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Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Organization, Physical Intervention, Planning, Regulatory
The Jeddah Historic District Project is a redevelopment initiative for the old city area of Jeddah, known as “Al Balad,” a UNESCO World Heritage site1. This project comprises three critical interventions, including restoring the heritage buildings of the old city, transforming the waterfront area into a vibrant marina, and offering mixed-use spaces to support both tourism and local commerce2.
The project envisions the old city as a “hub of culture and the arts, and an international heritage destination.” 3 4, It aims to revive the old city into a dynamic center for business and cultural initiatives, promote sustainable urban development5, utilize its heritage and cultural areas to foster a creative and vibrant ecosystem6, and ultimately make the city center a global heritage destination in line with the Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.i
Title: A map illustrates the project boundary, building restoration and conservation action area.
Source: Click Here
Title: The dense fabric of Jeddah's Old City.
Source: Click Here
Title: Three-dimensional render of the waterfront of the Jeddah Historic District project
Source: Click Here
Title: Visitors celebrate Ramadan at one of the public spaces in the Jeddah Historic District.
Source: Click Here
Title: A map illustrates the project boundary, building restoration and conservation action area.
Source: Click Here
Title: The dense fabric of Jeddah's Old City.
Source: Click Here
Title: Three-dimensional render of the waterfront of the Jeddah Historic District project
Source: Click Here
Title: Visitors celebrate Ramadan at one of the public spaces in the Jeddah Historic District.
Source: Click Here
To implement this vision, a master plan covering 2.5 square kilometers has been developed. It integrates residential, commercial, and cultural activities in one place. The plan encompasses five historic markets, 36 mosques, over 650 historic buildings under restoration, 16 Ribats, and modern public facilities7. The master plan includes eight types of spatial interventions, as follows:8
• Historic Building Restoration,
• Development of the Historical Jeddah waterfront,
• Culture Square,
• The historic Restaurant,
• Archaeology and excavation project,
• Artistic Sculptures Project,
• Historic Markets Project,
• Al Balad’s Hospitality Experience.9
By 2024, the project is expected to create 25,000 jobs. By 2035, it will attract over 20 million tourists annually. It will expand its commercial facilities to include more than 770,000 square meters of gross leasable area for offices and retail, along with more than 3,000 hotel rooms. Also, the development consists of 1.2 million square meters of public spaces, roads and lagoons,
ensuring that the blend of tradition and modernity provides a dynamic setting for both the community and visitors10.
Consultant/Designer
Contractor/Implementer
Contractor/Implementer
Consultant/Designer
In terms of heritage preservation and construction, the Saudi government has introduced regulations and policies to manage construction and conservation, ensuring they meet international heritage preservation standards11 12. Here, the Saudi Council of Ministers has collaborated with UNESCO to enact new laws protecting cultural and historic assets from deterioration and inappropriate development13.
The Jeddah Historic District project is a collaborative effort between the Municipality of Jeddah14, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The project is funded by Al-Balad Development Company (BDC), which is owned entirely by the Public Investment Fund and serves as the primary developer15.
The project started in 2014 and is currently under implementation16. Since 2023, the work has included refurbishing multiple historic buildings, rehabilitating three historic structures into guest lodges, and restoring the façades of several historic restaurants17.
Project Link
https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/projects/jeddah-historic-district
Endnotes
References
An online library where you can explore relevant data on urban development in the Arab cities.
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