Balancing progress, preservation in Shiraz’s cultural landscape
The 57-hectare map for the historical-cultural fabric of Shiraz, the capital of Fars Province, has been approved by the Supreme Council of Architecture and Urban Development, despite the map and specifics of the resolution remaining unclear. Reports indicate that this plan, which has been a subject of dispute for years, has been approved in agreement with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. It includes amendments such as “refraining from further demolitions” and “revitalizing life in the historical fabric of Shiraz.”
Shahrokh Kalantari, a researcher and graduate in the preservation and revitalization of historical monuments and fabrics, told ISNA: “According to discussions I had with experts from the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, this plan will have minimal intervention in the fabric of Shiraz, with no intention of carrying out new demolitions. The 57-hectare map will remain the same as the previous one, but modifications will be made, including the removal of the proposed boundary by the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the cancellation of the squares planned for the development of the Shah Cheragh (the holy shrine of Ahmed bin Musa (PBUH) brother of Imam Reza (PBUH) the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims).
Only in areas already demolished in the past will the extension of the Shah Cheragh shrine be permitted.
He added: “In the previous 57-hectare map, a boundary proposed by the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage would have led to the demolition of 95 parcels, 35 of which were either registered on the national heritage list or considered valuable. According to experts from the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, this boundary and the associated demolitions have been removed in the new resolution, which emphasizes the preservation of the historical fabric of Shiraz.
He stated, “However, we must wait for more details about the new map to become clear. Until the text of the resolution is made public, everything remains uncertain, and it is not possible to provide a precise expert opinion on the matter. The concern with the previous plan was that the proposed boundary by the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage would have resulted in widespread demolition within the historical fabric. Experts from the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development have confirmed that this proposed boundary has been removed and amended in the new plan and resolution.”