The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is taking place in Busan, South Korea, from 19 to 29 July. During the session, the Committee considers new properties for the World Heritage List, reviews the conservation of existing sites and assesses how its earlier decisions have been carried out. Modernist Kaunas, inscribed on the list in 2023, is among the items under discussion.
“Three years ago, in 2023, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognised the Outstanding Universal Value of Modernist Kaunas — UNESCO’s official term for cultural or natural significance of exceptional importance to humanity — and inscribed it on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Although several countries commented on aspects of the nomination that could be improved, this did not cast doubt on Kaunas’ suitability for UNESCO World Heritage status. This year, we returned to the World Heritage Committee session to present the progress made, including recommendations already implemented and other work currently under way”, said Saulius Rimas, Head of the Urban Development and Heritage Protection Division.
Reklāma
A Global Gathering in Busan
This year’s session is being held in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, and has drawn around 3,000 delegates from more than 150 countries. In total, the Committee is considering 33 new nominations for the World Heritage List and reviewing the state of conservation of 147 existing properties, including Kaunas.
What UNESCO Recommended in 2023
When Modernist Kaunas was inscribed in 2023, the Committee recognised its Outstanding Universal Value and issued recommendations to strengthen the property’s protection.
In short, the recommendations called for:
- a clearer explanation of Kaunas’ significance within the modernisation of Central and Eastern Europe;
- refined boundaries for the World Heritage property;
- a stronger management system and an integrated protection and monitoring plan;
- a formalised Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) process;
- a comprehensive inventory of interwar buildings;
- better awareness among private property owners;
- a permanent mechanism for public participation in managing the site.
In response, Kaunas has steadily strengthened the way it protects and manages its modernist heritage. At national level, Lithuania approved a revised Statement of Outstanding Universal Value. It explains the city’s exceptional importance within European modernisation more precisely, and highlights its distinctive character. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee also approved the document in 2024.
Strengthening Protection and Management
The city has also decided to extend the buffer zone slightly, and it will submit the boundary change to the World Heritage Centre for approval. Meanwhile, a comprehensive inventory of interwar buildings is under way and will feed into a geographic information system (GIS) database. Over the past three years, 43 new modernist properties have joined the Lithuanian Register of Cultural Property. Together, these measures support consistent monitoring of building conditions, maintenance planning and more effective heritage protection.
The city is now finalising the management and action plans for the World Heritage property, and expects to complete them this year. Protection plans for Naujamiestis, Žaliakalnis I and Žaliakalnis II are also in preparation, and will later merge into a single integrated protection and management plan.
A Stronger Legal Framework
Kaunas has also improved its legal protection framework. After amendments to the Law on the Protection of Immovable Cultural Heritage in 2025, Lithuania formally introduced the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA). The HIA helps determine whether large-scale construction, development or other planned activities could harm the Outstanding Universal Value or physical condition of protected heritage properties.
Earlier, in 2023, Kaunas City Municipality prepared and approved recommendations for installing roof windows, converting attics and adding storeys in historic buildings. The document sets out the main principles for preserving a building’s integrity and heritage features during renovation or reconstruction. As a result, it now serves as practical guidance for architects, developers and heritage-property owners.
Support for Residents and Owners
To encourage residents to maintain and renovate their properties, the Heritage Management Programme has become more flexible. Funding is now available for conservation and renovation work within the UNESCO property and its buffer zone, and Kaunas residents can apply throughout the year.
“Kaunas has fewer and fewer neglected façades and abandoned public spaces. These are not just plans on paper – we have hundreds of examples showing how the renovation of a single building can transform its entire surroundings. The city is taking care of what matters to all residents, while also helping residents renovate their own properties through municipal funding. The more we improve today, the more beautiful Kaunas will be for future generations,” said Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis.
Raising Awareness of Modernist Kaunas
Kaunas has also given considerable attention to public engagement. Since 2024, the Initiatives for Kaunas programme has delivered educational, cultural and community projects, from guided tours to creative workshops and publications. After a long break, the International Sculpture Symposium has also returned to the city, this time with a special focus on Kaunas modernism. In total, 465 events have taken place since heritage promotion became a programme priority, with more than EUR 680,000 allocated.
The local community helped shape the revised Management Plan too. Residents, heritage specialists, architects and representatives of the business and cultural communities all took part in public consultations.
A Positive Assessment and What Comes Next
“It is encouraging to see Kaunas making consistent progress towards the conservation objectives of the World Heritage property. During the session, the World Heritage Committee gave a positive assessment of Kaunas’ progress and adopted the decision without debate,” said Renata Vaičekonytė-Kepežinskienė, Head of Heritage Programmes at the Secretariat of the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO.
In their assessment, the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and ICCROM welcomed Lithuania’s progress in acting on the 2023 recommendations. However, they stressed that sustained work on the measures already launched, together with continued cooperation with UNESCO institutions, will remain essential to the property’s long-term conservation. Kaunas is expected to submit its next report to the World Heritage Centre in December 2027.
More information about Kaunas modernism, the UNESCO World Heritage designation and the European Heritage Label is available at modernist.kaunas.lt.
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