‘The International Workshop on Industrial Heritage’, held from 7 to 8 May 2024 in the Jax District in the Governorate of Diriyah in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marked a significant collaboration between the Heritage Commission of Saudi Arabia, ARC-WH, Saudi ICOMOS, and the Saudi Society for the Preservation of Industrial Heritage. This workshop aimed to convene experts, scholars, policymakers, and heritage enthusiasts to explore the rich history and significance of industrial sites across the Arab region.
Representing the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), Deputy Director Shaikh Ebrahim bin Hamoud Al-Khalifa delivered an intervention during the opening session of this significant workshop.
The primary objective of the workshop was to discuss international industrial heritage, examining case studies concerning the planning, activation, and adaptive reuse of industrial heritage within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals. Through this workshop, the authorities aimed to establish a collaboration with the International Committee for the Conservation of Industrial Heritage (TICCIH), particularly in studying industrial heritage related to the oil and gas sector. Additionally, efforts were made to introduce the origins of industrial heritage in the Kingdom and to enhance stakeholder awareness about the significance of preserving this heritage.
Furthermore, the workshop sought to underscore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s role as a pioneering force in industrial heritage within the region to formulate a roadmap for its preservation. Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in discussions encompassing the most prominent practices and perspectives for safeguarding industrial heritage.
The international workshop received extensive participation at both the local and international levels, featuring three sessions led by experts in the field of industrial heritage. These sessions explored three key themes: “Case Studies in Activating and Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Heritage,” “An Overview of International Industrial Heritage,” and “Saudi Industrial Heritage”.
Moreover, the Heritage Commission announced the availability of a visit to an exhibition accompanying the international workshop, showcasing the documentation of industrial heritage sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This exhibition, enriched with visual content such as photographs and videos, aimed to provide insight into the Kingdom’s industrial heritage. Additionally, a field visit was organized for workshop attendees in the Jax District, a prominent industrial heritage site in Riyadh.
The Heritage Commission’s organisation of the ‘International Workshop on Industrial Heritage’ in the Jax District in Riyadh underscores its commitment to exploring pivotal sites of industrial heritage in the Kingdom and fostering knowledge exchange among official delegations, specialists, and enthusiasts in the field.
The post International Workshop on Industrial Heritage Held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appeared first on Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH).