UNESCO Sites Navigator

Funded by the Flanders UNESCO Trustfund (FUT), the Netherlands Funds in Trust (NFiT) and the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, the UNESCO Sites Navigator is the dedicated Geographic Information System (GIS) for UNESCO’s key designated sites around the globe.

Launch full screen (recommended) Tutorial video

The UNESCO Sites Navigator is the Organisation's institutional geographic information system that visualises verified, georeferenced boundaries of World Heritage properties, Biosphere Reserves, and UNESCO Global Geoparks, as well as properties protected under the 1954 Hague Convention and its Two Protocols. This comprehensive monitoring tool also brings together nearly 50 relevant datasets, supporting enhanced oversight through remote sensing and providing deeper insights into the sites – be it their values, geographical features, or exposure to risks and pressures. 

This intersectoral platform, co-managed by the Culture and Natural Sciences sectors, provides easy access to official boundaries of UNESCO sites and supports the early identification of potential risks, aiding in the effective monitoring of their state of conservation. By displaying authoritative spatial data for major UNESCO designations on a single interactive map, it bridges culture and nature, and is especially valuable for the integrated management of sites with multiple designations.

A standout feature is the automated alert system, offering daily and weekly updates derived from near real-time satellite and geospatial data. These alerts enable rapid situational awareness of potential hazards affecting UNESCO sites, initially focused on World Heritage properties, with plans to expand further. While alerts do not confirm damage, they flag emerging risks such as wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, coral bleaching, or vegetation disturbances. 

The UNESCO Sites Navigator fulfils a longstanding need: a unified, publicly accessible online platform that offers trusted geospatial data to support the monitoring, management, and conservation of UNESCO designated sites.

Further development and refinement of the platform are ongoing. Polygons not yet featured either await submission by the relevant States or are still under review or adjustment in coordination between UNESCO and the concerned State(s). Data for each UNESCO designation is managed and updated by their respective secretariats. The Navigator’s interface and tools are also being progressively improved.

You can also peruse the quickstart guide to the platform or chech this tutorial video to get started.

If you would like to contact the platform team, please write to wh-gis@unesco.org.