President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) Prince Sultan bin Salman has welcomed the recent decision of the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) to develop the ancient Al-Zaheera district in Riyadh.
The Higher Executive Committee for Projects and Planning in Riyadh also participated in the ADA meeting, chaired by Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Muhammad bin Saad, who is deputy chairman of both ADA and the province's Tourism Development Council.
The development plan for the ancient district aims to convert the neighborhood into an integrated heritage and environment-friendly district with facilities for housing, commercial activities and amusement parks.
Prince Sultan commended Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, for his special efforts while he was the Riyadh governor, to develop projects of urban heritage as part of tourism promotion programs.
"Prince Salman envisioned a balance between modern urban development, preservation of the classical character of the city and maintaining its historical urban identity. The prince also strove to bring social and economic progress to the city center with investments that powered outstanding urban architectural achievements," Prince Sultan said in a statement quoted by the Saudi Press Agency.
The meeting also decided to develop and refurbish the Al-Daho district to preserve its heritage buildings and distinctive historical features. Another plan of the ADA is to build heritage hotels and restaurants, coffee houses, souks for traditional goods, handicraft outlets, and to organize festivals to attract tourists.
The prince also appealed to Riyadh Governor Prince Sattam, chairman of the Tourism Promotion Council of the province, to support the new projects. Prince Sultan also noted that Prince Sattam has ordered that there should be a greater focus on districts with historical significance because of their cultural and economic potential.
The prince also stressed the significance of the cooperation between the SCTA, ADA and the Riyadh municipality to develop various heritage, tourist and environmental projects such as Al-Zaheera, Al-Fouta, Al-Daho and the Urban Heritage Museum in the municipal building in Maleeha district.
Completed projects include Al-Daraiah and Al-Turaif which are on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). There are also completed projects in Wadi Hanifa and other heritage villages and towns in other parts of the province such as Al-Kharj, Al-Majama, Al-Ghat, Shaqra, Al-Zilfi, Ashaiqar, Galgil and Raghba.
The prince added that there are ongoing development of heritage and historical projects in Jeddah, Taif, Abha, Ahsa, Najran, Hofuf, Taima and Tabuk.
The development plan for the ancient district aims to convert the neighborhood into an integrated heritage and environment-friendly district with facilities for housing, commercial activities and amusement parks.
Arab News
10 February
