Results of the UNESCO/ Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust "Support for the Asian Silk Roads World Heritage Serial and Transnational Nomination(s)" Phase II project (2018-2022)

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The Silk Roads brought about the transmission of knowledge, ideas, cultures and beliefs, which had a profound impact on the history and civilizations of the Eurasian peoples. Countless historic natural and cultural sites remain along the Silk Road. UNESCO has a long history of working to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of the Silk Roads and promoting its contribution to sustainable development and sustainable tourism. Since 2003, UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre has coordinated the preparation of the serial transnational World Heritage nomination of the Silk Roads Cultural Route in Asia. The project aims to guide States Parties to the 1972 World Heritage Convention in preparing Silk Roads serial transnational World Heritage nomination dossiers to address the gap of under-represented categories of World Heritage, namely heritage routes. This also contributes to the implementation of the World Heritage Committee’s Global Strategy for a Representative, Credible, and Balanced World Heritage List, adopted in 1994. Work undertaken as part of the UNESCO Japan Funds-in-Trust ( JFIT) project “Support for Documentation Standards and Procedures of the Silk Roads World Heritage Serial and Transnational Nomination in Central Asia (Phase I)” (2011 – 2014) and “Support for Silk Roads World Heritage Sites in Central Asia (Phase II) ” (2015-2019), made enormous progress towards establishing standards of documentation and research necessary to finalize the first two nominations of Silk Roads corridors. The nominations were examined at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee from 15-25 June 2014 in Doha, Qatar: “Silk Roads: Penjikent-Samarkand-Poykent Corridor”, jointly submitted by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan was referred, and “Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor”, jointly submitted by China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan was inscribed on the World Heritage List. To respond to the growing demand for Silk Roads tourism, the project is also partnering with the UNESCO/Netherlands Funds-in-Trust project, “Developing a Common Tourism Strategy for the Silk Roads Heritage Corridor in Central Asia and China,” administered by the World Heritage Centre, in close cooperation with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The project has contributed to 4 SDGs including Goal 8 and Goal 12 on sustainable tourism and promotion of local culture and products, Goal 11 on protection of world heritage, and Goal 16 on sustainable and inclusive societies. Within the framework of the UNESCO/Republic of Korea Funds-in- Trust (RoK FiT), “Support for the Preparation of the World Heritage Serial Nomination of the Silk Roads in South Asia” (Korean FiT Silk Roads Phase I project - June 2013 to August 2016), was important to reinforce the capacity of national authorities in each of the South Asian countries, particularly Bhutan and Nepal, for the documentation and surveying of archaeological and architectural sites and the digitalization of archives. At sub-regional level, the project also helped set up transnational documentation strategies and methodologies, along with information sharing systems. The project also showed that a significant investment in technological resources and strong support for local capacity building are further essential elements in transnational and serial nominations, particularly when a project involves approaches and techniques that are new to the States Parties. In this Final Technical Report of the “UNESCO-Korean FIT Support for the Asian Silk Roads World Heritage Serial and Transnational Nomination(s) Phase II project (2018-2022)”, the lectures can see how the objectives of this important project aimed to further enhance the capacities of the national authorities of the Asian countries for the protection of cultural heritage, training them in further documentation and archaeological research, conservation and management planning to ensure the sustainable management of the Silk Roads corridors. It also increased diversity and representativeness on the World Heritage List and is currently helping other Asian developing countries’ heritage projects. The UNESCO Korean FIT Silk Roads projects (Phase I 2013-2016 focusing South Asian countries and Phase II 2018-2022 covering pan Asian countries) have been a show-case for this South-South and triangular cooperation to support countries in harnessing culture as a driver and enabler in “Safeguarding World Heritage along the Silk Roads to promote sustainable development and sustainable tourism”.

