Regulations for naming public facilities in Saudi Arabia and Cabinet decision
In a regulatory step aimed at enhancing governance and regulating the urban landscape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Council of Ministers issued a decision approving rules and standards for naming public facilities. This decision comes within the framework of the Kingdom's efforts to modernize its systems in line with Vision 2030, which places great importance on quality of life and regulating the urban environment, to ensure that names are consistent with national identity and Islamic values.
The use of royal names without royal permission is prohibited
The new regulations stipulate decisively that the names of the Kings of Saudi Arabia, Crown Princes, or heads of state of brotherly and friendly nations may not be used for any public facility without explicit approval from the highest authority. This measure aims to preserve the symbolic significance and prestige of these names and ensure their use in appropriate settings, preventing the arbitrary use that could occur without centralized oversight.
Strict legal and security standards
In order to preserve religious and societal values, the regulations prohibit naming facilities with names that violate Islamic law. Furthermore, strict guidelines have been established for the use of the Beautiful Names of God, restricting their use to a specific list including: (Peace, Justice, The First, Light, Truth, Witness, King).
The regulations weren't limited to verbal aspects; they extended to the individuals honored by having facilities named after them. The decision mandated that government agencies verify the security and criminal records of the person being honored, and ensure the soundness of their intellectual leanings, to guarantee that the chosen individuals are exemplary figures worthy of having their memory preserved in the public sphere.
Upgrading legacy systems and digital transformation
This decision represents a significant shift, superseding outdated regulations issued in 1406 AH (1986 CE) concerning the naming of streets and squares. This reflects the evolution of regulatory mechanisms in the Kingdom over the past decades. As part of the digital transformation, the regulations mandate that government agencies establish comprehensive and up-to-date databases of facility names and link them annually with the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information. This linkage will contribute to improving the accuracy of digital maps and navigation systems, thus facilitating movement and access to services.
Deadline for correction and implementation
To ensure the smooth implementation of the decision, government agencies were given a 120-day grace period from the effective date of the regulations to review existing names and amend them to comply with the new system. The role of the Minister of Municipalities and Housing in defining naming categories was also emphasized, which strengthens centralized regulation and standardizes criteria across all regions of the Kingdom.
