Unesco makes 21 new additions to World Heritage list
Unesco has announced the annual update to its prestigious World Heritage list, adding 21 new locations deemed of cultural and historical importance to its global list of more than 1,000.
India leads the way this year with three new allocations, while Iran and China also gained multiple inclusions, with two new World Heritage sites a piece.
Located at the heart of the Himalayan range in Sikkim, the Khangchendzonga National Park is India’s newest addition, with the site offering a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and mountains, including the world’s third highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga. Additionally, the Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara in Bihar comprises the archaeological remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century BC to the 13th century AD. India is also part of The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, which crosses multiple countries and continents.
In Iran, the Persian Qanat – an underground system used to transport and create a reliable supply of water for human settlements in hot climates – provides “exceptional testimony to cultural traditions and civilisations in desert areas with an arid climate,” according to Unesco. Dating back as far as 700 BC, Iran’s qanats are still in use today. Additionally, the World Heritage Committee has also added the Lut Desert to its list, with the area presenting some of the “most spectacular examples of aeolian yardang landforms” – a series of giant corrugated ridges.
China’s Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape – located on steep cliffs in the border regions of the southwest of the country – is one of the most eye-catching additions to the list. In a surrounding landscape of karst, rivers and plateaux, 38 sites of rock art dating back to 5th century BC illustrate the life and rituals of the Luoyue people.The country also hosts a second new addition to the World Heritage list, with Hubei Shennongjia – an area of rich biological diversity – also recognised by Unesco.
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement is perhaps the most unique of the additions, as it comprises 17 sites across seven countries – Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Japan and Switzerland.
Le Corbusier – who was a pioneer for the modern movement following World War One – was well known for using iron, concrete and glass to create bold lines and functionality not seen at the time.
Inscribing the 17 sites to the World Heritage list, Unesco said the works reflected "a new architectural language that made a break with the past", adding that sites such as the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo and the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata, Argentina, reflected how the Modern Movement sought to meet "the challenges of inventing new architectural techniques to respond to the needs of society".
The UK also gains a site, with Gorham's Cave Complex – located within the steep limestone cliffs on the eastern side of the Rock of Gibraltar – offering archaeological and paleontological deposits that provide evidence of Neanderthal occupation over a span of more than 125,000 years. This is Gibraltar’s first site to become a World Heritage site, and with it the UK’s 30th.
Full list of new UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Stecci – Medieval Tombstones Graveyards (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia)
• Archaeological Site of Philippi (Greece) • Antequera Dolmens Site (Spain)
• Archaeological Site of Ani (Turkey) • Gorham's Cave Complex (United Kingdom)
• The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Japan, Switzerland)• Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites (Antigua and Barbuda)
• Pampulha Modern Ensemble (Brazil)• Khangchendzonga National Park (India)
• Hubei Shennongjia (China)• Mistaken Point (Canada)
• Archipielgo de Revillagigedo (Mexico) • Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay - Mukkawar Island Marine National Park (Sudan)
• Lut Desert (Islamic Republic of Iran) • Western Tien-Shan (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan)
• Ennedi Massif: Natural and Cultural Landscape (Chad)• The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities (The Republic of Iraq)
Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (China) • Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) at Nalanda, Bihar (India)
• The Persian Qanat (Islamic Republic of Iran)• Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Federated States of Micronesia)
Ancient mud town, Uzbek monument and five sites in Lybia added to Unesco's World Heritage in Danger list
Heritage protection a 'humanitarian imperative' says UNESCO director general
Climate change poses biggest threat to World Heritage and tourism, says UNESCO report
UNESCO continues efforts to thwart heritage destruction with Red Cross agreement
UNESCO and Italy form heritage taskforce to tackle cultural destruction worldwide
UNESCO workshop offers crucial management training for Asia-Pacific's coastal and marine World Heritage sites
Heritage delegates gather in Malta for UNESCO disaster management training
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Three years after Pegasus Capital bought Six Senses, how close is the private equity firm to realising its goals for its first spa and hospitality investment? Pegasus’ founder Craig Cogut tells us what’s been achieved and what comes next
From climate change to resource scarcity, Exploration Architecture uses biomimicry to address some of the world’s major challenges. Its founder tells us how