ABU DHABI: Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to develop AlUla into the world’s largest living museum and a major heritage, cultural, arts and adventure tourism destination.
AlUla is known for its natural beauty and archaeological diversity. It has hosted major cultural events, including a site-responsive outdoor art installation featuring the work of Saudi and international artists.
The development plans were announced during the 10th UN World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi.
“The balanced development strategy places people first as part of a broader commitment to become an open living museum for the world and a global center for culture, heritage, arts and eco-tourism projects,” the CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Amr Al-Madani, said. “We chose the World Urban Forum as a credible global platform to engage with the world’s leading developers and sustainability experts and share our plans for the long-term, responsible development of AlUla as the world’s largest living museum. By combining heritage with nature, we are transforming the cultural landscape of AlUla and establishing the county as a global tourism destination with a thriving economy and local community.”
Saudi Arabia aims to host two million visitors a year in AlUla by 2035. The RCU, the authority responsible for protecting and promoting the area, estimates the project will create more than 67,000 new jobs, almost half of them in the tourism sector.
“We invite experts from around the world to join us on our journey which means we learn and innovate together. We see a clear road ahead as we attract investment and continue to protect, preserve, share and celebrate our heritage and nature with the world. Not only have we opened our doors to travelers benefiting from Saudi Arabia’s new tourist visas, we’ve also delivered the infrastructure that is central to growth,” Al-Madani added.
He said that a new airport had been launched and that it had the potential to become a transport and logistics hub for northwest Saudi Arabia. There was also a distinctive concert hall with a 500-seat capacity, he added.
The RCU’s Francesca Arici, who is responsible for coordinating development of the masterplans, briefed organizations and agencies at the forum about the commission’s future strategy.
“This is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime development program that requires drawing together international best practice in numerous and diverse fields and sectors,” she said. “We must balance light-touch tourism with sensitive development designed to benefit the local community while still protecting rare ecosystems and archaeology. We are moving at pace but ensuring we embrace the needs and demands of the local community as we work together for a common goal. A number of major infrastructure plans have already been realized and it is anticipated that we will introduce new building permits and design guidelines to AlUla in March, boosting local economic growth and prosperity.”
Around 80 percent of AlUla county will be protected, including cultural and natural heritage sites.
Saudi Arabia's AlUla to be developed into world’s largest living museum
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Saudi Arabia's AlUla to be developed into world’s largest living museum
- Kingdom wants 2m visitors to county by 2035
- The development plans were announced during the 10th UN World Urban Forum in Abu Dhab
Crown prince receives governors of Saudi regions
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received governors of the Kingdom’s regions following their 31st annual meeting, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
The Crown Prince was briefed on the most prominent topics discussed at the annual meeting.
He commended the governors’ efforts to serve the country, citizens and residents, and their work to achieve comprehensive development.
Saudi Arabia to host conference on role of universities in promoting peaceful coexistence
- The event will take place at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University on April 28 and 29
RIYADH: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh will host an international conference next month titled “The Role of Universities in Promoting the Values of National Belonging and Peaceful Coexistence.” It will take place on April 28 and 29 under the patronage of King Salman.
Ahmed bin Salem Al-Ameri, the president of the university, thanked the king for his support and said the aim of the event is to “highlight the experiences of universities in promoting these lofty values, and to demonstrate the importance of correct doctrine and the approach of moderation,” the Saudi Press agency reported on Wednesday.
The participants will include leaders, dignitaries, scholars and intellectuals from the Kingdom and other countries, he added, who will share their specialist legal, scientific and social expertise during lectures, discussion sessions and workshops.
Weather warnings issued across Saudi Arabia until Monday
RIYADH: Members of the public have been urged to exercise caution over the coming days as weather warnings have been issued in several regions across Saudi Arabia.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense said there could be thunderstorms from Thursday to Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Moderate to heavy rain, leading to torrential rain, hail and high wind, has been forecast for Makkah region, including the Holy Capital, Al-Jumum, Al-Kamil, Bahra, Khulais, Taif, Maysan, Adham, Al-Ardiyat, Tarbah, Raniyah, Al-Muwayh, and Al-Khurmah.
The Riyadh region will be affected by similar weather conditions, including the capital, Diriyah, Afif, Al-Dawadmi. Al-Quwayiyah, Al-Majma’ah, Thadiq, Marrat, Al-Ghat, Al-Zulfi, Shaqraa, Rumah, Huraymila, Darma, Al-Muzahmiyah, Al-Kharj, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Al-Salil, Al-Aflaj, Hotat Bani Tamim and Al-Hareeq.
The same has been forecast for the regions of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Border, Hail, Al-Qassim, and the Eastern Province.
Some parts of Makkah region, including Jeddah, Rabigh, Al-Laith, Al-Qunfudhah, will be affected by moderate rainfall that may lead to torrential rain, hail and high winds.
Some areas in the regions of Jazan, Najran and the Eastern Province will be affected by light to medium rain and active downward winds that raise dust and dirt, the authority added.
The directorate called on the public to stay safe and away from places which could be affected by floods or become swamped. It urged people not to swim in such places as this would be dangerous, and to adhere to any instructions issued through the media or social media networks.
Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. honors winners of mosque design competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. concluded an architectural design competition for Diriyah mosques, with the participation of a number of talented male and female architects, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday
The Diriyah Mosques Architectural Design Competition aims to showcase their skills and contribute to developing the architectural landscape of Diriyah through their participation in the contest to support local creative talent in Islamic architecture and promote the development of sustainable construction.
The winners were announced during the annual Diriyah Suhoor at the Bujairi Terrace in the heart of the historic Wadi Hanifah.
Participants were invited to submit designs for two mosques in Diriyah in the Najdi style and constructed within the project’s master plan, using traditional building techniques and materials from the region.
Participating students were required to be familiar with traditional construction methodologies and apply them in their designs through this competition, which sought to achieve a set of goals to serve the local community and visitors.
The two mosques reflect the rich cultural heritage that characterizes Diriyah and the authentic architectural style of the region, as the competition is part of Diriyah Co.’s commitment to consolidating the traditions of distinctive Najdi architecture and enhancing community participation in Diriyah development projects.
A total of 170 submissions from groups and individuals were nominated for meeting the criteria set by the competition and the final stage of the competition witnessed the evaluation of the best 11 designs by the jury, which consisted of a number of highly qualified professional architects.
The evaluation criteria focused on the compatibility of the designs with the master plan for Diriyah, the design brief and their integration with the ancient heritage of Diriyah.
Three groups consisting of 12 participants emerged victorious and the winning entries were distinguished by their creativity and sustainability and their highlighting of Najdi culture and heritage.
The two winning designs for first and second place will be used in building the two mosques, which will contribute to developing the urban landscape and enabling the community to participate in the development of Diriyah.
The competition was launched in July and received widespread interest, as 539 male and female students from 31 universities took part, including 27 from the Kingdom, a university from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and three international institutions.
A total of 296 designs were submitted by both individual and groups of three to five students.
GCC chief meets Hungary’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi met the Ambassador of Hungary to the Kingdom Balazs Selmeci at the headquarters of the council in Riyadh on Wednesday.
The officials discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the GCC and Hungary in various fields, and the latest regional and international developments of common interest, the GCC reported.
Al-Budaiwi on Tuesday had discussions with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Berik Aryn on the ministerial meeting that will be held later this year between GCC and Central Asian countries in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.