ARC-WH led an expert’s mission to the Historic City of Zabid, in the Republic of Yemen on 29 September 2013, in order to identify and support urban rehabilitation techniques to preserve its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  ARC-WH offered technical and financial support for the property to implement the best practices for the restoration and rehabilitation of the site. The initiative attracted further attention from local and national authorities about the alarming conversation status of Zabid. Moreover, it triggered restoration and maintenance interventions by Zabid’s local community and inspired other national and international organisations to join the preservation efforts to support further rehabilitation activities in the city. During the mission, several meetings were held with local authority officials and representatives of the local people in Zabid in order to identify their needs in terms of urban development.  The mission identified three possible projects for future restoration and rehabilitation interventions which have been highly appreciated by the Ministry of Culture in Yemen.  

 The Project involves multiple interventions including the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of one extensive public space into a playground for children. Another reuse was the rehabilitation of another interconnected smaller space into a green area with palm trees and a parking area (as declared by the general plan of Zabid). This project will continue its activities which include restoring the walls of buildings surrounding the targeted area and two other private traditional houses. 

 ARC-WH conducted a third mission on 14 May 2014, headed by its director to sign agreements with the Ministry of Culture and GOPHCY, in response to the follow-up of Zabid’s project. Further discussions were held with the Prime Minister of Yemen in order to ensure the prevent illegal construction.