Rich in historical heritage and a magnet for tourists from all over the world, Yemen’s ancient capital is now subject to such neglect that UNESCO has threatened to remove it from it list of World Heritage sites if the authorities continue to turn a blind eye to the destruction that is going on daily.
It may be too late to reverse a process of random construction of ugly modernist buildings that goes hand in hand with destruction of the beautiful old ones. However, to ready Sanaa for its role as Arabian City of Culture 2004, the Yemeni government is making efforts to save what can be saved, Al-Majalla, a sister publication of Arab News, reported.
Conservationists charged with preserving the city say they are powerless to protect the city without outside help and have called on police, government agencies and the courts to join forces with them to stop people destroying the city’s heritage. A recent investigation by city authorities showed a total of 1,757 violations of building and conservation regulations in the city. The violations included unauthorized use of reinforced concrete, bricks, and aluminum in windows and doors formerly decorated in wood intricately carved by the city’s legendary craftsmen. Many Yemenis defy the ban on modern construction in the city by claiming to have or even forging construction permits from the heritage committee. The committee insists that it has only issued permits for structural repairs, but these are so frequently abused that it has now stopped issuing permits altogether. However, the proliferating eyesores are changing the historical look of the city. Sanaa’s characteristic mud towers and markets are under threat. Old Sanaa’s architects included parks in their vision of a humane city, and 45 of them still survive.
City officials are saying they are doing their best to preserve the magnificent look of the city and restore as much of it as they can for 2004, but they have an uphill struggle ahead. Until all government agencies have been given a clear role and an integrated vision of what the city should be, the blanket construction ban will remain in place.
- Arab News Features 28 August 2003
