Problematic Issues of Citizens’ Participation on Urban Heritage Conservation in the Historic Cities of Iran

The role of citizens’ participation in cultural heritage issues has become a global issue (as the bottom-up approach). This paper aims to examine the effects of strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of heritage programs in one of Iran's most historic city, Shiraz, using SWOT analysis. This study found multiple issues regarding what the responsibility of citizens’ participation in the UHC are; the lack of a practical and legal system of citizens’ participation and structure of mixed heritage conservation in the decision-making process; power imbalance in the process of urban management; and the lack of appropriate understanding of heritage conservation awareness