TEHRAN - Isfahan is set to host the inaugural conference of Iran’s historical cities on Oct. 31, aiming to connect cities with rich cultural heritages to policymakers in relevant fields, including the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.

Mohammad-Ali Izadkhasti, the CEO of Isfahan’s Urban Revitalization Organization, emphasized the significance of this event during an interview with IRNA on Saturday.

He noted that the gathering, initiated by Isfahan’s municipality and supported by several historical cities, will serve as a platform for city managers to discuss shared challenges and experiences.

Izadkhasti mentioned that several meetings with the Ministry of Interior, and the organization of municipalities and rural cooperatives have revealed a lack of unified data and a centralized space for collaboration among historical cities.

“This highlighted the necessity for a collective forum where these cities could exchange insights and strategies,”Izadkhasti said.

He added that the conference aims to enhance the protection of the nation’s valuable historical heritage. By forming this assembly, mayors from historical cities will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and share their experiences, fostering collaboration in heritage conservation efforts.

Currently, municipalities are at the forefront of safeguarding historical sites, and the conference will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practices in preservation. Over the past year, the Isfahan Renovation Organization has hosted more than 60 scientific sessions, gathering extensive experiences from various cities in heritage management.

Izadkhasti remarked that many challenges faced by historical cities are rooted in similar issues, largely stemming from a uniform approach to modern urban planning that disregards local differences. One of the key objectives of the conference is to establish a common language in heritage conservation and to recognize these sites not as obstacles to development but as valuable assets with the potential for mutual enrichment.

Earlier this month, in a significant step toward promoting tourism collaboration, the mayors of Yazd, Isfahan, and Shiraz signed a trilateral cooperation agreement titled the “Golden Triangle of Iran’s Tourism.”

The signing ceremony was held in Shiraz on October 4. Key points of the agreement included supporting joint research projects aimed at tourism development, utilizing international networks of the three cities, and organizing conferences, workshops, and special visits between them.

Together, Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz represent a “Golden Triangle” of Iranian tourism, each offering a unique glimpse into Iran’s rich cultural, architectural, and historical heritage.

AM