Conservation Approaches of Industrial Heritage in the Middle East: The Case Study of Alula Station, Hejaz Railway, Saudi Arabia, and Ramses Railway Station and Museum, Cairo, Egypt

This study investigates the conservation of the industrial heritage of transportation applied to two railways in the Middle East. Conservation policies at industrial stations safeguard many aspects of industrial activities at various sites. Thus, clear conservation guidelines are required to preserve authenticity according to the nature of such heritage. The scope of the industrial heritage defined by the Nizhny Tagil Charter in 2003 is a point of analysis. This Charter discusses the importance of conservation, the material evidence of the structures and buildings built for industrial activities, the tools and processes used, and the landscapes and towns connected with them. The present study examined the Hiaz Railway Route in Saudi Arabia, inscribed on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List in 2015, focusing on Alula Station, one of the most important stations in Saudi Arabia for its historical and religious value and Ramses Railway Station and the Railway Museum in Cairo, Egypt. The analytical framework provided an overview of the meanings and values of industrial heritage and the preservation policies for industrial heritage, which are significant challenges for heritage specialists, given the specialized nature of this type of heritage. Industrial heritage is one of the cultural media reflecting the exchanges between people and technology. Moreover, the study presented a sample scenario of the industrial heritage museum in Alula Station, which uses railway heritage to enable visitors to experience and learn about the role rail transportation plays, highlighting the role of museums in preserving and communicating industrial heritage. Museums preserve and exhibit artifacts and documents of the rail transportation industry, which is an effective method of preservation.