Urban morphology as an operative framework for heritage-led urban renewal: a critical reassessment of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia

Urban morphology has long provided a robust framework for analyzing the evolution of urban form; however, its application as an operative tool in heritage-led urban renewal remains limited, particularly in rapidly transforming contexts. This study examines the renewal of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, to investigate the extent to which urban morphology can be operationalized as a decision-making framework for heritage-led urban renewal and how effectively these principles are translated into practice. Using a multi-scalar, mixed-method approach, the research integrates Conzenian plan analysis, typo-morphological evaluation, figure/ground analysis, and socio-spatial assessment, supported by spatial data, field observations, and stakeholder interviews. Findings indicate that while architectural continuity is partially maintained, significant transformations occur at urban and parcel scales, alongside a shift in public-space functions toward tourism-oriented use. This uneven application produces a hybrid condition in which visual coherence coexists with structural disruption. In response, the paper introduces the concept of morphological simulation, describing situations in which the image of heritage is preserved while the underlying spatial systems are altered. To address this gap, the study proposes a multi-scalar evaluative framework based on continuity, adaptation, and disruption, enabling a more rigorous assessment of heritage-led interventions.