The “HIA Report for the proposed Tourism Service Complex located in the proposed Buffer Zone of Rabati Malik Caravanserai and the Sardoba, Uzbekistan

Team: Prof. Yukio Nishimura is an expert in conservation planning, physical urban design and public participation in planning / Dr. Arch. Ona Vileikis is an architect and heritage specialist / Dr. Dmitriy Voyakin is a UNESCO international expert / Sukhrob Babaev is an archaeologist, heritage lawyer and management specialist / Alim Feyzulayev is an architect, specializes in conservation and heritage management / Farukh Khabibullayev is an architect, specialist in advanced computer technologies in archaeology;

The report that presents the outcome of the HIA was prepared by an interdisciplinary team of international and local experts in consultation with regional authorities and the developer. The study, which employed a number of methods and approaches, including the desk study and archival research, field study, consultations and computer-aided assessment, was aimed to ensure that the architectural design, location and the function of the proposed development respects the values of the nominated cultural heritage properties. Key consideration and the background of the project were also presented in " Introduction". In "Site History and Description. Background" the historic background and the development of the Caravanserai of Rabati Malik and the Sardoba, including the evolution of the function and the setting of the properties since 11th century. The values and attributes of the site as a property placed in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2008 and a component of the Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor serial transnational World Heritage Nomination were identified. The proposed project was initiated to the regional tourism promotion campaign launched in 2017 with a Presidential Resolution No. PP-3217 dated 16 August 2017 was reviewed to see how the proposed project might support the advancement of the tourism infrastructure and promote the Navoi region as a tourism destination. Examination of the management system of the property and the regulatory framework revealed that the property is protected by national laws and regulations, and any changes to the nominated property itself or its Buffer Zone shall be coordinated both at national and international levels. The team: Prof. Yukio Nishimura is an expert in conservation planning, physical urban design and public participation in planning / Dr. Arch. Ona Vileikis is an architect and heritage specialist / Dr. Dmitriy Voyakin is a UNESCO international expert / Sukhrob Babaev is an archaeologist, heritage lawyer and management specialist / Alim Feyzulayev is an architect, specializes in conservation and heritage management / Farukh Khabibullayev is an architect, specialist in advanced computer technologies in archaeology

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The “HIA Report for Water Supply and Wastewater Rehabilitation Project - Wider setting of the Uzgen site, Uzgen, Osh Region, Kyrgyz Republic”

Team: Prof. Yukio Nishimura is an expert in conservation planning, physical urban design and public participation in planning / Dr. Arch. Ona Vileikis is an architect and heritage specialist / Prof. Bakyt Amanbaeva is an archaeologist, cultural heritage expert / Dr. Dmitriy Voyakin is a UNESCO international expert / Chynarbek Zholdoshov is a historian, archaeologist and expert in heritage safeguarding and management / Alim Feyzulayev is an architect, specializes in conservation and heritage management / Denis Sorokin is an architect, specialist in advanced computer technologies in archaeology;

The Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) within the framework of the UNESCO/Republic of Korea Fund-in-Trust “Support for the Asian Silk Roads World Heritage Serial and Transnational Nomination(s) (Phase II)” Project and in close cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Center (WHC) was initiated to support the State Party of Kyrgyzstan in evaluating the impact of the proposed project aimed at replacing critical water supply networks, rehabilitating water supply and waste water systems in the city of Uzgen on the site of Uzgen and its wider setting. The site has been listed on Tentative List of Kyrgyzstan since 19.02.2010 (Ref.: 5518). The Kyrgyz Republic Water Supply and Wastewater Rehabilitation Extension project is being implemented with financial and organizational support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) since 2015. Uzgen Sub-project (OpID 46705) was added under the framework extension. "Site History and Description. Background" presents the historic background and the development of Uzgen site, including the evolution of the standing structures and the setting of the property since 4th century BC. The values and attributes of the site as a property placed in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2010 and a component of the prospective serial transnational World Heritage Nomination Silk Roads: Fergana-Syrdarya Corridor were identified. Desk studies revealed that the component parts of Uzgen site and its wider setting contain valuable archaeological layers, which have not been fully studied until today. The team: Prof. Yukio Nishimura is an expert in conservation planning, physical urban design and public participation in planning / Dr. Arch. Ona Vileikis is an architect and heritage specialist / Prof. Bakyt Amanbaeva is an archaeologist, cultural heritage expert / Dr. Dmitriy Voyakin is a UNESCO international expert / Chynarbek Zholdoshov is a historian, archaeologist and expert in heritage safeguarding and management / Alim Feyzulayev is an architect, specializes in conservation and heritage management / Denis Sorokin is an architect, specialist in advanced computer technologies in archaeology

