PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL

HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA
Professor Dr., Amir Pai
Sarajevo 19 March, 2010
The architectural masterpieces of Central Asia have long and deservedly won world-wide fame. Best
known are those in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. However, many outstanding monuments can be
found in less beaten tracks. Besides, such creations of popular architecture as dwellings, small block
and rural mosques are not mentioned in itineraries, although they have concentrated century-old
experience and beauty of architectural forms and patterned decor.
Although the monuments included here embrace a period of approximately a thousand years, they are
mature relics of Central Asian architecture, which are deep-rooted both figuratively and. in the literal
meaning of the word. This is true because year after year archeological expeditions discover remains
of two or three millennium d structures buried deep underground, in which a memorable description of
building techniques is given, and which, in their highest forms, qualitatively determine architecture as
an art.
Architectural monuments are inseparably linked with the people, their deeds and thoughts, their cares
and leisure. This is true as regards the Registan Medresseh in Samarkand around which people and
cars move in streams, and inside which masters are working to restore the monument. The same can be
said about the old bazaars in Bukhara and Khiva where the counters are gay with wares to this day,
and the mausoleum in the mountains at Lyangara, which merges with the grandeur of its surroundings,
and the cozy dwellings shrouded with vines in the towns and villages of the Ferghana Valley.
At its source and following development much in the architecture of Central Asia was determined by
natural and climatic conditions.
The principal building material was loess - something that was cheap, stable and always at hand. It
was used in the form of broken pakhsa-clay, clods filled with rubble, adobes, clay mortar, greasing and
plaster. Later on it was used for making baked and glazed bricks, and decorative tiles. Wood was also
made use of, but thriftily, as trees in the hot southern climate had to be spared. Although there were
ample reserves of stone, it was seldom used as construction material on account of its insecurity in
high-seismic zones common to Uzbekistan.
The sharp continental climate also played a substantial role in determining architecture in the locality.
One can spend approximately eight months a year in the open year, mostly guarding oneself from the
intense heat than from the cold. Hence - the closed-in courtyards, roofed iwans, semi-open upper
balkhana (verandahs) and the importance of green plantations and flowing water of the irrigation
ditches and basins.
In pre-Islamic period, during the second millennium B.C. numerous settlements were built in the
areas around the rivers (Surkhan, Kashka, Syr) forming Bactria and in the todays Fergana Valley
Parkana, forming primitive urban culture. The best example of this process represents town of
Sappalitepa. It was rectangular in plan, embraced in perimeter by a system of defense walls with
maze-like casements and solid buildings within.
From the first millennium B.C. towns Kiziltepe, Bandykhan, Talaskhan - all of which were located in
the Surkhan Darya Region, had either right-angled or rotund in plan and fortified with walls and semicircular turrets and inner corridors, with a great number of loop-holes for archers.
In the last phase of the IV c. B.C., Alexander the Great with his army conquered this territory together
with Marakanda -the main town which was encircled with a wall and had a powerful stronghold
whose remains can be seen on the site of the ancient town of Afrasyab when visiting Samarkand.
Central Asia entered the era of an ancient culture of her own, whose formation, rise, bloom and fall
embraced the period from the III century B.C. till the IV century A.D. It progressed in close contact
with the advanced Hellenistic trend of culture, and partly that of India and Iran. This did not mean
direct adoption, but just mastering some creative ideas and individual details.

