JEDDAH: Several young Saudis have started filming Jeddah’s historic district using cameras mounted on drones to gather professional 3D footage that can be used to build models and create virtual tours.
Bandar Al-Mutlaq, owner of the Arab Foundation, which is supervising the project, said the material can also be used by construction firms to restore old buildings.
“This is the first general project we’re working on seriously. We are all volunteers and don’t get any payment. We are planning to film in all the districts with a focus on historic buildings,” he said.
Al-Mutlaq said that aerial photography provides greater depth and space. It also saves money because there is no need to send thousands of people into an area for scanning.
“We started shooting at the beginning of Ramadan, after receiving the necessary permits, and will finish at the end of the month. However, imaging and information processing may take up to three months.”
Al-Mutlaq stressed that the filming did not intrude on the privacy of residents because they sought permission before starting to film.
Al-Mutlaq leads a group of 50 young people in the Historic Jeddah Area during the Ramadanana Kida 2 festival, providing a rapid imaging service for visitors wishing to take photographs outside old buildings.
“We are trying to create a link between people and these places, to focus more attention on historic buildings,” he said.
Drones film Jeddah Historic Area
Drones film Jeddah Historic Area
Saudi team wins big at Canada invention contest
- ‘Fasyla’ project promotes collaboration with companies on effective ways to cultivate plants in ideal areas
RIYADH: Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz University has won a gold medal at the 9th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada.
The university also received a special international award from the World Invention Intellectual Property Associations, and the best video presentation award out of over 700 participants for its project “Fasyla.”
The “Fasyla” project, for which the team was recognized, is an innovative design system that engages users in environmental work using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and LIDAR, or light detection and ranging.
Hassan Al-Sulami, the “Fasyla” project team leader, told Arab News: “Winning this award was not easy. We faced many challenges, including preparation difficulties and initial fears with over 700 participants from 50 countries.
“However, through extensive training, we earned the best presentation award and received praise from international judges.”
The “Fasyla” system guides users on effective planting and cultivation methods based on city targets. Users earn points that can be redeemed for valuable prizes through partnerships with various companies, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The system integrates company efforts and social responsibility initiatives to support global climate goals and promote sustainability.
The team are looking forward to presenting the project at the Global CSR Forum in Riyadh on Oct. 28. They will showcase it to the National Center for Vegetation Cover and Combating Desertification.
Riyadh forum discusses nature conservation challenges in West Asia
- Event highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing global biodiversity goals
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, through the National Center for Wildlife, hosted the 10th Regional Forum of the International Union for Conservation of Nature for West Asia in Riyadh on Monday.
The event was held under the patronage of Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, minister of environment, water and agriculture, and chairman of the center’s board.
The three-day forum gathered more than 200 experts representing union members from West Asia, along with key authorities from the region and the West Asia Regional Office.
The forum addressed nature conservation challenges in West Asia, facilitated program planning, and discussed the region’s participation in the 2025 World Conservation Congress.
It also focused on preparations for the event and enhancing regional cooperation to boost biodiversity preservation.
Mohammed Ali Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said: “Hosting this forum highlights our commitment to preserving the environment and wildlife, while supporting sustainable human, social, and economic development.”
He said the forum aligns with Saudi Arabia’s environmental initiatives, including the launch of protected area system plans, which aim to conserve 30 percent of the Kingdom’s land and marine territories by 2030 under the Saudi Green Initiative.
The forum covered topics such as training on nature-based solutions, integrating reserves into the IUCN Green List, sustainable land restoration, and using innovative techniques for monitoring and combating desertification.
Razan Al-Mubarak, president of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, said: “The successive challenges facing our region, West Asia, such as water scarcity and extreme heat, require a collaborative and creative approach that increases spending on the environment and sustainability.
“Finally, I cannot stress enough the importance of involving the active and inclusive role of local communities in the various regions of West Asia. We must work together to develop realistic and effective solutions and implement them in a way that takes into account the diversity of cultures in our region.”
The forum, held every four years, promotes communication and collaboration among West Asia members, providing a platform for exchanging ideas, addressing environmental challenges and developing conservation strategies.
Saudi culture minister reviews King Fahd center expansion
- Project involves renovating exhibition halls, theaters, offices and a restaurant, as well as developing the external area and green spaces
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan inspected the second phase of the King Fahd Cultural Center’s development project in Riyadh, set to open in April 2025.
The project involves renovating exhibition halls, theaters, offices and a restaurant, as well as developing the external area and green spaces, following the completion of the first phase last April.
Prince Badr toured the sections restored and developed in the first phase, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The first phase launched a major theater with 2,750 seats. It hosted the debut of Zarqa Al-Yamama Opera, Saudi Arabia’s first and the largest Arabic opera globally, produced by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission.
The center also hosted the fourth National Cultural Awards on Monday, honoring cultural pioneers from various fields under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Prince Badr also visited the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Riyadh, where he reviewed the academy’s initiatives in language planning, computational linguistics, educational and cultural programs.
He praised the academy’s efforts in promoting the Arabic language locally and internationally, and highlighted the importance of collective efforts in advancing the language.
The minister toured the Arabic Language Exhibition for Children, which features interactive tools designed to teach Arabic.
He also visited the Abjad Center for Teaching Arabic, which offers advanced curricula for non-native speakers, and met students from various countries.
Prince Badr concluded his visit at the Arabic Intelligence Center, where he was briefed on AI tools for Arabic-language processing and preservation in the digital space.
Saudi crown prince meets Russian foreign minister
- The Saudi foreign minister also met his Russian counterpart
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Russia.
The meeting followed an earlier discussion between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Lavrov, where they addressed a range of global and regional developments. Both meetings highlighted the mutual desire to enhance cooperation on political, economic, and security matters.
During their talks, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening diplomatic relations and maintaining open dialogue on issues of shared interest, reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations.
#فيديو | سمو #ولي_العهد يلتقي وزير الخارجية الروسي.#واس pic.twitter.com/EI20J5V3RV
— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) September 9, 2024
Saudi Arabia’s royal reserve wins top award at Abu Dhabi international exhibition
RIYADH: The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority has won a top award at the 21st Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.
The authority’s pavilion won the Best Display Platform Award in the Environmental and Cultural Heritage Conservation category on Sunday, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
During the exhibition, the authority highlighted how the northeastern reserve in Saudi Arabia promotes sustainable hunting, and has various eco-friendly camps and lodges.
The pavilion attracted thousands of visitors from across the world, who were able to get more information on tourism options including the “Darb Zubaydah Winter Festival,” and luxury Al-Hasak caravans.
The pavilion also showcased leading heritage landmarks including the King Abdulaziz Palace in Lina, Lina Heritage Market, Al-Ashar Pool, and Umm Al-Asafir Waterfall.
There was also a section where visitors could use augmented reality spectacles to view the reserve’s night sky.
The Abu Dhabi exhibition, which ended on Sunday, recorded more than 250,000 visitors from 70 countries.
There were 1,742 brands showcased, in addition to live shows, workshops and education sessions.
