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The Saudi Press Agency reported that implementation of the fourth phase of the Saudi Architecture Characters Map commenced on April 30, 2026, targeting multiple regions and cities. The map encompasses 19 architectural styles drawn from the Kingdom’s geographical and cultural diversity. These styles emerged from detailed urban and historical studies that catalogued distinct regional features, the agency noted in its dispatch.
A Saudi Press Agency dispatch from March 2025 stated that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had launched the Saudi Architecture Characters Map to highlight national heritage. Each of the 19 styles offers three typologies consisting of traditional, transitional and contemporary designs. The framework supports varied applications in construction while aligning new projects with established local identities.
The Architecture and Design Commission launched its overarching strategy for the sector in June 2021, according to a Saudi Press Agency release from that period. That strategy laid the groundwork for the map, with the fourth phase extending adoption beyond the initial three stages completed since the 2025 unveiling. The April 30 announcement did not specify which regions or cities were included in the latest rollout.
SPA coverage of the map’s introduction indicated that the 19 styles were selected to preserve architectural traditions amid ongoing urban expansion. The commission has applied the guidelines in earlier phases to test integration in pilot locations. Historical research underpinning the styles spans centuries of building practices across the Arabian Peninsula, prior SPA reports showed.
Further expansion of the map will incorporate additional areas in subsequent phases, according to statements from the Architecture and Design Commission. The phased approach has allowed authorities to gather implementation data from initial stages before wider deployment. Urban studies used in creating the map focused on both natural landscapes and cultural landmarks unique to different parts of the Kingdom.
The commission’s 2021 strategy outlined goals that included elevating design standards nationwide, a Saudi Press Agency account from the launch confirmed. Work on the current phase follows the pattern of prior rollouts that gradually broadened the map’s reach. Officials continue to reference the map in planning processes as a reference for regionally appropriate architecture.