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

During the 6th and -VII centuries A.D., early feudalism was on the rise, and this caused a general
incentive for progress in various aspects of social life, including culture. some of the ancient towns
(e.g. Samarkand) were marked by the revival. Fortifications, dwelling-houses, palaces and edifices for
worship were erected.
A new, and almost dominating, trend in architecture was the emergence of the "kyoshk". This was a
powerful construction with a defense capacity, and made ready for a possible siege. A "kyoshk"
included two-or three-storey premises, passages, closets, most of which were gloomy, only being litup by the scanty light coming from embrasures. Ruins of these fortresses can be found in all parts of
Uzbekistan.
The architecture of towns was different. The excavations of Afrasyab, Varakhsha (in the Bukhara
Oasis), and particularly Penjikent (in Tajikistan) revealed conglomerations of dwelling-houses.
The palaces included spacious halls blocks of various premises, and passages. The palaces were
decorated with paintings, wooden sculpture, and carving on plaster. All this has reached us to testify to
the striking flight of art on the whole and fine arts in particular. The palace found in Afrasyab
represents best example, and it is very well presented in the local museum.
At the close of the 8th century A.D. with the Arabian conquest of Central Asia, Mavara-al-Nakhr
(which is what the Arabs called the lands to the north of the Amu Darya River) became a part of a
single whole system of caliphates was marked with progress in general.
The feudal system was on the rise and simultaneously with it, construction activities increased. A firm
centralized rule were introduced first that of the caliphs, and later - local rulers of the Samanide
Dynasty (in Khorezm). A reflection of that process was the rapid growth of feudal towns, the most
significant of which were: Bukhara (the capital of the Samanides), Samarkand, Kyat (the capital of the
Khorezm rulers), Termez and Chaganian, located not far from Denau.
During the later two centuries, pre-Arabian type of architecture as a part of the development of the
caliphate culture, and Islamisation, was replaced with new one expressed in the erection of Moslem
edifices for worship, decorated with Islamic calligraphic inscriptions as an element of ornamental
decor, and the practice of geometric arabesques on a large scale. That was atriumph of abstract design.
The use of baked-brick afforded unexpected combinative opportunities: geometric designs by laying
bricks flatwise, vertically, diagonally and B-shaped. While maintaining many ancient motifs of
vegetation ornamentation, wood-carving and ganch-carving began to show more signs of stylization.
Finally, a new kind of decor - the epigraphic design - made its appearance.
Among the monuments of that period it is interesting to compare the Dynasty Mausoleum of the
Samanides in Bukhara with the Arab-ata Mausoleum in Thim.
Between 11th and 13th centuries, Turkic dynasties reinforced feudal system, what was reflected by
further development of towns where the influx of population, focus of administrative power and
military forces, further expansion of home and world trade - posed primary and varied tasks before the
architectural and building corporations. Progress could be seen in the composition of construction
materials and perfection of structures. The development of construction and pottery produced new
kinds of architectural decor. A spacious courtyard with an iwan and axes, encircled with one-or twostorey premises, of which the audience-hall stood out in particular - was typical of the composition of
the rulers' palaces.
In that period numerous caravanserais or rabats were erected in towns and on trade routes. Commonly
it would be a square or right-angled structure encircled with blank walls as a safeguard with towers at
the corners for protection, and gates. Inside were two courtyards (one for travelers and another for
beasts and their burden), embraced with galleries, stalls, residences, a meh-monkhana and small
mosque.
The definite triumph of Islam throughout Central Asia - though it proceeded in an atmosphere of
competition among different sects and Sufi Orders - stimulated the erection of mosques, medressehs
(higher ecclesiastic schools), khanakas (pilgrims' homes for the Sufis), and mausoleums over the
internments of prominent Sheikhs and sultans and their maintenance.

