TEHRAN – In the golden heart of Iran’s desert plateau, where windcatchers rise above ancient rooftops and turquoise domes shimmer in the sun, the city of Kashan has earned a new distinction. 
During UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference in Samarkand—fittingly announced on World Cities Day—Kashan was officially recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Architecture, joining the ranks of Rome, Paris, and Barcelona as a world hub of sustainable urban heritage.
For centuries, Kashan has been a living museum of Persian architectural ingenuity. Its labyrinth of clay alleys shelters more than 1,700 historical monuments, including the UNESCO-listed Fin Garden and the timeless Abbasi and Borujerdi houses, where wind, light, and geometry converge in perfect harmony. Here, architecture is more than design—it’s a dialogue between human craft and the harsh beauty of the desert.
UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network unites over 300 cities across disciplines from design and crafts to gastronomy and literature, encouraging innovation that honors heritage. 
Kashan’s inclusion is a recognition of how traditional Iranian architecture continues to inspire contemporary approaches to sustainable urban living.
Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, announced the decision alongside Hussein Simayi, Iran’s Minister of Science, Research, and Technology.
Joining UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network opens a new chapter for Kashan, fostering international collaboration, attracting support for cultural initiatives, and reinforcing the revival of authentic Iranian architecture within the framework of sustainable urban development. 
The achievement reflects the coordinated efforts of local authorities, the Kashan municipality, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, and the facilitation by Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO.