OrientDams.Visualizing the impact of dams on heritage in the Near East
Dams of the Near East between development and depauperation
Dams represent a controversial and contested tool for economic
development. It is widely agreed that these massive hydraulic structures
provide different types of benefits, including the production of
electricity, increased farmlands and land value as well as development
for fishery and water-related industry. In addition to their maintenance
costs, the construction and up-filling of dams entails however the
dislocation of thousands of people, potential political international
issues when built on rivers flowing through different countries, the
permanent degradation of soil fertility and the widespread destruction
of cultural and natural heritage.
Despite the growing concerns on
short, medium and long-term benefit/cost of dams, today Middle East and
North Africa (MENA) countries are witnessing an ever-growing number of
large dam projects. Activities and projects aiming at documenting and
protecting the cultural heritage are generally missing or only partially
included within dams projects masterplans.
There is an urgent need
for strategies for documenting and protecting archaeological sites and
monuments in the planning of hydraulic infrastructures at international,
national and local levels as well as outlining a general working
protocol. Funders of development works, foremost the World Bank, should
review their current policies, which offer insufficient protection to
cultural heritage.
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