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

One can determine three kinds of mosques: the main congregational mosque Cuma (Friday)
mosques for townspeople's; the country mosque -namazga, where the Kurban and Ramadan were
celebrated; and inner-block mahalla-mosques.
As a rule the Cuma mosque had a courtyard surrounded with penthouses on wooden columns or
arched-cupola galleries on pillars; on the main axis of the courtyard opposite the entrance there was a
vaulted iwan of the main building with a niche for praying in its wooden wall. Very close, or at a little
distance in the corner, there was a minaret-tower. Generally Central Asian minarets were circular,
contracting upwards and crowned with a rotun-da-latern; the trunk was dismembered with concentric
strips forming a design.
In the same period, the construction of mausoleums was widely developed Their architectural and
image-bearing purpose was to immortalize prominent Islamic figures, powerful rulers or members of a
ruling dynasty.
Complex memorials and ensembles such as the Hakimi at-Tarmizi and Sultan-Saodat in Termez, and
Shahi-Zindah in Samarkand were built not far from revered burial-vaults.
A remarkable feature of 10th to 12th century monumental architecture was the application of the laws of
mathematical proportion.
An analysis of the structures that have survived to this day show that the construction of the lay-out
and facade, bulk and inner space - coordinated with the strict rules of geometric harmony. These
regularities were also widely applied in designing the surface and plane. The epigraphic decorative
pattern - the "blooming Kufic script", in which geometrically shaped letters developed into vegetable
fragments and the Naskh script with its free motion of entwined letters - became more intricate.
Invasion of the Mongolian army at the turn of the 13th century was put an end the rapid advance of
medieval culture.
Almost a century passed before the peoples and countries of Central Asia were able to pick up from
the disastrous after-effects. Structural technique had not undergone considerable changes, barring the
appearance of new kinds of sub-cupola methods and architectural design enlarge use of colo red
ceramic facing. From then on color began to take possession of exteriors of monumental erections.
Initially they were sky-blue, dark-blue and white glaze-bricks then partitioned majolica and fretted
terracotta with designs partially or completely faced with glaze of the same hues. This was followed
by multicolored majolica plates which were sorted out to form a continuous design. The major group
of mid 14th century Uzbek structures which have reached us are mausoleums (Buyan-Quli-khan and
Seifeddin Bokhara in Bukhara, the mausoleums in Fudina and Kasbi, and the early Shahi-Zindah
group in Samarkand). A prominent feature is that they were laid-out in the form of an ensemble, and
the striking beauty of their decorative pattern.
The last quarter of the 14th century was distinguished by the appearance of Imperator Timur into the
world scene, whose reign was marked with endless campaigns, blood-shedding, the subjection and
pillage of many peoples and countries. At the same time Timur gave much consideration to the
outward magnificence of his state and therefore substantial sums and man-power assigned particularly
to Samarkand - the capital of the Empire. Wide-scale construction was proceeding in Samarkand,
which formed part of the autocrat's program of showing his deeds to his contemporaries and
immortalize them.
The local school of architecture received a fresh influx of creative forces and ideas which were
brought from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Azerbaijan. The outcome of this creative collaboration was the
formation of a new style, which can be considered the highest achievement in architecture.
The finest pieces of architectural design of mosques and medressehs, bazaars and caravanserais, royal
palaces and rich mansion-houses had a definite aesthetic and educational purport. Accordingly,
architecture exceeded the limits of "the social order" of the powers that were, conveying the
constructive contribution and artistic ideals of the broad masses of townsfolk.

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

This style reached its classical stage in the first half of the XV century under the rule of Ulugh Beg,
who was the enlightened son of Timur. This creative incitement did not die away in the second half of
the century, though the historical conditions were inauspicious. Fulfilling new tasks in the way of
architectural design required constructional improvements and tireless search in engineering as a
consequence. Great achievements were attained in vault-cupola technique, owing to which new
principles of ceiling vast space were worked out.
The art of building was based on theoretical principles. It is no coincidence that a special chapter,
devoted to the application of mathematical methods in architecture, was written by the famous
astronomer al-Kashi of the Ulugh Beg Observatory. The system of architectural mass and form was
determined by strict proportion and geometric regularity.
Polychrome architectural decor achieved unprecedented diversity and uncommon artistic effect. In the
exterior decoration of edifices use was of color glazed-bricks, wet fretted terracotta, multi-colored
majolica plates, and mosaic compositions. Not un-frequently this was harmonized with marblecarving. The interior was widely decorated with paintings, first - multi-colored with gilding, then almost graphic with blue against a white background.
The motifs of decorative pattern were varied -geometric, vegetable and epigraphic. However, all of
them were coordinated with a strict lay-out of architectural planes, in the form of a spiral on minarets,
and concentric on cupola drums.
Among the grandest buildings to subsist (as a whole or in ruins) of those erected by order of Timur in
Samarkand and Shakhrisyabz are the family tombs of the Timurides -Dor-us-Siadat and Gur-Emir, AkSarai Palace and Bibi-Khanym Mosque. The strong substructures of the portal arch were all that
remained of Ak-Sarai.
Religion kept on playing a major part in the social life and ideology of the Timurides Empire, what
was resulting with construction of numerous Islamic edifices for religious worship. The Friday
Mosque (the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, which was named after the legendary Empress) an immense
structure, including a courtyard encircled with a multi-cupola gallery on hundreds of bearing columns,
with monumental dome-arched edifices on axes and angular minarets.
Special attention was focussed by Timur and the Timurides on putting up dynasty mausoleums such as
the Gur-Emir, where Timur, his sons and grandchildren were buried. The mausoleum is geometrically
shaped to the utmost: an octahedral prism crowned with a ribbed dome on a cylindrical drum. The
exterior tiled decor isof the same majestic beauty, while the interior of the burial--vault was decorated
from the panels up to the top of the dome with designs in which golden, blue and sky-blue shades
prevailed. Most of the memorials of the Shahi-Zindah ensemble were erected in the XIV-XV centuries.
Ulugh Beg gave special consideration to building medressehs, which, in those days, served as
universities of a specific kind, where exact and natural sciences were taught parallel with theology.
Those in Samarkand, Bukhara and Ghujdawan have stood the test of time. The famous Samarkand
observatory, of which there was no match anywhere, was also built in his time.
Architectural ensembles were an outstanding achievement in town-building of the Timuride age. The
finest were the Registan and Shahi-Zindah in Samarkand. Registan - the heart of the Timurides, capital
and its main public square - was decorated under Ulugh Beg on three sides with monumental facades
of a medresseh, khana-kah and caravanserai, and on the fourth side - with the enormous AlikehKukeldash and small Mukattah mosques. For all the diverse bulk of composition the erections were
united with a strict logic of shaft and space, balance of cubical content, and singleness of decorative
method and means. The Shahi-Zindah ensemble is admirable for its diversity and compositional
integrity, manner of expressing thought in painting which, to a great extent, determined the
unparalleled gorgeousness of its tile decor.
Despite of feudal social contradictions, the 16 th century and first half of the 17 th century were still
noted for large-scale constructions but more economic in decoration and applied materials. The
architectural outlines remained as in former times. The progress attained in architecture at that stage

