Qasr Al Hukm District

Qasr Al-Hukm District

منطقة قصر الحكم
Qasr Al-Hukm District منطقة قصر الحكم
	Masmak Fortress, 2011
	Coordinates: 24°37′50.6″N 46°42′38.9″E / 24.630722°N 46.710806°E
Country	Saudi Arabia
City	Riyadh
Sub-municipality	Al Batʼha
Region	Old Riyadh
Qasr Al Hukm District Development Project	1973
Commissioned	1976
Phase 1	1983–1988
Phase 2	1988–1992
Founded by	Faisal bin Abdulaziz
Named for	Al Hukm Palace

Qasr al-Hukm District (Arabic: منطقة قصر الحكم, romanized: Minṭaqaẗ Qaṣr al-Ḥukm, lit. 'Governance Palace District') or the Justice Palace District (Arabic: منطقة قصر العدل, romanized: Minṭaqaẗ Qaṣr al-ʿAdl, lit. 'Justice Palace District'), is a term used to define the area within the perimeters of the erstwhile walled town of Riyadh in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, encompassing present-day districts of ad-Dirah and ad-Doho, that lie on several extinct douars (Arabic: حِلَّة, romanized: ḥilla) that once fell within the enclosure of the gates of old city walls prior to its demolition in 1950. Named after the eponymous al-Hukm Palace, it is widely considered to be the antecedent to modern Riyadh since the metropolis outgrew as an offshoot of the walled town in the 1950s.^[1]^[2] Owing to its historical and architectural significance, it was rebuilt by the Saudi government from 1973 to 1992 and is situated southwest of al-Batʼha commercial area.

It hosts some of the most important cultural heritage landmarks in the city, such as Masmak Fortress, Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, Deera Square and the eponymous al-Hukm Palace besides several traditional marketplaces.^[3]

History and background

The demolition of the city walls in 1950 was a prelude to the expansion and modernization of Riyadh

Following the demolition of Riyadh's city walls, death of King Abdulaziz and along with the rapid expansion and modernization of the city between 1950s and 1960s, the al-Hukm Palace and its surrounding areas had slowly begun to decline in importance. Many neighborhoods such as Duhairah was abandoned by its residents in pursuit of better opportunities in north of the capital. During the reign of King Faisal, Saudi authorities began focusing on the resuscitation and rejuvenation of the area and the preservation of its historical and architectural significance.^[3]

In March 1973, King Faisal issued directives to Sheikh Abdulaziz Thunayyan, then mayor of Riyadh to conduct an extensive study of the area surrounding the al-Hukm Palace and implementing the project of its renovation the following year.^[4] In 1976, the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh commissioned the Qasr Al-Hukm District Development Project and agreed on developmental programs that were prepared to transform the Qasr al-Hukm District into a cultural center. The designs were completed by 1979 and the construction lasted between 1983 and 1992 in broadly two phases, costing around US$500 million.^[5]^[6] The project was overseen by Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, the-then governor of Riyadh.

The project was completed in 1982, and was divided into three phases,

Phase 1 (1983–1988)

The first phase lasted between 1983 and 1988, in which the main offices of the Riyadh's governor, mayor and the regular police were constructed in the palace.^[7]^[8]

Phase 2 (1988–1992)

The second phase lasted between 1988 and 1992, where the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, Qasr Al-Hukm, Al-Adl Plaza, Assafah Plaza, Imam Muhammad bin Saud Plaza, Al-Musmak Plaza, Al-Thumairi Gate, and Dekhna Gate, Ad-Deerah Tower were restored and built.^[8]^[9]

Phase 3 (since 1992)

The third phase focused on winning confidence of the country's private sector. Headquarters of some institutions were constructed like the High Court, Civil Defense, Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al Alsheikh Mosque, Dekhna Plaza, al-Zal Souq, and modern seven commercial complexes.