# Extensive Discussion on the Impact of Saudi Urban Identity in the Eastern Region > The Eastern Region Development Authority convened a strategic meeting with leading engineering offices to review the implementation of the Saudi Urban Identity guidelines five months post-activation. Key discussions covered licensing delays on the Balady platform, balancing compliance with architectural creativity, differentiating modern cities (Khobar, Dammam) from historic ones (Qatif, Al-Ahsa), and implementing solutions like relationship managers and preliminary concept approvals. ## Topics - Architecture & Urban Planning - Saudi Real Estate Development - Government Policy & Licensing - Eastern Province Development ## Keywords Saudi Urban Identity, Eastern Region Development Authority, Eastern Design Studio, Khobar urban design, Saudi building guidelines, Balady platform licensing, Saudi architectural code ## FAQ ### What is the Saudi Urban Identity framework in the Eastern Region? It is a set of regional architectural guidelines launched by the Eastern Region Development Authority to enhance the urban landscape while preserving authentic local identity. ### What are the main licensing challenges faced by engineering offices? Key issues include long license issuance periods (4 to 7 months), conflicting technical review notes, and late design modification requests. ### How is the Eastern Design Studio addressing implementation obstacles? Solutions include appointing dedicated relationship managers, granting preliminary concept approvals, hosting bi-monthly workshops, and offering fast-track review lanes. ## Tags Saudi Architecture, Eastern Region, Urban Identity, Licensing Challenges, Balady Platform ## Source URL: https://hazz.studio/blog/the-impact-of-the-saudi-architectural-identity-in-the-eastern-province/2026-04-15 Published: 2026-04-15 Updated: 2026-09-16 Language: English (machine-translated from Arabic) Other language: https://hazz.studio/blog/the-impact-of-the-saudi-architectural-identity-in-the-eastern-province/llms.txt?lang=ar Publisher: HAZZ STUDIO (https://hazz.studio) ## Full article The Eastern Region Development Authority had the honor of holding a fruitful meeting and blessed gathering with an elite group of leading engineering offices and esteemed stakeholders, with the kind presence and attendance of His Excellency the CEO of the Authority, Dr. Talal bin Nabeel Al-Maghlouth, and His Excellency the Head of the Eastern Design Studio in Khobar, Engineer Mohammed Al-Nouman. This meeting came in response to the Authority's invitation and out of its deep belief in the importance of strategic partnership with engineering offices, as they are the primary pillar in translating Saudi architectural objectives into innovative and applicable design solutions. The meeting was characterized by an atmosphere of transparency and cooperation to discuss the most prominent opportunities and challenges related to the applications of the "Saudi Urban Identity in the Eastern Region" and design guidelines, five months after their official activation. The constructive discussions focused on exploring ways to activate these applications within contemporary design practices, contributing to improving the quality of the urban landscape, enhancing the authentic urban identity of the Eastern Region, and working hand-in-hand to transform procedural and technical challenges into promising opportunities that support the efficiency of national offices and pave their way towards global recognition. Below is a detailed summary of the meeting's axes: ### 1. Procedural and Technical Challenges (Licensing Journey) Practitioners unanimously agreed that there are obstacles affecting the economic viability of offices and the speed of completion, including: - Long duration for license issuance: Architects pointed out that a project might take 4 to 7 months to move between the municipality, technical inspection, and insurance companies, causing financial losses for offices and investors. - Conflicting technical notes: Designers suffer from changing notes when the file moves from one reviewer to another; in one case, an office received verbal approval in a meeting, then received an email with 7 new and completely different notes. - Approval order: The studio requests design modifications (such as enlarging windows or changing facades) after the office has completed the structural plans and insurance costs, forcing the office to restart work from scratch. - "Balady" platform issues: Technical difficulties were mentioned in updating files on the system, as new adjustments might not appear to reviewers. ### 2. Design Challenges and the Concept of Identity Architects presented critical insights on how to apply the code without stifling creativity: - Restrictions on creativity: There is a fear that guidelines will turn into a rigid checklist imposing symmetry or specific embellishments, leading to "copy-paste" projects that lack the designer's spirit. - Identity of modern cities: The point was raised that cities like Khobar and Dammam are modern cities (about 80 years old) and do not have a historical mud heritage like Qatif or Al-Ahsa, so merging identities will diminish the importance of historical areas. - Design of mosques and distinctive projects: Engineers warned that strict adherence to traditional models in mosques might prevent them from excelling or competing in international awards (such as the Abdul Latif Al Fozan Award), emphasizing the need to merge modernity with the local context. - Flattening identity: Academics noted that identity is not just superficial shells or external decorations, but rather a product of climatic and social conditions, and must address current era problems. ### 3. Development Proposals from Engineering Offices Participants offered practical solutions to overcome obstacles: - Relationship Manager: Assigning a single review engineer to each office or project to ensure continuity of notes and speed of communication. - Preliminary Approval: Approving the design concept and facades via email before delving into costly structural and mechanical plan details. - Activating "Approval with notes": Allowing the issuance of a license with technical notes that must be rectified during execution, instead of halting the transaction. - Fast track for distinguished offices: Incentivizing offices that demonstrate a deep understanding of identity with faster review paths. ### 4. Initiatives and Solutions Proposed by the "Design Studio" Authority and studio officials emphasized working on several fronts: - Workshops: Holding regular workshops (twice a month) to explain the practical applications of the code, with dedicated workshops for university students. - "The Gallery" exhibition: Creating an exhibition to showcase distinguished and unique projects, highlighting the names of the designing offices to preserve their intellectual property rights and encourage competition. - Community awareness: Working on awareness videos and newsletters to help offices convince owners and investors of the viability of urban identity. - Escalation mechanism: Clarifying the path for technical objections, starting from the head of the department to the studio manager and up to the deputy head of the authority. - Academic partnership: Coordinating with universities in the region (such as Imam University and King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals) to prepare students and update curricula in line with the new code. ### 5. Invitation to participate in a field study to evaluate the accreditation experience, complementing efforts to understand field challenges. I have prepared an independent research study to evaluate the project accreditation process according to the "Saudi Architecture" guidelines. The study targets both engineering offices and studio reviewers in Saudi Arabia and the municipalities, aiming to: - Monitor the actual licensing journey. - Identify areas of time and effort wastage. - Evaluate redesign costs and measure the clarity of the guidelines. The survey takes only a few minutes and is completely anonymous and confidential (no personal data required). I invite all colleagues to participate so that we can together come up with practical solutions based on data that contribute to developing the work system. [[The Survey](https://hazz.studio/survey/saudi-arch.html)] ### 6. Conclusion of the Meeting The meeting concluded with the Authority emphasizing that engineering offices are the eyes of the official on the ground, and all observations will be collected to turn the guidelines into clearer identities, encouraging supported innovations, and stressing that doors are open for direct consultations and appointment bookings to discuss any project individually.