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

was bound with the furthering of vault-techniques. However, in the 17 th century more decorative
features were introduced. From that period, besides mosques the buildings in the bazaars of Bukhara
are very valuable. Typical were the "taq'i" domed constructions set up at the crossing of commercial
roads, surrounded with shops and workshops. Among the engineering projects there were bridges,
dams, and other waterworks. The construction of caravanserais was developed on a large scale. They
were built in the traditional composition common to palaces, surrounded with living accommoda tion,
with portals and corner towers on the main front, which were sometimes decorated with tiles. Also
numerous medressehs were built in Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva.
Large Friday mosques were seldom built in that period, but the existing ones were turned to account
(in Bukhara only the 15 th century Kalyan Mosque was slightly extended and modified). Much
consideration was given to mahalla mosques whose appearance was particularly close to the
traditional popular art of building. The Balyand Mosque and Khoja-Zain-ud-din Khanaka in Bukhara
are magnificent specimens of erections of this kind.
The khanakas whose functions combined with those of mosques, were built on a large scale. They can
still be found in Bukhara, Kermineh, at old burial-grounds in the Bukhara and Samarkand regions.
They are monumental with a central hall in plan, with a high domed ceiling and angled subsidiary
premises.
The grand achievements in 16 th and 17th centuries architecture were founded on the creations of
ensembles.. The cemetery ensembles located out of town formed a special group, harmonized with the
green plantations and running water of the ditches and basins.
In the 18th century, the socio-economic crisis which embraced entire Central Asia interrupted all kinds
of architectural work for many years. Almost a century of stagnation in culture was very detrimental
as it resulted in the disappearance of many architectural relics of the past, and interruption of building
traditions, which formally had been handed down.
However, creative succession did not cease, striking illustrations of which are memorials built in the
close of the 18th and turn of the 20th centuries. This is most clearly demonstrated by the Ichan-kala in
Khiva, which is embodied in the entity of its buildings: the fortifications and town gates, narrow
streets and small squares with monumental buildings and dwelling-houses.
Monumental architecture took after a formerly worked-out compositional design. At the same time
local features in the form of schools - the Khiva, Bukhara and Ferghana schools of architecture - made
their appearance. The explanation for this is the influence of local methods and forms of popular
architecture and decorative-applied arts upon the official art of building.
Great recognition should go to those who created ensembles. Sometimes it took decades to make them
up. Nevertheless, while erecting new buildings, the masters skillfully matched them with those already
constructed, to form an integral whole. Now and then they would have recourse to symmetric contrast
of buildings, but more frequently dispose of changing visual effects, as in a well deliberated still.
Among the buildings erected in the 19th and early 20th centuries, which have come down to us, perhaps
dwelling-houses are of the greatest value. Unfortunately, they are becoming more rare with every year,
as they were made from un-durable materials. Clay-framework walls (wooden framework filled with
clay clods) predominated, but they had the advantage of being exceptionally cheap and quake-proof.
Walls were also built of adobes and clay clods, which were more economical than those erected of
baked brick. They helped keep the premises cool in summer and warm in winter. Beams were used for
the ceiling; the roof was earthed in.
The popular dwellings in Uzbekistan embodied century-old experience and created comfort and
optimum living conditions in a zone of sharp continental climate. The dwelling-houses in Bukhara,
whose floor space was limited by the congestion of buildings, were mostly two-storeyed with one or
two inner courtyards. Blank facades concealed the comfortable arrangement of the inner courtyard
encircled with iwans on wooden pillars-with capitals shaped like stalactites or carved sub-beams. The
rooms were splendidly decorated. The houses in Samarkand were small - two or three rooms with a
pillared iwan, whose walls and sitting-rooms were nicely decorated.

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

The town dwelling-houses in Khiva were of another kind; they had an inner courtyard with two iwans
opposite one another on one or two pillars, which were encircled by lodgings and other premises. This
arrangement created vertical airing which considerably lowered the temperature on hot days in
comparison with the streets and squares. They are notable for their carved doors, ceilings and pillars.
The architectural and decorative heritage of Central Asia is an art deep-rooted in the people.
The architectural heritage of Central Asia is impressive, but today we can see only small part of the
masterpieces of medieval architecture and specimens of popular art of building in Samarkand,
Bukhara, Khiva and other towns of later periods, in which the historic experience of many generations
are impressed. Some captivate us with simplicity and harmony of form, others - with the quantity of
matter and audacity of composition, intricate patterns of painting and carving, or brilliant facing.
Many of them combine all these qualities. They all unique and reflect the steady progress through
centuries of architectural conception and individuality of those who created them.
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA TODAY
Now, we like to discuss preservation activities in the historic city of Samarkand, because it represents
the most important historic city in Central Asia with its reach history, and numerous Islamic
monuments and preserved 15th century urban tissue.
Samarkand was inscribed on the World heritage list in 2001 as Samarkand -Crossroads of Cultures
(Uzbekistan). In the explanation was emphasized that the architecture and townscape of Samarkand,
situated at the crossroads of ancient cultures, are masterpieces of Islamic cultural creativity; that
ensembles in Samarkand such as the Bibi Khanum Mosque and Registan Square played a seminal role
in the development of Islamic architecture over the entire region, from the Mediterranean to the Indian
subcontinent; and that the historic town of Samarkand illustrates in its art, architecture, and urban
structure the most important stages of Central Asian cultural and political history from the 13th
century to the present day.
After Inscription of the property, the World Heritage Committee is regularly examining the state of
conservation of Samarkand.
On the example of Samarkand, the city with the most develop system of the protection of monuments
it is possible to make general remarks related to the preservation policy in Central Asian countries
(Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan) because all states have many
common elements and same history of preservation monuments during around 70 years of existence in
the USSR.
Protected area legislation. Laws, Governmental Decisions, Norms and Rules for City Planning and
other regulations related to the protection and utilization of monuments, as well as special
governmental programs are being applied in Uzbekistan (what was described in details in the draft
Management Plan for Samarkand, officially submitted in 2007). Samarkand has the status of the State
Historical and Architectural Reserve, which applies additional restrictions for new constructions or
changes within the boundaries of the Reserve.
Although strict regulations for preservation, reconstruction, restoration of cultural heritage sites,
including safeguarding of the cultural heritage sites during construction, are clearly outlined in these
Documents, they set out general rules only.
The operating bodies with powers of control and management are located at the local, regional and the
highest, state level. All major projects receive approval at the national level.
The Regional State Inspection is in charge for day-to-day activities related to the monuments such as
registration, monitoring, technical supervision of conservation and restoration, or technical expertise
of new projects.

