Celebrating heritage and daily life in Madinah’s public space

Transforming historical sites for better experiences for visitors and local communities

Madinah, one of the world’s most visited cities, holds deep significance in Islamic culture, attracting around 9 million pilgrims annually, with numbers projected to grow in the coming years. In collaboration with the Smart Madinah team at the Madinah Region Development Authority, Gehl is helping bring the City Living Museum (CLM) vision to life. This initiative celebrates Madinah’s built and natural heritage through people-centered spaces that prioritize comfort, connectivity, engagement, and resilience — benefiting both local residents and the city’s economy.

In Quba, the central area where Islam’s first mosque was built, the landscape is defined by valleys (wadis) and expansive date palm farms. Selected as one of the first CLM pilot areas, the Ghars Well area, east of Quba Mosque, contains historic wells, heritage structures, and date farms near a wadi — creating a cluster of sites that embody Madinah’s cultural identity. Here, the redesign of a key street that links these historical wells, date farms, and structures introduces a new concept in Madinah — streets-as-public-spaces — aiming to promote active mobility while offering a series of experiences for visitors and daily life to thrive.