Extra-budgetary Programme
(v. 3 September 2013)
Project Proposal
1.1
Project title
Capacity building for safeguarding cultural heritage in
Myanmar (Phase II)
1.2
Beneficiary country
Myanmar
1.3
Time frame
12 months
1.4
Funding source
Government of Italy
1.5
Co-funding sources
--
1.6
Total budget, including support costs
EUR 1,000,000
1.7
International executing agency
UNESCO
1.8
Responsible sector/division/field office
UNESCO Yangon Projects Office with backstopping by
UNESCO Bangkok
1.9
Name of the project officer
1.10
Partners (external and/or UN)




Department of Archaeology, National Museum and
Library (DoA)
Myanmar National Committee for World Heritage
Lerici Foundation
International Centre for the Study of the Preservation
and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM)
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1.11
Executive summary
After a lengthy hiatus, the government of Myanmar has now
re-engaged with the international processes of the World
Heritage Convention. As a reflection of this commitment, the
government has recently established the Myanmar National
Committee for World Heritage as the coordinating body for its
World Heritage activities.
To support these efforts, UNESCO with funding from Italy,
initiated the “Capacity building for safeguarding cultural
heritage in Myanmar” project, with Phase I implemented in
2012.
The concrete achievements from the first phase of the Italianfunded project provides a strong foundation for the Myanmar
national authorities to further build upon and to apply at other
sites with the potential for World Heritage nomination.
Phase I successfully assisted the government of Myanmar in
preparing the nomination of the Pyu Ancient Cities, as the
first priority of the Myanmar government for World Heritage
listing. The authorities achieved the submission of the
nomination dossier for the Pyu Ancient Cities in January
2013.
Phase I of the project provided Myanmar with exposure to
world-class cultural heritage management and conservation
standards. With a view to raise capacity for World Heritage
safeguarding, training was provided by ICCROM, Lerici
Foundation and other leading international experts in the area
of archaeological site conservation, World Heritage site
management, and mural conservation.
With the participation of government officials from highpriority sites on the national Tentative List, the capacity
building efforts in Phase I have benefited not only the Pyu
Ancient Cities, but also Bagan and heritage sites from around
the country.
At the institutional level, the first phase of the project also
assisted the authorities in strengthening its management
capacity for cultural heritage sites. For the first time in
Myanmar, advanced technologies such as Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) were successfully put in place for
the purpose of protecting cultural heritage.
To reinforce the achievements of Phase I, Phase II of this
project is proposed to further build up capacity for
safeguarding cultural heritage. In response to government
request, Phase II will continue to reinforce the capacities
which were built up at the Pyu Ancient Cities. The focus will
be to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity to
manage the Pyu Ancient Cities site, in conformity with the
management framework and provisions outlined in the
management plan submitted along with the World Heritage
nomination dossier.
In addition, the project will also include activities to benefit
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Bagan which is the next national priority for nomination to the
World Heritage List. This assistance will be particularly timely
in the face of accelerated development pressures faced by
cultural heritage sites throughout the country, particularly
Bagan, which has experienced a boom in visitor arrivals and
tourism-related investment.
In fact, Myanmar nominated the “Bagan Archaeological Area
and Monuments” for World Heritage inscription in 1996. It
was tabled to the World Heritage Committee in 1997. While
recognizing the site’s Outstanding Universal Value, the
Committee decided to “refer” the dossier, citing concern
about the conservation and management of the site. As the
clarifications needed to complete the nomination were not
duly received, the inscription did not proceed at that time, and
will now be re-visited.
The current efforts for nomination will also build on previous
cooperation with UNESCO in the 1990s which produced a
nomination
dossier,
site
management
plan,
and
archaeological inventory of Bagan. This project will also build
on prior international cooperation efforts in capacity building,
notably Italy’s technical assistance for the conservation of
Bagan’s monuments from 1980-1994, which focused on
saving mural paintings and stucco carvings, as the artistic
hallmarks of the site’s cultural heritage.
In response to the needs identified by the national authorities,
Phase II of the project is aimed at achieving three main
results:
1. Institutional capacity built for enhancing conservation
and management of Bagan
2. Institutional capacity built for enhancing conservation
and management of Pyu Ancient Cities
3. Technical capacity built for improved cultural heritage
site conservation and management through Field
School of Archaeology and other institutions
The first component will further expand the government’s
safeguarding capacity at Bagan. A comprehensive range of
activities have been planned. Together, these will put in
place the framework to ensure the conservation and
sustainable development of the site. These include: (i)
upgrading the site management facilities including field
conservation laboratory, (ii) updating the management plan
and initiating the drafting of a World Heritage nomination
dossier, (iii) developing a Geographic Information System for
site management and (iv) undertaking conservation on
selected monuments, in particular on mural paintings and
stucco carvings.
The second component will focus on raising institutional
capacity to sustainably manage the Pyu Ancient Cities, which
were submitted for World Heritage nomination in January
2013. This component will assist the authorities to put into
practice the management plan and framework which has
been designed for the three Pyu cities: Beikthano, Halin and
Sri Ksetra. The component will include: upgrade of site
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management, conservation and interpretation facilities,
support to implement selected high-priority provisions of the
management plan and improvements to the Geographic
Information System established in Phase I.
The third component will be dedicated to advanced capacity
building of DoA staff in terms of cultural heritage site
conservation and management. These knowledge and skills
will be directly applied at the Pyu Ancient Cities and Bagan.
At the same time, they will also be helpful in protecting sites
all around the country which share similar circumstances to
the Pyu Ancient Cities and Bagan.
In addition, local
communities and other involved stakeholders will also be
sensitized about the importance of safeguarding cultural
heritage.
With a view to long-term sustainability, this programme is
designed to emphasize participation by national and local
counterparts as part of an exercise in institutional and
individual capacity building.
The main operational
counterpart for the project is the Department of Archaeology,
National Museum and Library, which is charged with the
protection of Bagan and the Pyu Ancient Cities. The
Department has already begun to establish the institutional
framework, committees and structures which will be basis for
delivering the technical assistance under this project and
which will be the main organs in place for the long-term
management of the cultural heritage sites. Notably, for the
management of the Pyu Ancient Cities, site management
offices have been set up during Phase I of the project, along
with a coordinating committee for ensuring the coordinated
management of the three cities, PYUCOM. Likewise, for
professional capacity building, the important counterpart will
be the Field School of Archaeology, which was the delivery
channel for the Phase I field-based site management
activities.
2
Background/context
In light of the recent reform in Myanmar, the government has now re-engaged with the international
processes of the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage (hereinafter called the World Heritage Convention). As a reflection of this commitment, the
government has recently established the Myanmar National Committee for World Heritage as the
coordinating body for its World Heritage activities.
With a view to protecting its cultural heritage, Myanmar has identified eight sites of high priority and
significance for inclusion on the national Tentative List which is a prerequisite for World Heritage
nomination. These range from the pre-historic period to various kingdoms, from archaeological sites
to living religious complexes, from monuments to cultural landscapes. The national parliament has
indicated that the initial site for proceeding with World Heritage nomination is the “Pyu Ancient Cities”,
followed by the “Bagan Archaeological Area and Monuments”.
In light of these national priorities, Phase I of the Italian-funded “Capacity building for safeguarding
cultural heritage in Myanmar” project provided Myanmar with exposure to world-class cultural heritage
management and conservation standards through professional training and institutional upgrading.
Phase I delivered technical assistance within the framework of the government’s preparation of the
nomination of the Pyu Ancient Cities onto the World Heritage List.
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Phase II of the project will continue to consolidate the gains from the Phase I in terms of capacity
building. Phase II will continue professional capacity building in conservation in a manner which will
be directly applicable to protecting Bagan and the Pyu Ancient Cities, while also being beneficial to
other cultural heritage sites around the country. In response to the government’s request, Phase II of
this project will further build up institutional capacity for safeguarding cultural heritage with a focus on
both the Pyu Ancient Cities and Bagan.
