela........................................................................ 24
Figure 11 Traditional building as art workshop and study area for Lalibela clergy.......................................... 24
Figure 12 Street scenes in Hadish Adi ............................................................................................................ 25
Figure 13 Stone wall laid in earth mortar ....................................................................................................... 26
Figure 14 NGO building based on traditional model ...................................................................................... 26
Figure 15 Hotel Construction outside the protected zone ............................................................................... 26
Figure 16 Sandro Angelini’s 1967 tukul .......................................................................................................... 27

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Abbreviations and Acronyms

ARCCH Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage

AROCT Amhara Regional Office for Culture and Tourism

CHDA Centre for Heritage Development in Africa

Craterre-ENSAG International Centre for Earth Construction Technology

EiABC Ethiopian Institute for Architecture, Building Construction and City Development

ESTDP Ethiopian Sustainable Development Project

LMC
Lalibela Municipal Council

TBD To Be Determined

UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation

WB The World Bank

WHC World Heritage Centre

WHEAP World Heritage Earthen Architecture Programme

WHS World Heritage Site

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Acknowledgements
Appreciation goes to the Italian Government for its generous support, through the Italian Funds in
Trust, that made the mission possible.

Appreciation also goes to the following:

 Ato Jara Haile Mariam, Director-General, Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural
Heritage (ARCCH)
 Abba Gebre Yesus Mekonen, Head of the Lalibela Orthodox Church
 Mr Mulugeta G/Medin, Mayor of Lalibela
 Mr Nigussu Damtew, ARCCH
 Mr Alemayehu Geberwold, ARCCH
 Mr Getu Assefa, National Programme Officer for Culture, UNESCO Addis Ababa Office
 Mr Francesco Bandarin, Director, UNESCO World Heritage Centre
 Mr Lazare Eloundou, Chief of Africa Unit, UNESCO World Heritage Centre
 Ms Nada Al-Hassan, Programme Specialist, UNESCO World Heritage Centre
 Ms Jana Weydt, Consultant, Assistant Programme Specialist, UNESCO World Heritage Centre
 Ms Yasmin Tayyab, Senior Social Development Specialist, World Bank Office, Addis Ababa

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1. Introduction
This is a report on a mission by the consultant, Ishanlosen Odiaua, on behalf of the UNESCO-World
Heritage Centre, to the world heritage site of the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia, from 4
– 10 July 2010. The mission was carried out under the auspices of its World Heritage Earthen
Architecture Programme (WHEAP).
The WHEAP is a programme approved by the World Heritage Committee, in 2001, for the
development of policies for the conservation, revitalisation and valorisation of earthen
architectural properties as well as to build capacity of the regional, national and site management
authorities and technical experts. Its overall aim is to develop appropriate methods and techniques
for improving the conservation and the management of the different typologies of earthen
architecture. Specifically it also aims to develop appropriate methods and techniques for improving
the sustainability of the conservation and management of the different types of earthen
architectural heritage inscribed on the World Heritage List and/or included in States Parties’
Tentative Lists. The implementation of the programme is planned in four phases – one preparatory
and three implementation phases – with each implementation phase focusing on two regions or
sub-regions. Under the first implementation phase of the programme (2009 – 2011), the focus is on
Africa and the Arab states. The programme is implemented through pilot projects that serve as a
basis for training and other activities aimed at a worldwide dissemination of the identified best
practices. Lalibela is one of the three selected African sites, for the implementation of pilot projects
under this first regional phase.

1.1 Mission objective

The purpose of the mission was to evaluate the possibility that earth architecture offers in the
enhancement of the general surrounding of the World Heritage property. Specifically, the objective
of the preparatory mission was to study the potential of earth architecture for the effective
conservation and urban management of the World Heritage property at Lalibela.
The terms of reference of the mission were:
1. To study the characteristics of traditional earth houses, and analyse their state of
conservation;
2. To visit the World Heritage property and its buffer zone in order to get a better idea of its
urban characteristics;
3. To attend the workshop on the conservation and management of Lalibela, from 6 – 8 July,
2010 in Lalibela and make a presentation on the objective and strategy of the mission;
4. To meet with local authorities in charge of the administration and management of Lalibela;
5. To propose a series of recommendations aimed at contributing to its conservation and
enhancement as an important part of the World Heritage property of Lalibela;
6. To prepare a detailed report on the results of the mission undertaken with recommendations
on further work.

1.2. Mission Implementation

The mission involved (for detailed mission schedule see Annex 2):
 Preparatory background study of the documents furnished by the UNESCO-WHC, as well as
World Bank (WB) documents on past and current WB projects in Lalibela, in particular, and
Ethiopia in general.
 A mission to Ethiopia, from 4 – 10 July 2010. The visit to Lalibela took place from 6 – 9 July.
 Participation at the WHC site management planning workshop which took place in Lalibela
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from 6 – 8 July provided an opportunity to listen in to the ongoing discussions on the issues
concerning the Lalibela World Heritage site in general. It also provided an opportunity to
meet representatives of the various stakeholders in the area.
 A tour around the general site, within the context of the aforementioned workshop enabled
a better understanding of the contexts that had been discussed earlier during the workshop.
This also involved meeting with the local population, municipal authorities. Further visits to
the town and outlying areas, were also made, outside the framework of the workshop.
 Meeting in Addis with staff of the national institution, Authority for Research and
Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) who also provided some complementary sources
from their archives.
Follow up communication was also necessary after the time on the field and this was done through
phone calls and electronic mails. This included communication with the World Bank social specialist
for the Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Development, Ms Yasmin Tayyab.

