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Urban Heritage in Saudi Arabia: Comparison and Assessment of Sustainable Reuses

Author

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  • Silvia Mazzetto

    (College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 12435, Saudi Arabia)

  • Fiorella Vanini

    (College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 12435, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Saudi Arabia witnessed unprecedented urban development starting from the 1930s due to oil discovery, leading to the construction of new contemporary cities and high-tech buildings. Recently, starting from the late 1990s, an increasing feeling of esteem toward vernacular architecture and local traditions has promoted several heritage rehabilitation projects. This paper aims to assess selected urban heritage interventions to highlight the importance of sustainable approaches in heritage reuse. An assessment of sustainable reuse was conducted by adopting sustainability criteria and principles in compliance with Saudi Arabia’s national vision for 2030 (Saudi Vision 2030), which targets sustainable growth in the post-oil era. Analyses and data collection make it possible to compare four selected case studies based on materials and techniques for preservation, governmental institutions involved, the assessed methodologies of intervention, and relevant parameters (legibility, reversibility, overshadowing, alteration, replacement, and anastylosis). Results show how different institutions have adopted diverse approaches in conservative methodologies based on heritage values to provide flexibility in the reuse of buildings and adaptation to contemporary needs. Assessing the sustainable reuses of Saudi heritage can lead to a strategic change in national growth targeting social, economic, environmental, and ecologic results.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Mazzetto & Fiorella Vanini, 2023. "Urban Heritage in Saudi Arabia: Comparison and Assessment of Sustainable Reuses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-24, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9819-:d:1175157
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elena Rudan, 2023. "Circular Economy of Cultural Heritage—Possibility to Create a New Tourism Product through Adaptive Reuse," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-12, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Silvia Mazzetto & Raffaello Furlan & Jalal Hoblos, 2025. "Transit-Oriented Development and Urban Livability in Gulf Cities: Comparative Analysis of Doha’s West Bay and Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-47, September.
    2. Monika Szopińska-Mularz & Anna Prokop & Milena Wikiera & Wiktoria Bukowy & Fredrik Forsman & Sol Vikström, 2025. "Adaptive Reuse of Urban Structures as a Driver of Sustainable Development Goals: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-28, May.
    3. Sara Sampieri & Silvia Mazzetto, 2025. "Public–Private Partnership for the Sustainable Development of Tourism Hospitality: Comparisons Between Italy and Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-25, July.

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