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The wide variety of heritage around the world means that the impacts which can affect World Heritage properties are equally diverse. For example: upstream drainage works that affect water levels at a freshwater site; large buildings that affect views in and out of a World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. ; incremental changes to an urban layout that was representative of a historical period; blockage of a migration route for an important species; or any development on a site whose pristine characteristics are central to an important cultural tradition. Impact assessment Impact assessment is the process of identifying, predicting and evaluating the potential environmental impacts of proposed actions prior to major approval decisions being taken and commitments made. It is undertaken for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating adverse impacts, and enhancing beneficial impacts. More generally, impact assessment can be appreciated as a way of thinking and planning that can be applied to all scales of activity. Impact assessment can be applied to development proposals at various levels – projects, plans, programmes and policies.

See also: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Heritage Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment is a key tool for identifying, avoiding and minimizing such negative impacts.

understood and believed to be credible: whether their cultural values are truthfully and credibly expressed through attributes including form and design; materials and substance; use and function; traditions, techniques and management systems; location and setting; language and other forms of intangible heritage; spirit and feeling; and other internal and external factors.

Integrity All properties nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List shall satisfy the conditions of integrity. Integrity is a measure of the wholeness and intactness of the natural and/or cultural heritage and its attributes. Examining the conditions of integrity therefore requires assessing the extent to which the property:
a. includes all elements necessary to express its Outstanding Universal Value
b. is of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes which convey the property’s significance
c. suffers from adverse effects of development and/or neglect is a measure of the wholeness and intactness of the natural and/or cultural heritage and its attributes: the extent to which the property includes all elements necessary to express its Outstanding Universal Value; whether it is of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes which convey the property’s significance; and whether it has been protected from adverse effects of development and/or neglect.