RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch a national program to revitalize heritage towns, a step aimed at breathing new life into villages and historical sites and transforming them into cultural, tourist, and economic destinations. This initiative aligns with the goals of Vision 2030 and promotes the sustainability of architectural heritage, Al-Arabiya reported.
Data indicates the existence of approximately 562 privately owned heritage towns and villages across Saudi Arabia. This reflects the diversity of the architectural heritage and the vast range of investment opportunities associated with it, as well as the challenges related to its protection and rehabilitation.
The Heritage Commission revealed that preventive restoration interventions have been implemented at more than 160 heritage sites. These efforts aimed to protect buildings and artifacts from deterioration and environmental factors through non-invasive measures that contribute to extending their lifespan without compromising their authenticity.
The relevant authorities have completed 37 integrated projects to restore and rehabilitate heritage sites in the past period. These projects included a number of prominent landmarks such as Qishla Palace, the Al-Atawla sites in the Al-Baha region, and the towns of Shaqra and Al-Shiqra, in addition to historical sites like Quba Castle, Al-Uyun Castle, and Urwa Palace.
The anticipated program to revitalize heritage towns comes within the framework of a national strategy that aims to utilize these sites economically and transform them into drivers of local development, thereby enhancing cultural tourism and supporting the surrounding communities.
The commission explained that more than 100 heritage towns are classified as category A or consisting of buildings of this category, which reflects their historical and architectural importance, and places them among the priorities of rehabilitation and development projects.
The Heritage Commission relies on the National Register of Urban Heritage, along with ongoing field visits, to monitor the condition of sites and identify their development needs. This enhances planning efficiency and supports protection and rehabilitation decisions.
The commission intends to open its programs to the public during the fourth quarter of this year, enabling owners and investors to participate in the development of heritage sites and ensure their operational and economic sustainability.
This approach stems from the National Culture Strategy launched by the Kingdom in 2019, which aims to strengthen cultural identity and preserve civilizational heritage. It also aligns with the regulations that support culture and safeguard heritage, thereby enhancing the Kingdom’s presence on the global cultural stage.
Source: Saudi Gazette