Plans To Develop AlUla, Saudi Arabia Into The Worlds Largest Living Museum By 2035 Unveiled At World Urban Forum 2020

A milestone in Saudi Arabias 2030 Vision to set up AlUla as the worlds largest living museum and a main heritage, cultural, arts and adventure tourism destination was reached this week as the AlUla framework plan was revealed at the 10th UN World Urban Forum.

Visitors experienced AlUla and its masterplans via a series of interactive displays designed to transport them to North-West Saudi Arabia, which consists of Hegra, the Kingdoms first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and more than 7,000 years of archaeological remains from successive civilisations.

AlUla is well-known for its extraordinary natural splendor as well as its extremely good archaeological diversity. It is also shaping a new cultural landscape in Saudi Arabia. This month AlUla hosted the first Hegra Conference of Nobel Laureates and DesertX AlUla, the first site-responsive outdoor art installation providing the work of both Saudi and international artists.

Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) CEO Amr AlMadani said: We chose the World Urban Forum as a credible international platform to have interaction with the worlds leading builders and sustainability professionals and share our plans for the long-term, responsible improvement of AlUla as worlds biggest living museum. By combining heritage with nature, we are changing the cultural landscape of AlUla and establishing the county as a international tourism destination with a thriving economy and local community.

We invite experts from around the world to join us on our journey which means we learn and innovate together. We see a clear path ahead as we entice investment and continue to protect, preserve, share and celebrate our heritage and nature with the world.

Not only have we opened our doors to travellers benefiting from Saudi Arabias new tourist visas, weve also delivered the infrastructure that is central to growth.

We have launched a new airport with potential to become a transport and logistic hub for North-West Saudi Arabia, as well as Maraya, our new 500-seat theatre and domestic for entertainment, business and celebratory gatherings which is also the biggest mirrored structure in the world.

Saudi Arabia objectives to host two million visitors a year in AlUla by 2035. The RCU estimates the project will create more than 67,000 new jobs - almost half of them in the tourism sector.

Francesca Arici, the RCUs Acting Chief County Zoning and Planning Officer, is responsible for coordinating development of the masterplans and briefed multiple firms and agencies at the Forum on the Commissions future strategy.

She said: We are moving at pace however making sure we embody the desires and needs of the local community as we work together for a common goal. A number of major infrastructure plans have already been realised and it is anticipated that we will introduce new building permits and design guidelines to AlUla as early as March, boosting local economic growth and prosperity.

AlUlas existing community is at the heart of the masterplan. The RCU has already engaged world-class hospitality training for residents to create teams of Rowah (tour guides), wildlife rangers and Hammayah (heritage guardians). AlUla high school graduates have been awarded sponsorships to study at top-class global universities, in France, the UK, US and Australia, unleashing their talent to execute and construct upon the vision of the Masterplan.

The master-planning process is constructed on the RCUs framework policy contained within its Charter and 12 guiding principles. These cover the full spectrum of improvement policy from safeguarding the natural and cultural landscape while developing AlUla as a world heritage, arts and culture destination to protecting ecosystems and wildlife; constructing balanced agriculture and making sure responsible tourism.

Around 80 per cent of AlUla County will be protected, which includes cultural and natural heritage sites, where the RCU will work hand in hand with the local community to make sure the sensitive protection preservation and development.

CEO Amr AlMadani added, The balanced development strategy places people first as part of a broader commitment to become an open living museum for the world and a global centre for culture, heritage, arts and eco-tourism projects. AlUla is Saudi Arabias present to the world.