AlUla Cultural Oasis District Orange Path
Celebrating the blossoms and fruit of the AlUla Oasis
Location: AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Client: Royal Commission for AlUla
Year: 2022
Site Area: 7.75 hectares
The Orange Path forms a new visitor route between a future tram station and the historic Old Town proposed under the plans by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) to return the AlUla Valley into a moment in time, and in doing so, create a unique, visitor experience.
Conjoining routes, one for pedestrians and the other for buggies and cyclists, are proposed that meander through the rural and agricultural landscape transporting visitors back in time, and experiencing historic, cultural, and archaeological spectacle along the way.
Buggy stations are located just outside the Old Town and the other at the future tram station with multiple shaded stopping points between so that visitors can choose between walking or catching a buggy.
The surfaces of tracks and paths are inspired by the naturally worn routes of farmers and residents over hundreds of years and will use native self-binding sands to mimic more established routes through the agricultural landscape.
The Orange Path travels through a productive landscape of palms, fruit trees and crops. The planting will be enhanced to establish an abundance of fruiting trees, native species, and food production. The flowers and fruit forming an exciting spectacle for visitors at various times of the agricultural calendar and native species supporting ecological ambitions for the valley.
