المملكة: The “Property of Mecca” prohibits construction in historical areas and sets 7 meters as the maximum height around its perimeter – urgent

Heritage assets and enhancing their sustainability within an area estimated at 2,774 square kilometers.

The Authority explained that the guide represents an official reference for implementing urban policies within the direct supervisory scope, in an effort to achieve integration between sites of historical value and their urban surroundings.

And indicate the version Classification of historical sites into eleven types, including historical mosques, Al-Hall mosques, markets, neighborhoods, wells, and pilgrimage paths, all the way to the rock inscriptions and the borders of the Holy Mosque in Mecca.

The guide indicated the adoption of two basic scopes of protection, which are the “main protection zone” that includes the historical asset, and the “buffer zone,” which is defined as a reference distance of 200 meters to protect the surrounding context.

The Authority confirmed that new construction is absolutely prohibited within the main protection areas, with only light and temporary facilities to provide services after obtaining the approval of the Heritage Authority.

It noted The regulatory document prohibits the use of heavy equipment or conducting deep excavation work before carrying out an archaeological survey, warning against allowing industrial and craft uses that pollute the environment within the buffer zones.

The planning guide touched on restricting urban heights, prohibiting existing buildings from exceeding the height of the historical site, and setting the maximum height for new developments at 7 meters or two floors in natural and rural areas.

The authority added strict requirements to deal with Public spaces are required to allocate green spaces of no less than 30% of the total space, and provide shading areas that cover at least half the area.

The regulations proposed converting movement paths within protection areas into paths designated for pedestrians only, preventing the entry of motor vehicles except in extreme emergency cases to ensure the safety of assets.

The authority warned against using strong lighting or with direct glare on heritage elements, and is required to use warm, low-intensity light ranging from 5 to 20 lux to preserve the character. Historical.

The guide revealed an advanced methodology for linking close sites, proposing to integrate sites separated by a distance of less than 130 meters into a single “historical group” that shares a connected cultural urban space.

The authority concluded its document by emphasizing that the guide is subject to continuous updating every three years, obliging developing parties to appoint a consultant specialized in urban preservation to supervise implementation and ensure the quality of the outputs.