The Pyu Ancient Cities, Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra are three archaeological sites that were city
states that developed and flourished over a period of more than 1,000 years between ca. 200 BCE
and 900 CE in the Dry Zone of the middle Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River basin within the territory of
what is today modern Myanmar. The highly-intact moated-and-walled urban settlements are set within
a vast irrigated landscape and contain the remains of monumental brick Buddhist stupas (reliquaries),
other ritual structures, palace-citadels, burial grounds, water management features and early
industrial production sites. The project “Capacity Building for Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in
Myanmar” had its major focus on the Pyu Ancient Cities and worked towards their protection in line
with internationally accepted conservation standards.
As with the case of the Pyu Ancient Cities, World Heritage nomination will provide the framework for
putting in place upgraded protection for Bagan, in accordance with the standards and regulations
established by the World Heritage Convention. These will be particularly timely, as Bagan now faces
a boom in visitor arrivals and tourism-related investment, after recent reforms in Myanmar. Both
national and international investment will lead to increased urbanization and development of the site.
In 1996, Myanmar nominated “Bagan Archaeological Area and Monuments” for World Heritage
inscription. Given its multi-faceted significance, this site has the potential to be recognized under all
six cultural criteria of the World Heritage Convention. The nomination was tabled to the World
Heritage Committee in 1997. While recognizing the site’s Outstanding Universal Value, the
Committee decided to “refer” the dossier, citing concern about the conservation and management of
the site. The Committee sought additional clarifications on: (i) the definition of the core protection
area and meaningful buffer zone, (ii) legal protection, and (iii) management plan to ensure the
protection and conservation of the site. As the clarifications needed to complete the nomination were
not duly received, the inscription did not proceed at that time, and will now be re-visited.
It should also be noted that the government has made a number of advances in response to the
concerns raised by the World Heritage Committee. It enacted the 1998 Protection and Preservation
of Cultural Heritage Regions Law and drew up protection zoning for the site. However, as
conservation capacity and other management measures are still in need of strengthening, the
authorities have requested additional support, particularly to meet the required management
standards within the context of the re-launched World Heritage nomination process.
3
Project Justification
The overall project is aimed at supporting the Myanmar government in effectively implementing the
World Heritage Convention, starting with its intention to inscribe the Pyu Ancient Cities and Bagan
Archaeological Area and Monuments to the World Heritage list. In accordance with the government’s
process, the first project phase supported work on the Pyu Ancient Cities site, while preparatory work
for Bagan was also undertaken. The second project phase will continue to support work at the Pyu
Ancient Cities and will support for the improved protection of Bagan, as the government’s next priority
for World Heritage nomination.
The first phase of the project has been successful in assisting Myanmar to safeguard its cultural
heritage within the scope of the World Heritage Convention by (i) building capacity in cultural heritage
conservation and management, (ii) improved monitoring and management system of cultural heritage
sites through setting up a Geographic Information System (GIS), and (iii) supporting the preparations
for the World Heritage nomination of the Pyu Ancient Cities.
Specifically, the achievements of the first project phase in terms of capacity building include a strong
foundation of international conservation practice for application at heritage sites in Myanmar. A core
team of specialists has been trained in the preparation of World Heritage nominations and
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management plans for World Heritage properties which will be of vital importance as Myanmar now
proceeds with the nomination of Bagan and other sites on its Tentative List. Staff of the Department
of Archaeology, National Museum and Library (DoA) and related government agencies has been
trained in using GIS technologies for cultural heritage management. With a view to applying
international standards for World Heritage protection, technical staff has been trained in
archaeological conservation at the Pyay Field School of Archaeology and a foundation training course
in mural painting conservation at Bagan in December 2012.
Of particular note, the DoA achieved the submission of the nomination dossier for the Pyu Ancient
Cities in January 2013. It showcased to the international community its commitment to safeguarding
Myanmar’s cultural heritage and its growing ability to engage with World Heritage issues. Moreover,
on the institutional level, the Ministry of Culture has made efforts to improve its implementing
mechanisms for safeguarding Myanmar’s cultural heritage in line with the World Heritage Convention,
demonstrating the policy impacts of the project Phase I.
The institutional capacity established within the current project as well as trained staff are valuable
assets to build upon for the next project phase. Preliminary condition assessments for Bagan
undertaken during Phase I provide valuable baseline data for intervention in Phase II.
Taking into account the Myanmar government’s sustained interest in safeguarding its important
heritage sites and its recognition of the need for higher standards for World Heritage site
management, further capacity building is required. The capacity building proposed in Phase II of this
project will be particularly timely in the face of accelerated development pressures at cultural heritage
sites throughout the country, particularly at Bagan.
Phase II of the project is designed to ensure that Myanmar continues its progress towards effectively
safeguarding its heritage sites, particularly within the international standards and framework of World
Heritage. Following the nomination of the Pyu Ancient Cities onto the World Heritage List, advanced
knowledge and skills in site archaeological site management need to be reinforced for the authorities
at these three ancient cities.
As for Bagan, in order to support the government in managing the site, the project will address
conservation concerns raised by the World Heritage Committee during the initial nomination of the
site in 1996/97. Given the complexity of the site, assistance will focus on strengthening capacities of
the concerned authorities to effectively conserve and manage both the monuments and the overall
site according to international standards befitting World Heritage properties.
This project will build on UNESCO’s recently renewed assistance to Myanmar supporting the
government’s re-engagement with the international processes of the World Heritage Convention. It
will also build on a productive 20-year-long period of cooperation with UNESCO starting after the
devastating 1975 earthquake and continuing up until the mid-1990s. This earlier period of
cooperation put in place important resources such as a draft nomination dossier and management
plan, a comprehensive archaeological inventory of Bagan. This project will also build on prior
international cooperation efforts, notably Italy’s technical assistance for the conservation of Bagan’s
monuments from 1980-1994, with a special focus on mural painting and stucco carving, as the artistic
hallmarks of the site’s cultural heritage.
4
Objectives
With a view to supporting Myanmar in continuing to build up its capacity to safeguard cultural heritage
within the international framework and standards of the World Heritage Convention, the project has
the following specific objectives:



To build up institutional capacity for enhancing the conservation and management of Bagan
To build up institutional capacity for enhancing the conservation and management of the Pyu
Ancient Cities
To build up technical capacity for improved cultural heritage site conservation and
management through Field School of Archaeology (FSA) and other institutions
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5
Expected results
The cumulative impact of the project will be the improvement of the protection of priority heritage sites
in Myanmar notably the Pyu Ancient Cities and Bagan in order to address key conservation and
management issues with a view to ensuring the site’s sustainability. Specific expected results within
this overall expect result are:
Expected result 1:
Expected result 2:
Expected result 3:
Expected result 1:
Institutional capacity built for enhancing conservation and management of
Bagan
Institutional capacity built for enhancing conservation and management of the
Pyu Ancient Cities
Technical capacity built for improved cultural heritage site conservation and
management through the Field School of Archaeology and other institutions
Institutional capacity built for enhancing conservation and management
of Bagan
This expected result will directly address the concerns earlier raised by the World Heritage Committee
about the conservation and management of Bagan when it was first nominated for inscription onto the
World Heritage List in 1996/7. It aims to support the Myanmar government to build the concerned
authorities’ institutional capacity for enhancing their conservation standard and management system
to ensure greater effectiveness in protecting the site’s “Outstanding Universal Value” over time.
Note that the technical capacity building activities for effectively conserving and managing the site will
be addressed under Expected Result 3.
As part of an effective management system for the site, the following is proposed for this project:

To upgrade the site management office to strengthen the institutional capacity of the national
authorities to protect the site from increasing development pressures and various factors of
deterioration.

Initiating the nomination process for Bagan for World Heritage will provide the framework and
mechanism for putting in place the highest international protection for the site. The
nomination procedure will require both a nomination dossier as well as a management plan
which has statutory status. The management plan will need to encompass, inter alia,
monument conservation and heritage site management within a living heritage approach
when appropriate, safeguarding and promotion of living traditions, community development,
land use and environmental planning and management, visitor access and sustainable
tourism management.

In order to clearly delineate boundaries for the nominated property and buffer zone, the
Myanmar authorities have requested for support to develop a GIS for the site. It will also be a
useful tool for the purpose of site monitoring and management, particularly given the vast
scale of the site. To promote a clear and transparent understanding of the site boundaries
among local residents and investors, it is important that appropriate maps are available.

