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State of Conservation (SOC)

Meidan Emam, Esfahan (2006)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds

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

International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Ap proved: 0USD

Missions**

UNESCO-Tehran Cluster Office mission in June 2004

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

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

Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

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. 

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

30COM7B.57
Link to the decision

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.  

Meidan Emam, Esfahan
State Party:
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Date of Inscription: 1979
Nomination records (Year): 1979
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(v)(vi)
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2012
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Threats*
  • Commercial development
  • Other Threats:
Documents
WHC-06/30.COM/7B
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1178

* : 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.