Street signs near the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, where new hotels and cranes signal the city's rapid development.

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with glittering skyscrapers and modern infrastructure rising alongside centuries-old mosques and traditional marketplaces. Nowhere is this contrast more evident than in the holy city of Medina, where the reverence of sacred sites coexists with a skyline punctuated by construction cranes. Visitors arriving on the state-of-the-art Haramain High-Speed Train can step off into a city that is both an ancient pilgrimage destination and a burgeoning urban center. The nation’s ambitious reform agenda, known as Vision 2030, seeks to diversify and modernize the economy – but it also emphasizes preserving cultural identity. This delicate balance between modernization and tradition defines the Saudi experience today, creating a landscape where glass towers cast their shadows on historical mosques, and where change is embraced with cautious optimism.

Modern infrastructure is knitting the country together in unprecedented ways. In the past, a journey between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina might have taken many hours by road through the desert; today it can be made in a mere two-hour train ride. The sleek Haramain train zips across the desert at over 300 km/h, connecting pilgrims and travelers to holy sites with record speed. Youthful Saudi men and women, often educated abroad or in new local universities, speak with pride about such projects that put their country on par with global standards. They see the high-speed rail, smart city projects, and tech startups as symbols that Saudi Arabia is “open for business” and forging a future beyond oil dependence. Crucially, these symbols of progress are built to facilitate traditional practices – for instance, the train’s primary purpose is to serve pilgrims, melding modern mobility with the age-old tradition of the Hajj and Umrah journeys. As one young professional in Jeddah commented, “we’re proud that our country can build all this, but it’s even better that it serves our religion and culture.” The sentiment is widely shared: advancement is welcome when it bolsters rather than bulldozes heritage.

The Haramain High-Speed Train at a modern station, a symbol of rapid modernization bridging the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Walking through central Medina, one observes how tradition and innovation intermingle on a daily basis. Pilgrims in white robes stream through streets that are now equipped with free Wi-Fi and multilingual electronic signs guiding visitors. Amid the call to prayer echoing from the Prophet’s Mosque, there’s also the hum of construction – new hotels and museums are being built to accommodate the growing number of visitors and to showcase Islamic history. In conversations with local residents, there is a palpable sense of local pride in this transformation. Shopkeepers and taxi drivers often point out new buildings or public works with approval, noting how much their city has changed in just a few years. They appreciate the improved quality of life – from cleaner streets to better public transport – and are proud that their once-isolated country is becoming a centerpiece of regional tourism and commerce.

Yet, this rapid change is not without its dilemmas. A stroll in Jeddah – the historic Red Sea port city – offers another lens on how Saudi Arabia is balancing the old and new. In Jeddah’s ancient downtown, Al-Balad, century-old coral-stone houses with their ornate wooden latticed windows (rawasheen) are under restoration, even as sleek high-rises and shopping malls spread along the corniche. Urban planners are working to preserve these UNESCO-listed neighborhoods as a testament to the city’s heritage, while also encouraging modern urban development. The juxtaposition can be striking: an old mosque or traditional merchant’s house might stand in the shadow of a towering five-star hotel. City elders often reminisce about the simpler times of their youth, but even they acknowledge the benefits of renovation projects that prevent historic buildings from crumbling. “It’s our history,” said one older Jeddawi man about the preservation efforts, “and now our grandchildren will know where they come from, even as they enjoy a new modern city around them.”

Restoration of historic buildings in Jeddah’s old town alongside new construction, merging heritage conservation with urban development.

Across the kingdom, the government and local communities are keenly aware that modernization should not mean Westernization or the loss of cultural roots. There is an active effort to project a narrative that Saudi Arabia can be at the cutting edge of progress while remaining authentically Saudi. National development plans include investments in museums, heritage villages, and cultural festivals to celebrate regional traditions – from Bedouin poetry to the culinary arts – ensuring they flourish in the new era. For example, Riyadh’s restoration of the historic Diriyah district (the birthplace of the Saudi state) into a cultural tourism hub is emblematic of this trend: it is as much about reclaiming a proud history as it is about building attractive modern facilities. Educational curricula are increasingly highlighting local history and customs even as schools adopt digital learning tools. In daily life, one can see how this ethos trickles down: a young businesswoman might use cutting-edge fintech apps for her startup but still stop by a traditional souk (market) to buy spices for family gatherings; a university student may wear Western-style jeans on campus but don the national dress when attending Friday prayers or family events.

In discussions about the country’s trajectory, concerns and hopes intermingle. Many Saudis express a cautious optimism – they are excited that their homeland is becoming more prosperous and internationally connected, yet they worry about preserving the social values and spiritual character that make Saudi society unique. Will the rush to build megacities and entertainment resorts dilute the spiritual rhythm of life centered on prayer times and family? Will the influx of foreign visitors and ideas, which Vision 2030 encourages, alter the cultural fabric? These questions emerge in coffee shop chats and family majlis (gatherings) alike. So far, the prevailing mood leans towards confidence. There is a strong trust in the leadership, reflected in how often people invoke King Salman or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s names when discussing change. This trust is underpinned by a sense that the leadership understands the need to strike a balance. Indeed, the official Vision 2030 document itself emphasizes “preserving our Islamic and national identity while becoming a successful model of excellence on all fronts.” Saudis often note that their leaders visit heritage events as much as they inaugurate new economic projects, signaling equal respect for both tradition and innovation.

Perhaps the most telling indicator of this balance is the attitude of the youth, who make up the majority of the population. Raised in an era of satellite TV and smartphones but also in a society steeped in tradition, young Saudis tend to see no contradiction between being modern and being true to their culture. Many fluently code-switch between English and Arabic, between global pop culture and local customs. As one recent study observed, most young people in the Kingdom have “a balanced vision of reconciling conservatism with a move towards openness, and a sense of confidence in the state and in the self”. They are proud of their heritage – from traditional music to the etiquette of serving Arabic coffee – and equally proud of the new Saudi Arabia that is emerging. This confidence and adaptability among the youth bodes well for Saudi Arabia’s quest to modernize without losing itself. In the cities of the Kingdom, skyscrapers may be rising fast, but they are being built on foundations firmly rooted in cultural and religious heritage. The streets of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and Riyadh today tell a story of a nation striving to harmonize the sacred and the sleek, ensuring that as Saudi Arabia races toward the future, it carries its past along on the journey.