To upgrade the level of conservation at the monuments, national heritage authorities need
exposure to international-level conservation practice. Conservation will be carried out at a
selected number of sites to address various conservation issues. An expert mission undertaken
in September 2012 identified the murals and stucco, which are part of the hallmarks of Bagan’s
cultural heritage, as being one of the most highly vulnerable cultural heritage components.
Conservation issues identified by the experts include weathering, inappropriate restoration
techniques and lack of monitoring and technical expertise. As the government plans to
undertake conservation work on the murals as part of its planned work, appropriate technical
support is urgently required.
Within the above context, the specific expected results have been identified as follows:
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Expected result 1.1:
Expected result 1.2:
Expected result 1.3:
Expected result 1.4:
Expected result 2:
Improved site management and conservation facilities for sustainable
safeguarding of Bagan
Updated management plan and drafting of nomination dossier initiated
GIS framework created for site monitoring and management
Priority conservation activities implemented, including mural paintings and
stucco carvings
Institutional capacity built for enhancing conservation and management
of the Pyu Ancient Cities
This expected result will support the government’s efforts to conserve and manage the Pyu Ancient
Cities site, which has been submitted by Myanmar for World Heritage nomination.
Note that the technical capacity building activities for effectively conserving and managing the site will
be addressed under Expected Result 3.
The serial site, comprising the ancient three cities of Halin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra, had been
selected by the Myanmar Parliament as the first priority for World Heritage nomination. These
archaeologically-intact ancient cities, dating back almost two millennia, are testament to the
introduction of Buddhism from South Asia into Southeast Asia and provide evidence of the
establishment of the earliest urban settlements in the sub-region.
The site has been proposed under the following criteria:
(Criterion ii):
Over a prolonged period of interaction between indigenous societies with Indic cultures to the west
starting after the 2nd century BCE, Buddhism achieved its first permanent foothold in Southeast Asia
among the Pyu cities, where it was embraced by all classes of society. The development of Pyu
Buddhist urban culture had widespread and enduring impact, following the onward transmission of
Buddhist teaching and monastic practice into other parts of mainland Southeast Asia.
(Criterion iii):
The Pyu Ancient Cities marked the emergence of the first historically-documented Buddhist urban
civilization in Southeast Asia. The establishment of literate Buddhist monastic communities arose in
tandem with the re-organization of agricultural production, the specialized production of manufactured
goods, the construction of religious monuments in brick, and the development of unique mortuary
practices.
(Criterion iv):
Technological innovations in resource management, hydraulic engineering, agriculture and
manufacturing of brick and iron at the Pyu Ancient Cities created the preconditions leading to
significant advances in city planning and building construction, resulting in the creation of urban
prototypes which later proved critically influential for later city formation in Southeast Asia.
As part of the nomination process, a comprehensive management plan was prepared for the Pyu
Ancient Cities site, which makes provisions for measures to protect the site, control future
development, improve benefits for local stakeholders and raise awareness and capacity, strengthen
the regulatory framework and procedures for safeguarding the site and coordinating mechanisms. An
overall coordinating committee to oversee and monitor the monitoring of the site, PYUCOM, has been
set up, and site managers have been assigned to manage the site under the framework of the
management plan.
Within the above context, the specific expected results have been identified as follows:
Expected result 2.1:
Expected result 2.2:
Expected result 2.3:
Improved facilities of site offices for sustainable management
Priority activities of the management plan implemented including improved
conservation of archaeological monuments
Improved site maps and GIS framework for site management
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Expected result 3:
Technical capacity built for improved cultural heritage site conservation
and management through Field School of Archaeology and other
institutions
Phase I of the project introduced the DoA to international principles and standards in cultural heritage
management. Phase II will seek to aid the DoA in deepening and operationalizing the knowledge and
skills in a practical manner for application at its heritage sites.
Given that both Bagan and Pyu Ancient Cities are archaeological sites, along with most of the other
sites on Myanmar’s Tentative List, capacity building in Phase II will offer advanced training to relevant
government authorities in archaeological site management. This enhanced capacity will be
particularly crucial once the sites advance in the process of World Heritage nomination, which will
draw an increased number of visitors and greater development pressures to the sites.
Another dimension of capacity building is aimed at other local stakeholders who also have an
important role to play in helping to sustain the cultural heritage sites. The World Heritage Convention
calls for close engagement with local communities in sustainably managing cultural heritage sites.
This is particularly applicable at Bagan, where a number of the temples continue to be under active
management by local communities and temple communities. In order to ensure that local
stakeholders are fully sensitized to basic principles of conservation, and to minimize new renovations
which may not be compatible with the historic buildings, capacity building targeting such local
stakeholders is planned. This will allow for constructive cooperation between the heritage site
authorities and the local stakeholders in jointly protecting the heritage sites.
Complementing component 1.3 which aims at developing a GIS framework for managing and
monitoring Bagan, this component will provide on-the-job training to strengthen the capacity of the
DoA in collecting geographical data, mapping archaeological resources as well as in processing
respective data and operating GIS for cultural heritage sites management and monitoring.
Expected result 3.1:
Expected result 3.2:
Expected result 3.3:
6
A corps of officials with advanced technical knowledge and skills in cultural
heritage site conservation and management through Field School of
Archaeology and other institutions
Local stakeholders and temple committees with increased awareness in
basic conservation principles
Strengthened capacity of DoA on developing and operating geographic
information systems for cultural heritage sites
Detail Activities
The individual project activities are designed to strengthen the overall capacity of Myanmar in line with
the latest standards of the World Heritage framework (per the World Heritage Convention’s
Operational Guidelines 2011).
Expected result 1:
Institutional capacity
management of Bagan
building
for
enhancing
conservation
and
Expected result 1.1:
Improved site management and conservation facilities for sustainable
safeguarding of Bagan
The government authorities have established a site management office in Bagan for many years.
However, the basic office equipment, specialized equipment and other resources necessary for
managing and conserving the large scale archaeological site of Bagan is not sufficient. In particular,
in the face of rapid growth of visitors to the site every year, site management office will be required to
also accommodate more demanding needs including strenghtened site monitoring and conservation
needs. In this regard, series of activities which address the improvement of office establishment is
planned as follows.
Activity 1.1.1:
Needs assessment for improving site office
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An on-site assessment of the existing site offices will be conducted to determine the needs of the site
management authorities in terms of office equipment, technical equipment and specialized
instrumentation, and facilities. This includes equipment needed for on-site patrolling, inspection and
protection of the site during excavation and restoration activities. It is anticipated that laboratory
facilities and facilities for the storage of archaeological finds will need to be improved, in addition to
the site management office.
Activity 1.1.2:
Procurement of equipment
For effective management of large scale site of Bagan, it will be necessary for the site management
office equipped appropriately with necessary equipment from IT facilities to vehicles. This activity
starts with identifying the remaining / existing materials and equipment available at DoA. This will
serve for not duplicating something that may already exist and to make provision of needed materials.
Activity 1.1.3:
Setting up a field conservation laboratory to support on-going conservation
Conservation laboratory will be improved in order to support the conservation activities and can also
serve as a workshop for preservation and repair of movable objects in the DoA’s on-going
conservation work. Procurement process should take place at the early stage of the project, so that
procured equipment can then be used during the activity 1.4.1.
Expected result 1.2:
Updated management plan and drafting of nomination dossier initiated
Considering the complexity of managing this large-scale site, particularly in view of the range of
conservation needs as well as increasing development pressures, there is a need to upgrade the
management of Bagan. The enhanced management of Bagan is also a prerequisite for its inscription
to the World Heritage List, as pointed out by the World Heritage Committee in 1997.
This planned series of activities focuses on developing an appropriate management plan for Bagan,
which includes updated zoning and enhanced regulations for the protection of the site. Activities will
also include initiating the process of nomination dossier drafting.
This will enhance current protection measures for individual monuments and the entire area which is
protected under the provisions of the 1957 Ancient Monuments and Antiquities Protection Act
(amended 1962), the 1996 Law for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites and Ancient Cities in
Myanmar and the 1998 Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Regions Law.
The success of this expected result depends on coordination between the various responsible
authorities including the DoA, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism as
well as other concerned stakeholders.
