RIYADH: The Ministry of Finance, Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH), Ar-Riyadh Development Authority (ADA) and Riyadh municipality are concerting efforts to develop Al-Zahera neighborhood in downtown Riyadh as a heritage district to promote tourism in the capital.

When asked about the ambitious project, a Ministry of Finance official said on Friday: “Al-Zahera neighborhood, which is one of the capital’s historic quarter, is under a comprehensive make over to be developed within the historic city centers project.”

Another official from SCTNH said: “Al-Zahera neighborhood development project aims to link the architectural fabric of Qasr Al-Hukm with the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center, which houses the national museum.”

According to SCTNH, the operational plan of the project aims to preserve Al-Zahera neighborhood and revive activities commensurate with its historical nature. This includes rehabilitation and restoration of heritage buildings in the historical area; making them ready for use in various recreational activities; preserving their architectural identity; creating attractive factors such as deployment of heritage hotels, restaurants, cafeterias and shopping centers and heritage shops for traditional arts and crafts; and promotion of events, festivals and activities that can contribute handsomely by attracting visitors to the heritage district.

Moreover, the working agencies have planned to redevelop the entire area securing basic services and infrastructure, and reselling the area’s land to investors, both individuals and organizations, for redevelopment with a commercially viable plan as the vision is to transform the old city from a traditional area into a high-profile modern commercial center.

The executive plan of the ambitious heritage project took two years for feasibility, traffic and infrastructure studies.

ADA, along with the higher executive committee for Riyadh planning and projects, has approved the architectural scheme for development of Al-Zahera neighborhood which aims to develop the quarter and transform it into a tourist and heritage site as well as convert it to an integrated human environment with accommodations, trade and investment, and entertainment activities.

Al-Zahera heritage project is one of the concrete achievements on the ground in the capital. Among them are the Historic Al-Diriyah Development Project, Al-Turaif Development Project, which is registered in the UESCO’s World Heritage List, the Wadi Hanifa project and several other projects to develop heritage villages and towns across the Riyadh municipality.

These projects are considered among the most important elements of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Caring for the Kingdom’s Cultural Heritage and aim to develop city centers in a manner consistent with modernity and preserving the authenticity of these sites as cultural landmarks reflecting the history and identity of the Kingdom.