HRH Faisal bin Bandar Chairs the 18th Meeting of the High Executive Committee for Dir’iyah Development
On 23/11/2015, HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz, chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh and Head of the High Executive Committee for Dir’iyah Development, paid an inspection visit to Al-Turaif Neighborhood Development Project. During the visit, HRH also chaired the 18th Meeting of the High Executive Committee for Dir’iyah Development, in the presence of HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, and HH Prince Ahmed ibn Abdullah, Governor of Dir’iyah.
In a statement to the press, HRH Head of the High Executive Committee, expressed deepest appreciation and thanks to the wise leadership for supporting Dir’iyah Development Program, adding that works of Al-Turaif Neighborhood Development Project are in full swing, and inauguration is expected by next year.
Al-Turaif … a neighborhood with a unique historic value that deserves restoration
According to HE Engr. Ibrahim Al-Sultan, member of the High Commission for Development of Arriyadh and President of Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), during the visit HRH Chairman of the High Commission inspected progress in historic facilities rehabilitation, construction of the other facilities in the neighborhood, and public utilities/services.
The 18th Meeting of the High Executive Committee
Later, HRH chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh presided the 18th Meeting of the High Executive Committee for Dir’iyah Development, to follow up on progress of the Execution Plan for Dir’iyah Development and its programs and projects being carried out by the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh in cooperation with the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage and Dir’iyah Governorate. The execution plan comprises three development projects:
Hai Al-Turaif (Turaif Neighborhood) Development Project
Hai al-Bujayri (al-Bujayri Neighborhood) Development Project
Roads, parking lots, utilities and public service networks.
Components of Al-Turaif Neighborhood Development Project
The meeting reviewed the progress achieved in Al-Turaif Neighborhood Development Project, which comprises 17 components, currently under development, including:
Documentation of urban and architectural status of the existing buildings
Conduction of historical researches and studies on elements and utilities of the neighborhood
Implementation of utilities networks and infrastructure
Archaeological restoration of selected key buildings to serve specific antiquarian and cultural functions
Building five museums in a number of historical locations in the neighborhood to tell the story of the First Saudi State
Restoration of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Mosque in its original location over a total area of 2.200 m2
Building Al-Turaif Souq consisting of 38 shops selling handicrafts in addition to traditional restaurants
Building a reception center at the neighborhood entrance to serve the visitors
Building the neighborhood’s administrative center at Fahad bin Saud Palace (the center will be run by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage)
Transformation of Ibrahim bin Saud Palace into a center for documentation of the history of Dir’iyah (the center will be run by King Abdulaziz Memorial Hall – Darah)
Landscaping, asphalting, paving and lighting the passageways and public areas in the neighborhood
Installation of signboards
Equipping the passageways and plazas with the display requirements and visitor services
Al-Bujairi Neighborhood…. A recreational destination of choice for Riyadh residents
The meeting also reviewed Al-Bujairi Neighborhood Development Project, which has become the favorite recreational destination for residents and visitors of Riyadh since its inauguration by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Other Projects (roads, parking lots, and public utilities)
The meeting also reviewed projects of roads, parking lots, and public utilities, which constitute the third component of the Development Execution Plan. These projects include:-
Road projects:
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Square, which hosts a 100-meter-tall flagpole (the highest in the Kingdom)
Imam Mohammed bin Saud Street
Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Saud Street
Imam Sattam bin Abdulaziz Street
Qrioah Road (the oldest road leading to Historical Dir’iyah)
Wadi Hanifah Road (distinguished with magnificent landscaping, afforestation, and pavements)
Public utilities networks:
7375-meter-long water network
1185-meter-long sewerage network
5095-meter-long floodwater drainage network
15435-meter-long road lighting network
Development within the boundaries of Historical Dir’iyah
The Development Program’s execution plan extended to cover a number of public development works within the boundaries of Historical Dir’iyah including:
Development of Imam Mohammed bin Saud Mosque
Development of Samhan Neighborhood
Development of Al-Murayeh Neighborhood
Restoration of the historic mosques in Historical Dir’iyah
Project of the National Saudi Flagpole at King Salman Square
Contemporary Art Center
Farmers Market in Samhan Neighborhood
Productive Families Market
Development of Zahrat Samhan Neighborhood
Architectural Heritage Center
Establishment of the new Dir’iyah Municipality Headquarters (recently launched)
Investment opportunities in Historical Dir’iyah
The meeting also reviewed the investment opportunities available for the private sector in Historical Dir’iyah, including:
Traditional guest houses
Artistic centers and galleries
Gift and traditional products shops
Modern/traditional restaurants and cafes
Marketing local agricultural products and products of productive families
Development regulations for farms around Al-Bujairi Neighborhood
The meeting approved development regulations for farms around Al-Bujairi Neighborhood to achieve urban integration, and to promote economic value and investment attractiveness of such farms.
Inauguration of Dir’iyah Governorate Headquarter
At the end of the visit, HRH head of the Committee, opened the 7200-m2 headquarter of Dir’iyah Governorate, a landmark developed within Historical Dir’iyah Development Program.
The 2-storey building has parking lots, and landscaped internal and external areas.