To Which Guarantee Are We Entrusting the World's Only Encyclopedia of Islamic Architecture?
Isfahan - As a decision approaches on routing Isfahan Metro Line 2 through the boundaries of the World Heritage Site of the Atiq Jame Mosque, the central question is how far technical studies and protective commitments can guarantee its integrity.
Isfahan- On the verge of making a decision about the passage of Line 2 of the Isfahan Metro from the area of the Atiq Mosque Jame International Base, the main question is how much technical studies and protection commitments can guarantee its safety.
Ambassador Arjan of the Provinces Group - Korosh Dibaj*: Today, Tuesday 21 October, the case of Isfahan Metro line 2 passing through the Jame Atiq Mosque World Base will be reviewed by the Council of World Heritage Bases of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. A decision whose importance is not only in determining the route of a subway line, but also in the criterion that is supposed to be established between the necessity of urban development and the responsibility of protecting a world heritage.
Rumors indicate the possibility of confirming the conditional passage of the subway; A result that cannot be considered definitive until the official publication of the documents. But if the studies come to the conclusion that the passage is possible with the observance of safety and security measures, the main question just begins: on what evidence is this confidence based and what does it guarantee?
The problem is not against the metro. The issue is that in a case of such sensitivity, "passability" should not be equated with "guaranteeing protection".
Isfahan Jame Mosque is not just a historical building in the path of a construction project. This collection, which was registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012, reflects the evolution of Islamic architecture for twelve centuries; A complex whose prominent domes, four porches and historical layers have values beyond a single structure. In the evaluation of this work, UNESCO has emphasized the vulnerability of its integrity against the surrounding development projects and considered it necessary to comprehensively evaluate the heritage effects.
It's not just a crack in the wall
In evaluating the risk of the subway passing through the vicinity of historical monuments, one cannot be satisfied only with the possibility of collapse or observing obvious cracks. Land subsidence, structural deformations, vibration caused by drilling and train movement, groundwater conditions and long-term consequences of exploitation are among the issues that need to be investigated, depending on the actual conditions of the project.
A research published in 2025 in the "Heritage" magazine, focusing on evaluating the impact of urban development projects on Isfahan Jame Mosque, has also investigated the potential risks associated with Metro Line 2. This research alone does not prove that the current path will definitely damage the mosque; But it shows why the evaluation of this case cannot be reduced to a general statement about compliance with the rules.
The question is: have the final studies documented the existing condition of the buildings? Have they considered different risk scenarios, technical uncertainties and possible impacts during the exploitation period? Does the scope of the investigation include only the tunnel or the stations, operational operations and the possible area of impact on the surrounding historical monuments?
expert approval; The end of the question or the beginning of the responsibility?
According to the report that was published in August 1405 about this case, Amir Karamzadeh, Director General of Cultural Heritage of Isfahan Province, spoke about the independent verification of studies and investigation of the possibility of damage to historical monuments. In the same report, the necessity of paying attention to the special conditions of the Jame Mosque and monitoring the possible effects of the project after operation was also emphasized.
Now the public opinion has the right to know what is the result of this verification, which institution did it, what was the scientific basis of the decision and what are the possible limitations of project approval.
If safe passage has been determined, why not publish a clear and comprehensible summary of the study's methodology, main results, warning thresholds and protection commitments? If approval is conditional, what are its exact conditions? What body monitors the implementation of the conditions and who has the authority to stop the operation if there are worrisome changes?
Public trust is not formed by repeating phrases such as compliance with regulations and expert approval; By providing evidence, responsibilities are clarified and verification is possible.
The guarantee must come from paper to the field
Even the most detailed studies are not a substitute for continuous monitoring of project implementation. If the current path is approved, the monitoring before implementation, during construction and during the operation period should be designed according to the actual conditions of the buildings; The warning thresholds, the method of publishing the results and the mechanism for stopping or modifying the operation should also be clear in advance.
On the other hand, are route alternatives and risk mitigation methods transparently compared? Has the cost and benefit of each option been weighed, not only from a transportation perspective, but also from the perspective of World Heritage protection? The answers to these questions can indicate whether the final decision is the result of a comprehensive evaluation or simply the selection of an implementation option.
Isfahan needs efficient public transportation; But sustainable urban development makes sense when its costs, including possible risks for historical heritage, are carefully and responsibly evaluated.
The decision of the Council of World Heritage Sites should not be limited to an administrative approval or disapproval. This decision should be accompanied by clear reasons, assessable documents, implementation obligations and accountability mechanism.
Jame Atiq Mosque does not need unwarranted opposition to development, nor needless reassurance. What is needed in this case is a decision that can measure its scientific basis and follow up the implementation of its commitments in the coming years.
A pass, if issued, is not the end of liability; This is the beginning of the real test of protection.