Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced an initiative to incorporate traditional architecture in the country’s urban developments. The government has launched an online platform outlining the initiative’s goals, including identifying local architecture styles to inform new urban developments.
The initiative aims to create modern districts that blend with existing traditional buildings and natural landscapes. “Saudi architecture represents a blend of ancient heritage and contemporary design,” said Bin Salman.
The Saudi Architecture Characters Map identifies 19 regions in the country, describing their natural landscape, indigenous architecture, and traditional building methods. Design guidelines for new urban developments will accompany the map, encouraging consistent architectural languages in each region.
The initiative will first be implemented in the Al-Ahsa region and the cities of Taif, Makkah, and Abha. Once fully rolled out, compliance with the guidelines will be mandatory for new projects to gain construction permits.
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