Applying Heritage Impact Assessment to urban development: World Heritage property of Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan in Iran

Despite cultural heritage has being affected by construction and infrastructure projects associated with urban development in historic cities worldwide, protection of such irreplaceable assets and their associated values has not been adequately addressed through a comprehensive methodology of impact assessment. This paper aims to review the existing methodologies, approaches, and tools regarding Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) methodology, and to develop an impact assessment procedure in the context of new urban development. The methodology is applied to the case of Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan. The required data is collected through a fieldwork for identification and classification of impacts of Atiq project on the property. Subsequently, the collected data is analysed through impact assessment matrix, and eventually, appropriated mitigation strategies to reduce negative impacts on the property are determined. The proposed impact assessment methodology in the HIA procedure provides a systematic framework for identifying, assessing and mitigating potential impacts of new urban development on cultural heritage properties, which is supportive for urban planners, cultural decision makers, heritage conservators and experts toward developing more integrated approach to heritage protection in context of sustainable development.