According to the Public Relations of Pars University of Architecture and Art, the 102nd specialized meeting on “Securing and Strengthening Historical Buildings and Cultural Heritage” was held at the Natural Disasters Research Institute with the presence of Prof. Mahmoud Golabchi (founder of Pars University and an enduring figure of Iran in architecture and road and construction engineering) and a group of experts, professors and researchers in this field.

In this meeting, Prof. Golabchi pointed out that the world is moving towards globalization and the position of each nation will be determined based on its role in human civilization, noting that the cultural heritage of the land of Iran will represent the national identity and determine the position of our country in the future world. Therefore, preserving and strengthening these monuments is not only a national duty but also a necessity to stabilize Iran’s position in the international arena.

Prof. Golabchi went on to refer to some successful experiences in the retrofitting of historical buildings, including the plan for the development of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) and stated: “One of the most important examples of retrofitting in Iran is the projects that have been implemented in the holy shrine of Razavi. For example, the portico of Imam Khomeini (RA), Dar al-Hijjah and other developed parts of the shrine needed to strengthen the existing historical buildings in their upper parts.

He continued: “This was done by using new technologies and scientific methods in earthquake and structural engineering.” In these projects, in addition to increasing the bearing capacity of historical structures, special attention was paid to preserving the architectural originality of these works.

Emphasizing the importance of geological studies, seismology, and behavior of structures in the process of securing historical buildings, Prof. Golabchi stated: “In order to retrofit a historical building, these features must be examined in the region before taking any action.” In the mentioned projects, advanced technologies, computer modeling, and accurate monitoring of structural changes were used to achieve the most effectiveness with the least intervention.

In another part of his speech, Prof. Golabchi pointed to the challenges in the retrofitting of Iran’s historical monuments and said: “One of the main challenges in this field is the lack of accurate maps of historical buildings. In many retrofitting projects, laser scans, detailed examination of cracks, and the use of modern modeling methods are needed so that we can strengthen the structure of the building without damaging it.

He added: “The need to preserve the architectural originality and cultural identity of buildings also creates limitations in the use of some retrofitting methods, which should be carefully analyzed and the best solutions should be chosen.”

At the end of the meeting, Prof. Golabchi emphasized the importance of developing technical knowledge and training experts in this field and stated: Pars University of Architecture and Art is always trying to play an effective role in the preservation and restoration of historical buildings by providing comprehensive training, applied research, and holding specialized meetings in fields related to this field. Because the retrofitting of these monuments is not limited to the preservation of a building, but also means the preservation of our history, culture, and national identity for future generations.