Saudi Heritage Commission Works on Modern Urban Heritage Strategy Project

The Saudi Heritage Commission logo
The Saudi Heritage Commission logo
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Saudi Heritage Commission Works on Modern Urban Heritage Strategy Project

The Saudi Heritage Commission logo
The Saudi Heritage Commission logo

The Heritage Commission began work on the Modern Heritage Strategy project, the main stage of the action plan of the Modern Urban Initiative launched in November 2022, which is concerned with preserving the important features of modern urban heritage. It represents key elements that shaped the memory and history of architecture and urbanism in the Kingdom.

The initiative goes through several stages, including the current phase of setting up a future strategy concerning documenting, preserving and developing modern heritage buildings and sites in the Kingdom's regions; it entails initial listing and classification, architectural and urban documentation, registration and coding, restoration and rehabilitation, development and investment, and management and operation, all of which fall under the main scientific programs identified by UN Women to activate the initiative, namely: the modern urban heritage exploration and registration program, the modern urban heritage documentation program, and the modern urban heritage conservation and restoration program.

The commission had identified eight key benchmarks that shape the pillars of the "Modern Urban Heritage Initiative" in selecting and registering modern urban heritage landmarks and buildings. They are beauty, cultural historical value, scientific and technological value, whether a building is a landmark, scarcity, spatial context, the current status and the authenticity of the site. When all or at least four of these standards are attained, the targeted building may be included in the national urban heritage register.

This initiative is part of the Heritage Commission's vision of celebrating heritage as a cultural wealth; it is driven by its mission to protect, manage and nurture innovation and sustainable development of the components of cultural heritage, and the buildings of modern urban heritage.

The initiative covers a major architectural period in the Kingdom's development that has been closely associated with changing construction patterns, coinciding with the economic and social growth that the Saudi society has experienced over the past six decades.

It also seeks to restore the memory of buildings that reflect this period, whether they still stand or have been lost or neglected in previous periods.



13,040 New Sites Recorded in Saudi National Urban Heritage Register

13,040 New Sites Recorded in Saudi National Urban Heritage Register
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13,040 New Sites Recorded in Saudi National Urban Heritage Register

13,040 New Sites Recorded in Saudi National Urban Heritage Register

The Saudi Heritage Commission has registered 13,040 new urban heritage sites in the National Urban Heritage Register, increasing the number of documented sites in Saudi Arabia to 17,495.
The commission is committed to preserving and managing urban heritage sites with high efficiency, emphasizing their cultural significance, and raising public awareness about their importance, SPA reported.
The newly registered sites are found in various regions: 1,950 in Riyadh, 3,273 in Madinah, 1,531 in Al-Baha, 1,525 in Hail, 1,400 in Qassim, 972 in Aseer, 762 in the Eastern Region, 571 in Makkah, 363 in Al-Jouf, 351 in Jazan, 200 in Najran, 107 in Tabuk, and 35 in the Northern Borders.
The Heritage Commission continues to identify and register urban heritage sites throughout the Kingdom. This process is guided by the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Law, which facilitates research and the discovery of heritage sites, employing advanced global technologies and practices to preserve, document, and protect them.
The commission is also creating a comprehensive database of heritage sites to ensure their effective management.
Citizens and stakeholders are encouraged to report urban heritage sites and buildings for registration on the Heritage Commission’s official platforms, including its online service portal at https://contactcenter.moc.gov.sa, its official X (formerly Twitter) account, and its regional branches.
The commission underscored the vital role of public awareness and community participation in preserving and enhancing the Kingdom’s heritage.