Spanish experience inspires Saudi researcher to preserve local heritage

Rana Al-Kadi highlights the Arab influence on Spanish architecture in a lecture at Politecnica Universidad de Madrid. AN photos

Al-Kadi at Acazaba of Almeria in Spain.

• Our historical sites are of profound importance not only to the peninsula, but to the region as well,” said Al-Kadi
• Saudi vision is a turning point for many students abroad to come back and help the Kingdom achieve its goals

JEDDAH: Conservation projects are getting a major overhaul in many historical sites in the Kingdom. Expertise from local conservationists and those from abroad is sought to help restore, renovate and maintain these sites.
Dr. Rana Al-Kadi, a Saudi Ph.D. graduate majoring in Conservation and Restoration of Architectural Heritage from the Technical University of Madrid, said her fieldwork experiences at the Spanish university gained her unique experience to push for the preservation of historical heritage sites in the region and in the Kingdom.
She diverted her career and educational path, as she was impressed by the Islamic architecture of Andalusia. This prompted her to live in Spain, where she journeyed into the world of historical architecture for eight years.
“I learned a great deal from the Spanish. I learned how to investigate, research and understand how to broaden my horizons,” said Al-Kadi. “History plays a major role in every society and to understand its important impact on the evolution of its architecture drew me to want to know more. I, like many others, have a duty to preserve our country’s heritage.”
Her knowledge of Saudi Arabia was of high interest to the Spanish. Given the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, students and teachers often sought her help in informing the students of various Saudi aspects with regard to their majors and more.
“When the high-speed Haramain train project was first introduced to the public, a professor sought my help for a thorough background on the importance of it,” said Al-Kadi.
“I gave lectures at several universities, to help students understand the topography and the Islamic significance of the two cities.
“The students were able to understand their projects and design their own high-speed trains in a competition that was announced in their respective universities.”
The region in which Saudi Arabia is situation has a rich past. It is a fertile land for heritage projects and with the announcement of Vision 2030, Al-Kadi returned to Saudi Arabia a few years ago. She believes the vision is a turning point for many students abroad to come back and help the Kingdom achieve its goals.
From her perspective, Saudi Arabia’s historical presence in the region was undermined and unknown. But with the new projects being discussed, she believes we’re putting a major spotlight on the prominent cultures in the region, and the projects are key to an expansion of Vision 2030.
“The preservation projects I have had the privilege to work on in Spain gave me insight as to what to hope can be implemented in my country as well. We can’t have our sites renovated incorrectly.
“ I’m trying to advocate the importance of our heritage in my social media sites, which have gained a lot of recognition. Our historical sites are of profound importance not only to the peninsula, but to the region as well,” said Al-Kadi.
The Saudi researcher understands the magnitude of the preservation projects and firmly believes that with proper training, lectures and fieldwork, the success of the conservation and preservation projects is guaranteed.