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BANCO NATIONAL PARK ABIDJAN (https://www.facebook.com/parcdubanco/)

Established as a national park by decree of 10/31/53, the Banco National Park is nestled in the heart of the Ivorian economic capital, between four (4) municipalities ( Adjamé, Attécoubé, Abobo and Yopougon ).

Banco National Park covers an area of ​​3,438 hectares. Described as a hydraulic reservoir and green lung of the city of Abidjan, this protected area is a mecca for environmental education.

Its major challenge is to protect the water table of the continental terminal for the supply of drinking water to the city of Abidjan. Its main assets are: the existence of a potential of 600 ha of primary forests; the existence of an arboretum of more than eight hundred (800) species of higher plants originating from the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America; existence of fish ponds located in the heart of the park; the existence of a semi-natural swimming pool and a restaurant, the existence of the Governor Rest's house which serves as an ecomuseum and the presence of a family of chimpanzees.

DOMAINE BINI DAHLIA FLEUR ABIDJAN ABATTA
Covering an area of ​​148 hectares, the Dahlia flowers partial nature reserve was created on October 14, 2004. Easy access via the old Bingerville road which borders it. Its peri-urban location can encourage daily hikes and the gentle terrain makes hiking easier.

The diversity of vegetation is favorable to scientific research. 91 ha of well-preserved forest; 08 ha of secondary forest; 15 species of mammals; 69 species of birds inventoried. The reserve is located in a region with high tourist potential. 

OFFERS
The Dalhia Fleurs reserve: Located in Abatta, it is meant to welcome lovers of adventure and hiking; the reserve offers hiking trails, cycle paths, and rest areas. A healthy brunch with fruits and healthy dishes awaits you every weekend. Its 148 hectares offer wide possibilities for discovery and exploration.

• Prices: 15,000 day covers brunch and activities.

Yamoussoukro, town and capital (de jure), south-central Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), located about 170 miles (274 km) northwest of the country’s de facto capital, Abidjan. Although Yamoussoukro was officially named the new national capital in 1983, the transfer of government functions proceeded slowly, and Abidjan remained the de facto capital into the 21st century.

Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire

For more than three decades after Côte d’Ivoire achieved independence in 1960, Yamoussoukro served as the country’s “second capital” because it was the birthplace, home, and unofficial headquarters of Pres. Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire’s head of state from 1960 to 1993. The town housed the assembly hall of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (Parti Démocratique de la Côte d’Ivoire), the country’s only political party until 1990. Yamoussoukro became a major urban centre largely because of Houphouët-Boigny’s influence, with a dense infrastructure of roads and public utilities. The fishing, forestry, and perfume industries play important roles in the town’s economy. Sites of cultural importance in Yamoussoukro include the Yamoussoukro Basilica, which is modeled after St. Peter’s in Vatican City; a large mosque; other churches; and secondary schools. Pop. (2003 est.) 185,600; (2014) 212,670.

Historic Town of Grand-Bassam

The first capital of Côte d’Ivoire, the Historic Town of Grand-Bassam, is an example of a late 19th- and early 20th-century colonial town planned with quarters specializing in commerce, administration, housing for Europeans and for Africans. The site includes the N’zima African fishing village alongside colonial architecture marked by functional houses with galleries, verandas and gardens. Grand-Bassam was the most important port, economic and judicial centre of Côte d’Ivoire. It bears witness to the complex social relations between Europeans and Africans, and to the subsequent independence movement. As a vibrant centre of the territory of French trading posts in the Gulf of Guinea, which preceded modern Côte d’Ivoire, it attracted populations from all parts of Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean Levant.

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief synthesis

The historic town of Grand-Bassam is an example of a colonial town built at the end of the 19th century and during the early 20th century. It follows a planning concept based on the specialisation of quarters for commerce, administration, housing for Europeans and housing for Africans. It embodies, on the one hand, colonial architecture and town planning, based on the principles of functionalism and hygiene of the time, and adapted to climatic conditions, and, on the other hand, an village N’zima which demonstrates the permanency of indigenous cultures. Grand-Bassam was the first colonial capital, and the most important port, economic centre and legal centre of Côte d’Ivoire; it bears witness to the complex social relations between Europeans and Africans, and then to the popular movement in favour of independence.

Criterion (iii): Grand-Bassam bears witness, through its well preserved urban organisation, to an important cultural tradition linked to its role as a colonial capital, an administrative centre for the former AOF (Afrique occidentale française) and a regional commercial hub. From the 1880s to the 1950s, the town brought together various African, European and Middle Eastern populations. Cohabitation between them was harmonious but at the same time conflictual. 

Criterion (iv): Grand-Bassam constitutes an outstanding example of rational colonial town planning, with its specialised quarters in an overall urban network in which vegetation has an important role. The colonial architecture is characterised by a sober and functional style, using principles of hygiene adapted to a tropical location. The organisation of the vernacular house in the N'zima village echoes this approach, expressing the permanency of indigenous values.

Integrity

The integrity of the urban fabric is generally good. The property includes sufficiently large ensembles of characteristic built structures to enable them to be well understood. However, the architectural integrity of the buildings is under threat in many cases, because of abandonment and lack of maintenance. The integrity of the urban landscape might be under threat from the pressure for property linked to beach tourism.