Kashan Joins UNESCO’s Global Network of Creative Cities in the Field of Architecture

Kashan Joins UNESCO’s Global Network of Creative Cities in the Field of Architecture

Following the visit of the Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO to Kashan and the holding of the “Kashan: Creative City” conference at the University of Kashan, the city of Kashan has officially joined the global network of creative cities in the field of architecture.

Coinciding with World Cities Day, during the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO held in Samarkand, the approval of Kashan’s membership as a “Creative City in Architecture” was announced in the presence of the President of the National Commission for UNESCO, Dr. Hossein Simaei, and the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology by Dr. Hassan Fartoosi, Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran. This milestone marks a significant step toward the sustainable cultural development of Iranian-Islamic architecture.

On World Cities Day 2025, UNESCO officially included Kashan among the 58 newly designated cities in its Creative Cities Network (UCCN). In the architecture category, Kashan joins the ranks of globally renowned cities such as Rome, Paris, and Barcelona, recognized as an outstanding example of sustainable architecture and authentic civilizational heritage.

UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network aims to strengthen the role of creativity in sustainable urban development. It brings together more than 300 cities from around the world across various fields, including architecture, crafts, literature, music, and gastronomy.

During the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO in Samarkand, Dr. Hassan Fartoosi, Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran, through effective diplomatic engagement, secured Kashan’s admission to the network of creative cities in architecture. This achievement once again highlights the influential role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in global cultural diplomacy and architectural innovation.

Kashan: From a Glorious Heritage to an Innovative Future

With more than 1,700 historical monuments—including 330 nationally registered sites and one World Heritage site—Kashan stands as one of the most distinguished examples of authentic Iranian-Islamic architecture. The city beautifully integrates science, art, and its desert ecosystem, all of which are reflected in its traditional architectural fabric.

From the historic Abbasian and Borujerdi houses to the world-renowned Fin Garden, Kashan is a living museum of climatic wisdom, architectural aesthetics, and the deep connection between humans and nature. Today, with its inclusion in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the field of architecture, Kashan has gained global recognition and solidified its rightful place in international culture and architecture.

Kashan’s membership in this global network marks the beginning of a new chapter of international collaboration, access to supportive resources, and the revitalization of authentic Iranian architecture within the framework of sustainable urban development. This national success is the result of the combined efforts of local institutions, the Municipality of Kashan, the strategic initiatives of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, and the facilitative role of the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran.