RIYADH - The Architectural Arts Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced its comprehensive strategy in developing the architecture and design sector in the Kingdom.

The strategic authority was presented under the name "Al-Murabba'", inspired by the name "Al-Murabba Palace", which reflects the ambitions of the authority in formulating a modern and innovative start to the Saudi urban landscape that transcends traditional borders, and serves the sector's employees and actors with a number of initiatives and programs.

Somaya Al-Sulaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Authority, explained that the strategy comprehensively looks at the architecture and design sector and seeks to develop it, support its employees, and raise it to the level of the aspirations of the Ministry of Culture under the leadership of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, noting that the strategy included multiple dimensions and axes, including legislative aspects. and organizational, support, empowerment and development of the educational and practical environment related to the target sector, in addition to a package of initiatives and programs that support practitioners of architecture and design in various regions of the Kingdom.

The architecture and design strategy identified six objectives. Through its strategy, the authority presents 33 initiatives that fall under 6 programs to achieve its goals, and they will be implemented within five years.

The first program was entitled "Regulating the Architecture and Design Sector", a program concerned with setting regulations, regulations and guidelines for professional and commercial practices in the architecture and design sector. It includes two initiatives: the development of policies for the architecture and design sector, and the academic development of the architecture and design sector. The second program was entitled " Developing the Architecture and Design Sector", a program that stimulates the development of the sector and enables practitioners to make a greater and broader impact on the architecture and design community. It includes 7 initiatives: the "King Salman Urban Charter", the "Design in Saudi Arabia" initiative, and the "Professional Associations in the Architecture and Design Sector" initiative. The Center and Conference for Sustainability in Architecture and Design, the Enrichment of Cultural Assets initiative, the Urban Transformation initiative, and the Arabic Typography Design Center initiative.

The third program, entitled "Education and Professional Development", is a program dedicated to supporting local practitioners in a comprehensive professional journey from education to professional excellence, and includes 7 initiatives: "Development of creative skills in young people", "Vocational training and mentorship programs", and Continuing Professional Development, Educational Enrichment Programs, Business Incubators and Accelerators in the Architecture and Design Sector, National Digital Platforms for Architecture and Design, and Najd Academy for Architecture, while the fourth program is entitled “Content Development” It is a program concerned with inventorying, collecting, creating and promoting cultural content on architecture and design to enrich cultural practices, and it includes 8 strategic initiatives: "The Research Strategy in the Field of Architecture and Design", "The National Center for Documentation of Architecture and Design", "Architectural Tourism", and "Documentation of Identities" The Kingdom’s Regional Encyclopedia of Architecture and Design, Development of Audiovisual Content, Museum of Architecture and Design, and Saudi Design Magazine.

The fifth program focuses on community participation and communication. It is a program concerned with preparing a calendar of cultural events and awards of the Architecture and Design Authority presented to the local and international community. It includes 4 strategic initiatives: “Architecture and Design Competitions and Awards”, “Design for Community Service”, and “Design Days”. , and "Designathon" architecture and design. The sixth program was titled “Activating the Architecture and Design Authority,” which is a program dedicated to activating the Authority, with a focus on communication and internal initiatives to implement the operational model. It includes 5 strategic initiatives: “Implementing and activating the operational model,” “Communication strategy in the Authority’s community,” and “ A case study for the architecture and design sector, “activating strategic partnerships”, and “registering practitioners and companies”.

The Architecture and Design Authority will work in the light of this strategy in implementing its responsibilities towards developing the sector in the Kingdom, advancing it, supporting its actors and practitioners in their various specialties, achieving the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 in its cultural aspects, and the goals of the Ministry of Culture as the authority is affiliated with the ministry and one of 11 cultural bodies. It is responsible for developing the architecture and design sector in the Kingdom and highlighting it locally and internationally.