Bricks, mortar and the ambition of a nation 
The recent launch of the Saudi Architecture Characters Map by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s cultural and urban landscape development. It highlights the progress of Saudi Arabia’s architectural identity. This growing recognition of architecture’s role in shaping national identity naturally raises the question of how best to preserve and protect significant structures.
The UK offers a long-established model with its system of “listing” buildings, a practice dating back to the Second World War. The National Heritage List for England was officially established in 2011 as a unified database bringing together various heritage designations and is maintained by Historic England. In essence, it is a list of all buildings of special architectural or historic interest.
Similarly, in 2021, Saudi Arabia took steps to safeguard its built heritage by implementing a system for registering and protecting culturally significant sites. The Heritage Commission, established under the Ministry of Culture, oversees this initiative through the National Urban Heritage Register. This register aims to identify and preserve urban heritage sites across the Kingdom.
Recent efforts have significantly expanded the number of registered heritage sites. For instance, in December 2024, the Heritage Commission announced the registration of 13,040 new urban heritage sites, bringing the total to 17,495 at that time. While this system might appear to share similarities with the UK’s listed building framework, it is uniquely tailored to Saudi Arabia’s cultural and historical context.
Such significant efforts have shifted the global narrative surrounding Saudi culture beyond traditional perceptions. The country has formed partnerships with various international institutions, including French Architects for Export, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the US Green Building Council. These institutions have actively engaged in discussions to advance the architecture and design sector in Saudi Arabia, recognizing this transformation. This growing international engagement is further reflected in Saudi Arabia’s active presence on the global architectural stage.
In a region where history runs deep, these new projects are shaping a new way of living — one where progress and heritage walk hand in hand
In February, Saudi Arabia announced its participation in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia, with the National Pavilion presenting The Um Slaim School: An Architecture of Connection. Commissioned by the Architecture and Design Commission under the Ministry of Culture, the National Pavilion continues to support architectural and design practitioners in developing new frameworks for understanding and shaping the built environment.
Since the introduction of Vision 2030 urban construction has surged, with the total value of real estate and infrastructure projects exceeding $1.1 trillion by 2024. This positions Saudi Arabia as the largest construction market in the Middle East. This unprecedented rapid development has driven job creation, particularly within the cultural and creative industries, where architecture plays a key role in shaping sustainable cities.
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia’s architectural landscape has embraced innovation. A key driver of this transformation is smart city development, where AI-driven urban planning is shaping intelligent, adaptive spaces. NEOM, the Kingdom’s flagship smart city, exemplifies this approach. Within this futuristic city, cutting-edge technologies such as predictive infrastructure management and AI-powered energy efficiency models are being integrated. These advancements are creating innovative ways of urban living by optimizing resource use, reducing congestion, and ensuring sustainable growth.
Across the country, AI is being embedded into architectural design, enabling real-time climate responsiveness and enhanced public services that prioritize human well-being. This can be seen in the new metro station in Riyadh and the recent partial opening of the Sports Boulevard, a key milestone in Riyadh’s urban transformation. The boulevard is one of the world’s largest urban regeneration projects, designed to promote active lifestyles and sustainable mobility.
This initiative reflects a commitment to human-centric urbanism, where architecture fosters a healthier, more connected society. In a region where history runs deep, these new projects are shaping a new way of living — one where progress and heritage walk hand in hand.
• Dr. Ghadah W. Alharthi is an international cultural adviser and an associate professor specializing in culture and innovation at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. X: @ GhadahWA
