The Heritage Commission of the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has appointed Fondazione Santagata to develop of an Integrated Management Framework for the Al-Ahsa Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized as an Evolving Cultural Landscape.
Context
Located in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, Al-Ahsa Oasis is the world’s largest oasis and has supported human settlements since the Neolithic period through its vital water reserves, enabling agriculture and livestock farming. Rich in both tangible and intangible heritage, the oasis features historical and archaeological sites, as well as early Islamic architecture. Recognizing its cultural and historical significance, UNESCO inscribed Al-Ahsa as a Cultural Landscape on the World
Heritage List in 2018, making it the most recent of Saudi Arabia’s five UNESCO-listed sites.
Objectives
The work aims to align the management of the Site with UNESCO guidelines, ensuring the protection and preservation and effective and sustainable management of the Oasis.
Work phases
The project followed these steps:
1) Context Analysis – Assessment of the existing management plan, building regulations and procedures of the Al-Ahsa Oasis World Heritage site;
2) Management Framework – new guidelines
3) Heritage Toolkit – roadmap of recommendations for implementation
Expected results
The goal of the Framework is to ensure the Site’s preservation and effective management in accordance with UNESCO guidelines, while promoting sustainable development.
Partners
Ministry of Culture (MOC) of Saudi Arabia Heritage Commission