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

The state of conservation. First we will observe the main monuments:

Afrasiab. Two existing roads cutting the site are close for a major traffic, but they continue to be used
for service and visitors cars.
Shakhi-Zinda. The site has been restored between 2004 and 2006. Publishing results of the
architectural, art historian, calligraphic and structural researches and report about realized
reconstruction/restoration activities should be a great contribution to the future activities on the
preservation of the world heritage site of Samarkand.
One of the main issues at stake is the removal of the parking area located at the entrance of the
complex
Mausoleum of Khodja Daniyar. This location and the general view are impressive. The mausoleum
has recently been renovated with several mistakes.
Hazret-Hyzr Mosque. This monument lost its many attributes with construction of the new four-lines
road.
Registan Ensemble. The complex has been partially restored, especially in the outer parts, with
replacement of the decorated surfaces and some structural repair. However, large parts of the
Monument are still in great need of intervention. Restoration works done in the 1960-1980's,
particularly at the Sher Dor Madrassa due to the poor quality of materials and execution are in very
poor state and require already remedial interventions. Some parts of the madrassa are not restored due
to the lack of funding. Some cells have serious deterioration problems, and the loss of original
architectural and decorative details was observed to be reaching a critical stage.
Bibi-Khanym. This impressive monument has been partially restored (courtyard and entrance) and
consolidated. However, the static conditions of the Friday Mosque are very serious and require an
urgent intervention to prevent further damages and the possible collapse of the structures.
Gour-Emir Mausoleum. The Monument has been reconstructed in the 1990's for the 660 anniversary
of Timur's birthday, with extensive remaking of the faades. In the future conservation plans this
mausoleum together with Aksaray Mausouleum, and the Ruhaban complex (mausoleum, madrassa and
mosque) should be treated as an integrated site.
Ulukgbek Observatory. This complex, that includes the remains of the observatory and a small
Museum, has not been renewed and requires some intervention to update the presentation and
displays.
Conservation of the urban fabric. The almost complete substitution of the traditional building
structures of earthen architecture with modern materials. While the substitution of the vertical
structures is in most cases perceptible only at close distance, the substitution of the traditional flat
roofs with corrugated tin or asbestos roofs has irreversibly altered the historic roof-scape. While this
trend pre-dates the inscription of Samarkand in the World Heritage List, it is unfortunate that this
aspect of urban conservation has been completely disregarded by the national authorities, leading to a
significant loss of heritage values. The technical assistance program to guide and support housing
renovation and restoration would be needed, and could still improve the conservation of the urban
fabric of this unique World Heritage city. A limited number of traditional houses have been preserved,
and require urgent restoration work.
- Conservation of the urban landscape. In spite of the absence of a specific regulation and planning
tool, the historic urban landscape of Samarkand has been preserved remarkably well. Only a few highrise (of maximum 10 floors) buildings have been built so far in the area inscribed. The master Plan
foreseen for the future should contain explicit limitations to high-rise construction.
- Pedestrian connections among main monumental complexes should be rehabilitated traditional street
pattern to enhance pedestrian use especially line Silver street and Chor Su as a base for development
of the of the craft area of the bazaar..
- Siyab bazaar. New constructions of inferior quality inside the Siyab bazaar, especially the shopping
centre covered with aluminum panels, blue windowpanes, and the new buildings behind, spoil the
view towards the Bibi Khanum complex. The shape of the structures and their roofing material are
also obtrusive to the silhouette, too.