Activity 1.2.1:
Drafting of management plan
Phase I of the project provided the DoA with a familiarity with international standards for site
management. In order to ensure national ownership of the management plan, it is proposed for the
DoA to take primary responsibility for drafting the management plan. A national drafting team for the
management plan will be formed, which will work closely with the nomination dossier drafting team
and invited international and national experts. It will be necessary to review the originally drafted
management plan at the time of Bagan’s first nomination to the World Heritage List as a preliminary
step. This activity will be organized in the form of drafting and review working sessions.
Activity 1.2.2:
Initiating the drafting process for nomination dossier
Based on the successful nomination dossier drafting exercise for Pyu Ancient Cites undertaken during
Phase I of the project, the same working process will be applied in drafting the nomination dossier for
Bagan. A national drafting team for the nomination dossier will be formed, which will work closely with
the management plan drafting team and invited international and national experts.
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As the site is in a large scale and also has complex management issues involving various parties at
the national and local levels, a more consultative approach should be applied in encouraging different
and various stakeholders to be involved in the process.
This activity starts with both national and international experts reviewing existing documents including
the original dossier, and previously developed management plan. If necessary, certain studies on
specific topics may be required, i.e. related to the comparative analysis of the site in comparison with
other listed and potential World Heritage sites. This exercise will fill in the gaps in the original
nomination dossier.
This activity should be organized in the form of drafting and review working sessions.
Activity 1.2.3:
Detailed assessments, studies and recommendations on key conservation /
management issues
As the basis for drafting the management plan, it is proposed to undertake preparatory assessments
to determine management effectiveness and to identify factors affecting the conservation and
management of the property.
This activity will start with expert fact finding missions to Bagan to identify outstanding issues that
impinge on the site’s conservation. These assessments will be based on the initial findings of the
UNESCO expert mission of September 2012 which provided an overall observation of the current
conservation and management condition of the site.
Based on the results of the fact-finding missions, which will identify key conservation and
management gaps and challenges, further in-depth studies will be conducted by experts in order to
draw up recommendations and plans of action for each identified key conservation and management
issue.
These recommendations will be proposed to the government for consideration and reflection in the
revised management plan and regulations for the site as per Activity 1.2.1 and Activity 1.2.2.
Activity 1.2.4:
Development of management standards, statutory regulations and updated
zoning plan with demarcation of protection area
This activity starts with experts reviewing existing materials including currently available development
plans, local policy documents, acts and legal documents.
Based on this initial review and on the detailed assessments under 1.2.3, the management standards,
regulations and updated zoning plan will be prepared. The process of demarcating the World
Heritage protection area shall be complimented by activities under expected result 1.3 – creation of
GIS framework for site monitoring and management.
Updating the statutory regulations will ensure that the management measures and zoning plan
become functional through their inclusion into local and national statutory system.
This activity includes consultation and review meetings with the local and statutory authorities in
updating the existing regulations. The update of regulations should be undertaken by national experts
under the guidance of international experts to ensure compliance with international standards.
Expected result 1.3:
GIS framework created for site monitoring and management
Phase I of the project helped DoA to design and establish a GIS framework for cultural heritage
management. It also built DoA’s institutional and professional capacity by providing specific
equipment and training key staff from main Tentative List site around the country, with a main focus
on the Pyu Ancient Cities as the main pilot site for data collection.
Drawing on the process undertaken during the first phase, mapping data shall be collected and a GIS
framework for site management shall be established. Both components will become integral parts of
the World Heritage nomination and management process. The maps will identify the cultural heritage
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and environmental features which have significance and thus constitute the physical attributes of the
World Heritage properties. The map data will also inform the sustainable protection and development
of the heritage site. It will provide the basis for preparing the management plan for the site,
particularly in demarcating the boundary and buffer zones of the proposed World Heritage property. It
will also provide baseline data for subsequent site monitoring. It will also allow for future informed
decision-making affecting the site by DoA as well as by other local and national government agencies.
The DoA staff trained in GIS in Phase I of the project will be directly involved in developing the GIS
framework for Bagan.
An international GIS specialist will provide technical coordination for below activities.
Activity 1.3.1:
Data collection of base layers for Bagan archaeological site GIS and
integration into GIS
The activity starts with an assessment of existing data resources, including updated archaeological
inventory in 1992 and 2011. This will allow for the development of a conceptual framework for data
collecting and later in updating of the archaeological inventory including all important attributes that
contribute to the “Outstanding Universal Value” of the property. After the data collection has been
completed, staff of DoA under the guidance of the international GIS specialist will process all available
data and integrate it into the GIS. The data will serve as the primary basis for demarcating
boundaries and buffer zones for Bagan.
Activity 1.3.2:
Production of large-scale maps for Bagan initiated
Once the GIS structure and database is developed, and also other available data is integrated, all
data will then be processed for initiating the creation of large-scale base maps. These maps will
serve as basis to later produce the specific maps that are necessary for the management plan and
nomination dossier for Bagan.
The processing of reference maps for these two documents will be coordinated with activities under
1.2.2. These maps will form critical components for the nomination dossier as well as for the
management plan and presentation of the site to visitors in the future.
Expected result 1.4:
Priority conservation activities implemented, including mural paintings
and stucco carvings
This project will build on prior international cooperation efforts, notably Italy’s contribution for the
conservation of Bagan’s monuments, with a special focus on mural painting and stucco carving, as
the artistic hallmarks of the site’s cultural heritage. Italian technical expertise was provided through a
UNESCO/UNDP project between 1980-1994 to train national specialists in these skills. The project
also completed a range of pilot restoration projects at Bagan monuments. The Italian-led
conservation teams completed emergency interventions such as the consolidation and restoration of
loose plaster and stuccoes at various monuments and carried out necessary conservation work of
mural paintings and external stuccoes at a number of monuments at Bagan (e.g. Kubyaukgygi
Temple, Lokahteikpan Temple, along with various smaller stupas and monuments).
However, many of the previously-trained staff have left DoA or have been posted to other sites during
the interim period. It was also found during the experts’ mission in September 2012 that ad hoc
interventions using inappropriate conservation techniques and materials have been applied to
conservation of monuments, including mural paintings and stucco carvings. One of the major reasons
for these inappropriate conservation measures is a lack of skilled technical staff.
The experts also emphasised the urgent need to set up a permanent team of skilled specialists in
Myanmar, given the huge corpus of temples and monuments with mural paintings and stucco
carvings in Bagan as well as on other sites of the country.
Page 12 of 29
In this context, the activity will demonstrate methods and techniques for the treatment and
conservation of identified temples and monuments including mural paintings and stucco carvings.
Thorough investigation and assessment of conservation needs, emergency consolidation and repairs
will be undertaken in close collaboration with specialised DoA staff. This component will be
undertaken in the form of on-the-job training.
Activity 1.4.1:
Pilot conservation at selected sites, including of mural paintings and stucco
carvings
This activity is a practical conservation exercise of identified issues at selected temples and
monuments in order to demonstrate updated international standards for conservation. As DoA staff
will be closely involved, it will be de facto on-the-job training. This will build up on the foundation
course in mural conservation provided by Phase I of the project in December 2012.
The resulting demonstration projects will serve as a best-practice example for further conservation
work to be undertaken with additional funding in the future.
To prioritize which conservation issues need urgent intervention, this activity will start with inspection
and assessment of architectural surfaces of identified temples and monuments with mural paintings
and carved stuccoes. Recording and notation will be taken according to the state of preservation,
which will form the basis for prioritizing the work. A general photographic and graphic documentation
of the state of conservation will be undertaken. Since the site is very vast, selected case examples
can be documented in detail.
For mural paintings and stucco carvings, emergency consolidation/repairs may include providing readhesion to the supporting layers of the mural paintings and stucco carvings in the case of
detachment. Collapse of these elements from the supporting layers can mean the loss of those
precious items, which are irreplaceable.
This activity should be undertaken at temples to be selected in consultation with DoA.
Expected result 2:
Institutional capacity building for
management of the Pyu Ancient Cities
enhancing
conservation
and
Expected result 2.1: Improved site management, conservation and presentation facilities for
sustainable safeguarding of Pyu Ancient Cities
In order to provide strengthened on-the-ground capacity for the management of the site, the
government authorities have set up site management offices in Sri Ksetra, Beikthano and Halin. Each
site office will be manned by a reinforced team of staff, divided into four units as follows: research,
museum, conservation (chemical and structural) and administration. Staffing is yet not fully fledged
yet as the government is still lacking in resources and manpower with the required skill profile.
