Evaluating Cultural Heritage Landscape Design as an Approach for Al Bujairi Park Development, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The paper introduces the evaluations process of Al Bujairi according to cultural heritage landscape design (CHLD) principles where heritage features of value are most often found. Consequently, Al Bujairi CHLD has been adapted as an evaluation approach to identify the uniqueness of the landscape and heritage features in addition to recognizing its relation to the community. As a result of globalization and urbanization all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there are incremental alterations in the city patterns effect on the characters of cities' identity. Identity is a vital dimension of social and cultural life in urban areas that strongly enhances people's sense of belonging. The research aims to study CHLD approach and its principles through the evaluations process of Al Bujairi to answer the question; is CHLD helping to maintain the continuity of urban open spaces identity and enhance the users' sense of belonging? To answer this question, this paper is based on two approaches: theoretical and analytical study. Theoretical background reviews the literature related to CHLD, place identity, place constructs and CHLD principles, on the other hand, the analytical side analyzes and evaluates Al Bujairi as a case study area. The case study area, written in Al Bujairi project (Saudi Arabia) to investigate the development of landscape design and human identity through analysis of the different phases of (past condition: the 2015 phase, and 2022 development phase). The study of Al Bujairi landscape design has been implemented the CHLD approach which reflects cultural characteristics. This approach is inspired by Najdi architectural style that emphasize people sense of belonging through intimate environment.

Enhancing city authenticity through humanitarian architecture: a synergy of design and identity, case study, Al-Diriyah, Saudi Arabia

“…The city features and character changes due to massive urban development put the local and traditional identity in danger (A. Abdelrahman & Alghamdi, 2022). There is a threat of losing local values and identity through its development process which adopts foreign approaches (Moscatelli, 2023).…”

Integrating Heritage and Environment: Characterization of Cultural Landscape in Beijing Great Wall Heritage Area

“…The convention also encourages the exploration and analysis of the characters of cultural landscape in various fields [60]. The landscape character assessment of cultural heritage areas can help to complement and enhance the diversity and uniqueness of cultural heritage [61,62]. However, landscapes are constantly changing over time, with natural and cultural value attributes being deposited over time by generations of communities in a changing context [63].…”