As an important recognition of Iran’s deep cultural history, the historic city of Kashan has been included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
It has been selected as a creative city in the field of architecture. The honor, announced to coincide with World Cities Day, puts Kashan on the international stage next to famous cities such as Rome, Paris and Barcelona.
It is a prime example of sustainable architecture and confirms the city’s status as a substantial part of our shared world heritage.
This official decision was announced by Hossein Fartusi, Director-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, at the 43rd UNESCO General Assembly held in Samarkand on October 31, 2025.
The event, which was also attended by Science Minister Hossein Simai-Salaf, is said to be a “major step forward towards the sustainable development of Iranian Islamic culture and architecture.”
This important achievement provides an excellent opportunity to explore both Kashan’s unique architectural wonders and the deeper ideas behind the Iranian-Islamic architecture that this city so well represents.
Kashan: a desert city with smart design and natural beauty
Located in central Iran, Kashan is more than just a place lined with old buildings. This is a living example of traditional architecture and a beautiful combination of science, art, and desert environment.
The city’s membership in UCCN, a group of more than 300 cities around the world that fosters creativity for the sustainable growth of cities, brings a centuries-old treasure of knowledge to international attention.
Kashan’s urban design is a great lesson in how to live in balance with a difficult natural environment. The city’s traditional buildings are more than just looks. They are about practical functionality, sustainability and the spiritual connection between people and nature. This is clearly visible in the famous old houses.
The stunning Abbasi House, with its intricate stuccowork and tiered courtyards, and the Boroujerdiha House, famous for its tall windscreens, are good examples.
These homes were built with careful planning and a natural understanding of how to control the climate.
They used underground waterways, central courtyards with pools, and cleverly placed windows to create natural air conditioning long before modern inventions.
Additionally, the Finn Gardens, already on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, are the ultimate example of a Persian “paradise garden”.
With its symmetrical layout, flowing stream, and tall cypress trees, this beautiful property is like a miniature model of a perfect world.
It represents the constant balance between desert and life-giving water. It is a physical representation of the search for paradise on earth, a central idea of Iranian culture.
Enduring principles of Iranian Islamic architecture
Kashan’s new status helps us understand the overall picture of Iranian-Islamic architecture, which is a very important part of world architectural history.
Experts believe that this is the first art form that truly conforms to Islamic ideology and is widely accepted by Muslims. Its essence is much deeper than mere decoration and touches the very heart of spiritual and daily life.
Basically, Iranian Islamic architecture is guided by the principle of “God-centeredness”. This concept means that every part of the building is designed to remind people of Islam’s central belief in one God.
This is often accomplished through a unified central design, with both the outer and inner spaces often decorated with beautiful passages of Qur’anic verses, drawing one’s attention to a single divine focus.
This practical intelligence of architecture is most evident in religious buildings. Mosques, shrines, and religious schools are considered the best examples.
It is designed to create a perfect relationship between the act of prayer and the appropriate space. Features such as high arched halls, tall columns, precise geometric patterns, and exquisite decoration are not random. They are purposeful tools that create wonder and deep thought.
As explained by the famous Iranian philosopher Seyyed Hossein Nasr, the central role of the mosque in Islamic architecture indicates its sacred character.
He suggests that the “mosque-like” feel of other Islamic buildings comes from the skill of architects who sought to incorporate the memory of God into ordinary daily life.
This architectural style is found in many different types of buildings. Researchers classify them into religious structures, such as mosques and al-Husseiniyas, and non-religious structures, such as houses, markets, roadside inns, and bridges.
Some Western scholars believe that Islamic architecture began with the Kaaba, while others point to two main models: the mosque and the palace.
The final attractive aspect is the use of meaningful colors. The most common colors in Islamic architectural art – turquoise, blue, green, yellow, white and black – were not chosen by chance.
For these reasons, Kashan’s inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is more than just an urban planning award.
This is a worldwide recognition of the timeless architectural philosophy that Cassian lived and perfected.
It celebrates a heritage where beauty is intelligent and sustainability is natural, where every arch, tile and garden path tells the story of a culture that successfully sought harmony between the spiritual and everyday worlds.
Report by Tohid Mahmoodpour