Appendix 3
Operational Guidelines for the
Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
II.D Criteria for the assessment of Outstanding Universal Value[1]
77. The Committee considers a property as having
Outstanding Universal Value (see paragraphs 49-53) if the property meets one
or more of the following criteria. Nominated properties shall therefore:
- represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;
- exhibit an important interchange of human values,
over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments
in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape
design;
- bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a
cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has
disappeared;
- be an outstanding example of a type of building,
architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a)
significant stage(s) in human history;
- be an outstanding example of a traditional human
settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or
cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has
become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;
- be directly or tangibly
associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with
artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The
Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in
conjunction with other criteria);
- contain superlative natural
phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
- be outstanding examples
representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life,
significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or
significant geomorphic or physiographic features;
- be outstanding examples
representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the
evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine
ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
- contain the most important
and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological
diversity, including those containing threatened species of Outstanding
Universal Value from the point of view of science or conservation.
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