Wadi Hanifah Urban Code | Existing Buildings Adaptation

This guide within the Wadi Hanifah Urban Code provides guidelines and recommended solutions for the adaptation of existing villas, as well as residential and commercial buildings, located within the code’s boundaries. It outlines the specific procedures and adaptation measures applicable during the review and issuance of renovation permits for these existing structures.

The Wadi Hanifah Urban Code – covering the wadi, its tributaries, and surrounding lands – is a comprehensive regulatory framework developed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC). Aligned with international best practice, the code defines a unified architectural identity and ensures that new development integrates seamlessly with the public realm. It sets clear, detailed standards for the design and execution of buildings, roads, sidewalks, landscaping, and construction methods throughout the wadi corridor and adjacent lands.

The Code guides the urban fabric and building façades while offering design options that align new development with the area’s natural setting and heritage – particularly in Diriyah and its environs. By promoting traditional features such as the fina’ (internal courtyard), it encourages development patterns that enhance quality of life, reinforce local identity, provide privacy, and improve space efficiency.