2. Results
Lalibela was inscribed on the World Heritage list 32 years ago and has undergone intense change in
the intervening period. At the time of inscription in 1978, the property description included the
eleven rock-hewn churches and “the vernacular architecture of Lalibela that is of a two-storey
‘tukul’ (round house) constructed with the characteristic red local stone. This traditional architecture
is rapidly disappearing, but should be conserved as a proper surrounding to the churches”.1
The ICOMOS site evaluation further goes on to state, under criterion III that “the Lalibela ensemble
is an exceptional witness of medieval and post-medieval Ethiopia that conserves, besides the eleven
churches listed in the proposal, extensive remains of the traditional dwelling – two-storey circular
houses with internal staircases and thatch roofs – and it is essential to protect this to the same level
as the rocky elements of the religious architecture”2.
The mission noted that there was no clear demarcation of the core and buffer zones, as this was a
work in progress awaiting finalisation and passage into law. This is one of the priorities of the
management planning committee. The mission however was given access to a report in which the
features of the core zone are outlined as:
- The rock-hewn churches
- The residential neighbourhoods of Hadish Adi and Sebat Weira
- The sacred mountains of Debre Zeit and Debre Tabor
- The orthodox Christian cemetery and
- The monastery and other outlying areas. (WUB Consult3 (a), 2010)
For the purpose of this report, we refer to the site (core zone) as that which includes the eleven
churches and the surrounding settlement of Hadish Adi. This is because this is the oldest residential
area and it also has the highest concentration of traditional buildings.

1
Nomination file, Rock-Hewn Churches Lalibela, UNESCO, 1978
2
“L'ensemble de Lalibela offre un témoignage exceptionnel sur la civilisation de l'Ethiopie médievale et post-médievale en
conservant, à coté des onze églises énumérées dans la proposition, des vestiges étendus d'habitat traditionnel – des maisons
circulaires à deux niveaux avec escalier intérieur et couverture de chaume - qu'il est indispensable de protéger et de conserver
au même titre que les éléments rupestres d'architecture religieuse.” ICOMOS evaluation report on the Rock-Hewn Churches of
Lalibela, 1978
3
WUB Consult is a consultancy firm that carried out a number of studies in Lalibela under the auspices of the ESTDP, on behalf of
the Ethiopian Government

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Figure 1 Part of church compound affected by first stage of resettlement programme. Note the new thatch on the
remaining buildings. Dense concentration of buildings in right foreground is part of Hadish Adi village

2.1 Characteristics of traditional earth houses and analysis of their state of

conservation
The oldest buildings in Lalibela are in Hadish Adi, Chefregotch, Sebat Weira, May Dagm and Tecco.
Of these, Hadish Adi is in very close proximity with the church compound. The socio-economic
situation assessment by WUB Consult records that buildings that are over 20 years old constitute
91.26% of building stock in the village (WUB Consult (d), 2010).

Figure 2 Tukuls in Hadish Adi

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2.1.1 Typologies of traditional earth houses

Figure 3 Ground and first floor plan variation of a circular tukul (courtesy ARCCH)

Figure 4 Unoccupied circular tukuls in church compound

The traditional housing of Lalibela is characterised by two main types of buildings: the circular one-
storey tukul houses (ground and one floor), with external staircases leading to the upper level and
the rectangular one-storey residences (ground and one floor). There are also circular single room
buildings on only one level. In both cases, the walls are built of stone laid in mud mortar. The
interior surfaces of the walls are often plastered with a rich mix of earth, straw and cow dung. The
earth is mixed with straw from the teff plant (Eragrostis tef) and the mixture is applied to the wall
after undergoing necessary processing. Sometimes cow dung is used almost completely on its own
as a plaster for the internal and external wall surfaces.
In a 1970 study of the historic dwellings of Lalibela, Sandro Angelini describes the two types of
vernacular housing that can be found in the area: the round ‘tukuls’, built in stone, and the circular
earth (chika) buildings, which he refers to as ‘poorer and deriving from forms’ in the surrounding
countryside. This second category of chika building is a round, single storey building of wattle and
earth chika daub. His report also included an inventory in which the traditional buildings of Lalibela
were place in three categories, according to their state of conservation and for which he briefly

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prescribes conservation measures.4 He further goes on to identify the presence of rectangular

buildings that had emerged as a result of ‘new economic rules’ and which were ‘irreversible’ in
character (Angelini, 1970). Today, there are few new recently constructed traditional tukul houses
around the protected areas. Angelini also built a house based on the traditional model in 1967,
which he modified to include water areas. The building is still functional and occupied. The
dominant housing types in Lalibela today are adapted from the traditional buildings. These are
rectangular row houses with walls of wood frames (wattle) infilled with earth (daub) and covered
over with corrugated iron roofs.

Figure 5 Remains of a square-shaped traditional building in church compound

Figure 6 Variation of traditional tukul building in church compound

The wooden poles used for the creation of the structural frames for the earth buildings are often
eucalyptus trees, exotic trees imported into the region from Australia, under the reign of Menelik II
in the late 19th to early 20th century. The apparent preference for this method over the stone
buildings is most likely one of economic expediency. The continued use of the wooden poles and
the accelerated rate of growth of the town also raise questions of possible deforestation, one that

4
It was not possible to obtain this inventory that was an annex to Angelini’s report.
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is being addressed by the Municipal authorities in its current master plan. Possible termite attack of
the wooden frames, buried directly in the ground, cannot also be ruled out.
The use of stone in the construction of new building walls is increasingly restricted to the base of
the building, where it is applied as a protective cladding for the lower levels of the timber frames.
Rough and undressed stones continue to be used for compound fences. This reduced application of
stone is most likely due to economic reasons. The cost of stone buildings is affected by two main
conditions:
(i) the cost of dressing the stones and
(ii) the time needed to raise the building, which requires more skill than that needed for the
earth buildings.
A small earth building of 10m2 can be raised in two weeks: from the time of the laying of the poles
and the roof to the application of the first layer of earth on the walls. Unskilled labour can be used
to fill in the wooden frame, at a cost of 20 Birr (1.25 USD) per day, which represents the lowest
prices obtainable. This type of labour is available from farmers in between the planting season.
More skilled labour is required for good quality plaster work on the earth walls and costs in this
case can go up to 50 Birr (3.62 USD) per day.
2.1.2 State of conservation of traditional earth buildings
The ensemble of the WHS of the Laibela Rock-Hewn Churches was inscribed on the basis of
justification of criteria (i), (ii) and (ii). Criterion (iii) especially refers to the traditional architecture of
the site as providing a contextual background for the World Heritage property. The description and
inventory of the WHS, as listed in the nomination dossier, clearly includes the traditional buildings
which “aesthetically, technically or socially speaking ……. represent a valueable neighbourhood to
the churches”5 . Thus the site would be incomplete without these buildings.
Adequate care should be taken to guarantee the integrity of the WHS site by ensuring that the
traditional earth architecture, which formed an integral part of its nomination to The List, is
conserved. Development and population pressure are the biggest threats faced by the traditional
architecture of the WHS. Economic conditions often force people to methods of construction,
different from the traditional methods, to meet their accommodation needs. Over crowding in
Hadish Adi makes it difficult to appreciate the beauty of some of the older buildings.
Overall, there is strong evidence of a continuing tradition in earth architecture, a tradition that is
continually evolving in terms of methods and materials. Thatch has been replaced by corrugated
iron sheets and the stonewall structure by a wooden bearing structure covered in earth (wattle and
daub).

2.2 Urban Characteristics of the World Heritage property

The settlement and housing issues on the World Heritage Site and its buffer zone are mostly those
related to urban pressure and the attendant challenges associated with population growth.
Lalibela town is approached from the airport by a winding road through the surrounding hills in the
countryside. With an estimated population of over 34, 029, Lalibela is organised into administrative
units headed by a mayor, having attained municipal status in 2007. The basic administrative unit is
a kebele (ward) and there are two urban kebeles and three rural kebeles in Lalibela.
There are signs of ongoing construction work all over the town, from road construction to drainage
and housing construction. Recent projects by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) and various
international development partners have resulted in an upsurge of construction activities in and

5
Nomination dossier, text on annex photo to dossier, 17

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around the site. This upsurge has also invariably provided an opportunity for the development of an
urban development master plan for Lalibela with clear demarcation of the protected areas.
Considering the matter of vistas, the maintenance of a strict code on development and housing
stock will go a long way in ensuring the maintenance of the urban integrity of the Lalibela landscape
which is one of its biggest selling points. The soon-to-be promulgated local development plan for
Lalibela makes provisions for the control of building heights according to topographic conditions, to
ensure that the vistas of the site are not disturbed by tall buildings intruding into the skyline. Prior
to this time, there have however been a few previous developments that have clearly intruded on
the skyline.
Lalibela consists mainly of dispersed settlements that spring from a central node around the
churches and spreads out into the surrounding country side, most of which is not built up due to
the nature of the topography. About 80% of the buildings around the churches, and in outlying
areas, are made of earth, in different combinations with wood and stone. Most of these buildings
have galvanised iron roofs irrespective of the material of wall construction. The older sections of
the town can be clearly marked out by the colour of their iron roofs that have been oxidised and
have changed colour. There are very few private residences built in concrete blocks. One of the
dominant challenges in the residential areas around the church is that of human waste disposal.
74.8% of the houses in Hadish Adi do not have toilet facilities (WUB Consult (c), 2010), and this
leads to the use of the open areas around the village as toilets. This greatly diminishes the
experience of the site, especially during viewing from the top of the Sebat Woyra (Seven Olives)
Hill.

Figure 7 New buildings around Lalibela

The churches form the focus of the Lalibela human settlement. The church compound was
demarcated by a stonewall in 1984, and occupies an area of 25 hectares of which 40% were
occupied by non-church activities, including 258 households. These households contained a total of
1,300. The 1999 master plan of Lalibela has been adhered to by the Municipal authorities and has
restricted any further developments in the church areas and the designated buffer zones (Berhanu,
2009).
As part of the development planning process for Lalibela town, WUB Consult carried out an
independent demographic and housing survey that established that the housing stock of Lalibela
town consists of 3,975 housing units. 75.6% of these housing units are made of earth and wood.
Stone and earth buildings make up 16.3% of the total housing stock of Lalibela. The number of
thatch roofs had also decreased from 30% in 1994 (recorded from the population and housing

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census) to 13.3% in 20096. This remained the observation at the time of the mission. Most new
stone construction is taking place around the investment interests of hotel developments – in the
context of reinforced concrete structures and stone clad walls.

Figure 8 Urban sprawl of Lalibela, viewed from the Sebat Woyra Hill

New buildings can be observed outside the central core, built wholly of modern materials and
usually of administrative, institutional or commercial nature. There are also several temporary
structures (steel boxes) that line the main streets and are used for commercial purposes.
Most of the traditional buildings belong to private individuals. However some of the buildings
belong to the local government, having been acquired during the nationalisation process of the
1970s. This led to a situation in which single-family tukuls became home for two families, with one
on either floor. With the average tukul ranging in diametre from 3.5m - 6m in diameter the
pressure on housing resources were increased. Data from Wubshet Berhanu’s 2009 ESTDP (derived
from the Lalibela Town Municipal Services Office report of 2001) resettlement policy framework
report show that over 50% of the houses in the church compound were on plots of less than 50m 2,
often representing the area occupied by the house itself.
Households displaced from the church compound have each been given 150m 2 plots, irrespective
of the size of the plot at their former area of residence, in the new areas. In addition a lump sum of
money, representing the worth of the property in the former area is disbursed to the beneficiaries,
to enable them build up the new site. The provision of larger plots for many of the former
inhabitants of the site also opens up the possibility for them to provide vegetable gardens that, in
no small way, aids in improving the family diet.
2.2.1 Ongoing changes and projects affecting the Lalibela urban landscape
There were several projects going on in Lalibela at the time of the visit, as part of the
implementation of national and international development projects. Few residential buildings in
Lalibela, as at this date, are built in concrete. One of the reasons for this is that the cost of concrete
blocks is high, often up to 14 Birr per bock. This was explained by the fact that the blocks come

6
This information was obtained from the WUB Consult 2010 report on the Lalibela Town development project.

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from a nearby town where they cost far less but the cost increases with transportation into the
town. In a town where the economic challenges to the population are high, this can be very well
understood.
The current drive by the multi lateral programmes that are currently underway is aimed at
addressing these socio-economic challenges. This invariably could create a situation in future that
improved economic conditions might also lead to increased desire for ‘modern’ concrete houses.
This is where the danger lies. If the earth houses are viewed as unsanitary or unable to allow for the
conveniences of modern life, people will need little motivation to switch over once their economic
bases are improved.

