UNESCO World Heritage Site — buffers

In 1996, Belgium ratified the UNESCO World Heritage Convention of 1972. The Convention aims to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the world. Heritage evidenced by Exceptional Universal Value is included on the World Heritage List in accordance with the Convention. Flanders has four recognitions, in particular the Flemish beguinages (1998), the Belforts of Belgium and France (1999/2005), the historic centre of Bruges (2000) and the museum-printing cabinet Plantin-Moretus (2005). The beguinages and belfries are serial nominations and therefore consist of several components. A total of 40 Flemish real estate and 1 city are listed on the World Heritage List. All Member States that ratified the Convention are committed to preserving this heritage. Not only within the demarcation of the World Heritage Site itself, but also within the buffer zone, Member States can take (or restrict) appropriate (management) measures to this end. The buffer zone serves as protection for the World Heritage Site against external threats. It is an area that surrounds or joins the recognised world heritage site and may consist of its immediate environment, important views on the site and other areas of interest to support and protect the site. (Operational Guidelines to the World Heritage Convention, 2013, § 103-107).