Meidan Emam, Esfahan

Urban pressure; Tourism pressure.

A joint UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office and Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) mission took place in June 2004 to collect up-to-date information concerning the Jahan-Nama Commercial Complex.  The mission undertook consultations with the representatives and key decision-makers of the national and local authorities who have the authority to take action related to the Jahan-Nama Commercial Complex and the core and buffer zones of the World Heritage property of Meidan Emam.  It emerged from the consultations that a National Technical Committee had been formed, including the main stakeholders and decision-makers, to review the matter and arrive at an agreed proposal for the reduction of the tower.  This National Technical Committee had agreed to reduce the maximum height limit to 12 metres for the first section of the Complex nearest to this property (nearly 85 metres), in compliance with the legal provisions of the Urban Development Plan and Protective Zones of Esfahan Historic City, which were adopted by the national and local authorities in 1995.  Concerning the tallest part of the complex, located at some 700 metres from the Meidan Emam, which currently reaches 58 metres in height, the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) had suggested that it be reduced to 24,5 metres, to avoid any visual impact on the World Heritage property.  However, no decision has been taken so far on the matter. 

According to a report from the Government of Iran, received by the World Heritage Centre on 31 March 2005, the case of the so-called Jahan Nama building complex has now been referred to the Esfahan Justice Department.  The Union of Human Rights Defendants, an Iranian NGO, has officially filed a complaint to the Esfahan Justice Department regarding the negative impact of the building on the World Heritage Property.  Moreover, ICHTO’s Legal Department has submitted a penal complaint to the Esfahan Court in order to compel the Municipality of Esfahan and the constructor of the building to undertake the necessary action to mitigate the negative impact of this building on the World Heritage Property and its surroundings.  H.  E.  the Governor of Esfahan also has submitted a legal complaint to the Prosecuting Attorney of Esfahan, based on the violation of construction criteria approved by the Commission (Article 5).  In April 2005, the Court was expected to make a decision on whether or not the Jahan Nama building would be reduced in size.  At the time of the writing of the present report, however, the World Heritage Centre had received no information on the outcome of this legal case.

At its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004) the World Heritage Committee had also encouraged the State Party to continue its efforts to extend the World Heritage property of Meidan Emam, to include the historic axis consisting of the Friday Mosque, the Bazaars, the ancient bridges, the Zayanderoud River and the South Chahar Bagh Avenue.  However, the World Heritage Centre has not received any information from the State Party regarding this matter.

Thanks to a contribution from the French Government, the UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office will organize a Stakeholders’ Workshop on Meidan Emam, Esfahan, which will be probably held in May or June 2005.  The aim of this Workshop is to enhance information exchange, understanding and co-operation between local and national authorities as well as other stakeholders involved in the conservation and management of Meidan Emam World Heritage property, and discuss a preliminary action plan to implement the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee.