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Iran: Various locations; 1992 and
ongoing
Ministry of Housing & Urban Development, Urban Development &
Revitalization Corporation, Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization
The historical centers of Isfahan, Yazd, Zanjan, Tabriz and Bushir
comprise dense fabrics for one and two story structures, primarily
of mud or fired brick, which are arranged around internal
courtyards. The centers of these cities have suffered from general
neglect, since traditional homes are often perceived as
inappropriate for contemporary needs and unregulated development
poses a very real danger to the historical fabric.
To address this threat, the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Development established a program in 1988 to arrest the physical and
social decline of Iran's city centers. Historical cities are
acquired, restored and sold or rented to new owners or tenants. An
important part of this process has been to identify practical new
uses for the buildings to benefit the community.
This work is undertaken by the Ministry's Urban Development and
Revitalization Corporation (UDRC), which since 1997 has operated as
a corporation, with 51% private investment. In addition to the
projects in Isfahan, Yazd, Zanjan, Tabriz and Bushir, the UDRC has
more than 30 urban revitalization and development projects, now
on-going in 21 cities. All work, related to historical buildings is
carried out in close collaboration with the Iranian Cultural
Heritage Organization (ICHO) of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic
Guidance.
Buildings have been converted, some with great imagination, to accommodate
a wide variety of public facilities. Among the most creative
examples has been the transformation in Isfahan of the Vazir
Bath-house, dating from Safavid era, into the Center of the
Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults. The high
vault of the original dressing room (Bineh) is used as a library,
while the adjacent steam room (Garm-khaneh) serves as a play and
reading area. The more intimate spaces that originally housed pools
(Khazineh) provide the backdrop for art lessons. Quarry tiles have
been laid with glazed tile inserts in patterns that enable children
to play games, and traditional small glass skylights in the domes
provide natural lighting. A ramp, traditionally used to lead animals
to draw water from the well, has been ingeniously transformed into a
small auditorium.
Modern services, including electrical and heating systems and piped
water, have been discreetly introduced to all the restored
buildings. Structural changes have been kept to a minimum and
traditional materials and skills have been used as far as possible,
combined, where appropriate, with modern materials or methods.
A market-driven approach has been crucial to ensure long term sustainability
and the program has exploited the low cost of centrally located
property in comparison of that outlaying areas, illustrating the
potential of restored buildings to meet current needs in a
commercially viable way. Private investors have been inspired to
undertake parallel projects, including a number of guest-house (inn)
developments.
The program has brought new life to the urban centers of Iranian
cities, improving living conditions, revitalizing the architectural
character, renewing appreciation of the rich cultural heritage and
stimulating awareness in the private sector of how investment in a
country's delicate historical fabric can benefit everyone.
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