Abha, the picturesque capital of Asir province is gearing up to host the 4th National Urban Heritage Forum next month under the patronage of its governor, Prince Faisal bin Khalid.

Dr. Meshari Al Naeem, general supervisor at the National Urban Heritage Center and head of the forum’s organizing committee applauded the preparation on Thursday saying the 4th session, to be held from Dec. 1 to 4 and hosted by Al-Moftaha Heritage Village in Abha, will see marked improvement this year.

“The 4th session will see a qualitative development in its programs beginning with the receipt of researches’ abstracts through the different preparatory, organizational and executive stages,” he maintained.

He added that Asir province will witness the inauguration of a number of urban heritage projects on the sidelines of the forum especially in Rejal Alma and Al-Namas municipalities.

King Khalid University will also participate in the forum, which will see participation from local bodies.

The forum’s scientific committee has received numerous abstracts from scientists, experts and people interested in urban heritage globally.

The deadline for research submission had been set for October 2014 and experts were supposed to submit their abstracts to the committee via the official website of the forum.

The forum is organized annually by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), which began its preparations immediately after the 3rd forum which was held in Madinah. A supreme committee of the forum was formed under the chairmanship of Asir province governor with the membership of a number of senior officials, experts and urban heritage scientists.

Blessed with spectacular mountains, scenic beauty, a cool climate and fertile soil Abha, the popular holiday destination in the Kingdom, also hosted the annual summer program “Saudi summer” in May this year.