Nawaf Alfadly, the projects manager of the heritage assets restoration department for the Jeddah Historic District Program, emphasized the initiative’s goal of revitalizing heritage buildings to enhance the experience of visitors and residents, aiming to transform the area into a prominent tourist destination. In an interview with Arab News, Alfadly highlighted the importance of safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s historical heritage, citing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2018 project to preserve 56 heritage buildings in Al-Balad as evidence of commitment to this cause. The historic significance of Jeddah’s buildings lies in their spiritual and material value, serving as a cultural hub and pilgrimage gateway due to the city’s unique location and commercial role. To this end, the crown prince allocated $13.3 million from his personal funds to strengthen and preserve 56 heritage buildings in Al-Balad, underscoring the commitment to safeguarding the Kingdom’s architectural and cultural legacy. The program seeks to enrich the experiences of visitors and residents alike while preserving the Kingdom’s historical heritage. With the engagement of local and international specialists, the program ensures the preservation of buildings’ historical authenticity and architectural identity. The Jeddah Historic District Program aims to preserve the historical significance of Al-Balad’s ancient buildings, covering an area of approximately 2.5 sq. km. The restoration program not only focuses on restoring the structural integrity of these buildings but also aims to repurpose them for hotels, residences, and cultural spaces. By revitalizing these heritage buildings, the program seeks to enhance the experience of visitors and residents, making the area a major tourist attraction while safeguarding the Kingdom’s historical heritage. In general, the program involves restoring 650 historic buildings through specialized studies and detailed planning, followed by comprehensive structural and architectural restoration. These buildings are then repurposed for hotel, residential, and cultural uses, aligning with the overall plan for Historic Jeddah.   For registration as supplier: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=AJjAY2UkDUWKlvcAtnFG5Fwr-astWjBLtLLi2ufjzG1URExVUllDTVAxRjRUWFlYRTNFSkpXMlNTVS4u (ICE RIYADH)

Fonte notizia: Arab news