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Historic area of Jeddah to be developed

The scheme will re-vamp the downtown Balad area and will result in the old city being divided into two areas – a waterfront area and an historic area.

The historic area will be preserved and developed but the plan is to retain the feel and atmosphere that is already there.

Work is expected to start next February and those involved include the Urban Development Co Ltd, Solidere International Ltd, Siraj Capital and Venture Capital Bank.

'The heart of Jeddah will beat again through these development plans which are in line with the government's future vision for the city,' said Ghassan Ahmad Al-Sulaiman, chairman of the Jeddah Central District Company that will be leading the project.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, secretary-general of the General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, said it fits in with countrywide plans to protect architecture and heritage.

'We have made concerted efforts to preserve and develop the historical part of Old Jeddah in the past several years. It will now witness a new phase of development,' Prince Sultan said.

The commission is also working with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to develop historical places in Taif, Majmaa and Hofuf.

The GCTA has set out a new law for the protection of architectural heritage. 'We plan to register major heritage centers in the Kingdom with UNESCO to include them in the international agency's World Heritage List,' the Prince added.

UNESCO this year granted World Heritage status to Madain Saleh near Al-Ula. Two more sites – Old Jeddah and Al-Diriya – are to be submitted for consideration.

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