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The major objective of the research is to have a detailed study of different nodal towns along the Lumbini - Lo Manthang Kaligandaki corridor to know its probable link to the Silk Road. Therefore the work aims to study the trans-border relation of Nepal with India and China in the political, religious and cultural context. Further, it is to explore the history of religion, culture and trade of numerous ancient settlements along the corridor of the Kaligandaki River from Southern Terai to Northern Mountain regions and Himalayas and beyond the Himalayas, focus on how this Kaligandaki Road as a corridor played the role in establishing and flourishing of multidimensional culture in the long history form 2nd Century BC to 16th Century AD. Finally, through the analytical study of history and culture of Lumbini-Lo Manthang Corridor, it has targeted to find out the position of Nepal, especially of Kaligandaki corridor in connection with ancient Silk Road. Following are the objective set for the study 1. Identify and map the connecting major nodes/nodal town/s and the component sites/ monuments within the Lo Manthang – Lumbini corridor along its segment from Lumbini to the south up to Indian border and compile information on the connectedness of the component sites/ monuments and nodes/nodal towns with each other and with the Silk Roads as possible; 2. Study about the current situation of entire Lo Manthang – Lumbini corridor at present in relation to the physical evidence, continuation of activities including any other significant observations, such as threats, or ongoing measures relevant to the protection of the component sites/monuments and nodes/nodal towns; This study completely deals with different nodal towns along the Lumbini – Lo manthang corridor on the basis of political, cultural and religious and trade history found as evidence in these places. Therefore, the study will shed light on the entire historical significance of Silk Road in Nepal.

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The primary objective of this research is to do a preliminary study of the Simrongadh – Kathmandu – Kodari corridor to identify its possible link to the Silk Road. So the exertion aims to study the trans-border relation of Nepal with India and China in the political, religious and cultural context developed through this ancient route. Since it is a study of particular time period of history, it explores the religion, culture and trade history of Nepal linked with mentioned historical route from India to Tibet via Kathmandu valley. Numerous ancient settlements along the corridor and the available literatures particularly created in the same historical period are the main sources of this study. Therefore, some nodal towns developed within 2nd Century BC to 16th Century AD will be identified during this study. Finally, through the analytical study of history and culture of Simrongadh – Kathmandu – Kodari corridor, it has targeted to find out the position of Nepal, especially of mentioned corridor in connection with ancient Silk Road. Following are the objective set for the study 1. Explore and identify the component sites/ monuments and nodes/nodal town/s within the Simrongadh - Kathmandu - Kodari corridor; 2. Prepare bibliography for further study of the Simrongadh - Kathmandu - Kodari corridor; 3. Prepare the Simrongadh - Kathmandu - Kodari corridor map indicating the connecting component sites/monuments and nodes/nodal town/s identified, with the related information. This study completely deals with historical events occurred on the basis of Simrongadh - Kathmandu - Kodari corridor. The activities related to political, cultural, and religious and trade history will be explored being evidence based. Therefore, the study will shed light on the entire historical significance of Silk Road in Nepal developed through mentioned route.

