Sana'a: The General Authority for Antiquities and Museums organized a scientific seminar focusing on the role of urban planning in preserving and protecting archaeological sites.
According to Yemen News Agency, during the seminar, Abbad Al-Hiyal, head of the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums, emphasized the critical role urban planning plays in safeguarding archaeological sites and addressing the challenges they encounter. Dr. Mohammed Yasser presented a comprehensive study titled "The Role of Urban Planning in Preserving and Protecting Archaeological Sites," which explored the concept of planning, defined urban planning, and outlined its objectives and levels, including national, regional, and local planning. The study also discussed the tasks urban planning undertakes, the requirements for successful urban and rural tourism planning, and the mechanisms for forming a planning council.
The seminar attracted various attendees, including the Advisor to the Minister of Justice, Hammoud Muthanna; the Director General of the Documentation Center, Dr. Khaled Musleh; the head of the General Book Authority, Abdulrahman Murad; the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Al-Bahth Journal at the Ministry of Justice, Dr. Ibrahim Zayed; and the Director of the Educational Research Center, Dr. Khaled Al-Amari. Academics, researchers, specialists, and those interested in antiquities also participated, engaging in interventions and discussions that emphasized the importance of enhancing coordination among government bodies to protect antiquities.
Participants underscored the necessity of activating a joint operations room between relevant authorities, preparing a comprehensive archaeological map of sites nationwide, and enforcing the antiquities law. They also highlighted the importance of prior planning to mitigate urban encroachment that endangers archaeological sites.