At the moment, the facilities are as yet quite rudimentary, lacking basic office and technical equipment
needed for routine work for monitoring and conserving the site.
Activity 2.1.1:
Needs assessment for improving site offices
An on-site assessment of the existing site offices will be conducted to determine the needs of the site
management authorities in terms of office equipment, technical equipment and specialized
instrumentation, and facilities. This includes equipment needed for on-site patrolling, inspection and
protection of the site during excavation and restoration activities. It is anticipated that laboratory
facilities and facilities for the storage of archaeological finds will need to be improved, in addition to
the site management office.
Activity 2.1.2:
Procurement of equipment
The necessary equipment agreed upon after consultations with the authorities and experts will be
procured and installed.
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Activity 2.1.3:
Improvement of on-site facilities
The facilities will be improved as necessary, including site management office, field conservation
laboratory and storage facilities and site museum.
Expected result 2.2: Priority activities of the management plan implemented and improved
conservation of archaeological monuments
The management plan provides time-bound action plans to implement in a practical manner the
foreseen management actions under the defined management objectives. These include, for
instance, measures to control infrastructure and urban development in the property, preventative
conservation, restoration, maintenance, and monitoring of the archaeological and architectural
heritage, zoning and land use control, regulations for access to the site, management of the
ecological and environmental setting of the site, mitigating risks to the site, and upgrading the
presentation and educational functions of the site.
Activity 2.2.1:
Consultations to review management plan, identify priority activities and
monitor implementation
Using the coordination mechanism established through the newly set up PYUCOM coordinating
committee for the Pyu Ancient Cities proposed World Heritage site, consultations will be undertaken
with the relevant agencies and stakeholders as well as invited experts in order to review the
management plan of the Pyu Ancient Cities. This will form the basis for identifying priority activities
from the management plan to be implemented in a strategic and timely manner. During the course of
the project, further consultation meetings will be convened to provide a platform for monitoring the
progress of the management plan implementation.
Activity 2.2.2:
Support to site management authorities to implement priority management
actions
Within the action plans of the Pyu Ancient Cities management plan, the need for reinforced technical
and financial assistance has already been identified in a number of the action items. This includes,
for instance, assistance in carrying out the conservation and stabilization of fragile artefacts
excavated from the site and the restoration of archaeological and architectural structures.
Expected result 2.3:
Improved site maps and GIS framework for site management
In the initial phase, the DoA and UNESCO GIS specialist developed a framework for data collection
as a first step to establish a GIS system for the demonstration site (Pyu Ancient Cities). Subsequently,
training in GIS Application for Cultural Heritage Management were carried out in order to strengthen
the capacity of selected technical officials and future GIS operators. The project set up the GIS
system for the Ancient Pyu Cities site and integrated the collected data of GIS layers and
archaeological data layers from other government institutions and from the field survey. The mapping
outputs produced with the GIS system were used as reference maps for the nomination dossier and
management plan of the Pyu Ancient Cities site. The GIS system set up within this project is
envisaged to be applied in the sustainable management of Beikthano, Halin and Sri Ksetra and to
serve as a model for other heritage sites in the country.
Activity 2.3.1:
Refine GIS base layers through the verification of spatial and attribute data
In Phase I, the GIS database was developed for the Pyu Ancient Cities, with the data framework
established, equipment provided and training conducted with the relevant authorities. To build up on
this, the management plan has called for further refinement of the GIS for the Pyu Ancient Cities with
additional information on the OUV-carrying attributes, land ownership, land occupation, land use and
factors affecting the proposed property. This refinement will support the authorities to use this GIS
data base also for monitoring of the site.
Activity 2.3.1:
Production of large-scale site map
Page 14 of 29
In order to allow for the precise demarcation of the site which will be crucial for cooperation in
protecting the site amongst local and national authorities and stakeholders, large-scale site maps of
the Pyu Ancient Cities need to be produced. In line with requirements of ICOMOS and the
Operational Guidelines, cadastral maps showing heritage features, land cover and natural and
topographic features as well as man-made features will be produced. This will function as a baseline
of the current condition of the Pyu Ancient Cities as well.
Expected result 3.1:
A corps of officials with advanced technical knowledge and skills in
cultural heritage sites conservation and management through Field
School of Archaeology and other institutions
To build on Phase I of the project, additional professional training will be conducted for DoA in
advanced topics of cultural heritage site management. This will strengthen DoA’s capacity in practical
applications for site management such as maintenance of exposed archaeological sites. This training
will be valuable not only for managing Bagan, but also Pyu Ancient Cities and other sites of
Myanmar’s Tentative List. As DoA officers are subject to rotation, the inclusion of staff from key sites
from around the country will ensure that staff who may be moved on future assignments will also be
able to manage the sites that will be nominated first.
The second activity will focus on the role of stakeholders at the heritage site, particularly at Bagan,
where there are various types of stakeholders living in and around the site. Their on-going role is
important as the Convention calls for a close engagement with local communities in sustainably
managing sites. This aspect is also reflected in the nomination dossier submitted earlier as the site is
significant not only for its archaeology but also as a site of religious veneration, as per criteria (vi): “be
directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic
and literary works of outstanding universal significance.” Hence, it is even more valuable to have
close involvement of the local communities in enriching the cultural significance, as well as to
reinforce the conservation of the site.
Activity 3.1.1:
Training programme in archaeological conservation, with field practicum at
the Pyu Ancient Cities
This activity will continue with the training in archaeological conservation which was initiated under the
first phase of the project. The first course introduced the trainees to a scientific approach in
archaeological conservation and it is therefore vital to continue on similar topics, however, on a more
advanced level in order to deepen the scientific knowledge as well as related practical skills. The
topics selected for the second phase of the project will amongst others include surveying in
archaeology, public archaeology and museology, archaeological risk assessment and restoration of
pottery and stone archaeological objects.
Additionally, on-the-job training in priority conservation needs including mural and stucco carving
conservation will be carried out at Bagan as part of 1.4.1.
The course will be an intensive programme combining both theory and practice through lectures, case
studies and practical exercises. A hands-on approach will be taken, with participants working along
the teaching team on the site in the field, leading to the accomplishment of demonstration
conservation work during the training.
Target trainees will include site managers and technical staff of the Tentative List sites, key officials
from the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library’s central offices, and lecturers
from the Pyay Field School of Archaeology.
Activity 3.1.2
Training programme in site management, with field practicum at the Pyu
Ancient Cities and Bagan
Under this activity DoA staff will be trained in cultural heritage site management particularly
addressing practical issues in conservation and management. Topics may include general
maintenance especially of exposed archaeological remains, site presentation, visitor management as
well as landscape conservation and methods of conserving ancient monuments.
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The management plan that was developed for the Pyu Ancient Cities Tentative List under Phase I of
the project identifies topics that urgently need to be addressed on the site level (see Annex 1.A).
Trainers will conduct class room lectures on respective conservation and management approaches
drawing on best-practice examples from the region. The taught approaches will be applied in a field
practicum at the Pyu Ancient Cities site and Bagan, using the Pyay Field School of Archaeology and
the Bagan site office as the training base.
Target trainees will include site managers of the Tentative List sites, key officials from DoA, and
lecturers from the Pyay Field School of Archaeology. In this way, heritage sites around the country as
well as current and future students of the Pyay Field School will also benefit from the training.
Expected result 3.2:
Local stakeholders and temple committees with increased awareness in
basic conservation principles
As part of five strategic objective of the World Heritage Committee, which promotes the role of
communities in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, this project component will
ensure local communities are attuned to basic conservation principles, which will help to ensure the
productive cooperation between local communities and site authorities in managing the site.
This activity will also help to raise awareness among local stakeholders regarding World Heritage
protection and will provide for continued consultation and stakeholder involvement regarding the
management of Bagan and the Pyu Ancient Cities
Activity 3.2.1:
Awareness raising sessions for local stakeholders and temple committees
Consultation meetings will be organized in order to raise awareness for cultural heritage preservation
among local stakeholders such as the village chiefs, chief monks, local residents, etc. These
meetings will also assess the existing traditional means of monument protection particularly at Bagan
but also at the Pyu Ancient cities (e.g. veneration and continuous conservation of the religious
structures by local temple associations) and propose a mechanism for practical cooperation with local
stakeholders directed at the protection of the heritage site.