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The Scoping Paper of Continuation of ICOMOS Silk Roads Thematic Study

Team: Editor and Compiler: Prof Tim WILLIAMS / Steering group: Prof MA Jian (Northwest University, Xi’an), Dr Dimity VOYAKIN (International Centre for Central Asian Studies, Samarkand), Dr Shahin MUSTAFAYEV (Institute of Oriental Studies, Baku), Prof Tim WILLIAMS (UCL Institute of Archaeology), London / ICOMOS: Susan DENYER, Regina DURIGHELLO / UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Prof Roland LIN, Asia and Pacific Unit / PR China contact point: Jun SHAO, Deputy Director, Division of World Heritage, National Cultural Heritage Administration / Republic of Korea contact point: Hyung-Bin PARK, Director Research Division of Artistic Heritage, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage / Academia Via Serica (Center for the Silk Road and Central Asia), Keimyung University of Daegu (www.censcakmu.org). Prof Tschung-Sun KIM, and Dr Farrah SHEIKH / Japan contact point: Prof Kazuya YAMAUCHI, Teikyo University / Input from Prof SAOTOME Masahiro (Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo), FUNO Shuji (Nihon University), Prof HAYASHI Toshio (Professor Emeritus, Soka University), IGAWA Kenji (Waseda University), KOJIMA Yoshitaka (Kanazawa University), NISHIMUTA Yoko (Toyo University), and TANAKA Fumio (Waseda University) / UCL Institute of Archaeology: Prof Tim WILLIAMS, Dr Marco NEBBIA, Megan HINKS, and PANG Rui;

The ICOMOS Thematic Study of the Silk Roads (Williams 2014) provided an overview of known sites along its many routes, as a basis for developing a nomination strategy that identified several corridors along the Silk Roads that might have the potential to justify Outstanding Universal Value and thus be nominated to the World Heritage List. These corridors included significant clusters of surviving sites, which reflected specific responses to trading, political systems, and ecological and geographical contexts. The Thematic Study also identified several geographic areas where further work was needed to augment the study. These included the area east of Chang’an/Luoyang to the Korean Peninsula, and Japan: these areas are the subject of this case study. The study explored the region between the cities of Chang’an and Luoyang in central China, to Japan. This encompasses central, eastern, and north-eastern China, the Korean Peninsula - today including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and the Democratic Republic of Korea (ROK) - and Japan. The study covers the overland routes and maritime crossings that link these routes, connecting the coasts of the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the variously named East Sea/Korean East Sea/Sea of Japan (all arms of the Western Pacific Ocean). Overall, despite the variability of data across the region, the scale of trade and cultural interaction across the study area is evident. Based on the current evidence several routes can be identified. However, the paucity of data in North Korea means that it has not been possible to identify the smaller sites between major nodes; often an essential component of defining Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). The team: Editor and Compiler: Prof Tim WILLIAMS / Steering group: Prof MA Jian (Northwest University, Xi’an), Dr Dimity VOYAKIN (International Centre for Central Asian Studies, Samarkand), Dr Shahin MUSTAFAYEV (Institute of Oriental Studies, Baku), Prof Tim WILLIAMS (UCL Institute of Archaeology), London / ICOMOS: Susan DENYER, Regina DURIGHELLO / UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Prof Roland LIN, Asia and Pacific Unit / PR China contact point: Jun SHAO, Deputy Director, Division of World Heritage, National Cultural Heritage Administration / Republic of Korea contact point: Hyung-Bin PARK, Director Research Division of Artistic Heritage, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage / Academia Via Serica (Center for the Silk Road and Central Asia), Keimyung University of Daegu (www.censcakmu.org). Prof Tschung-Sun KIM, and Dr Farrah SHEIKH / Japan contact point: Prof Kazuya YAMAUCHI, Teikyo University / Input from Prof SAOTOME Masahiro (Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo), FUNO Shuji (Nihon University), Prof HAYASHI Toshio (Professor Emeritus, Soka University), IGAWA Kenji (Waseda University), KOJIMA Yoshitaka (Kanazawa University), NISHIMUTA Yoko (Toyo University), and TANAKA Fumio (Waseda University) / UCL Institute of Archaeology: Prof Tim WILLIAMS, Dr Marco NEBBIA, Megan HINKS, and PANG Rui

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