Figure 9 Ongoing development project in Lalibela (L) shelter construction in park (R) drainage construction, July 2010

A major development project currently underway in Lalibela is the World Bank-financed Ethiopian
Sustainable Tourism Development Project whose main objective is to alleviate poverty through the
sustained implantation and development of a vibrant tourism sector in Ethiopia. Lalibela is one of
three project sites: the others being Axum and Addis Ababa. One of the three project components,
destination development, has triggered involuntary resettlement as a result of its requirement for
the rehabilitation of heritage sites and the enhancement of basic infrastructure. Prior to the take
off of the ESTDP project, the Lalibela town administration, with the support from the Amhara
National Regional State administration relocated 98 households from the church compound. This
was an intervention initiated independently of the ESTDP by the town administration, and the
consequent the resettlement activity was neither informed nor guided by the Resettlement Policy
Framework or the Resettlement Action Plan of the World Bank project. The Terms of Reference for
the resettlement have been issued and the final action plan is due for submission by the end of
October 2010. The resettlement policy framework of the ESTDP recommends the demolition of
over 200 households in Hadish Adi. It also recommends that certain buildings be conserved and
adaptively reused as shops and offices.

2.3 Site management workshop

The UNESCO-WHC held a site management workshop, from 6 – 8 July and this provided an
excellent opportunity for the mission to meet with many stakeholders who are closely linked to the
site. This workshop took place within the framework of the “conservation Action Plan for the
Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela Phase II” with funds from the Norwegian Government and
implemented under cooperation between UNESCO and the Ethiopian Authority for Research and
Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH). Its main focus was to establish a committee to develop
a site management plan as part of the strategy to strengthen the site management systems.
The discussions at the workshop touched on the following:
 The need to involve national professionals in any conservation work to be carried out at the
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site.
 The need to move ahead in the conservation activities and ensure the completion of the
conservation activities.
 The proposed intervention action and materials for the conservation of the churches were
also discussed.
The workshop split up into working groups that each looked at the issues of: conservation, legal and
policy frameworks and tourism that were the key issues to be considered in the management plan.
The workshop also included a visit around the site to point out the effects of the ongoing projects
on the World Heritage property. In conclusion of the workshop, a management planning technical
committee was set up to complete a management plan for the site, working closely with the
UNESCO consultant, Dr Abungu.

2.4 Meeting with local authorities and other stakeholders

The achievement of the objectives of the WHEAP requires that all stakeholders be brought on
board. The mission identified the key stakeholders and met with some of them.
A meeting was held with the Mayor of Lalibela (head of the Lalibela Municipal Council), Mr
Mulugeta G/Medin, in his office. He indicated the commitment of the Council to the faithful
implementation of the Lalibela Master plan as well as its encouragement of the continued use of
local building materials and designs. The Master Plan generally refers to the Structure and Local
Development Plan Project of Lalibela Town, a project of the Government of Ethiopia. Three
volumes touching on the socio-economic, urban situation and time-space development, as well as
supporting documents, have been prepared by WUB Consult, in partnership with the Municipal
Council and the final government approvals were yet to be passed as at the time of the mission.
Careful attention is to be paid to the respect for cultural norms in the protected zones, in line with
the requirements of international regulations. He also explained that in the redevelopment plan for
the areas from which people were being resettled, preference would be given to displaced persons
in the allocation of the re-adapted spaces.
The overall conservation of the Lalibela site is the responsibility of ARCCH, the national heritage
institution. ARCCH is committed to ensuring the conservation of the traditional building heritage of
Lalibela. The main thrust of their conservation programme is to identify the buildings that are
representative of the architecture in the area, within the core zone, and ensure their conservation
through an active re-adaptation for tourism and economic-generating purposes.
The ARCCH and Lalibela Municipal Council are committed to the implementation of the
recommendations and prescriptions of the existing ESTDP project as well as to the international
heritage conservation conventions to which Ethiopia is signatory. This involves the study of the old
buildings that will in turn inform the selection of buildings that are to be conserved on the basis of
typological representation in order to ensure that a wide array of architectural heritage is
conserved to assure the historical ‘footprints’ of the Lalibela area.
The conservation action plan project has already identified a number of beneficiaries for the
churches. The table below identifies the key stakeholders for the management of the broader
landscape in which the churches are located.

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Category Description Responsibilities Interests/expectations

Community Home Continued conservation of the  Improved living conditions
owners/tenants built heritage of Lalibela  Improved livelihoods
Institutional The Ethiopian  Primary custodians of the  Limit damages caused to
Orthodox Church main features of the WHS, the churches by poor waste
Lalibela churches management in surrounding area
 Improved church
surroundings, better lodging for
monks and nuns
Local Lalibela Municipal  Primary implementing arm of  Improved revenue from
Government Council government policies at local tourism receipts
level  Improvement of
infrastructural amenities for
government
 To be able to exert political
power on course of events
 In support of maintaining the
landscape and its attributes
Regional Amhara regional  Coordinates regional heritage  The effective harnessing of
Government office of culture matters under the federal system the cultural resources for the
and tourism  Coordinate with ARCCH in promotion of tourism and
management in the management enhanced regional revenue
of Lalibela  Improved site conservation
Federal The Authority for  Responsible, in coordination  Interest in maintaining
Government Research and with regional and local landscape as a cultural asset
Conservation of governments, for the  Improved site conservation
Cultural Heritage implementation of the  Guidelines to ensure the
(ARCCH) management and conservation effective management of the
plan of the WHS of Lalibela traditional buildings on the site
 UNESCO’s primary contact for
WHEAP
Ethiopian Ministry  Supervising ministry of the  Primary interest is increasing
of Culture and ARCCH tourism revenue Enhancement of
Tourism  Ensures coordination national tourism receipts
between heritage management  Has tourism in maintaining
and tourism promotion landscape as a tourism asset
 Hosts the World Bank ESTDP
programme
Research Ethiopian Institute  To develop effective  Mandate to provide adapted
interests of Architecture, architectural solutions to solutions to Ethiopian urban
Building urban environments in development
Construction and Ethiopia  Favours hands-on, applied
City Development, research
Addis Ababa
University
Amhara Urban  To develop and implement To be determined (TBD)
Planning Institute local development plans for
better living conditions
Craterre-ENSAG  Temporary secretariat of  Research in earth
WHEAP and responsible for architecture/construction
coordination of WHEAP
activities

