Officials discuss development of Al-Diriya as a tourism center
Published: Mar 18, 2010 01:23 Updated: Mar 18, 2010 01:23
RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, who is also the chairman of Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), on Tuesday presided over a meeting of the executive committee for the development of Al-Diriya, said Abdullatif bin Abdul Malik Al-Sheikh, head of ADA’s projects and planning center.
“The meeting discussed the development of the historic city of Al-Diriya, which aims to make the old city a national tourism and cultural center of national standards conforming to its historic, cultural and environmental characteristics,” Al-Sheikh said.
He said development work is currently under way in the Al-Turaif neighborhood, in the Al-Bijairi development project, and roads and parking areas. Total cost of the work is estimated at SR64.3 million.
Al-Sheikh, an engineer, said the ADA has completed the expropriation of land from property owners affected by the project. “The development of Al-Turaif as an archaeological site is vital. Forty percent of its neighborhood will be rehabilitated.
Roads and lanes leading to Al-Diriya, including a pasture where animals bred in Thumamah graze, will be developed,” Al-Sheikh said.
Al-Diriya was the original home of the Saudi royal family and served as the capital of the first Saudi dynasty from 1744 to 1818. Today, it is the seat of the Al-Diriya governorate, which includes the villages of Yayna, Jubayla, and Al-Ammariyyah.
