In Willemstad, Curaçao, a conflict has erupted between Minister of Transport, Traffic, and Spatial Planning Charles Cooper and heritage organizations, including the Monumentenraad, over the future of the historic city center. Monumentenraad chairwoman Lusette Verboom warns that recent construction projects, particularly a tall new hotel building on the outskirts, threaten the city's UNESCO World Heritage status by disrupting its unique character and historical context. Minister Cooper, however, argues that heritage status should not impede urban development and questions the tangible benefits of the UNESCO designation, asserting that existing monument regulations already protect historical sites. Verboom counters that cultural value extends beyond monetary gain and emphasizes the importance of new constructions respecting the existing urban fabric, citing the Handelskade as an example of harmonious development.