Comprehensive strategic plan unveiled for Arg-e Naderi Hill
Arg-e Naderi Hill (Naderi Citadel) in Shirvan, North Khorasan Province, an ancient remnant whose occupation dates back to the mid-fourth millennium BCE, is now on the verge of a new transformation with the formulation of the “comprehensive strategic plan for cultural heritage protection and development management at Arg-e Naderi of Shirvan.”
The plan, resulting from a joint collaboration between the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization of North Khorasan Province and the Architecture Department of Bojnord University, adopts an innovative approach seeking to transform the current challenges facing this national heritage site into an opportunity for integrated development and the strengthening of Shirvan’s urban identity.
Ali-Akbar Vahdati, head of the Historical Heritage Preservation and Restoration Department of North Khorasan Province, wrote that Arg-e Naderi Hill is registered on Iran’s National Heritage List and is considered one of the most significant prehistoric settlements in the northeastern region of the country, according to chtn.ir.
Archaeological evidence from excavations conducted by a joint Iran-China mission reveals an urban center with extensive cultural and commercial ties from the Chalcolithic period (Copper Age) through the Qajar era.
However, the destruction of the old city of Shirvan in the earthquake of 1929 has severed this valuable hill from the living fabric of the city and turned it into a symbol of neglect. Vacant lands, abandoned and unsafe spaces within the 23-hectare perimeter surrounding the hill have exacerbated physical and social disintegration, giving rise to greater damage that has not only fueled an unbalanced urban landscape but also sparked social disorders in this area. The complexity of the situation has been compounded by the mixed ownership structure and the lack of integrated management. The comprehensive strategic plan seeks to forge a deep connection between cultural heritage and modern urban life.