The Shahcheragh Development Plan, also known as the 57-hectare plan, may lead to the destruction of hundreds of historical houses in Shiraz. The 57-hectare plan was approved during the second term of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government and resulted in the destruction of several hectares between the shrines of Shahcheragh and Aladdin. This plan, which was later cancelled, was again approved as an unfinished project through delegation of authority during the provincial trip of the government delegation to Fars province in October 2021. This action, which poses a threat to the destruction and annihilation of a significant part of the historical fabric of Shiraz and the disregard for the rights of the people over the city, was the reason for the monthly magazine “Khat-e-Solh” to approach Morteza Khaksar, a senior expert in tourism and a university lecturer, and ask for his opinion on the matter. This senior expert in cultural heritage and tourism told “

You can read the detailed conversation of the monthly magazine “Khat-e-Solh” with Morteza Khaksar, senior expert in cultural heritage and tourism, in the following.

‌ی شهری در حال اجرا است

It is said that the urban development plan is currently being implemented.ک

One

“Shahcheragh (57-hectare project) will result in the destruction of at least 200 to 335 historical houses in Shiraz. What is your opinion about these demolitions and how many of these buildings do you estimate are at risk of destruction?”

In every spatial development, we cannot only think about the end goal, because it is possible that during this development, other points may also be destroyed and as a result, the statistics may even go over 100%. For example, if the target community of the project is 80 houses, it is possible that the level of destruction reaches 100 or 110 houses. We have witnessed this in the development of religious cities such as Mashhad – which are circular cities centered around a shrine and its surrounding arcades and spaces – we have seen this happen. I believe that the statistics of the impact on the surrounding houses in Shiraz may be higher than the statistics that have been given. The problem here is that we also face difficulties in terms of implementation. This means that other houses, whether we want it or not, are at risk of destruction, which adds to our concerns.

The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism is interested in cities developing in terms of “religious tourism”. However, from the perspective of “cultural heritage and buildings”, this issue is not only unacceptable but also paradoxical and contradictory, causing destruction and damage to buildings.

Do you think this plan has been thoroughly studied enough?

In my opinion, this work requires more expertise. Shiraz is a tourist destination and the houses that are considered spiritual heritage in the old texture of Shiraz are welcoming to tourists. Considering that these tourists have a significant share in providing income for the city and the province, destroying these houses as attractions for tourists and attracting foreign and domestic tours to visit them will cause a crisis in tourism. In my opinion, it is better for the provincial planning and development committee to take a better view of the issue and for the authorities of the Fars Province Tourism Department to have a stronger presence in this matter.

By looking at the old European cities, we can see how well Europeans preserve these cities. There, everything that has a history is properly valued. In my opinion, it is better for the experts of the Provincial Heritage Administration and the Planning and Urban Design Commission, located in the Governorate and municipalities, to get involved in this matter and approach it with a heritage-oriented perspective and protection of cultural heritage.

The problem here is that sometimes the things we do are like a smoky sword. When we try to increase religious tourism, if we lay hands on the cultural heritage of the city, it will have a negative impact on the city’s urban furniture in terms of heritage and also on its foreign exchange income. I think city councils should consider measures for this and review themselves in this area so that we do not encounter problems. This issue is not good from the perspective of cultural heritage nurses and those who are passionate about it, and they are worried.

If the problem is only the scratch of entering foreign currency income or gross domestic production, will increasing religious tourism not solve this problem?

It should be noted that in this matter, the issue is not about flowers and soil, or doors and windows. It is about antiquity and authenticity. We cannot sacrifice these houses for religious heritage or religious tourism. The problem here is where does that antiquity go? What is lost in the process is the issue of antiquity, authenticity, roots, and architecture of these houses. If these are lost, we will no longer have a builder to work in this way, nor bricks that can be used in this way.

When you come and build a traditional restaurant in a traditional ecotourism, with its sanitary service being foreign, it does not have the same age and authenticity. Why do tourists come to Iran? He has seen modern hotels. He comes for authenticity and age. Why do tourists and volunteers travel more to provinces like Fars, Kerman, Yazd, Isfahan, and the like? Because of their age.

Even if we assume that the development of the Shah Cheragh shrine is completed at the cost of demolishing old buildings and constructing new ones, we can still say that a structure has been built and another one has been destroyed. However, the issue here is that it will no longer have that ancient history and authenticity.

“We become saddened by these destructions, and we will no longer have that authenticity. This issue should be reflected in the perspective of officials in the city and urban planning. It would be great if the governorates, municipalities, and the Ministry of Interior collaborate with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage in this regard and work closely together.”

ای برای موفقیت در زندگی لازم است

What motivation do you think is necessary for success in life?م

My back.

What are these hidden plans?

As I mentioned, let’s assume that they destroyed the old building and built a new one with more beautiful tiles. But where is the authenticity and history? This is not just for Shiraz. It’s also for Tehran. When in Enghelab Street, the Tehran Palace is destroyed and they want to build a tower in its place and there is no one in charge, media owners like you and people like me who are senior tourism experts should step in and say something. We should think about what buildings are being destroyed around the Shah Cheragh Shrine. In my opinion, it is unfair to the cultural heritage of the country. I don’t know why the municipality gives such permits and why the cultural heritage does not get involved in this issue.

Can you tell us a little about the history and cultural significance of these houses for our audience?

Be sure that these houses are over 150 years old. If a building is over 100 years old, it creates a sense of cultural and historical significance in you, and you can say that buildings over 100 years old are part of cultural heritage. But regarding these buildings, I must say that some of them are over 200 to 250 years old.