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Category Description Responsibilities Interests /Expectations

Private Hotel Proprietors  Development of tourism  Encouragement of traditional
sector/Civil facilities building models in hotel
society  Entrepreneurship development
Non  Act as a bridge between  Identification and
Governmental government and civil society development of business skills in
Organisations earth construction
 Forestation and ‘greening’
programmes
Development UNESCO  Overall oversight  Successful implementation of
and responsibility for World WHEAP
International Heritage Sites and
partners programme coordination of
WHEAP
World Bank  Fund and supervise the  Major road construction in
ESTDP project Lalibela
 Enhancement of the quality
and variety of heritage as a
tourism product and services
 Increased national foreign
exchange earnings,
 Job creation
CHDA  Responsibility for regional  Involvement in coordination
training activities of WHEAP activities in the Africa
region

3. Recommendations to conserve and enhance earth architecture as an

important part of the World Heritage property of Lalibela
The various development projects underway in Lalibela could invariably create a situation in which
improved economic conditions might also lead to increased desire for ‘modern’ concrete houses.
This is where the danger lies. If the earth houses are viewed as unsanitary or unable to allow for the
conveniences of modern life, people will need little motivation to switch over once their economic
bases are improved.
The mission has identified the following key issues concerning earth architecture and the overall
conservation of the site:
 Quality of earth housing stock
 Integration of sewage and drainage in the buildings
 Development of settlement plans that take into consideration the conservation of the
churches
 Creation of sustainable livelihoods in earth construction
 Termite attack on wooden frames of buildings
These are strictly technical issues that must be taken into account when formulating the
management plan for the site as well as in the development of a Lalibela-specific WHEAP project.
There is a need to improve on the existing earth buildings to ensure that they are conducive for the
requirements of modern living and that there will be no detrimental changes in future, based on
improved socio-economic situations.

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The national and regional heritage conservation authorities must be fully committed to full
involvement in the identification and documentation of buildings that need to be conserved.
There are definitely needs on the ground as well as expectations from the local community and the
national and regional institutions. In view of ongoing actions, it is necessary to elaborate an action
plan to ensure that there is a consolidation of efforts.

3.1 SWOT Analysis

The resulting analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to earth architecture
on the site are presented below.
3.1.1 Strengths
The continued use of earth as a building material allows for continued long term use of the material
for the maintenance of the material character of the built environment.
The continued use of earth materials invariably means that there is a continuity of the necessary
know-how for the perpetuation of earth architecture.
The fact that certain old buildings in Hadish Adi are still standing gives hope for documentation and
informed decision making for conservation purposes.
3.1.2 Weaknesses
The lack of a functional site plan that makes clear demarcations and establishes the boundaries
between the core zone, the buffer zone and the rest of the town makes it difficult to determine the
extent of the built up area within the core zone.
There is insufficient documentation of the existing housing stock in the core and buffer zone. The
typologies of earth buildings present in the protected area have yet to be fully known and
documented.
3.1.3 Opportunities
The on-going ESTDP-related activities present opportunities that could be harnessed for the
WHEAP, seeing as there are existing possibilities for interlacing activities related to the
conservation of traditional architecture and the built environment around the churches (see Project
no CS 1, CS 2, CS 5, P 5 in the ESTDP cultural and social safeguards plan for Lalibela) 7. P 5 is a specific
project for a survey of vernacular architectural heritage.
3.1.4 Threats
The resettlement and demolition programme going on in the church compound and that
programmed for Hadish Adi could endanger some of the earth buildings, irreplaceable heritage
resources.

3.2 Action Plan for WHEAP in Lalibela

The action plan will be developed in line with the main thrust of the activities outlined in the
WHEAP project document. An extract of the relevant section is included in Annex 4. The sharing of
responsibilities has been left out of the action plan, and it is hoped that this portion can be
completed in time after due deliberations with the various stakeholders.

7
CS1 - Enhancing and Redevelopment of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
CS2 – Buffer Zone Upgrading, awareness creation
CS5 – Identification of World Heritage Site boundaries
P5 - Vernacular architectural heritage survey
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3.1.2 In situ pilot projects

WHEAP Activities Lalibela-specific Time Frame
Elaboration of conservation Development of site management plan which makes As outlined in
and management plans provision for the inclusion of earth architecture relevant UNESCO
programme
document
Elaboration of land use - Lalibela Master Plan (under way) 9 months
plans and building - Need to include materials section specifying earth
regulations architecture
Conservation projects for Development of a conservation programme for earth TBD8
the historic part of Lalibela buildings in the protected area
town
Documentation and mapping of existing buildings
On-site training for sites Inclusion within the ESTDP project???? TBD
managers, technicians, Training workshop
craftsmen, tourism guides
Elaboration of technical - Development of technical specifications for conservation TBD
guides for restoration and of old buildings
rehabilitation - Identification and documentation of traditional earth
construction practices and intangible practices
- Improvement of existing housing stock and development
of technical specifications for new earth buildings
- Addressing thatch and roofing related matters for
conservation of historic buildings
In-situ experimentation - Design of different models of conservation techniques TBD
and earth buildings
- Testing of design models
- Testing of different composite systems of earth, stone
and wood

