Historic City Tangoes With Development

"Today Isfahan is Iran's second biggest city."

"Migration into Isfahan is high and land prices are sky rocketing. Fast profits can be made in construction. Everywhere 400-year-old buildings are being destroyed to make way for new roads or ugly shopping centres."

"The local council, which refused to talk to us for this story, has no budget from the central government; it has to make its money from selling construction licences."

"Conservation experts cite a passive government and economic interest as reasons for the city's development over historic structures."

"Many argue that the authorities should buy the old houses from their owners so they can build for their children elsewhere without destroying historic buildings."

Thanks to Brian J.