Riyadh, September 13, 2020, SPA -- Based on the keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to preserve the heritage, and under the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Heritage Commission, has announced the launch of restoration project for urban heritage buildings of architectural and historical significance in the center of Riyadh. The Minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH Crown Prince for their unlimited support for culture and enduring heritage. In a press statement issued today, the Minister affirmed that restoration operations will take into account international standards in terms of restoration and preservation of urban heritage buildings. The first scope of the project includes 15 heritage palaces and 5 royal palaces. The first phase will focus on preparing studies and designs, preparing and managing sites and temporary strengthening buildings in their current state, as this phase will take three months. The second phase will include the implementation project for the comprehensive restoration of buildings within 24 months, starting from January, 2021. The second scope of the project will begin in parallel with the first and with a full study of all important urban heritage buildings in the center of Riyadh with all their classifications, in addition to documenting these buildings architecturally and urbanly and developing the necessary operational plans for their preservation, restoration and rehabilitation. The project is managed by the Ministry of Culture, represented by the Heritage Commission, in partnership with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Riyadh Municipality. The project aims to preserve urban heritage buildings of architectural and historical significance, highlight the local identity and transform these buildings into an economic, social, cultural and tourism resource. It also aims to increase the efficiency of their uses with adjacent areas. --SPA 14:41 LOCAL TIME 11:41 GMT 0007 www.spa.gov.sa/w1409766