Following the successful removal of the Old Town of Ghadames from the World Heritage in Danger list, UNESCO has formally adopted a new sustainable development roadmap for the site. Known as the 'Pearl of the Desert,' the ancient oasis city is being revitalized through a project that combines traditional mud-brick preservation techniques with modern solar-powered climate monitoring to prevent further erosion of its iconic white-washed walls.
The plan focuses on the repopulation of the historic core by encouraging local families to return to restored ancestral homes, thereby maintaining the living heritage of the site. This initiative marks the first major international heritage investment in the region since 2011, aimed at transforming the site into a model for sustainable desert tourism.