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Cultural heritage plays a pivotal role in shaping and defining social identity. Over the past century and into the contemporary era, the conceptualization of cultural heritage has evolved significantly. As a result, the meth ods and tools for its preservation have also transformed. Traditionally, cultural heritage was often confined to tangible aspects, such as buildings or architectural works. However, today, its intangible dimensions—such as traditions, rituals, meanings, and social contexts—are also recognized as vital components. Throughout history, the conservation of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage has faced numerous challenges. At times, cultural heritage was viewed as an impediment to urban and technological advancements, placing it at signifi cant risk. These challenges can be divided into two categories: traditional and emerging. Traditional challenges include destruction driven by profiteering, war and violence, natural disasters such as floods and fires, and poor management. In some cases, individuals seeking to profit from the sale of parts of historical monuments or decorations contributed to their destruction. Unregulated urban development and, in certain instances, wars and military assaults, have also resulted in the degradation of cultural heritage. Notable examples include the Jame’ Mosque of Isfahan, Shush Castle, and the Sadaghiani Historical House in Tabriz, all of which suffered severe damage during the Iran-Iraq War. This issue is global, not confined to Iran alone. Emerging challenges are also increasingly pressing. Urban expansion, construction projects that disregard historical context, and the impact of climate change—including rising temperatures, droughts, floods, erosion, and shifts in sea levels—have all placed cultural heritage under threat. The growing influx of tourists, heavy traffic, and economic exploitation exceeding the capacity of historical sites have caused both physical and semantic pressures on monuments orig inally designed for limited use. Moreover, inadequate management and political interference with non-cultural priorities have further jeopardized the preservation of cultural heritage.

Keywords: Integrated development, cultural heritage, development plan

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