The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) approved the Dominican Republic’s proposal for a buffer zone around the Colonial City of Santo Domingo during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in New Delhi, India, from 21 to 31 July 2024.
The approval aims to protect the cultural, historical, and architectural values of the Colonial City World Heritage Site through controlling urban and architectural growth, as well as land use.
Architect Juan Mubarak, National Director of Monumental Heritage, represented the country at the meeting that is regularly convened by the World Heritage Committee to examine member countries’ requests.
As per a press release, the Ministry of Culture highlighted that the approval consolidates a series of initiatives to guarantee the safeguarding and protection of Santo Domingo’s Colonial City, the first permanent European settlement in the Americas.
The buffer zone foresees restrictions on use and development. The buffer zone incorporates areas in both the National District and the municipality of Santo Domingo East. These are:
The perimeter of the buffer zone of the National District (Ordinance 03-2011) begins at the intersection of George Washington Avenue with Presidente Vicini Burgos Boulevard, continuing to Independencia Avenue and Doctor Delgado and Moisés García streets.
It continues from the intersection of Manuel María Castillo Street with 30 de Marzo Street to México Avenue. The route extends to Emilio Prud’Homme Street, continuing along Libertador Street and the southern boundary of the properties located on México Avenue to José Reyes Street, including Confucius Square.
Likewise, it encompasses part of Duarte Street, the north gate of Barrio Chino, José Martí Street, and the Zodiac Chinese Square.
On the other hand, the perimeter of the buffer zone located in Santo Domingo Este (Ordinance 02-2015) includes the neighborhoods of Calero, Los Molinos, and Villa Duarte, being limited to the north by the Ramón Matías Mella bridge and 25 de Febrero Avenue; to the south, the starting point of the southern shore of España Avenue; to the east, España Avenue, and to the west, the Ozama River and Punta Torrecilla.
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Ministry of Culture
Diario Libre
6 August 2024