Twenty-eight historical buildings in Shiraz, seven in Kerman, plus a number of others in Tehran, Qazvin and other cities are slated to be restored and reconstructed soon by Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.
According to Masoud Soltanifar, the head of ICHHTO, the projects are part of the organization's plans to expand restoration efforts.
Speaking to IRIB News, the official pointed to the significance of historical texture of Tehran, parts of which have been destroyed in recent years, adding that ICHHTO is collaborating with Tehran Municipality and the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development to preserve the ancient sites.
"Thanks to this cooperation, we will be able to restore the precious cultural and historical structures in accordance with their past functions," he said.
Soltanifar said by using the potential of the private sector, ICHHTO has managed to achieve great success in protecting historical places over the past three years.
"For instance, old caravanserais were on the verge of total destruction for years but several of them have been turned into lodging or service centers in cooperation with private organizations," he said, without elaborating.
The official said the destruction of ancient sites must be stopped, adding that by keeping up this approach and drawing on private investors' funds, more buildings will be turned into sites of attraction and sources of income, which will also help create jobs.
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