ARCHITECTURAL VALUES BEHIND THE FORMATION OF HERITAGE HOUSES AS A TOOL FOR PROMOTING CULTURAL IDENTITY IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Urban heritage is preserved through generational transmission, which involves the imitation of heritage-related vocabulary. It requires an in-depth understanding and cognition of the values and meanings of that heritage followed by monitoring and documentation to provide a benefit proportional to the present day. The physical expansion and geographical diversity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has resulted in it being characterized by its urban wealth. Therefore, this systematic review aims to define the architectural values behind the formation of heritage houses in the KSA and to identify the similarities and differences in their application. The importance of this study lies in strengthening Saudi Arabian identity and preserving the country’s cultural heritage by highlighting and promoting the values of architectural heritage to ensure their sustainability in modern architecture. The systematic review focused on 11 studies that pointed to the similarity of the values of architectural heritage in all regions of the KSA and the differing methods of applying those values. The results also highlight a lack of relevant research in the eastern and southern regions of the KSA over the past ten years.