The Role of Urban Transformation in Saudi Arabia’s Nation-building: The Case of al-Balad, Jeddah

Abstract

Jeddah Historic District, also known as al–Balad, has been through multiple stages in terms of the built environment since the mid nineteenth century and received several rounds of conservation efforts. By combining field research with study of standing literature, this article argues that the urban transformation process of al–Balad is the outcome of state–building and nation– building processes, while in turn impacted al–Balad significantly regarding its role in Saudi Arabiaʼs nation–building. Although the rapid modernization and urbanization process has sidelined serious efforts to conserve al–Balad, causing profound changes to the district, the need for a national identity and an indigenous "Saudi" culture emerging in the new century turned the role of al–Balad from the recipient of socio–economic changes into a donor of cultural symbols.