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The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has announced its 2010 watch list. On the biennial list, which is drawn up to raise awareness of and funds for the world's at-risk cultural sites, are 93 sites in 47 countries. Here are some of the sites and the reasons they are endangered.
Text: Feng Zengkun,AFP Photos: Reuters, AFP, World Monuments
/
The Straits Times, AsiaOne
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian department of Cusco, which is
placed on a list of world heritage sites under risk. The World Monuments Fund
has released its biannual watch list of global architectural treasures under
pressure from urban development, tourism, neglect and bad planning. The 2010
list comprises 93 sites in 47 countries, including ancient structures but also
15 that were built in the 20th century and are already deemed endangered
classics.
Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia (BARCELONA, SPAIN) - A massive,
privately funded Roman Catholic church, the Sagrada Familia has been under
construction since 1882 and will not be completed before 2026. Considered the
masterpiece of architect Antonio Gaudi, the completed building will be 170m
tall, and will have three facades and 18 towers.
The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia is on this year’s watch list because
a proposed underground train line will run 4m in front of its main facade.
Construction of the tunnel and vibrations from passing trains may endanger the
church.
An aerial view of the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia.
Al-Hadba' Minaret (MOSUL, IRAQ) - Known to locals as "the hunchback" because of
its slant, the minaret was originally 45m tall. It was compeleted in the 12th
century and started slanting in the 14th century. Cracks have appeared along
the minaret's base despite efforts aimed at stabilising the structure in the
1970s.
Apart from its cracks, the Al-Hadba' Minaret is in danger because of the civil
war in Iraq. Tensions between the Suuni Arabs and Kurds in Mosul may endanger
the building, where Suunis worship. In 2001, the Taleban destroyed Buddhist
monuments in Afghanistan.
Rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras - Found in various provinces of the
country, the terraces range from 2,000 to 6,000 years old. The Banaue terraces,
in particular, are considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World” by Filipinos.
Once used for agriculture, they have been abandoned or converted to tourist
sites as more and more younger Filipinos turn away from farming. Disuse and
tourism have led to the erosion of the steps.
Las Pozas (XILITLA, MEXICO) -A series of sculptures in a rainforest, Las Pozas
is the size of 80 football fields. Architect Edward James built surreal
palaces, temples and pagodas among waterfalls and pools. One sculpture is
called “The House with the Roof like a Whale”. Because the sculptures are
scattered within the forest, they are constantly in danger of being overrun by
greenery. The heat and humidity also weaken the concrete structures.
Taos Pueblo (NEW MEXICO, US) - Inhabited for more than 1,000 years, the village
is famous for its reddishbrown adobes, buildings made of earth, straw and
water. About 150 Native Americans live in the village, which is also open to
visitors all year. The increasing number of tourists requires careful
management. Its inclusion in this year’s watch list is aimed at raising
awareness of how to reconcile tourism with preserving heritage.
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