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Meidan Emam, Esfahan

Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Factors affecting the property in 2006*
  • Commercial development
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Construction of a commercial complex with high towers in the vicinity of the World Heritage site

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2006

Total amount provided to the property: 5,710 Euros (France – UNESCO Convention)

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2006
Requests approved: 2 (from 1986-2001)
Total amount approved : 13,321 USD
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2006

The World Heritage Centre received on 1 February 2006 a brief note on the follow-up of the decision of the 29th session of the World Heritage Committee concerning the state of conservation of the property from the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization. In this note, the State Party fully supported the above-mentioned decision of the Committee and clearly stated that a plan for the demolition of the top tower of the commercial complex had been prepared accordingly. A schedule for the demolition works was also provided in the note whereby the top tower would be demolished within a period of 40 days from 29 January 2006, and the demolition work for other parts of the complex which might affect the World Heritage value would be finished by the end of October 2006.

The State Party expressed in the same note its appreciation of the above-mentioned Committee decision concerning the possible extension of the World Heritage property to include the historic axis consisting of the Friday Mosque, bazaars, ancient bridges, Zayandehroud River and Chahar Bagh Avenue, and presented its commitment to submit the elements required for such an extension to the Committee as soon as possible. 

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2006
30 COM 7B.57
State of Conservation (Meidan Emam, Esfahan)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B,

2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7B.54, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),

3. Commends the State Party for its firm commitment and its actions taken regarding the demolition of the structures negatively affecting the outstanding universal value of the property;

4. Notes with concern that the implementation of the demolition work is late as compared with the commitment and timetable set out by the State Party in its letter of 25 January 2006;

5. Encourages the State Party, in consultation with the local authorities, to fully implement Decision 29 COM 7B.54 concerning the height of the commercial complex, specifically to reduce the height to 12 metres for its eastern side, closer to the property, and to 24 metres for its western side, including the tower, in accordance with existing building regulations in the area and with a view to ensure the conservation of the authentic setting and integrity of the historic city of Esfahan surrounding the Meidan Emam World Heritage property;

6. Congratulates the State Party on its firm commitment to the possible extension of the property;

7. Requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with an updated report on the above-mentioned demolition by 1 February 2007, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.

Draft Decision: 30 COM 7B.57

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B,

2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7B.54, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),

3. Commends the State Party for the actions taken regarding the demolition of the structures negatively affecting the outstanding universal value of the property;

4. Congratulates the State Party on its firm commitment to the possible extension of the property;

5. Requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with an updated report on the above-mentioned demolition by 1 February 2007, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007. 

Report year: 2006
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Date of Inscription: 1979
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(v)(vi)
Documents examined by the Committee
arrow_circle_right 30COM (2006)
Exports

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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