The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has launched the official website of the First International Conference on Urban and Architectural Heritage in Islamic Countries (FCUAHIC), which is scheduled to be inaugurated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on April 18, 2010. The six-day conference, due to take place at King Faisal Auditorium, Riyadh Intercontinental Hotel, is jointly organized by SCTA in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MOMRA); Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Culture and Information; Ministry of Education, King Saud University (KSU), Al Turath Foundation, and Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), an affiliate of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The main objectives of FCUAHIC is to assess the current state of urban and architectural heritage in Islamic countries, and identify a framework for future development of their economic, social and cultural opportunities. These are also to develop a cooperation strategy among Islamic States regarding the maintenance and function of architectural heritage buildings and villages; to find appropriate solutions to the impediments affecting the financial support for architectural heritage preservation and urban development projects; to exchange administrative and technical expertise among Islamic countries in the design, development and use of architectural heritage sites; to create employment opportunities for craftsmen and artists in the renovation, restoration and decoration of heritage buildings. These objectives are meant to highlight the importance of cultural, economic, social and tourism factors of urban and architectural heritage, as a key sector of development in Islamic countries, and finally generating mutually agreed policy and implementation mechanisms and designation of joint projects between cooperating countries in the areas of urban heritage in the Islamic world. For more information, visit http://www.islamicurbanheritage.org.sa/english --SPA