شود

It is said.“سلام، جهان”

“Hello, world”

It is possible that even some registered historical buildings are among them. Is it legally possible for these registered buildings to be destroyed? Is there no legal solution to prevent this from happening?

When a building is registered as a cultural heritage, any action taken on it (even restoration) must have a permit from the cultural heritage authority. Unfortunately, these buildings and constructions in these areas are often destroyed and built upon by municipalities with a negative response. A building that is registered as a cultural heritage receives a heritage certificate and cannot be attacked. However, unfortunately, it must be said that our cultural heritage is being destroyed. We are witnessing the spiritual capital of our nation being cut off.

According to the decisions of the Supreme Council of Architecture and Urban Planning on July 20, 2015, the entire 57-hectare project area is part of the cultural-historical fabric of Shiraz. According to the director of the Provincial Roads and Urban Planning Department of Fars, there are 335 historical plots in the mentioned historical fabric, which occupy more than one-third of the total area. Despite this decision, how will these buildings be demolished?

See! The Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization has become a ministry. This means that we have a ministry to defend the values of cultural heritage, handicrafts, and tourism. Only the sign of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization has been changed to a ministry. We expect the ministry to have administrative and executive capabilities and also to be a deterrent. The supervision of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage is important and they have a team and structure. Even separating a brick from these registered structures is a crime. Therefore, oversight institutions must seriously enter the scene, get involved in the work, and not let anything happen. The Fars Province Cultural Heritage Administration should enter the scene with authority and mobilize all its forces and ask the minister to take action. In my opinion, Fars Province is the capital of world tourism and should not be harmed in any way.

We don’t always have oil and we can’t have an economy dependent on oil. Right now, Dubai is bustling with tourism, commerce, and trade. How do you think Turkey is doing? They attract tourists with every incentive. Iran is a corridor of civilizations and the belt of the earth. The biggest historical events have happened in Iran. Recently, a cave was discovered in the city of Khorramabad that is said to date back to nine to twelve thousand years ago. This discovery can greatly impact the course of world history. These are our spiritual and cultural assets. How can we witness the destruction of these structures?

I believe that the supervisory body of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts in Fars province should have preventive measures and ask the Minister of Cultural Heritage to address this issue. This issue should also be raised in the tourism fraction of the parliament and brought to the public session of the parliament. If these incidents are not addressed and destruction occurs, then no action will be effective after the death of Sohrab.

We have witnessed these destructions in cities like Tehran where someone has had a monopoly and caused destruction. I believe that in the case of destruction, this issue is a black mark globally and domestically.

But Mr. Ezzatollah Zarghami, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, on February 24, 2023, in a speech about the destruction of historical fabric in Shiraz, said, “We don’t have the money to restore these houses.”

Okay, let’s hand over to the private sector and let them do their job. They have misunderstood Article 44 of the Constitution. Article 44 of the Constitution was not about privatizing Hepco, Azar Khodro, and Haft Tapeh Sugar Factory and giving them to those who would bring their own forces and eliminate the people’s forces and destroy these complexes. Rather, Article 44 says that administrative bureaucracy should be reduced and capitalists, such as Shirazi, should be invited and told that we will give you the permit to establish and operate these houses in the fastest and easiest way possible. They will be welcomed. Today, the Cultural Heritage Organization can announce that it is renting out 99-year-old houses that are at risk of destruction. See how people will come up with ways to generate income and rent these buildings. Shiraz is not a small place. It is one of the corridors of tourism in Iran. With this announcement, many dormant assets in banks can be turned

You mentioned tourism. But these tourists can also generate income for the government. Why doesn’t the government invest in preserving it so that the income goes into its own pocket?

Yes. But we must kiss the hand of the investor. With this action and attracting investors, we have preserved our cultural values and ancient monuments, as well as strengthening tourism. This leads to job creation in the tourism sector and also increases the gross domestic product. As I mentioned, a tourist who has seen the most luxurious five-star hotels in Europe is not interested in seeing a hotel and using a sauna and jacuzzi in Iran. They want to see the history, culture and monuments here.

The only remaining historical fabric near the shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt in Iran is the historical fabric surrounding the Shah Cheragh. This is because almost all of the historical fabrics around the shrines in Mashhad and Qom have been destroyed. What do you know about the reason for these types of destructions, which have now reached Shiraz?

My feeling is that the issue of corruption is resurfacing. They come and pay a large sum to an organization like the municipality and use the excuse of renovation and development to benefit from corruption. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage must put an end to this and cut off their hands. Do you think in a city like Mashhad, what has happened to the development of the area instead of old buildings? All those buildings have given way to four and five-star hotels and shopping centers. If you look at their background, you will see where they are connected to. The emergence of hotels and high-rise buildings in these areas must be prevented. These types of constructions are done for more income and increasing the wealth of a few. The people and cultural figures must demand from the government and the responsible officials of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and the Minister himself to seriously address this issue. Cutting off is certainly not the solution.

If you have any other points at the end, please let me know.

If these events were happening in any other place, the central government would take action to stop them. Now let’s imagine that we don’t have a central government! The governors, who are the heads of the states and provinces, should step in. We also need to have a plan for organizing and monitoring the cultural heritage sites in different cities and counties. We need to know how many old buildings and structures we have that can be included in the Ministry of Cultural Heritage’s registry. After identifying them, a feasibility plan should be written and a budget request should be made. Without a plan, no budget will be given. We need to do more field work to understand where we stand in this field.

Thank you for the time you have given to the monthly magazine of Khat-e-Solh.