Urban Heritage Asset Registration Reaches 50,000 In The Kingdom

The Heritage Commission confirms that 8,581 urban heritage assets have been added to the National Urban Heritage Register in Aseer, Al-Baha, and Makkah. This step strengthens national efforts to safeguard historic buildings and sites across Saudi Arabia for future generations.

The register functions as the official national list of protected heritage buildings and sites. Entries are recorded according to criteria of national, architectural, or cultural value. These standards are set under the Law of Antiquities, Museums, and Urban Heritage, which regulates how such assets are identified and protected.

The commission states that registering these urban heritage assets supports its broader programme to document, protect, and manage heritage locations. It aims to highlight their cultural importance, integrate them into planning processes, and raise awareness among residents and visitors, so that these places remain active parts of community life.

Digital geospatial information systems are used to locate each urban heritage asset accurately and store detailed data. This technology helps assess potential risks, define zones needing higher protection, and set appropriate conservation standards. The stored information will guide future restoration work and long-term maintenance plans across different regions.

With this latest group of registrations, the Heritage Commission reaches its approved target of 50,000 built heritage assets nationwide. This goal was set in its plan at the beginning of 2025 and covers sites across Saudi Arabia’s regions, reflecting sustained heritage documentation work.

The Heritage Commission urges citizens and specialists to report urban heritage sites and buildings for possible registration and protection. Reports can be submitted through the Urban Heritage Service portal, the commission’s official account on X, or regional branches, emphasising the citizen’s role as an essential partner in preserving and developing national heritage.

With inputs from SPA