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The Project Cultural Heritage
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Cultural Heritage
As guardians of the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Palestinians seek to protect, upgrade and share the treasures with which they are entrusted. The preservation of historic streets and buildings and the rejuvenation of cultural and commercial life in the old city cores of Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour have been central to the Bethlehem 2000 Project plans for maintaining and protecting the cultural heritage of the Bethlehem District. The most famous of Bethlehem's historic and religious treasures is of course the Grotto of the Nativity, in the Church of the Nativity. Throughout the centuries, many other religious and historic sites were built in and around Bethlehem adding to its character. These sites remain a testimony to the living faith, which continues to exert its influence over Bethlehem and the world. New circuits and theme tours now are part of the new Bethlehem tour agendas. The UNESCO Emergency Action Plan, which was drawn up at the request of the Palestinian National Authority, is part of a global policy for sustainable development in the District. The Plan identifies and analyses the most urgent needs in the Bethlehem District to create sustainable development and assure the successful staging of the Millennium celebrations. More importantly, the Plan aims at improving the quality of life for the people of the Bethlehem District.
UNESCO Emergency Action Plan
The Three Destinations Addressed by the UNESCO Emergency Action Plan are: Bethlehem - More extensive tourism and greater private investment will be made possible by the improvements and renovations that have been made to the historic core of Bethlehem. Beit Sahour - A centre of Palestinian handicrafts for generations, the aim of the Bethlehem 2000 Project was to upgrade and repair large parts of the town in order to revitalise the indigenous arts and crafts industries. Shepherds' Field, where Shepherds received the first tidings of the birth of Jesus is the most important site of pilgrimage in Beit Sahour. Beit Jala - A traditional summer resort, conservation projects aimed at upgrading and increasing recreational activities. Home of the Cremisan Monastery, the town regularly hosts conferences at the Theological Seminary, established by the Salesian Fathers in 1885.
The Plan of Action to Preserve Bethlehem's Cultural Heritage: Urban rehabilitation of historic streets and public squares, restoration of facades, pedestrianisation and paving of streets, upgrading of infrastructure and street-lighting. Restoration of single buildings with particular historical, architectural and typological qualities. Preservation of rural and natural heritage sites and the creation of hiking trails. Establishment of a rehabilitation unit for the historic cores of Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour. Creation of an Emergency Fund for urgent repairs through the attribution of micro loans and technical assistance to the residents of the historic cores. Creation of a Revolving Fund for the restoration of abandoned private buildings in the historic cores through legal support to resolve complex legal problems that prevent the public domain from benefiting from the use of these buildings. The Fund will finance restoration of the private buildings in return for temporary use for public benefit.
To
ensure the sustainability of the Cultural Heritage Projects an Urban
Rehabilitation Unit has been created to manage and |
maintain the Cultural Heritage in the District. Public servants,
tourist operators, and the private sector will be involved in
maintaining and preserving the Districts Cultural Heritage for the
benefit of all concerned. The Cultural Heritage Project concentrates
its efforts on restoration, upgrading and renovating the rich
heritage. By encouraging the tourist industry to expand its tour
routes, by making available more of the District to tourists, the
Project creates employment both for tour operators and for
commercial businesses. The Project is also involved in facilitating
private sector investment by clearing legal obstacles. The Bethlehem
2000 Cultural Heritage Project is a central part of the preparations
for the Year 2000 celebrations.