UNESCO warns: Petra floods threaten Jordan's heritage
Professor of Tourism Geography, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Kurdi, affirmed that the threats facing the ancient city of Petra are no longer mere theoretical assumptions or isolated local warnings, but have become an explicit international alert issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in its 2025 report.
The report clearly warned of the increasing water-related risks facing World Heritage sites, including Petra, primarily flash floods, drought, and water stress, Al-Kurdi explained.
The UNESCO report, prepared in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, indicates that 73% of World Heritage sites worldwide are now highly vulnerable to water-related risks, and that nearly a quarter of these sites face multiple and overlapping water-related threats.
The report places the Middle East and North Africa region among the most vulnerable regions due to climate change, erratic rainfall patterns, and increasing pressure on natural resources.
Petra stands out as a prime example of a World Heritage site that combines exceptional value with environmental fragility.
UNESCO emphasizes that flash floods pose a direct threat to the site's rock formations and structures, to the safety of visitors, and to its long-term tourism sustainability.
Petra: Between the Genius of the Past and the Challenges of the Present
Al-Kurdi believes that Petra historically represented a unique model of water management. The Nabataeans developed an advanced engineering system for controlling flash floods and storing water in an arid environment. However, the international report points out that changing rainfall patterns, increased flood intensity, and the declining effectiveness of some traditional structures have made this historical marvel in dire need of modernization and integration with contemporary scientific solutions.
The danger lies not only in the floods themselves, but also in the disruption of the water balance between prolonged droughts followed by sudden, heavy rainfall. This exacerbates the risks of erosion, collapses, and damage to the carved rock facades.
Management and Governance Responsibility
Al-Kurdi explained that while the report commended some of the measures taken in Petra, such as early warning systems and flood risk reduction efforts, it clearly indicated the need to strengthen integrated water resource management and link it to tourism planning and heritage protection, rather than relying on partial or emergency solutions.
He said that continued water pressures without a comprehensive national strategy could not only threaten the site but also negatively impact Jordan's international reputation in managing World Heritage sites, especially given the increasing UN scrutiny and periodic reports on the state of conservation.
A Call for Urgent National Action
Dr. Al-Kurdi pointed out that UNESCO's warning should not be treated as a passing news item, but rather as a national opportunity to reassess and develop Petra's management policies through:
- Integrating water risk management into tourism planning
- Employing modern technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing
- Reviving Nabataean water systems within a contemporary scientific framework
- Strengthening partnerships between official institutions, the local community, and experts
He emphasized that Petra is not merely an archaeological site, but Jordan's heritage and a symbol of its cultural identity to the world, explaining that UNESCO's 2025 warning confirms that protecting this heritage is no longer an option, but a national duty and an international obligation.
Time, as the report states, is running out, and any delay in making decisive decisions could make the cost of rescue higher and perhaps even too late.
Professor of Tourism Geography, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Kurdi, affirmed that the threats facing the ancient city of Petra are no longer mere theoretical assumptions or isolated local warnings, but have become an explicit international alert issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in its 2025 report.
The report clearly warned of the increasing water-related risks facing World Heritage sites, including Petra, primarily flash floods, drought, and water stress, Al-Kurdi explained.
The UNESCO report, prepared in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, indicates that 73% of World Heritage sites worldwide are now highly vulnerable to water-related risks, and that nearly a quarter of these sites face multiple and overlapping water-related threats.
The report places the Middle East and North Africa region among the most vulnerable regions due to climate change, erratic rainfall patterns, and increasing pressure on natural resources.
Petra stands out as a prime example of a World Heritage site that combines exceptional value with environmental fragility.
UNESCO emphasizes that flash floods pose a direct threat to the site's rock formations and structures, to the safety of visitors, and to its long-term tourism sustainability.
Petra: Between the Genius of the Past and the Challenges of the Present
Al-Kurdi believes that Petra historically represented a unique model of water management. The Nabataeans developed an advanced engineering system for controlling flash floods and storing water in an arid environment. However, the international report points out that changing rainfall patterns, increased flood intensity, and the declining effectiveness of some traditional structures have made this historical marvel in dire need of modernization and integration with contemporary scientific solutions.
