The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the First International Conference on Urban and Architectural Heritage in Islamic Countries (FCUAHIC) at the Saudi capital of Riyadh to discuss the role of urban heritage in the cultural, social, and economic development in the Islamic countries.

The Saudi Commission of Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) will organize this event, which is under the patronage of the Custodian Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, King Saud University, the Heritage Charity Foundation, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference represented by IRCICA, as well as Riyadh Municipality and the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh.

HRH Prince Sultan Bin Salman, president of SCTA, took an initiative represented by holding an international conference with a vision to highlight the importance of cultural, economic, social, and tourism factors of urban and architectural heritage as a key sector of development in Islamic countries and to generate a mutually-agreed upon policy, implementation mechanisms, and designation of joint projects between cooperating countries in the areas of urban heritage in the Islamic world.

Background and Objectives

1. On the initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman, the President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the SCTA proposes to hold an international conference on architectural heritage in Islamic countries. 
    
2. The conference, an exhibition, and accompanying events will be held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Riyadh, KSA. 
    
3. To assess the current state of urban and architectural heritage in Islamic countries, and identify a framework for future development of their economic, social and cultural opportunities. 
    
4. To develop a cooperation strategy among Islamic States regarding the maintenance and function of architectural heritage buildings and villages. 
    
5. To find appropriate solutions to the impediments affecting the financial support for architectural heritage preservation and urban development projects. 
    
6. To exchange administrative and technical expertise among Islamic countries in the design, development and use of architectural heritage sites. 
    
7. To create employment opportunities for craftsmen and artists in the renovation, restoration and decoration of heritage buildings. 
    
8. To highlight the importance of cultural, economic, social and tourism factors of urban and architectural heritage, as a key sector of development in Islamic countries. 
    
9. Generating mutual agreed policy and implementation mechanisms and designation of joint projects between cooperating countries in the areas of urban heritage in the Islamic world.

FCUAHIC will be held during the period April 18-23, 2010 at King Faisal Conference Hall, Riyadh Intercontinental Hotel. The abstract submission deadline is November 7, 2009. Exceptional contributions will be awarded a certificate, a plaque plus SR12,000 (US$3,200) each for research, education and training, media, rehabilitation of the historic sites, implementation of the modern design in historic urban context, use of modern technology, and excellence in craftsmanship, etc.

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