Kashan Joins the UNESCO Creative Cities Network
| Coinciding with World Cities Day, at UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, announced the approval of Kashan’s membership as a “Creative City of Architecture” in the presence of Dr. Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, Minister of Science, Research and Technology and President of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO. This milestone marks a turning point in the pursuit of sustainable cultural development and the preservation of Iranian-Islamic architecture.On World Cities Day 2025, UNESCO included Kashan in the list of 58 new cities joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). In the field of architecture, Kashan has been recognized alongside cities such as Rome, Paris, and Barcelona as a prominent example of sustainable architecture and an authentic civilizational heritage. |
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network brings together more than 300 cities from around the world across a range of creative fields, from architecture and crafts to literature, music, and gastronomy, with the aim of strengthening the role of creativity in sustainable urban development.
On the sidelines of UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, secured approval for Kashan to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of architecture through effective consultations. This achievement once again highlighted the Islamic Republic of Iran’s prominent role in international cultural and architectural diplomacy.
Kashan: From a Distinguished Heritage to an Innovative Future
With more than 1,700 historical sites, including 330 nationally registered sites and one World Heritage property, Kashan is regarded as one of the world’s most distinguished examples of authentic Iranian-Islamic architecture. This historic city represents a remarkable fusion of science, art, and the desert ecosystem, expressed through its traditional architectural fabric.
From the historic Abbasi and Borujerdi houses to the World Heritage-listed Fin Garden, Kashan is a treasure trove of climate-responsive design, architectural aesthetics, and the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. Today, through its membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of architecture, this heritage has gained global recognition, further consolidating Kashan’s rightful place on the international cultural and architectural stage.
Kashan’s membership in this global network marks the beginning of a new chapter in international cooperation, access to support and resources, and the revitalization of authentic Iranian architecture within the framework of sustainable urban development. This national achievement is the result of cooperation among local institutions and Kashan Municipality, the high-level efforts of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, and the facilitating role of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO.