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

It will be of an immense importance to solve parking space in the area of bazaar. It is necessary to
investigate possibilities in the parts of the bazaar which is still uncompleted, such is a north-west
pavilion. Also, parking should be removed from the open areas between four lines road and Bibi
Hanum Mausoleum.
- The Timuride Citadel area represents public center of Samarkand formed in the 1960-ties. This area
represents a solid potential for future development of contemporary public facilities with large,
valuable archeological gardens. The 1991 International competition was focused of the eastern part of
the area. The 2001 AKTC plan for Samarkand went more in planning details. In the future planning
activities will be necessary to treat this area as an integrated part of the entire WH site.
19th century development area of Samakand preserved original urban fabric, also need very careful
planning and full respect of the key monumental structures.
Also it is important to mention monuments out of World Heritage area.
- Mausoleum and Mosque of Abdi Darun: This 15th century mausoleum which is not yet restored has
serious structural problems. New additions/reconstructions have been undertaken next to the mosque
and to the mausoleum. A new addition under construction next to the mausoleum, which can destroy
authenticity of the monument, should be not removed. The mosque is newly restored; its decorations
are recently repaired and repainted by means of certificated artists.
- Khodja Akhror Vali Ensemble: This impressive complex consists of a series of three mosques (15th,
17th c. open mosques and a 20th c. mosque) and a minaret (19th c.) separately constructed in the
courtyard. An important cemetery is also a part of the complex.
- Ishrat-Khana Mausoleum. The monument is in a very bad shape structurally close to collapse, and
required urgent very delicate interventions.
Factors affecting the property can be summarized in several groups:
For monumental architecture the main threats are:
- structural stability
- environmental factors (humidity, heat)
- mistakes of the previous restoration projects (e.g. speedy implementation)

For traditional residential quarters and historic houses:

- poor infrastructure
- loss of control of changes and modernization (e.g. ethernit roofs, new facades elements)
- lack of funding for preservation
- lack of documentation

For townscape:
- large-scale development projects, such as road building
- large-scale reconstruction projects
- new constructions, such as pavilions at the Siyab bazaar

How to deal with the problems. The government has a great interest and good will to solve all
problems, but, in the same time, personalities in charge are aware that this task need a time, money
and lot of expertise and international cooperation. Needed steps can be summarized as follow:
-

strengthening the Coordinating Committee, it is necessary to establish an effective

management framework for the site, responsible of planning and day-to-day implementation
of the Management Plan to ensure consistency and high conservation standards;
development and completion of an effective Management Plan This activity could constitute
an interesting platform for the development of the international cooperation on restoration
projects;

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

conservation planning with special attention to infrastructures it is necessary to establish a

strategic approach to urban conservation, as the existing Master Plan of Samarkand does not
concern conservation practices, leaving the day-to-day decisions without an over arching
reference. The issue of the construction of the water and sewage infrastructure, currently an
unresolved problem;
documenting historic features (inventories and surveys);
technical assistance to the inhabitants for the conservation of the urban fabric (guidelines for
housing rehabilitation and roofing);
development of structural restoration projects; and
training of technical staff for surface restoration.

We believe that majority of these actions could be applied in all Central Asian countries.
Finally, in stead a conclusion we like to emphasize the importance of the IRCICA -Prince Sultan bin
Salman Islamic Architectural Heritage Database Program. The database is serving preservation of
monuments and sites and helping economical improvement of the monuments areas through
development of tourism industry in the OIC countries.