The Makkah Royal Court prohibits construction in historical areas and sets height limits

In a strategic move aimed at preserving Islamic and cultural heritage, the Royal Commission for Makkah and the Holy Sites launched the “Planning Guide for Dealing with Historic Areas.” This guide serves as a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to protect heritage assets and enhance their sustainability within a vast geographical area of ​​approximately 2,774 square kilometers, reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving its historical identity.

General context and historical background

Mecca holds an unparalleled religious and historical significance in the Islamic world, encompassing landmarks and sites dating back to the dawn of Islam and even earlier. With the rapid urban development the holy city has witnessed in recent decades to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims, a pressing need has arisen to strike a delicate balance between modernization and the preservation of historical sites. This initiative aligns perfectly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes the importance of enriching the religious and cultural experience for pilgrims and Umrah performers, while safeguarding Islamic heritage from being lost due to uncontrolled urban sprawl.

Website classification and domain protection

The Royal Commission explained that the new guide serves as an official reference for implementing urban planning policies within its direct supervisory scope. The guide categorizes historical sites in Mecca into 11 main types, including historical mosques, mosques in the Al-Hal area, old markets, heritage neighborhoods, wells, historical pilgrimage routes, rock inscriptions, and the boundaries of the Holy Mosque. To ensure effective protection, the guide adopts two main zones: the "primary protection zone," which encompasses the historical site, and the "buffer zone," which extends a 200-meter radius to protect the surrounding context.

Strict building requirements

One of the most significant aspects of the guide is the absolute prohibition of any new construction within the main protection zones. Only light and temporary structures are permitted to provide essential services, and only after obtaining official approval from the Heritage Authority. The guide also restricts building heights in surrounding new developments, prohibiting buildings from exceeding the height of the historical site. The maximum height for new developments is set at 7 meters (or two stories) in natural and rural areas. Furthermore, the document prohibits the use of heavy equipment or deep excavation work before a thorough archaeological survey has been conducted, and it bans polluting industrial and craft activities within the buffer zones.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

This decision has a multifaceted impact. Locally, it will contribute to improving the urban landscape of Mecca and creating sustainable public spaces, as the guidelines mandate allocating a minimum of 30% of total open space as green areas and providing shaded areas covering at least half the total area. Regionally and internationally, protecting the historical sites in Mecca enhances the Kingdom's soft power and offers millions of Muslims worldwide a deeper spiritual and cultural experience when they visit the Holy Land, in line with global standards for the protection of human heritage.

Traffic management, lighting, and site integration

To ensure the preservation of heritage assets, the regulations propose converting traffic routes within protected areas into pedestrian-only paths and prohibiting the entry of motor vehicles except in extreme emergencies. The authority also warns against the use of bright or glaring lights, mandating the use of warm, low-intensity lighting (ranging from 5 to 20 lux) to maintain the historical character. In a progressive approach, the guidelines stipulate the integration of sites less than 130 meters apart into a single "historical ensemble" sharing a continuous urban and cultural space. Finally, the authority requires developers to appoint a specialized urban conservation consultant to oversee implementation, and the guidelines will be updated every three years to guarantee the highest quality standards.