The danger lies not only in the floods themselves, but also in the disruption of the water balance between prolonged droughts followed by sudden, heavy rainfall. This exacerbates the risks of erosion, collapses, and damage to the carved rock facades.
Management and Governance Responsibility
Al-Kurdi explained that while the report commended some of the measures taken in Petra, such as early warning systems and flood risk reduction efforts, it clearly indicated the need to strengthen integrated water resource management and link it to tourism planning and heritage protection, rather than relying on partial or emergency solutions.
He said that continued water pressures without a comprehensive national strategy could not only threaten the site but also negatively impact Jordan's international reputation in managing World Heritage sites, especially given the increasing UN scrutiny and periodic reports on the state of conservation.
A Call for Urgent National Action
Dr. Al-Kurdi pointed out that UNESCO's warning should not be treated as a passing news item, but rather as a national opportunity to reassess and develop Petra's management policies through:
- Integrating water risk management into tourism planning
- Employing modern technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing
- Reviving Nabataean water systems within a contemporary scientific framework
- Strengthening partnerships between official institutions, the local community, and experts
He emphasized that Petra is not merely an archaeological site, but Jordan's heritage and a symbol of its cultural identity to the world, explaining that UNESCO's 2025 warning confirms that protecting this heritage is no longer an option, but a national duty and an international obligation.
Time, as the report states, is running out, and any delay in making decisive decisions could make the cost of rescue higher and perhaps even too late.
Professor of Tourism Geography, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Kurdi, affirmed that the threats facing the ancient city of Petra are no longer mere theoretical assumptions or isolated local warnings, but have become an explicit international alert issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in its 2025 report.
The report clearly warned of the increasing water-related risks facing World Heritage sites, including Petra, primarily flash floods, drought, and water stress, Al-Kurdi explained.
The UNESCO report, prepared in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, indicates that 73% of World Heritage sites worldwide are now highly vulnerable to water-related risks, and that nearly a quarter of these sites face multiple and overlapping water-related threats.
The report places the Middle East and North Africa region among the most vulnerable regions due to climate change, erratic rainfall patterns, and increasing pressure on natural resources.
Petra stands out as a prime example of a World Heritage site that combines exceptional value with environmental fragility.
UNESCO emphasizes that flash floods pose a direct threat to the site's rock formations and structures, to the safety of visitors, and to its long-term tourism sustainability.
Petra: Between the Genius of the Past and the Challenges of the Present
Al-Kurdi believes that Petra historically represented a unique model of water management. The Nabataeans developed an advanced engineering system for controlling flash floods and storing water in an arid environment. However, the international report points out that changing rainfall patterns, increased flood intensity, and the declining effectiveness of some traditional structures have made this historical marvel in dire need of modernization and integration with contemporary scientific solutions.
The danger lies not only in the floods themselves, but also in the disruption of the water balance between prolonged droughts followed by sudden, heavy rainfall. This exacerbates the risks of erosion, collapses, and damage to the carved rock facades.
Management and Governance Responsibility
Al-Kurdi explained that while the report commended some of the measures taken in Petra, such as early warning systems and flood risk reduction efforts, it clearly indicated the need to strengthen integrated water resource management and link it to tourism planning and heritage protection, rather than relying on partial or emergency solutions.
He said that continued water pressures without a comprehensive national strategy could not only threaten the site but also negatively impact Jordan's international reputation in managing World Heritage sites, especially given the increasing UN scrutiny and periodic reports on the state of conservation.
A Call for Urgent National Action
Dr. Al-Kurdi pointed out that UNESCO's warning should not be treated as a passing news item, but rather as a national opportunity to reassess and develop Petra's management policies through:
- Integrating water risk management into tourism planning
- Employing modern technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing
- Reviving Nabataean water systems within a contemporary scientific framework
- Strengthening partnerships between official institutions, the local community, and experts
He emphasized that Petra is not merely an archaeological site, but Jordan's heritage and a symbol of its cultural identity to the world, explaining that UNESCO's 2025 warning confirms that protecting this heritage is no longer an option, but a national duty and an international obligation.
Time, as the report states, is running out, and any delay in making decisive decisions could make the cost of rescue higher and perhaps even too late.
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UNESCO warns: Petra floods threaten Jordan's heritage
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