3.1.3 Research
WHEAP Activities Lalibela-specific Time Frame
Study analysis and - Determination of evolutionary trends in earth TBD
synthesis of the factors architecture through survey
affecting earthen - Projection of possible future trends
architecture properties - Evaluation of factors that affect conservation and
development of earthen architecture
Laboratory research on raw - Classification of local building soils TBD
materials, stabilisation, - Identification of appropriateness of soils for different
quality control, damp earth construction techniques
migration, salts - Determination of appropriate stabilisation methods for
different techniques
- Possible laboratory simulations of decay in local contexts
- Evaluation of decay characteristics in old earth walls
Applied research and - Application of laboratory results on existing and new TBD
documentation buildings
- Design and test of building systems that include water
spaces (kitchens, bathrooms)
Experimentation using - Hands-on training workshops using derived prototypes TBD
prototypes samples or based on laboratory tests
other methods

8
To be Determined

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 WHEAP MISSION REPORT, LALIBELA 21

WHEAP Activities Lalibela-specific Time Frame

Thematic / Technical - Hands-on training workshops using derived prototypes TBD
seminars with site based on laboratory tests
managers and earthen
architecture conservation
specialists
Research activities in - Derivation of further research orientations based on TBD
relation with the in-situ observations from surveys
pilot projects

3.1.4 Training
WHEAP Activities Lalibela-specific Time Frame
Organisation of specialised - Training in earth wall conservation methods
courses
Thematic seminars - Conservation of unique urban characteristics of
settlements built in earth
- Managing new developments in earth architecture
settlements
Assistance to Regional - Inclusion of participants from national and regional
institutions in developing institutions in training and thematic activities
training on earthen - Development of training materials for national training
architecture at different institutions, possible application in the region TBD
levels (vocational, basic,
university, post graduate);
Preparation of basic teaching - Preparation of relevant section for inclusion in the larger
material for dispatching to context of a teaching manual for worldwide
the UNESCO earthen dissemination
architecture Chair network,
including institutional
embedment, specific training,
insertion in curricula.

3.1.5 Promotion/Advocacy
WHEAP Activities Lalibela-specific Time Frame
Publication of a series of - Publication of applied research results (Amharic a must)
technical books on earthen - Conservation results
architecture in general and - Publication on technical issues
on World Heritage Earthen
Architecture in particular
(management plans,
preventive conservation,
etc.)
Publish promotional and - Publication of promotional materials on earthen
awareness exhibitions and architecture heritage of Lalibela for distribution to visitors
TBD
booklets;
Support of educational and
public awareness initiatives
Organisation of international Organisation of at least one conference in Lalibela to present
meetings/conferences for the results of WHEAP activities in Lalibela
Earthen architecture site
managers; Support given to
the organisation of regional
and global conferences on
earthen architecture
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3.3 Recommendations for follow up work

1. In cooperation with ESTDP, update the baseline of earthen architecture in lalibela using
satellite images. Comparison would be made with Angelini’s 1970 report “Lalibela Project:
Historic dwellings”. This is relatively urgent given the resettlement plans of the ESTDP, in the
drive to improve the site, and the risk that significant heritage might be lost in the absence of a
baseline. This is also of relevance to the management plan project. I suggest UNESCO
communicate directly with ESTDP and ARCCH to follow up on this.
2. Coordination with the site management plan committee to ensure that the concern of WHEAP
are given consideration in the final management plan.
3. UNESCO should promote inter-institutional cooperation and research with local partners,
constitute a working group for the WHEAP in Lalibela and hold a small workshop in cooperation
with the site management plan committee.
4. UNESCO to organize a follow up mission within the next 6 months, with an emphasis on the
preceding three points. The objective would be to flesh out the action plan outlined in the this
report

4. Conclusions
The traditional domestic architecture of Lalibela remains an inextricable part of the Lalibela World
Heritage Site, providing the perfect backdrop to the World Heritage property. It enhances the
integrity of the site as well as completes the understanding of the link between the spiritual function
of the monumental churches and the daily lives of the people that live in the community. It embodies
a rapidly disappearing technical competence that needs to be conserved.
The continued conservation of the churches in Lalibela cannot be separated from the well-being of
the community that continues to live around it. The built environment around the churches
constitutes a fundamental part of the protected property. In keeping with the spirit of community
development and the enhancement of the lives of the people in whose communities World Heritage
properties are found, there is a need to work closely with the Government of Ethiopia and other
partners to achieve this goal.
The protected area of the Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches and its associated urban environment holds
a great potential for the development and growth of earth architecture. The WHEAP must seize the
existing opportunity of a high acceptance of earth architecture by the local population to collaborate
to ensure that it remains relevant in the long term in ensuring the integrity of this World Heritage
property.
The continued use of earth as a building material needs to be encouraged in its present form. Its
continued use in the area is a clear indication of the fact that there exists abundant manpower and
skills to ensure its perpetuity. These skills need to be built upon and encouraged at all levels of
society.

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Annex 1 Map
This map is courtesy of the report “Terms of reference for the preparation of the resettlement action
plan of the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism” and is only here presented to give an
overview of the Lalibela site. IT IS IN NO WAY A SUBSTANTIVE PLAN OF THE WORLD HERITAGE
PROPERTY.

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Annex 2 Additional Photos

Figure 10 New earth buildings under construction in Lalibela

Figure 11 Traditional building as art workshop and study area for Lalibela clergy

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Figure 12 Street scenes in Hadish Adi. Note the state of conservation of the wattle and daub buildings

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Figure 13 Stone wall laid in earth mortar Figure 14 NGO building based on traditional model

Figure 15 Hotel Construction outside the protected zone. Note mixed use of stone and concrete

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Figure 16 Sandro Angelini’s 1967 tukul

