The Heritage Jewel of Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Analysis of the Heritage Management and Development Activities in the At-Turaif District in Ad-Dir’iyah, a World Heritage Site (WHS)

Historic Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS), demonstrates the potential for successful large-scale development while preserving visual integrity and site authenticity through sustainable heritage management. The study reveals that the site's inscription has significantly influenced national identity, tourism, and Saudi Arabia's development agenda. Using a mixed-method approach—including temporal analysis, historical image comparison, non-participant observation, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, fieldwork, archival research, and document analysis—the research evaluates the site’s physical, social, and economic transformations across three critical periods. The findings underscore the importance of balancing development with heritage preservation, offering valuable insights for policymakers on integrating WHS into broader national visions.

Bay, M. A., Alnaim, M. M., Albaqawy, G. A., & Noaime, E. (2022). The Heritage Jewel of Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Analysis of the Heritage Management and Development Activities in the At-Turaif District in Ad-Dir’iyah, a World Heritage Site (WHS). Sustainability, 14(17), 10718. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710718