VIRTUAL London Heritages Conference

Abstract

Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds great historical and cultural significance as the birthplace of the Saudi state and its status as a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s heritage.This paper demonstrates how such places like Diriyah can act as “sites of memory” where Saudi collective memory is both stored and activated through digital technology globally while preserving the identity of this heritage site. In which, there is an implementation of the “Smart City” initiative adopted by Diriyah which enables it to be one of the most connected multi-use urban environments in the world, which includes advanced technologies in the urban planning elements; however, these developments aim to respect and conserve Diriyah’s heritage. Based on Nora’s theory (lieux de mémoire), emphasizes that such sites are not merely preserved for aesthetic reasons but also because they serve as powerful symbols of collective memory. Therefore, the Smart City initiative, by respecting the cultural and historical context of Diriyah, reinforces its role as a place of memory that anchors the nation’s identity and allows future generations to engage with its heritage while benefiting from modern advancements. Moreover, the digitisation becomes a key tool in making the past both accessible and relevant to the present, allowing Diriyah to serve as a dynamic site of collective memory in the modern era. This paper argues that by integrating innovations such as artificial intelligence that respect and enhance the site’s cultural memory, Diriyah can function as a dynamic memory place that honours its history, adapts to contemporary needs, and provides global access, ensuring that its memory endures in the future. Consequently, this can contribute to the longevity of Saudi collective memory in this place in a rapidly changing world, which aligns with Nora’s idea of preserving memory in the face of modernity’s rapid pace.