The 2011 Recommendation is used by the World Heritage Committee to promote a holistic approach to managing historic urban areas. Approximately 1 out of 3 World Heritage sites are urban. More than 50% of all State of Conservation reports examined relate to heritage in urban areas, reflecting the complexities of reconciling urban development with heritage conservation. The 2011 Recommendation helps World Heritage properties in urban contexts find this balance by understanding urban heritage as a system and a resource for sustainable urban development.
