The 3rd National Urban Heritage Forum will kick off in Madinah on Dec. 8, featuring scientific research with the aim of achieving sustainable development and benefiting local communities.

Mohsin bin Farhan Al Gerani, executive director of the National Urban Heritage Center, said that the forum’s third edition would comprise a large number of events and activities, which will add value to the earlier editions in Jeddah and the Eastern Province.

The forum is set to include a number of training courses and will also witness the signing of an agreement between SCTA and Taibah University, besides a series of exhibitions and specialized workshops on urban heritage areas, he said.

Meshari Al Naeem, general superviser of the National Urban Heritage Center, an affiliate of the SCTA, recently said: “The forum will feature 36 scientific research projects focused on the study of urban heritage and mechanisms of the sector’s development and rehabilitation, ways of preservation, investment and employment.”

About 100 national and international scientists, researchers and specialists will take part in the forum. Participants will discuss a number of urban heritage issues such as the role of urban heritage in building national identity, water facilities, and sustainability as a means to preserve architectural identity in the light of globalization, amongst a number of other topics.

Organizations hosting the events include Taibah University, Al Madinah Chamber of Commerce, Al Madina Literary Club, Al Aliya Commercial Complex and King Fahad Central Park.

The forum aims to put into effect the recommendations of the International Conference for Urban Heritage in Islamic Countries organized by SCTA in collaboration with a number of relevant authorities in 2010.