Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan
Factors affecting the property in 2014*
- Housing
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- On-going development projects;
- Management systems/management plan
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2014
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2014**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2014
The State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation on 30 January 2014. It reports progress on the following:
- Revision of the Meydan-e Atiq project: At the request of the committee, revised plans have been drawn up to ensure that there is no structural connection between the new galleries and the historic walls of the mosque. Pedestrian passage will be through arched openings in the gallery and through the redesigned entrance gate, foreseen in the middle of the north-western side of the square. The revised design is based on extensive studies of historical information and documentation and the recommendation to respect the local urban design tradition.
- Strengthening the protection of the buffer zone and wider setting : Special regulations have been adopted within the Master Plan for Isfahan to protect the historic areas of the City and include conservation regulations and strategies for both the property and its buffer zone.
- Development and adoption of an integrated conservation and Management Plan: No further details have been provided on this issue.
- General urban development plan : A revitalization plan for the historic axis has been initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urbanisation in accordance with the adopted legislation for conservation of the historic fabric, namely for the Meydan-e Atiq and the southern section of Meydan-e Naghsh-e Jahan, with supervision by the responsible cultural heritage organizations.
The State Party has expressed its willingness to invite and host an ICOMOS advisory mission, as requested by the World Heritage Committee. The advisory mission had not taken place at the time of the preparation of this report.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2014
The State Party made efforts in undertaking the revision of the Meydan-e Atiq project, taking into consideration the structural, safety and design issues raised by the Committee. According to the current proposal no structural connection between the new galleries and the historic walls of the mosque is foreseen. Ample passage for pedestrians through the redesign of the entrance gate and the arched openings will provide suitable access to the square during major events.
Furthermore, information provided by the State Party indicates that the design of the project is appropriate to the local urban design tradition and setting of the mosque. It is recommended that the Committee welcome the progress made with the revision of the project taking into account the recommendations made its last session.
With reference to the recommendation for strengthening the protection of the buffer zone, the buffer zone has been integrated into the Isfahan Master Plan. In view of the information provided concerning urban development plan and the revitalization plan for the historic axis of Isfahan, the development, adoption and implementation of an integrated conservation and management plan is imperative, as are mechanisms for monitoring urban development. Therefore, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to, as a matter of urgency, to develop, adopt and implement an integrated conservation and management plan, as well as elaborating mechanisms for monitoring urban development, and to provide this information to the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies for review.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2014
38 COM 7B.15
Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan (Islamic Republic of Iran) (C 1397)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B,
- Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.63, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
- Notes the progress made in the revision of the Meydan-e Atiq project in response to the Committees request;
- Requests the State Party to develop, adopt and implement an integrated conservation and management plan, as well as to elaborate mechanisms for monitoring urban development;
- Reiterates its recommendation to the State Party that Heritage Impact Assessments are carried out for any future developments in the buffer zone, such as further rehabilitation of the surrounding historic bazaar, to ensure that any developments do not impact adversely on the property and its wider setting;
- Welcomes the invitation by the State Party to host the ICOMOS advisory mission, to consider how the requests of the Committee at the time of inscription have been addressed;
- Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2015, a report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property, including progress made in the implementation of the above recommendations, for examination by the Committee at its 40th session in 2016.
Draft Decision: 38 COM 7B.15
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.63, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
3. Notes the progress made in the revision of the Meydan-e Atiq project in response to the Committees request;
4. Requests the State Party to develop, adopt and implement an integrated conservation and management plan, as well as to elaborate mechanisms for monitoring urban development;
5. Reiterates its recommendation to the State Party that Heritage Impact Assessments are carried out for any future developments in the buffer zone, such as further rehabilitation of the surrounding historic bazaar, to ensure that any developments do not impact adversely on the property and its wider setting;
6. Welcomes the invitation by the State Party to host the ICOMOS advisory mission, to consider how the requests of the Committee at the time of inscription have been addressed;
7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2016, a report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property, including progress made in the implementation of the above recommendations, for examination by the Committee at its 40th session in 2016.
Iran (Islamic Republic of)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.
