UNESCO Friday voiced concern over the construction of an ultra-modern complex Gazprom-City in Saint Petersburg, warning that the former imperial capital's historical downtown could be struck from the world heritage lists.
"We are waiting for Russia to present a report (on this project) by February 1, 2008," UNESCO's deputy general director Marcio Barbosa said as quoted by the Interfax news agency.
Barbosa warned that UNESCO could "exclude" Saint Petersburg's historical downtown from the world heritage lists and put in on the list of imperilled heritage if the project "advanced" as is.
The complex, which is due to be completed by 2016, includes a nearly 300-meter (1,000-foot) skyscraper and a five-star hotel on a 70-hectare (175-acre) area in the Neva estuary, near Saint Petersburg's historical centre. The project sparked lively debate in Saint Petersburg, a city which, since its foundation in 1703, managed to maintain a perfect architectural harmony.
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