How retail can regenerate historic districts

The growth of GCC cities has been remarkable. Between 1970 and 2022, the GCC’s urban population grew twelvefold, to 51.4 million, according to the World Bank. In 2022 alone, Saudi Arabia accounted for 69 per cent of total GCC urban growth. However, that growth has come at a cost: the decline of some historic areas.

These areas have suffered the loss of established local businesses, community life, social connections, and rich cultural assets that together defined their character. Their decline has made these districts less desirable for enterprises and residents alike. For example, after the oil boom and rapid industrialization, and as needs changed, many families chose to move into newly built accommodation and leave a renowned historic district.

Cities can avoid such outcomes. Regeneration programmes can preserve the old while fostering economic prosperity through the balanced and deft encouragement of retail. By applying the following five principles, retail can regenerate historic neighbourhoods.

First, discover the district’s pattern of development in recent decades so that any new retail offerings align with its culture, commercial traditions, and values. An appreciation of the district’s characteristics—its traditional trades and other distinctive elements—is vital for ensuring that the new retail offerings create opportunity while preserving the character of local communities. Some areas, for example, host well-known businesses and traditional crafts. Some have specific demographics, with longstanding commercial tenants (such as textile or spice merchants) and cater to particular groups of visitors (such as pilgrims).

Second, understand the architectural and physical context to turn the district into a desirable destination. The aim should be to preserve the district in its essence but with modern amenities, where people want to spend time and spend more. Regeneration programs can achieve that delicate balance by creating harmony among old and new assets. That involves using modern architectural concepts and development that are inspired by traditional approaches. These concepts should be sensitive to the history of a place without being crude replicas, and should blend with the surroundings.

Bahrain’s Souq Al Qaysariya, for example, has preserved its historic pearl, spices, and tea trade, complementing it with offerings such as jewellery, perfume, and food and beverage retailers. Many elements make the district into a destination, including specially designed roofscapes, street furniture, and lighting. It should also be easy for people to visit and to park—which increases visitor numbers, how much they spend and how long they stay—but in a manner that does not disrupt the district’s character. Toronto regenerated one area by closing the streets to traffic, which encouraged more visitors on foot who stayed longer, and by highlighting the district’s Victorian-era architecture and atmosphere.

Third, be sensitive to local and national retailers’ interests, given they often possess historical and cultural connections to the district. Establish a dialogue among retailers so that parties recognize the attraction and energy that international brands lend to a modern retail environment. For example, in regenerating Al Balad, the Jeddah Historic District in Saudi Arabia, participants actively engaged with the local community to focus on rehabilitating retail assets, bringing back merchants that had left, and re-energizing cultural clusters with the support of prominent Saudi retailers.

Fourth, support local retailers. One of the challenges of urban regeneration is that it can lead to gentrification and marginalize local businesses. Governments can prevent such counterproductive effects by providing support early on, such as through regulation that favors established local businesses. Other support mechanisms include grants, grace periods on lease payments, and revenue subsidies. Such forms of financial assistance are generally temporary, ending when the district has achieved economic stability and the number of visitors has grown.