Conservation and Revitalization of the Historical City of Tous

Client: Ministry of Roads and Urban Planning

Design start date: 2023

Approval date: In process

The city of Tous is recognized as one of Iran’s most significant historical and cultural sites. As the birthplace of Ferdowsi—the renowned Persian poet and author of Shahnameh (The Book of Kings), Tous holds a central position in both the historical and mythical narrative of the Iranian cultural identity.

This project aims to protect and revitalize the historical core of Tous and its surrounding buffer zones. It represents a major cultural tourism initiative, emphasizing the preservation of heritage assets while introducing strategies for their sustainable integration into contemporary urban life.

The initiative aligns with the broader vision outlined in the structure plan for the city of Tous, which was officially approved in 2020. The plan serves as a foundational framework for the implementation of conservation, tourism development, and adaptive reuse policies across the historical landscape.

Design of a Master Plan for the "city" of Tous

Client: Ministry of  Roads and Urban Planning

Site Area: 1,860 hectares

Design start date: 2020

The studies and preparation of the Master Plan for the city of Touscovers an area of 1,860 hectares. Key policies of the plan include the preservation of a substantial portion of agricultural land, the structured organization of orchards and rural-based settlements, and the adoption of a conservation-oriented strategy. This approach emphasizes community participation as a central component for achieving the plan's objectives.

Strategic Plan for the Historic

City of Tous

Client: Ministry of  Roads and Urban Planning

Design start date: 2017

Site area: 1860 hectares

The city of Tous, initially covering approximately 3,390 hectares and reduced to 1,860 hectares at a later stage, is located on the northwestern outskirts of Mashhad and falls within Zone 12 of the Mashhad Municipality.

The strategic planning and development studies for this project have been conducted with a strong emphasis on its outstanding historical and cultural significance, particularly in relation to Ferdowsi and his epic work, the Shahnameh. The initiative is recognized as one of Iran’s most important cultural tourism projects.