Meidan Emam, Esfahan

• Underground transportation infrastructure (Subway route under the historical axis of Esfahan)
• Commercial development (issue resolved)
• Housing

Total amount granted:5,710 Euros (France/UNESCO Cooperation Agreement)

On 30 November 2016 the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/115/documents, which provides information on the recommendations made by the Committee at its 39th session as follows:

• Metro Line 2: The authorities have shifted the routing of Metro Line 2 out of the property’s buffer zone, and the new route is at a distance of 350m from Meidan Emam;
• Boundary of property and modification of buffer zone: The process for defining the buffer zone has been completed and maps have been submitted to the World Heritage Centre;
• Conservation and rehabilitation: Measures that have been approved and are partially in the process of being implemented concerning the conservation and stabilization of the Masjed-e Emam’s dome, the restoration of columns and the ceiling of the Ali Qapu pavilion, the restoration and harmonization of parietal decorations in the Ali Qapu portico, the revitalization and reorganization of the Royal road and of the Meidan Emam square;
• Education and promotion: In order to better promote and present the cultural significance of the property, the authorities have established a permanent exhibition space in the Ali Qapu pavilion, including educational programmes and exhibitions. Better guidance for visitors within the property will be ensured through pedestrian roadways, which are in the process of being developed. This shall reduce traffic within the property;
• Sewage system within property and its buffer zone: Esfahan's Water and Wastewater Organization is planning the reorganization of the water and sewage system within the property and its buffer zone;

As requested by the Committee in Decision 39 COM 7B.67 (Bonn, 2015), the State Party also submitted a draft proposal for boundary clarification of the property, for review by the Advisory Bodies.

The State Party's efforts to address the issues raised by the Committee concerning Metro Line 2 are acknowledged and appreciated. The shift in the routing of the Metro Line 2 to a distance of 350m outside the property is a positive step and it is hoped that all mitigation measures, including the investigation and monitoring of monuments, will continue to be part of the tunnelling activities in order to ensure that these works do not cause any negative impact on the property. 

While the efforts of the authorities in terms of conservation and rehabilitation measures are commendable, it is not clear whether these have been based on the draft Conservation and Management Plan or on the Master Plan for Esfahan. Furthermore, no information on the preparation of a systematic strategy on risk preparedness has been provided, despite the request by the Committee at its 39th session. It is therefore recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to submit the draft Conservation and Management Plan for comments by the Advisory Bodies, prior to its finalization.

An assessment study of the property against disasters such as earthquake or fire shall also be carried out in order to develop a systematic strategy for disaster risk reduction, and integrate it into the Conservation and Management Plan.

More detailed information on the development of the spatial structure for the pedestrian tourists within the property should be sent to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, before any works are commenced.

Finally, the State Party reports very briefly on planning for the reorganization of the sewage system. It is therefore recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide more detailed information on the reorganization of the sewage system within the property and its buffer zone.