The decision was announced today in Paris, following the committee’s decision to postpone reviewing the candidature of the Portuguese architect, meaning it will not be included in this year’s world heritage list.
UNESCO sources explained that the committee postponed the review because more time is needed for a “more thorough review” of Portugal’s proposal.
“More studies and additional fieldwork are necessary, which may even lead Portugal to submit a new application,” the same sources told the Spanish agency.
The preparatory documents for the meeting aimed at reviewing the Portuguese application already included the recommendation for a later decision revision, which was confirmed today.
The candidacy, titled ‘Álvaro Siza’s Architectural Works in Portugal,’ has been on Portugal’s tentative World Heritage list since 2016, featuring 18 projects, which have been narrowed down to eight.
The eight projects are the Faculty of Architecture building of the University of Porto, Piscina das Marés, Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, Serralves Museum, Portugal Pavilion in Lisbon, Bouça Social Housing, Marco de Canaveses Church, and Alves Costa House in Caminha.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has been meeting in Paris since July 6th, with sessions scheduled until July 16th, to assess and vote on the next steps for various applications ranging from Cameroon to Australia.
The World Heritage Convention, Cultural and Natural, was adopted by UNESCO in 1972, aiming to “protect heritage properties of outstanding universal value,” as stated on the National Commission for UNESCO’s website.
[News updated at 19:53]
