Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)

Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) is defined by UNESCO as: “Cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity” (UNESCO, 2023, para. 49).For a site to be inscribed on the World Heritage List, it must demonstrate OUV by meeting at least one of ten selection criteria established by the World Heritage Committee. These criteria encompass both cultural and natural dimensions and include representing a masterpiece of human creative genius; exhibiting significant interchange of human values; bearing exceptional testimony to cultural traditions or civilizations; being an outstanding example of a type of building, landscape, or settlement; and demonstrating superlative natural phenomena, major stages of Earth's history, ecological and biological processes, or significant natural habitats for biodiversity conservation (UNESCO, 2023).In addition to satisfying at least one criterion, a site must also meet conditions of integrity, the wholeness and intactness of its natural or cultural heritage, and, for cultural properties, authenticity, which refers to the credibility of the attributes expressing its cultural value (UNESCO, 2023; see Articles 1 and 2 of the World Heritage Convention).OUV is not inherent; it is recognized and justified through a nomination process that identifies and supports the values of a site with clearly defined attributes. These are the tangible and intangible characteristics that convey the site's significance, such as physical features, materials, spatial layout, land use, traditions, knowledge systems, and associative meanings (UNESCO, 2019; de la Torre, 2013). Attributes make the site's values legible, appreciable, and defensible at a global scale.