Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture, the Ministry of Culture launched the “Culture and Arts in the Urban Landscape” guide yesterday (Monday) at a ceremony held at the Diriyah Center for Future Arts. This strategic step lays the foundation for a comprehensive national reference to support stakeholders in planning and implementing cultural interventions in public spaces, with the aim of improving the urban landscape and enhancing the quality of life in Saudi cities, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

A qualitative leap in Saudi urban planning

The launch of this guide comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing a radical transformation in urban planning concepts, as cities move from being mere functional concrete blocks to vibrant, human-centered spaces. This guide is a practical application of the Quality of Life Program initiatives, one of the Vision 2030 programs, which seeks to empower the cultural sector to play a pivotal role in shaping the identity of cities and making them more attractive to both residents and visitors.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Professor Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, and the Deputy Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Engineer Ehab Ghazi Al-Hashani, reflecting the extent of governmental integration to achieve these goals.

An integrated partnership between culture and urban development

In his address on behalf of His Highness the Minister of Culture, Professor Hamed Fayez affirmed that the guide is the fruit of a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. He pointed out that Saudi cities hold a rich history and profound meanings that can be revived through public spaces, saying, “These spaces can be transformed into living experiences that build a relationship between people and their surroundings, and work to transform the place into a destination, a story, and a creative space.”.

For his part, Engineer Ehab Al-Hashani explained that the ministry is working on redefining urban planning to put “people first,” stressing that the guide moves municipal work from individual efforts to a sustainable methodology, to give cities a visual language that expresses their identity and cultural diversity.

The importance of the guide and its expected impact

The role of the "Culture and Arts in the Urban Landscape" guide extends beyond aesthetics to encompass significant social and economic dimensions. Socially, art in public spaces fosters a sense of belonging and creates opportunities for community interaction, thus reducing social isolation in major cities. Economically, transforming squares and public spaces into artistic landmarks contributes to attracting both domestic and international tourism and revitalizes commercial activity in surrounding areas—a phenomenon known globally as "placemaking.".

Practical methodology and entrepreneurial projects

The guide offers a practical roadmap for municipalities, local authorities, and real estate developers, starting with understanding the nature of the community and the location, and extending to implementation and impact measurement. To ensure the guide's effectiveness, pilot projects were launched in collaboration with major entities such as the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the King Fahd National Library, and the Madinah Municipality, serving as living examples of how to integrate art into the urban fabric.

It is worth noting that the guide is now available through a dedicated digital platform on the Ministry of Culture’s website in both Arabic and English, including tools, models and global best practices, to help planners and innovators transform the Kingdom’s cities into open museums that reflect their cultural depth and their aspirations for the future.