Revitalization Strategies in Iranian Historical City Cores: The Case of Shiraz

Abstract

Preserving cultural heritage presents particular challenges in developing countries, where rapid modernization often takes European cities as a model for desirable urban environments. While urban transformation was historically slow, the advent of industrialization and subsequent socio-economic changes have accelerated structural transformations of traditional urban fabrics. In Iran, the past fifty years have seen a variety of urban design interventions in historic city parts, from renewal to regeneration and rehabilitation projects. However, most have failed, and lessons have rarely been drawn from these shortcomings. This paper identifies key approaches to revitalising historic urban cores in Iran, focusing on Shiraz as a case study. It outlines the history of large-scale interventions in the city, particularly the neighbourhoods of Sang-e Siah and Shah Cheragh, and analyses their outcomes. The study emphasises the need to balance conservation and development, suggesting that effective urban design strategies should aim to revitalise traditional structures, patterns and values while enabling communities in historic areas to contribute to the wider urban fabric.