UNESCO to decide on World Heritage Status for Amsterdam canal ring

The canal ring (Grachten Gordel) in Amsterdam is one of the best untouched wonders of the world – you can walk the ring for miles without the interruption of modern architecture, or obscene skyscrapers. Thanks to its wonderful preservation, the 16th and 17th century buildings are currently on the nomination list for World Heritage status with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

If accepted, the city will join the downtown areas of Salzburg, Rome, Jerusalem, Dubrovnik and Carcassonne. Opponents claim the listing will stop any development work taking place in the canal ring area, essentially turning it into a museum. Which if you ask me, is exactly the purpose of a UNESCO listing. Preserving the buildings in Amsterdam is something that is very important, and adding too many new buildings between the current structures would be a real shame.

The UNESCO summit takes place in Brazil this weekend.

[Photo from: AFP/Getty Images]