Paris seeks Unesco cultural heritage status for iconic zinc rooftops
The French culture ministry wants to etch the unique zinc-plated rooftops of Paris and their workers in the Unesco list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Though iconic, the roofs are often criticised for their unsuitability for hot temperatures brought on by climate change.
The zinc covering the roofs of central Paris has given the French capital's skyline its distinctive grey hue for almost two centuries.
Now the roofs and the workers who create and care for them are aiming to enter a select heritage club to showcase a profession adapting to the challenges of climate change.
The French culture ministry has chosen the zinc roofers as the country's entry for the Unesco list of Intangible Cultural Heritage to be decided at the UN body's session in Paraguayan capital Asuncion in December.
The craftsmanship of roofers and other ornamentalists who have sculpted the capital's skyline will be among 67 candidacies vying to join other iconic heritage sites such as India's Taj Mahal.
"Paris seen from above, it's obvious you're not in another city," said an enthused Delphine Burkli, mayor of the capital's ninth district.
Burkli helped initiate the French bid and first proposed in 2014 to add the roofs to Unesco's heritage list.
Brake on building?
But the plan has since changed as it is "very complicated", said Gilles Mermet, coordinator of the bid.
The campaign to etch the roofs into the prestigious books of world heritage stumbled when Paris town hall withdrew its support.
Mermet said the authorities are "afraid" of "no longer being able to build in Paris without the agreement of Unesco".
(AFP)
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