Launch of the Culture and Arts Guide in the Saudi Urban Landscape
In a significant step aimed at reshaping the urban landscape of Saudi Arabian cities, and under the patronage of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture, the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, launched the "Culture and Arts in the Urban Landscape" guide. The launch ceremony was held at the Diriyah Center for Future Arts, in the presence of His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Culture, Mr. Hamed Fayez, and His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Engineer Ehab Ghazi Al-Hashani. This guide will serve as a comprehensive national reference that integrates artistic creativity with urban planning.
Vision context and humanizing cities
The launch of this guide comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing radical transformations in urban planning concepts, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 , specifically the Quality of Life Program. Urban planning in Saudi Arabia is no longer limited to providing basic services and traditional infrastructure; it has moved to a stage of "humanizing cities," placing people and their psychological and aesthetic needs at the heart of the planning process. Integrating culture and the arts into public spaces is one of the most important pillars of this approach, contributing to transforming cities from silent concrete blocks into vibrant spaces that express national identity.
Guide objectives and contents
The new guide aims to unify efforts among relevant sectors to plan and implement cultural interventions in public spaces. In his address on behalf of His Highness the Minister, the Deputy Minister of Culture emphasized that the guide is the fruit of an integrated partnership designed to chart a practical course for activating public spaces. He explained that the Kingdom's cities abound with spaces that can be transformed through art into world-class destinations, strengthening residents' connection to their place and solidifying the cities' visual memory. He noted that the guide is not merely a regulatory document, but a national framework that provides cities with a visual language expressing their identity.
A shift in urban planning
For his part, His Excellency Engineer Ihab Al-Hashani emphasized that the Ministry is working to redefine urban planning to be more inclusive, viewing public spaces as opportunities for social interaction and cultural expression. The guide provides municipalities, local authorities, and real estate developers with a practical methodology that begins with understanding the nature of the community and the place, extending to selecting, implementing, and measuring the impact of appropriate artwork, thus ensuring the sustainability of these projects and their alignment with public taste.
Expected impact and strategic partnerships
At the local and regional levels, this guide is expected to contribute to a broad artistic and economic movement by providing Saudi artists with the opportunity to showcase their creations in public squares and parks, transforming cities into open-air museums that attract visitors and tourists. The first signs of this collaboration have already appeared through pilot projects with strategic partners such as the Royal Commission for Riyadh City , the King Fahd National Library, and the Municipality of Madinah.
It is worth noting that the guide is now available through a dedicated digital platform on the Ministry of Culture’s website in both Arabic and English, including examples of global best practices, to serve as a roadmap towards more beautiful and inspiring Saudi cities.
