Identification the determining factors in Mashhad industrial heritage assessment with emphasis on world heritage criteria

The purpose of this research is to identify and evaluate Mashhad's Industrial Heritage (MIH), which plays a significant role in reflecting the industrial identity of the developing society. Despite existing research on industrial heritage, there is a lack of focus on MIH, necessitating further exploration in this area. The research methodology involved two main steps. Firstly, evaluation criteria and sub-criteria of industrial heritage were extracted through library research. Subsequently, a questionnaire based on fuzzy logic and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was designed to weigh these criteria. In the second phase, experts evaluated these criteria separately for all 10 cases of MIH. Data analysis was conducted using Expert Choice 11 software. The results of the research highlight the importance of various criteria in evaluating MIH. Technology emerged as the most crucial criterion, garnering a frequency of 24.8%, indicating its significance in MIH. Conversely, Aesthetics was deemed the least important criterion, with a frequency of 9.2%. The priorities of other criteria were as follows: History (23.1%), Social-Cultural (16.7%), Economy (15.3%), and Environment (10.9%). These findings provide valuable insights for government authorities, officials, and property owners, enabling informed decision-making regarding the preservation, modification, or maintenance of MIH. This research contributes to the field by filling the gap in existing literature concerning MIH evaluation. By employing a comprehensive methodology incorporating fuzzy logic and AHP, this study provides a systematic approach to assessing the significance of MIH. The findings offer a nuanced understanding of the diverse criteria influencing the industrial heritage of Mashhad, facilitating tailored preservation strategies and promoting cultural heritage conservation in developing societies.