Conception and Implementation of Geographical Database for Cultural Heritage Management—Case of Historical Jeddah, KSA

Abstract

Saudi Arabia is attempting to develop a long-term tourism business that respects Islamic ideals, heritage, and traditions. In accordance with the “Vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030”, significant emphasis has been placed on developing and promoting cultural tourism as a result of the Kingdom’s very valuable civilizational and cultural heritage, in addition to entertainment and improving the quality of life. The city of Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s second capital, and the district known as “Al-Balad”, which is located in the city’s core, is a historical neighborhood known for its old structures and multi-story houses. Since 1947, the historical monuments in the Al-Balad region have faced major and challenging issues as a result of neglect and a failure to maintain them. To protect this historical architectural heritage, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated Jeddah’s historic area as a World Heritage Site. The purpose of this research is to identify historical sites in the city of Al-Balad using existing maps, field surveys, and the design and creation of a spatial database that can be used with geographic information systems (GIS). By combining the results of the spatial database and photographic surveys with the history of Old Jeddah, an application was created and made available to users and those interested in the Internet that can be used through mobile devices (mobile phones and tablets) to introduce the historical area of Jeddah and promote tourism in Old Jeddah.