RIYADH — The Architecture and Design Commission launched on Wednesday the King Salman Urban Charter for Architecture and Urbanism initiative, in a ceremony held at Tuwaiq Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter here. The ceremony on the sideline of an exhibition was held in the presence of Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed Fayez and Architecture and Design Commission CEO Dr. Sumaya Al-Solaiman, as well as officials and specialists in the architecture and design sector in the Kingdom. Speaking on the occasion, Fayez stressed that the launch of the King Salman Urban Charter initiative aims to celebrate the values, fostered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, while implementing urban projects in the Riyadh region while serving as emir of the region for five-decade long period. "This contributed to forming features of a distinct urban identity, and we are proud to put this identity in a scientific framework under the title King Salman Urban Charter," he said. While serving as emir of Riyadh for more than 50 years, King Salman drove through urbanization schemes and at the same time he was very keen on preserving the authentic cultural identity of the region. The initiative aims to celebrate and promote the national architectural identity of cities throughout the Kingdom, he said. According to the minister, this charter is the outcome of extensive studies and understanding of all dimensions of the Salmani architecture style and its cultural and social connotations. "This would be the beginning of an original and unique vision that contributes to the formation of an urban identity for various regions of the Kingdom after taking into account of the unique elements of each region," he added. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Al-Sulaiman said that the King Salman Urban Charter was inspired by the Monarch's march in drawing the civilized and architectural face of the city of Riyadh. "This is based on our roots, culture and national identity, which we feel to have its living presence and that pulsates in the spirit of authentic cultural identity," she added. It is noteworthy that the Architecture and Design Commission seeks to preserve the historical heritage of architecture and design in the Kingdom while supporting modern Saudi design identity. The Commission is establishing a national strategy to preserve and maintain the rich Saudi architectural heritage, in order to reach a greater level of sustainable growth.
