Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture, the Diriyah Center for Future Arts witnessed a new strategic step towards reshaping the urban landscape of Saudi cities. The Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, launched the "Culture and Arts in the Urban Landscape" guide. This initiative lays the foundation for a new phase of urban planning that integrates artistic creativity into the urban fabric, serving as a national reference for all entities involved in planning and implementing cultural interventions in public spaces.
Vision context and humanizing cities
The launch of this guide comes within the context of the major transformations taking place in the Kingdom under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically within the objectives of the Quality of Life Program. While Saudi cities have historically been subject to planning standards focused on function and service, the modern trend seeks to "humanize cities," a global concept adopted by the Kingdom to transform cities from mere concrete structures into vibrant spaces that interact with people. This new guide reflects this trend by providing a practical framework that ensures culture and the arts are an integral part of the design of public spaces, not merely peripheral decorative elements.
Guide details and integrated partnership
During the launch ceremony, attended by His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Culture, Mr. Hamed Fayez, and His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Engineer Ehab Ghazi Al-Hashani, it was emphasized that this guide is the fruit of a deep and integrated partnership between the two ministries. In a speech delivered on behalf of His Highness the Minister, His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Culture explained that the guide aims to activate culture and the arts in public spaces. He pointed out that the Kingdom's cities are rich in public spaces with significant potential that can be transformed, through cultural interventions, into vibrant destinations of memory and creativity, thus strengthening the connection between people and place and reinforcing national identity in the daily visual landscape.
A comprehensive methodology and expected impact
The guide is not merely a theoretical document; it offers a comprehensive applied methodology that begins with understanding the nature of the community and the place, moves through selecting the appropriate type of cultural intervention, and culminates in implementation mechanisms and impact measurement. This guide is expected to bring about a tangible change in the way parks, squares, streets, and city entrances are designed. Socially, these art-enriched spaces will contribute to increased social interaction and a stronger sense of belonging. Economically, improving the urban landscape is a key factor in attracting tourism and increasing the economic value of the developed areas.
Entrepreneurial projects and practical application
To ensure the success of this approach, work went beyond simply publishing the guide. Pilot projects were launched in collaboration with major strategic entities such as the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the King Fahd National Library, and the Madinah Municipality. These projects aim to plan and implement artistic and cultural works that will serve as living examples of the guide's applicability. The guide will be available on a dedicated digital platform on the Ministry of Culture's website in both Arabic and English, making it accessible to municipalities, development authorities, real estate developers, and artists, thus ensuring a unified effort to enhance the urban landscape across all regions of the Kingdom.
