Saudi Arabia is reviving its architectural heritage through new urban development guidelines that incorporate the kingdom’s indigenous design traditions.
Launched by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Architecture Characters Map highlights 19 distinct architectural styles, each inspired by the kingdom’s diverse regions and cultural traditions. The initiative will serve as a guideline for developers and urban planning projects, ensuring that new developments complement their surroundings while integrating traditional architectural elements into modern designs.
"Saudi Architecture blends our rich heritage with contemporary design thinking," Prince Mohammed said, according to the Saudi Press Agency. "We are enhancing urban landscapes and quality of life, as well as building an architectural framework that balances the past and the present. This model will serve as a global source of inspiration for innovation in architectural design."
Derived from historical research into local building traditions, the Saudi Architecture Characters Map highlights regions such as Central Najdi, Tabuk Coast, Madinah Rural and Inner Madinah, Taif Highlands and the Sarawat Mountains.
The initiative will be rolled out in phases, beginning in the cities of Al Ahsa, Taif, Makkah and Abha, with initial applications focused on major projects, including government and commercial buildings. Implementation will primarily occur through partnerships with government agencies, engineering firms and real estate developers.
Prince Mohammed added: "Saudi Architecture will indirectly contribute to economic growth by making our cities more attractive to visitors and tourists, which will stimulate sectors such as tourism, hospitality and construction. It also envisions a future where our cities and communities thrive."
By 2030, the plan is projected to contribute more than 8 billion Saudi riyals ($2.1 billion) to the kingdom’s GDP and generate more than 34,000 jobs in engineering, construction and urban development.
Below are some of the regions of Saudi Arabia, each with its own architectural imprint.
1. Hejaz
Encompassing cities such as Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah, Hejazi architecture is characterised by three to five-storey buildings, reflecting the high population density of these urban centres. A distinctive feature of these structures, primarily built from Red Sea coral stone, silt clay and palm wood, is the mashrabiya, an oriel window with intricate wooden lattice screens.
2. Najd
With key cities including Riyadh and the Unesco World Heritage site of Diriyah, the architecture of central Saudi Arabia is defined by its adaptability to the harsh desert climate. This includes using locally available materials such as mud bricks, mud plaster, stone, tamarisk and palm trees. Buildings feature thick walls that provide insulation against extreme heat, ensuring a naturally cooler interior.
3. Tabuk
Located in north-western Saudi Arabia, Tabuk’s architecture blends Islamic and Bedouin styles, designed for functionality and resilience. Given the region’s rocky surroundings, historical structures were built using volcanic stone and mud bricks. Some of Tabuk’s villages also feature watchtowers, reflecting its historical significance as an important trade route.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
WEST ASIA RUGBY 2017/18 SEASON ROLL OF HONOUR
Western Clubs Champions League
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West Asia Premiership
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UAE Premiership Cup
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UAE Premiership
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
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Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
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Monday, May 18
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
