PHILADELPHIA
Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Alan Greenberger, deputy mayor for economic development, and the Global Philadelphia Association announced that the City of Philadelphia has become the first World Heritage City in the United States, formally receiving the designation Nov. 6, 2015, through a vote taken by the XIII World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities in Arequipa, Peru.
The designation comes as the result of a two-year campaign and is expected to enhance the city’s international stature and provide a new growth engine to drive tourism and commerce in the region.
“Today marks the start of a new and exciting chapter in the history of Philadelphia, which is proud to become the first World Heritage City in the United States,” said Mayor Nutter. “As a World Heritage City, Philadelphia is being officially recognized on the global stage for its wealth of contributions to the world as the epicenter of American democracy and for its enduring commitment to preserving the unique historical and cultural assets in our diverse community.”
Philadelphia’s strong case to become the first World Heritage City in the U.S. began with a revolutionary foundation—the fact that the city is the home of Independence Hall, where America’s Founding Fathers forged democratic ideals into the Declaration of Independence and changed the course of history to give birth to a nation in 1776. It is also where the United States Constitution was written and signed.
Independence Hall became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. In 2013, Philadelphia was approved as an Observer Member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. Earlier this year, the World Heritage Philadelphia Executive Committee submitted an application to become a Full Member.
Philadelphia, the fifth-largest U.S. city, joins 266 other World Heritage Cities in the organization.
“The World Heritage City designation is a great honor for our city,” said Jack Ferguson, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It further enhances the value of our global brand and will help to attract even more tourists and conventions to Philadelphia.”
At a symposium in Philadelphia last month, the Global Philadelphia Association and the City of Philadelphia invited more than 100 leaders in the public and private sectors to discuss ideas and strategies that could be implemented following the World Heritage City designation. Now, these partners will develop and coordinate a plan of action in the months to come.
Mayor Nutter and the delegation will celebrate this historic designation with a Toast to World Heritage PHL at the Independence Visitors Center in Philadelphia on Wed., Nov. 11, 2015, at 4 p.m.
For information about the Organization of World Heritage Cities, visit www.ovpm.org.
