The World's Most Endangered Destinations, Monument Division
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 06.15.07
Jasmin listed many of the natural wonders that are threatened by global warming, development, pollution and overpopulation; important architectural wonders are being lost to the same forces. Robert Falcon Scott's hut at Cape Evans in Antarctica is being buried in snow due to changes in weather patterns; Sert's Miro Foundation in Barcelona is suffering from water infiltration; Sonargoan-Panam City in Bangladesh is under a triple threat from neglect, climate change and flooding. See the 100 most endangered sites as selected by World Monuments Fund, on organization that calls "attention to cultural heritage sites around the world threatened by neglect, vandalism, armed conflict, or natural disaster" and produces this disturbing map at ::World Monuments Watch.
Scott's Hut, Cape Evans, Antarctica
From the WMF website:
Every two years, WMF announces the World Monuments Watch list of 100 Most Endangered Sites to call international attention to cultural heritage sites around the world threatened by neglect, vandalism, armed conflict, or natural disaster.
Now through the Watch, WMF encourages community support and highlights the need for technical and financial resources to assist in the rescue of endangered sites. Since the launch of the Watch in 1996, more than 75% of the sites have been saved or are well on their way, thanks to timely intervention.
An independent panel of experts selects the panel from nominations submitted by preservation professionals, NGOs, governments. Sites of all types—from ancient to modern—are eligible, and “monuments” can be archaeological sites; residential, civic, commercial, military, or religious architecture; cultural landscapes; and townscapes.
