The historic city of Jeddah will now undergo renewal as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launches a 15-year project to bring new life to the place.

The news, which was announced on Monday, aims at redeveloping the living space in the city and attracting new business and cultural projects.

Jeddah, which is a gateway for pilgrimages to the Islamic holy cities Mecca and Medina have more than 600 traditional buildings, 36 historical mosques, and five major historical markets.

The historic land also has ancient corridors, squares, and sites of important historical significance, including the old waterfront. A major route for the pilgrims, it will be reconstructed as part of the project, which will tell visitors the story of pilgrimage since the dawn of Islam. The five-kilometer waterfront will also go under redevelopment, with green spaces and open gardens.

The project aims to release the creative potential of residents and visitors, based on a modern vision of urban planning and natural conservation synchronised with the people’s needs.

The heritage of Jeddah has always been a major focal point for people, trade, and culture since its foundation in the third century BC as a fishing settlement, with the establishment of a major seaport during the era of Caliph Othman bin Affan.

Through the new project plan, Jeddah is expected to be an incubator for creativity in which Saudi entrepreneurs and artists meet within a creative community and in an environment where the components of national heritage and nature meet contemporary architectural designs.