A strategic step towards more humane and creative cities
Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture, the Ministry of Culture launched a comprehensive national guide entitled “Culture and Arts in the Urban Landscape.” This guide, launched at the Diriyah Center for Future Arts, is the result of a strategic and integrated partnership with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, and aims to establish new standards for the design of public spaces in the Kingdom’s cities, integrating cultural and aesthetic dimensions into their urban fabric.
The launch of this guide is a significant step towards achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes improving quality of life. By activating public spaces and transforming them into vibrant cultural and artistic destinations, the Kingdom aims to build a dynamic society and cities that rank among the best in the world to live in.
General context: From urban expansion to humanization
Over the past decades, Saudi cities have witnessed rapid urban growth, primarily focused on meeting the functional needs of their residents. However, this expansion has sometimes led to the neglect of the human and aesthetic dimensions of cities, resulting in underutilized public spaces lacking identity and appeal. The guide, "Culture and Arts in the Urban Landscape," addresses this challenge, offering a new vision that places people at the heart of urban planning and views public spaces as valuable opportunities for community interaction, cultural expression, and fostering a sense of belonging.
The importance of the guide and its expected impact
Locally, the guide is expected to have a tangible impact on residents' daily lives. Instead of being mere transient spaces, squares and parks will be transformed into open-air art galleries, performance venues, and meeting places for creatives, fostering social interaction and creating shared memories that reinforce national identity. The guide will also provide a platform to support local artists and designers, actively engaging them in shaping the visual landscape of their cities.
Regionally and internationally, this trend reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading cultural hub. As the world's attention turns to Saudi Arabia's mega-projects, this evidence confirms that development is not limited to massive infrastructure projects, but extends to the cultural and creative spirit of cities. Building beautiful, sustainable cities that attract talent and tourists is an integral part of building a diversified economy and a bright future.
Integrated and sustainable framework
His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Culture, Professor Hamed Fayez, explained that the guide embodies a shared belief that the integration of institutional efforts is the path to building a more vibrant and human-centered urban landscape. For his part, His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Engineer Ehab Al-Hashani, affirmed that the guide provides a comprehensive national framework linking culture and urban development, giving cities a language to express themselves, and transforming neglected spaces into opportunities for artistic expression.
The guide is designed to be flexible and applicable across the Kingdom, while respecting the cultural and architectural character of each city. It offers a practical methodology that begins with understanding the community and the place, moves through selecting the most appropriate artistic intervention, and concludes with implementation and impact measurement, ensuring that projects are sustainable and meet the aspirations of the residents.