Most of the meetings will be organized in cooperation with the Department of Archaeology, National
Museum and Library, while international experts will be invited from time to time to provide guidance
from the international perspective.
This activity will be coordinated with the development of other activities, such as the implementation
of management provision at the Pyu Ancient Cities (Activity 2.2) and the drafting of a management
plan for Bagan (Activity 1.2). During the consultation meetings, activity outcomes shall be shared with
local stakeholders in order to explain the significances of conserving cultural heritage and associated
benefits.
Expected result 3.3:
Strengthened capacity of DoA on developing and operating geographic
information systems for cultural heritage sites
Activity 3.3.1
On-the-job training of key DoA officers involved with GIS operations
In line with recommendations resulting from the GIS component of Phase I (see project completion
report) as well as in line with management objectives of the Pyu Ancient Cities Property Management
Plan (see Annex 1.A), this activity will continue training DoA staff in GIS applications. On-the-job
training will be provided in various topics such as the geographic data collection, processing and
mapping for archaeological resources and sites management, conservation, and monitoring.
The training will be closely integrated with GIS related activities under components 1.3 and 2.3. The
key GIS officers, who will be trained on-the-job, will actively be involved in the development of a GIS
framework for managing and monitoring Bagan as well as in the process of updating the GIS
database for the Pyu Ancient Cities and developing improved GIS maps for the serial sites.
Page 16 of 29
The training will enable the DoA’s GIS officers to develop GIS databases for cultural heritage sites
acquiring relevant data and integrating and continuously updating relevant information such on as
land-ownership, land-use factors, factors affecting the property as well as details about architectural
documentation and state of conservation in order to be able to apply GIS for site management and
monitoring.
7
Responsibilities of the parties including UNESCO
UNESCO
The UNESCO Yangon Project Antenna, with necessary administrative and technical back stopping
from UNESCO Bangkok, will implement the activities, in close cooperation with national authorities
and international expert organizations. In particular, UNESCO will: (i) identify and liaise closely with
international and national experts, counterparts, implementation partners and the World Heritage
Centre, (ii) provide technical oversight in implementing training and other activities, (iii) procure
equipment specified in the project document, (iv) monitor and evaluate project performance, including
reviewing outputs such as maps, manuals and other materials, and (v) report on implementation
progress to the donor and relevant sectors at UNESCO Headquarters.
National partners
The project is designed to be carried out in close cooperation with the relevant authorities in Myanmar,
in particular, the DoA under the Ministry of Culture (and local site managers). In this regard, the
governmental authorities can contribute in terms of (i) providing their collaboration for project activities,
(ii) facilitating field activities and missions as foreseen in the project, (iii) providing access to data as
required for project activities, (iv) supporting the preparation and organization of seminars and
workshops, (v) providing official invitations and visas as required by international experts and (vi)
assisting in selecting trainees and participants for project activities.
International partners
International institutions such as advisory bodies to the World Heritage Committee will play an
important role in providing technical inputs and assuring that project outputs meet international
standards in cultural heritage conservation and management.
8
Programme monitoring, reporting and evaluation
Monitoring and evaluation will be undertaken by UNESCO on the basis of field visits and reports from
the on-site implementing counterparts. In particular, feedback from the national counterparts will be
encouraged as the primary beneficiaries of this project. Providing this internal evaluation will be in
itself a means of capacity building. It will create feedback loops in which local and national
counterparts help to improve the project implementation in response to challenges encountered along
the way.
UNESCO will encourage the national partners to involve a wide range of stakeholders including local
communities and other ministries in order to ensure monitoring from the community to the interministerial level.
UNESCO will provide annual reports to the donor regarding the progress of the project
implementation, referring to: (i) how the progress meets the indicative target outputs, (ii) analyses of
implementation obstacles and opportunities for improvement, and (iii) impact of project activities in
achieving the stated project objectives.
9
Risks and mitigation measures
9.1
Capacity of national/local counterparts and implementing partners
This project is designed to encourage the participation of national and local counterparts as part of
institutional and individual capacity building rather than relying wholly on external experts to provide
the technical solutions. Thus, it will be required to give individual counterparts adequate opportunities
Page 17 of 29
to take part in the foreseen project activities. For sustainability reasons these counterparts need to be
consistently and continuously involved. Frequent disruption or changes in individual counterparts will
make it difficult to achieve the capacity building impacts sought in the project. Key counterparts will
include staff of the DoA (from Tentative List sites and other priority sites around the country) as well
as selected national and local institutions (local site offices and managers) (i.e., technical staff from
national universities, related ministries, local government officials, local community representatives).
Given the limited timeframe and increased workload of the second phase, combined with the added
number of foreign funded projects being implemented with the DOA, there is a risk of project overload
on the government side which could cause some project delays. Nevertheless, atthe institutional level,
the implementation capacity of the government agency counterparts will be bolstered through the
provision of national coordinators who will be embedded to help bridge with UNESCO and the
international partners in putting in place the institutional infrastructure needed for sustaining the
project results over the longer-term.
Inter-ministerial cooperation at the central and local level will be encouraged, which will require
engagement with other ministries and departments in addition to the DoA. This will not only help to
ensure the future protection of the site, but also assist with the smooth execution of project activities,
i.e., data collection required for the nomination dossier and management plan for Bagan,
9.2
Political commitment and environment
At the level of the foreseen project activities, the project has been designed to respond directly to
national-level and departmental priorities that have already been identified and are currently under
implementation. This high-level political commitment translates into the provision of a certain degree
of human and financial resources which will be essential for the success of the project.
In terms of the overall political environment, there is the possibility that the current positive climate
that has revived cooperation by international entities in the cultural heritage field may not be sustained.
In such a scenario, the project implementation may be delayed or curtailed until a more favorable
political climate is re-established. However, even if any disruptions should occur that delay
international engagement, it should be emphasized that any immediate gains made by the project
activities, particularly through training staff and building up institutional structures for heritage
management, would continue to pay off even at the local or the national level in terms of improved
site management practices and better safeguarding of the heritage sites.
9.3
Long-term impacts of sustaining the training activities
The training programmes of Phase II have been designed to focus on site-based and on-the-job
training, which has proven to be a successful method in the trainings of the first phase of the project.
This way, trainees will be able to link their theoretical understanding to specific issues on site and
apply the new knowledge to their on-going work in site management.
Ideally, by achieving visible results in terms of conserving selected heritage sites through
demonstration activities linked to the training, the project will build a suitable basis for future
conservation activities. These will provide a continuous outlet for using and reinforcing the skills of
those trained in this first year of implementation. In addition, the anticipated inscription of the sites on
the World Heritage List as a result of the project activities is expected to boost international
cooperation for future on-site conservation.
9.4
Implementation arrangements
As experienced in Phase I, inter-ministerial coordination problems may pose a risk to timely
implementation of in-country activities. This risk can be mitigated by ensuring, to the extent possible,
on-going support and facilitation by the national counterparts and reinforced coordination provided by
the UNESCO Yangon Projects Office.
Nevertheless since the Yangon project office does not enjoy delegated administrative autonomy
under current UNESCO structures, administration will need to be done by Bangkok, with
administrative assistants required in both offices. A Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) needs to be
Page 18 of 29
recruited and set in place before project activities can properly commence and this could potentially
cause some delays in the beginning. Also, given the many technical components and to ensure
smooth continuity from Phase I, the CTA will also need to continue relying on Bangkok for technical
backstopping.
Furthermore, as experienced during the Phase I of the project, fund transfers into the country were
restricted, requiring most financial and administrative functions for the project to be undertaken by
UNESCO administrative staff. Given this, it is foreseen to have one administrative staff based in
Myanmar and one administrative staff based in Bangkok in order to ensure that the administrative
procedures are arranged in accordance with UNESCO’s procedures. Additional associated costs for
these administrative functions have been budgeted accordingly in the project. In some cases, fund
transfers were delayed in Phase I due to on-gong sanctions at the time, but these are expected to
have less of an impact in Phase II.
Another consideration is the limited field season due to climatic concerns, which have been
addressed by scheduling project activities requiring on-site work around the appropriate times of year.