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Annex 3 References
ANGELINI, S. (1970). Lalibela Project: historic dwellings . Project report , Bergamo.
BERHANE, Z. (1984, November 26 - 30). A note on the history of traditional building materials of Ethiopia. Addis
Ababa: Institute of Ethiopian Studies .
BERHANU, W. (2009, March). Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Development Project: Resettlement Policy
Framework. Addis Ababa: Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Ethiopia, F. R. (2009, January). Ethiopian Sustainable Development Project: Cultural Heritage and Social
Safeguards for Lalibela, Touri. 110. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Development Project. (2010). Terms of Reference for the preparation of
Resttlement Action Plan. Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism. (2009, March 11). Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Project:
Environmental and Social Management Framework. Addis Ababa: Federal Ministry of Culture and
Tourism.
ICOMOS. (1978, April 24). Evaluation report on Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela: Liste du Patrimoine Mondial
No 18. Paris: ICOMOS.
LAUREANO, P. (2008, July). Conservation Action Plan for the Rock-Hewn Churches in Lalibela. World
Monuments Fund/UNESCO-WHC.
The World Bank. (2009, April 20). Implementation Completion and results report for Ethiopian Cultural Heritage
Project. Washington DC: World Bank.
The World Bank. (2009, June 5). Project Appraisal Document. Ethiopia Sustainable Tourism Development
Project. The World Bank.
UNESCO. (1978, January). Nomination Form: Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela . Paris: UNESCO.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (2007, March 7 - 12). Mission Report. Rock-hewn churches, Lalibela Ethiopia .
Paris: UNESCO .
UNESCO. (2008, May). Project Document. Conservation Action Plan for the rock-hewn churches, Lalibela, Phase
2. Paris: UNESCO.
UNESCO. (2009). Project Document. World Heritage Earthen Architecture Programme 2007/2017. Paris:
UNESCO.
UNESCO-WHC. (2008). Conservation Project for Africa in the framework of the World Heritage Earthen
Architecture Programme. Paris: UNESCO.
WUB Consult (a). (2010, April). Report on the Proposals of the structure plan of Lalibela. Addis Ababa: WUB
Consult.
WUB Consult (b). (2010, April). Structure and Local Development Plan Preparation Project of Lalibela Town.
Urban and Regional Situation Assessment, I. Addis Ababa: WUB Consult.
WUB Consult (c). (2010, April). Structure and Local Development Plan Preparation Project of Lalibela Town.
Development of Lalibela in space-time perspective, II. Addis Ababa: WUB Consult.
WUB Consult (d). (2010, April). Structure and Local Government Plan Preparation Project of Lalibela Town.
Socio-economic situation assessment, III. Addis Ababa: WubConsult.

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Annex 4 Mission programme

Sunday, 4 July
Depart Paris (IO)

Monday, 5 July (Addis)

Arrive Addis
Meeting at UNDSS

Tuesday, 6 July
Depart for Lalibela
Participation in management workshop

Wednesday, 7 July
Presentation at management workshop
Site visit

Thursday, 8 July
Discussion with Mayor of Lalibela, Mr Mulugeta G/Medin
Visit to the Lalibela protected site and environs

Friday, 9 July
Return to Addis
Meeting with Mr Alemayehu at ARCCH premises

Saturday, 10 July
Wrap up meeting with Mr Nigussu and Mr Alemayehu
Meeting with Mr Getu Assefa (UNESCO Addis) and Mr Senishaw (ARCCH)
Return to Paris

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Annex 5 Contacts
Name Designation/Affiliation

Ato Jara Haile Mariam Director-General, ARCCH

Bishop Abba Gebre Eyesus, Head of the Lalibela Church

Mr Mulugeta G/Medin Mayor of Lalibela

Mr Nigussu Damtew Director, Conservation services ARCCH

Mr Alemayehu Geberwold Architect and team leader, ARCCH

Mr Getachew Senishaw Director Intangible Heritage, ARCCH

Mr Betsiha Wolde Surveyor, Municipality Land Management

Mr Mezemir Abiy Amhara Regional Culture and Tourism Bureau

Mr Dereje Zerfu Audio-Visual technician, regional office for culture and

tourism

Mr Solomon Gebyahu Director, Jerusalem Hotel Lalibela

Mr Messay Mekonna Manager, Tukul Village Hotel Lalibela

Mr Mamo Getahun Amhara Culture and Tourism Parks

Follow up communication by e-Mail

Ms Yasmin Tayyab Senior Social Development Specialist, World Bank Office,

Addis Ababa

Mr Fasil Giorgis Architect and Lecturer, Ethiopian Institute of Architecture,

Building Construction and City Development

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Annex 6 Report on the National workshop for the improvement of the Lalibela
World Heritage Site’s Management
Ato Jara Haile Mariam, the Director-General of the ARCCH, made welcome remarks and talked about
the importance of a plan to ensure the effective conservation and management of the Lalibela world
heritage site. He also expressed a hope that the workshop would concretise the efforts of previous
missions and workshops. He emphasised the need for this in view of the ongoing development work
going on in the area and the need for the conservation plan to be taken into consideration.
The workshop was coordinated by Ms Nada al-Hassan of the UNESCO-WHC. The main thrust of the
workshop was to consolidate an ongoing four-year activity on the development of a site
management plan for the site. Dr George Abungu, Dr Elene Negussie Mr Stephen Battle of the World
Monuments Fund (WMF) and the WHEAP consultant, Ms Ishanlosen Odiaua were external
facilitators at the workshop.
Ms Al-Hassan emphasised the need for the workshop to come up with concrete results that will
culminate, in the near future, in a functional site management plan that will facilitate the
management of the site as well as serve as a guide for any future developments in and around the
site.
Dr Abungu’s presentation gave an overview of the conservation process across Africa, as well as the
different types of systems that have encouraged the conservation of heritage sites across the
centuries. He cited some case studies in which he highlighted how the presence or lack of
management plans were instrumental for the successful running of the site and its impact on the
lives of the communities around the sites. He acknowledged the age-old traditions through which the
Lalibela churches had been conserved hitherto, but pointed out that it is increasingly evident that the
challenges faced today are very different and this will thus necessitate conscious planning to ward off
negative impacts on the site. He also emphasised the need for the consideration of the intangible
heritage that is also instrumental in the management of the site.
Dr Negussie reported on an earlier workshop on the site management workshop on methodology
and research framework, held in October 2009, which had raised key issues to be considered in the
development of a management plan.
Mr Stephen Battle reported on the work of the World Monument Fund (WMF) to ensure the
conservation work on two of the churches, in the framework of the Lalibela conservation action plan.
He gave a background to the WMF’s work in Lalibela: inclusive of research, monitoring and
documentation. He mentioned the need to move quickly to ensure that the conservation work could
start on the selected churches. He also emphasised that the accord of all stakeholders was necessary
for any work to start.
Ms Odiaua also made a presentation on her mission, with a brief introduction of the WHEAP
programme and the expectations of the mission. She outlined the need for working with the
community and the responsibility of all stakeholders in ensuring the conservation of the rich
traditional architecture of Lalibela. She also called upon the assistance of the participants in
identifying and discovering the tangible and intangible aspects of the building traditions.

