Development and cultural heritage in Iran: Policies for an ancient countryBijanRouhaniauthorThis paper examines different threats that Iranian cultural heritage is facing due to development and globalization in the recent decades. It aims at showing how sometimes the concept of development has been at odds with the conservation of built heritage. The lack of updated legislation and efficient organizations has caused legal and administrative difficulties for the safeguarding of such heritage. In recent decades, Iran has accelerated its rate of development; however, the unsustainable progress programmes created several debates. The investment in the study on the vernacular and traditional ‘art of building’, learning from the past, and rethinking the concept of development are essential to put an end to the crisis of the protection of cultural heritage in a country with thousands of ancient sites and historic buildings.02. Urbanisme06. Paysages culturels27. Architecture vernaculaire05. Patrimoine et développement durable03. Législations nationales et régionales04. Asie et îles du PacifiqueDocument issu d'une conférence ou d'un atelier