However, the possible occurrence of major storms, earthquakes or other extreme climatic or natural
events may require some rescheduling.
Due to recent turmoil in the global financial markets, there may be an issue with currency fluctuation
over the course of project implementation, as the budget is presented in US dollars. Some
adjustments in implementing budget may be undertaken if necessary and appropriate.
10
Visibility of the project
Phase I of the project was the first international high-profile cooperation project in the culture sector in
Myanmar in over a decade, and was met with the highest level of attention by the government. World
Heritage nominations remain a high priority among the country’s leaders and authorities. In this
respect, the project will leverage this high-level support in order to assure that the project activities are
carried out with sustained involvement of decision-makers at the national and local level.
The project has also attracted national and international press coverage, including an international
film team engaged in making a documentary on cultural heritage in Myanmar with particular focus on
the project.
Phase II aims at taking a participatory approach, involving stakeholders in recognizing the importance
of safeguarding Pyu Ancient Cities and Bagan. Hence, it is expected that the project will continue to
obtain high visibility not only within Myanmar, but also amongst international community.
All efforts will be made to ensure the visibility of the Italian support to project initiatives, including
ensuring that the logo of the Government of Italy is on all publications produced as part of the project
and on banners at workshops and meetings as well as inviting the representatives from the
Government of Italy to the appropriate events and workshops. Furthermore, project partners and
counterparts will be informed of the Italian government’s generous contribution to the project and
media will be encouraged to report on the project supported by the Italian government.
11
Sustainability
Phase II of the project will build directly on the skills and knowledge of specialists trained particularly
in nomination dossier drafting and management plan development during Phase I.
Particular institutional capacity building of the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and
Library will create a long term institutional structure for ensuring future conservation and management
activities on the site. This includes on-going support to specialized branches of the DoA such as the
Field School of Archaeology which is designed as the main institution for building up capacity in
cultural heritage site conservation in Myanmar, and has been identified as a key counterpart in
delivering the professional capacity building activities of this project.
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12
Proposed timeline for activities
The current proposal covers activities foreseen in a 12-month period as indicated in below table.
Months
Activities
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Preparatory activities
Recruitment of project staff and consultants
Planning consultations with national authorities on project workplan
Expected result 1:
Institutional capacity building for enhancing conservation
and management of Bagan
Activity 1.1.1:
Activity 1.1.2:
Activity 1.1.3:
Activity 1.2.1:
Activity 1.2.2:
Activity 1.2.3:
Activity 1.2.4:
Activity 1.3.1:
into GIS
Activity 1.3.2:
Activity 1.4.1:
Needs assessment for improving site office
Procurement of equipment
Setting up a field conservation laboratory to support on-going conservation
Drafting of management plan
Initiating the drafting process of the nomination dossier
Detailed assessments, studies and recommendations for key conservation /
management issues
Development of management standards, statutory regulations and updated
zoning plan with demarcation of protection area
Data collection of base layers for Bagan archaeological site GIS and integration
Process of production of large-scale map for Bagan initiated
Pilot conservation at selected sites, including of mural paintings and stucco
carvings
Expected result 2:
Activity 2.1.1:
Activity 2.1.2:
Activity 2.1.3:
Activity 2.2.1:
Activity 2.2.2:
Activity 2.3.1:
Activity 2.3.1:
Institutional capacity building for enhancing conservation
and management of the Pyu Ancient Cities
Needs assessment for improving site offices
Procurement of equipment
Improvement of on-site facilities
Consultations to review management plan, identify priority activities and monitor
implementation
Support to site management authorities to implement priority management
actions
Refine GIS base layers through the verification of spatial and attribute data
Production of large-scale site map
Expected result 3:
Technical capacity built for improved cultural heritage site
conservation and management through the Field School of
Page 20 of 29
Archaeology and other institutions
Activity 3.1.1:
Activity 3.1.2
Activity 3.2.1:
Activity 3.3.1
Training programme in archaeological conservation, with field practicum at the
Pyu Ancient Cities
Training programme in site management, with field practicum at the Pyu Ancient
Cities and Bagan
Awareness raising sessions for local stakeholders and temple committees
On-the-job training of key DoA officers involved with GIS operations
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13
Log frame
Intervention Logic
Objectively verifiable indicators of
achievements/benchmarks
Development
Objective
Building capacity for
safeguarding cultural heritage
in Myanmar with particular
focus on Bagan and the Pyu
Ancient Cities within the
international framework and
standards of the 1972
Convention Concerning the
Protection of the World
Cultural and Natural Heritage
1. Enhanced quality of safeguarding
initiatives undertaken by Myanmar
that reflect the principles, objectives
and standards of the 1972
Convention
2. Improved conservation and
management of the Bagan
Archaeological Area and
Monuments and Pyu Ancient Cities
TL sites
3. Institutional and technical capacity
in terms of quality of staff and
technical resources within the
Department of Archaeology,
National Museum and Library
(DoA) for heritage conservation and
World Heritage nomination
Immediate
Objective 1
To build institutional capacity
for enhancing the conservation
and management system for
Bagan within the World
Heritage framework
1. Improved facilities at site office
including a field conservation
laboratory for sustainable site
conservation and management
2. Assessment reports and
recommendations on key
conservation and management
issues
3. Draft elements for management
plan and updated zoning plan
including demarcation of protection
area
4. Draft elements for nomination
Sources and
means of
verification
Project reports;
information
provided by
Myanmar;
external expert
feedback and
observation
Assumptions and risks
UNESCO
monitoring;
Information
provided by
international
experts and
national
counterparts
1. Gaps in documentation and
management of the site
might slow down the drafting
process of nomination
dossier and management
plan
2. Number of skilled staff to
prepare draft texts might be
inadequate
3. Lack of availability for
required data can have an
impact on the development
of a zoning plan
Transversal risks:
1. Changes in national and
local counterparts
2. Political commitment and
environment may not be
stable
3. Difficulty in sustaining
impacts after end of the
project
4. Local implementation
arrangements restricted by
sanctions
5. Community empowerment in
heritage preservation may
be limited
Page 22 of 29
dossier
5. Draft reference maps of Bagan site
for the nomination dossier and
management plan produced
6. Pilot project in mural/stucco
conservation at selected
monuments in Bagan
Immediate
Objective 2
To build institutional capacity
for enhancing the conservation
and management system for
the Pyu Ancient Cities
Immediate
Objective 3
To build up technical capacity
for improved cultural heritage
site conservation and
management through Field
School of Archaeology (FSA)
and other institutions
Expected
Result 1.1
Improved site management
and conservation facilities for
the sustainable safeguarding
of Bagan
1. Improved facilities at Pyu Ancient
Cities site offices in use
2. Number of recommendations from
Pyu Ancient Cities property
management plan implemented
3. Pyu Ancient Cities GIS database
updated
4. Large-scale site maps for Pyu
Ancient Cities produced
1. Number of officials trained in
cultural heritage site management
2. Community representatives and
local stakeholders well acquainted
with conservation and management
principles
3. Number of GIS officers trained
4. Technical and human resources
made available or put in place to
allow continued application of
newly-acquired knowledge and
skills
1. Installed equipment at site office in
use by DoA staff
2. Field conservation laboratory set-up
and in use for mural conservation
activities
4. Stakeholder cooperation
and support might be
insufficient
UNESCO
monitoring;
information
provided by
international
experts and
national
counterparts
1. Target trainees may not
have adequate background
to fully absorb skills
2. Training may not be applied
fully due to institutional
obstacles
3. Community empowerment in
heritage preservation/
management may take time
to be institutionalized
1. Customs restrictions could
hinder the import of
technical equipment and
material to Myanmar,
particularly that of
chemicals for mural
conservation
2. Number of skilled DoA staff
for the maintenance of
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conservation laboratory
might be inadequate
Activity 1.1.1
Needs assessment for
improving site offices
Means: cooperation with the DoA and
related government departments;
subcontracts with international and
national experts
Activity 1.1.2
