DUTCH WANT HERITAGE STATUS FOR AMSTERDAM CANALS

The Dutch government wants the 17th century canals at the heart of Amsterdam to be declared a U.N. World Heritage Site because of the district's cultural and historical significance, its culture ministry said last week.

"The structure of canals, roads, bridges and land around the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsensgracht is an international icon of urban planning that is still intact after four centuries," the culture ministry said in a statement.

The government plans to put its case to the World Heritage Committee by February 2009. The Netherlands has seven listed World Heritage Sites, including a 19th-century fortification in Amsterdam and the country's oldest reclaimed area.
read more (nrc.nl)

AMSTERDAM CANALS NOMINATED read more (dutchnews.nl)
HISTORIC CENTRE OF AMSTERDAM read more (unesco.org)


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December 15, 2008