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Annex 7 Extracts from WHEAP project document

3.1. Objectives
Development objective:
The project development objective is to improve the management and conservation of earthen
architectural properties protected under the World Heritage Convention as an important tool for
sustainable development.

Specific objectives:
The project will pursue the following specific objectives:
 Develop appropriate methods and techniques for improving the sustainability of the
conservation and management of the different types of earthen architectural heritage
inscribed on the World Heritage List and/or included in States Parties’ Tentative Lists;
 Ensure that best practices are broadly disseminated for practical application at
properties protected under the World Heritage Convention, with ensuring benefits at the
community level for the upgrading of the living conditions and contribution to poverty
alleviation.

3.2. Programme orientations

The programme, designed for a period of 10 years, will have its activities implemented based on the
following orientations:
 Contribution to sustainable development (social, economic, cultural) and poverty
alleviation through enhanced use of earth building materials and valorisation of know-
howholders, but also with reinforced and enhanced tourism potential;
 Development of a number of in-depth pilot projects at selected World Heritage and
tentative list sites with all necessary long term follow-up and evaluation in all concerned
regions of the world;
 Use of opportunities of cooperation agreements with State Parties developing
conservation and research activities in the field of earthen architecture preservation;
 Consideration of the diversity of earthen architecture heritage in the programme
implementation;
 Reinforcement of the local capacities within the communities with specific focus on
valorisation of women and youths;
 Reinforcement of the capacities of the world’ regional institutions to address the
conservation problems facing earthen architecture heritage;
 Consideration of the fundamental role of scientific research and of the capacity of the
UNESCO Chair;
 Establishment of links with regional initiatives such as Africa 2009, CentralAsianEarth
and the ATHAR programme, and existing formal networks like PROTerra in Latin
America;
 Establishment of links with initiatives developed in the framework of the UNESCO
conventions on cultural diversity and intangible heritage.

3.3. Expected outputs

The programme will result in the following ten outputs by its conclusion in 2017:

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 Identification and understanding of problems earthen architecture heritage is exposed to

in the larger context of sustainable development;
 Definition of appropriate methods and techniques of interventions concerning earthen
architecture;
 Development of guidelines and policies for the conservation, use or revitalisation and
valorisation of earthen architecture heritage protected under the Convention;
 Preparation of land use plans, building regulations and technical specifications for the
restoration of historic towns as well as for the inclusion of modern infrastructures;
 Preparation, and large diffusion of publications to promote earthen architecture and
make widely available the results of the programme;
 Efficient protection and enhancement of at least 12 earthen architecture sites protected
under the World Heritage Convention;
 Elaboration of management and conservation plans for at least 12 earthen architecture
World Heritage Sites;
 Organisation of capacity building activities in earthen architecture conservation and
management by regional training institutions (at least 6), including development of
specific curricula for them;
 Involvement of trained national professionals and other skilled persons in the
conservation and management of earthen architecture in all countries with earthen
architecture sites;
 Setting-up of an active global network for exchange of information and experience.
3.4. Programme activities
The programme activities will be organized in four sectors:

3.4.1. In-situ pilot projects

With the specific objective of developing “best practices” examples, the following activities will be
implemented:
- Elaboration of conservation and management plans;
- Elaboration of land use plans and building regulations;
- Conservation projects for monuments, historic towns and archaeological sites;
- Conservation projects for sustainable tourism development;
- On-site training for sites managers, technicians, craftsmen, tourism guides;
- Elaboration of technical guides for restoration and rehabilitation;
- In-situ experimentation;
- Close follow-up of implementation with regular technical inputs.

3.4.2. Research
Scientific research at laboratory level and applied research at site level will be essential in assessing
and elaborating the knowledge on the behaviour and conservation of earthen architecture heritage.
The following activities are to be implemented:
- Study analysis and synthesis of the factors affecting earthen architecture
properties;
- Laboratory research on raw materials, stabilisation, quality control, damp
migration, salts;
- Applied research and documentation;
- Experimentation using prototypes samples or other methods;

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- Thematic / Technical seminars with site managers and earthen architecture

conservation specialists;
- Research activities in relation with the in-situ pilot projects.

3.4.3. Training

The programme will increase opportunities for specialized training on earthen architecture
conservation throughout the world addressed to artisans and to héritage professionals.
The following activities are expected to be organized:

- Organisation of specialised courses;

- Thematic seminars;
- Assistance to Regional institutions in developing training on earthen architecture
at different levels (vocational, basic, university, post graduate);
- Preparation of basic teaching material for dispatching to the UNESCO earthen
architecture Chair network, including institutional embedment, specific training,
insertion in curricula.

3.4.4. Promotion / advocacy

Promotion and advocacy activities will be organized with the idea of ensuring the recognition of
earthen architecture, both at the international and national levels, but with a serious consideration
given to local communities who, influenced by globalisation, often tend to loose confidence in their
local architecture, know-how, skills and practices.
The following activities will be implemented:
- Publication of a series of technical books on earthen architecture in general and on
World Heritage Earthen Architecture in particular (management plans, preventive
conservation, etc.);
- Publish promotional and awareness exhibitions and booklets;
- Support of educational and public awareness initiatives;
- Organisation of international meetings/conferences for Earthen architecture site
managers;
- Support given to the organisation of regional and global conferences on earthen
architecture.

34