Procurement of equipment
Means: cooperation with the DoA and
related government departments;
subcontracts with international and
national experts
Activity 1.1.3
Setting up a field conservation
laboratory to support on-going
mural conservation
Means: cooperation with the DoA and
related government departments;
subcontracts with international and
national experts
Expected
Result 1.2
Updated management plan
and drafting of nomination
dossier initiated
1. Assessment reports and
recommendations for key
conservation and management
issues
2. Updated draft elements for
management plan prepared
3. Zoning plan including demarcation
of World Heritage protection area
developed
4. Draft statutory regulations for
enforcement of protective zoning
5. Draft texts for nomination dossier
produced
6. Number of government
departments and related agencies
contributing to Bagan World
Heritage nomination
UNESCO
monitoring
reports;
Information
provided by
international
experts and
national
counterparts
1. Development of
management mechanisms
and demarcation of
boundaries of the property
and buffer zone may be
difficult due to various
interest groups
2. Inter-ministerial coordination
to set up management
mechanism might take time
3. Unstable political
commitment might affect
legal adoption of regulations
4. Restricted access to data
might hinder nomination
dossier drafting;
5. Lack of stakeholder
cooperation might hinder the
nomination preparation
process
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Activity 1.2.1
Drafting of management plan
Means: cooperation with the DoA and
related government departments;
subcontracts with international and
national experts
Activity 1.2.2
Initiating drafting process for
nomination dossier
Means: cooperation with the DoA and
related government departments;
subcontracts with international and
national experts
Activity 1.2.3
Detailed assessments, studies
and recommendations on key
conservation/management
issues
Means: subcontracts with international
and national institutions/experts;
cooperation with the DoA and related
government departments
Activity 1.2.4
Development of management
standards, statutory
regulations and updated
zoning plan with demarcation
of protection area
Means: subcontracts with international
and national institutions/experts;
cooperation with the DoA and related
local governments
Expected
Result 1.3
GIS framework created for site
monitoring and management
1. Table for data collection for Bagan
GIS developed;
2. GIS data structure set-up at Bagan
site office and national office;
3. Check list for GIS maintenance;
4. Mapping outputs produced for
nomination dossier and
management plan
Activity 1.3.1
Data collection of base layers
for Bagan archaeological site
GIS and integration into GIS
Activity 1.3.3
Production of large-scale maps
for Bagan
Means: International GIS specialist;
Department of Archaeology in
cooperation with other government
departments
Means: International GIS specialist;
cooperation with the Department of
Archaeology
UNESCO
monitoring report
1. Lack of Inter-ministerial
coordination might slow
down data collection
2. Number of skilled DoA staff
for development and
maintenance of GIS might
be inadequate
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Expected
Result 1.4
International standards for
mural paintings and stucco
carvings conservation
demonstrated
1. Pilot conservation project at
selected site in Bagan completed
2. Conservation manual for
mural/stucco conservation at
Bagan
3. Number of DoA staff trained on the
job in mural/stucco conservation
Activity 1.4.1
Pilot conservation at selected
sites, including mural paintings
and stucco carvings
Means: Subcontracts with
institution/experts; cooperation with the
Department of Archaeology
Expected
Result 2.1
Improved site management,
conservation and presentation
facilities for sustainable
safeguarding of Pyu Ancient
Cities!
1. Site offices assessment report(s)
2. Upgraded and functional site
facillities at the Pyu Ancient Cities
Activity 2.1.1
Needs assessment for
improving site offices
Activity 2.1.2
Activity 2.1.3
Procurement of equipment
Improvement of on-site
facilities
Expected
Result 2.2
Priority activities of the
management plan
implemented including
improved conservation of
archaeological monuments
Means: Subcontracts with
institution/experts; cooperation with the
Department of Archaeology
Means: UNESCO staff time
Means: UNESCO staff time;
Subcontracts with institution/experts;
cooperation with the Department of
Archaeology
1. Coordination meeting report
identifying priority activities
2. Archaeological conservation
projects
3. Improved site interpretation and
museum displays
Activity 2.2.1
Consultations to review
UNESCO
monitoring;
reports and
deliverables from
contracted
party(s);
information
provided by
national
counterparts
UNESCO
monitoring;
information
provided by
national
counterparts
1. Extreme weather conditions
might affect conservation
work
2. Lack of skilled DoA staff
might impact completion of
demonstration project
1. Customs restrictions might
hinder import of specialised
equipment
1. Lack of stakeholder
cooperation may hinder
successful implementation of
management provisions
2. Inadequate number of
assigned DoA staff may
impact implementation of
management plan
Means: UNESCO staff time;
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Activity 2.2.2
management plan, identify
priority activities and monitor
implementation
Support to site management
authorities to implement
priority management actions
Expected
Result 2.3
Improved site maps and GIS
framework for site
management
Activity 2.3.1
Refine GIS base layers
through the verification of
spatial and attribute data
Production of large-scale site
map
Activity 2.3.2
Subcontracts with institution/experts;
cooperation with the Department of
Archaeology
Means: UNESCO staff time;
Subcontracts with institution/experts;
cooperation with the Department of
Archaeology
1. Updated GIS database for the Pyu
Ancient Cities
2. Improved large scale site map
Means: International GIS specialist;
cooperation with the Department of
Archaeology
Means: International GIS specialist;
cooperation with the Department of
Archaeology
1. Training materials in archaeological
site management
2. Number of concerned site officials
and relevant stakeholders who are
trained
Expected
Result 3.1
A corps of officials with
advanced technical knowledge
and skills in cultural heritage
site conservation and
management through Field
School of Archaeology and
other institutions
Activity 3.1.1
Training programme in
archaeological conservation,
with field practicum at the Pyu
Ancient Cities
Means: Subcontracts with local
institution and/orexperts; cooperation
with the Department of Archaeology
Activity 3.1.2
Training programme in site
management, with field
practicum at the Pyu Ancient
Cities and Bagan
Local stakeholders and temple
Means: Subcontracts with local
institution and/or experts; cooperation
with the Department of Archaeology
Expected
1.
Consultation with concerned
1. Lack of inter-ministerial
coordination may impact the
collection of necessary data
2. Quality of available data may
impact final result
UNESCO
monitoring
report; reports
and deliverables
from contracted
party(s);
evaluation forms
by training
participants
1. Personnel changes may
affect continuity in the
training
2. Language issues may affect
effectiveness of training
UNESCO
1. Community empowerment in
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Result 3.2
committees with increased
awareness in basic
conservation principles
Activity 3.2.1
Awareness raising sessions for
local stakeholders and temple
committees
Means: Subcontracts with local
institution and/orexperts; cooperation
with the Department of Archaeology
Expected
Result 3.3
Strengthened capacity of DoA
in developing and operating
geographic information
systems (GIS) for cultural
heritage management
On-the-job training of key DoA
officers involved with GIS
development and maintenance
1. Number of DoA GIS Officers trained
on-the-job during completion of
activities under 1.3 and 2.3
Activity 3.3.1
stakeholders including local
communities regarding their roles in
site protection
monitoring
reports; reports
and deliverables
from contracted
party(s);
heritage preservation/
management may take time
to be institutionalized;
1. Personnel changes may
affect continuity in the
training
2. Language issues may affect
effectiveness of training
Means: International GIS specialist;
cooperation with the Department of
Archaeology
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14
Proposed overall budget breakdown
Staff costs
Chief Technical Advisor ( based in Myanmar)
Administrative/coordinating staff (1 NPO, 1 L/5 in Myanmar)
Administrative staff (1 L/5 in BGK)
Backstopping cost recovery for internal staff (P4, NO-A, L/5)
Missions from BGK and HQ
Missions in-country
Consultants
International heritage experts
National heritage experts
Missions
Capacity building technical support/activities for conservation/management of Pyu/Bagan
Training in cultural heritage site management
Support for priority management/conservation activities
Upgrade of facilities/equipment/materiel for site management/conservation
$294,744
$190,000
$36,400
$22,800
$25,252
$5,584
$14,708
$157,545
$96,877
$20,000
$40,668
$683,500
$166,000
$164,000
$203,500
Development of management plan/nomination dossier for Bagan
$55,000
Improvement of maps/GIS for site management
$95,000
$18,000
Office running costs/office equipment/supplies
Mailing, communication, bank transfer, reporting
Total without Programme Support Cost
$12,000
$6,000
$1,153,789
Miscellaneous
costs
13% Programme Support Costs
Total requested by UNESCO
$149,992.56
$1,303,781
€ 1,000,000
TOTAL Requested by UNESCO (EUR) at June 2013 rate (.767 EUR = US$ 1)
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