Evaluation of Authenticity in the Conservation and Development of the Jameh Mosque of Urmia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Authenticity is a fundamental concept in the conservation of architectural and urban heritage. It has a very close relationship with cultural heritage values as well as being a conveyor of such values. This paper identifies the factors of recognition in relation to this concept by qualitative research methods and content analysis of international documents and theories. It also sets out the main research questions to be considered in relation to the concept of authenticity in the conservation and development of the Jameh Mosque complex in the city of Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, north-western Iran. Based on this premise, the paper evaluates the conservation and development of the Mosque at different periods, where the evaluation indicate that the measures of 1988 failed to consider the notion of authenticity. Then, establishing the correlation between the explanatory factors of authenticity and the actions taken in 1988 the impact of development is assessed by quantitative research methods. The result is that from the point of view of the specialists and the local people, socio-cultural factor has been neglected to a greater degree than other factors; so much so that the ‘socio-cultural’, ‘historical-evidential’ and ‘aesthetic’ values have been neglected in a downward trend. The findings are confirmed for both groups of local people and specialists.