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Urban regeneration in Qatar: A comprehensive planning strategy for the transport oriented development of Al-Waab
Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal,
11
(2),
168-193
(2017)
Abstract
Since the 1970s the State of Qatar has witnessed a radical transformation from fishing and pearling to an oil based economy. The nation is also developing a multifaceted economy. This vision has encouraged Qatar to implement a rapid improvement of: (a) its national infrastructure (roadways and public transit systems) and (b) Doha’s built environment. In turn, this urban transformation has caused: (i) high population growth, (ii) an increase in car ownership and (iii) disorderly urban growth, or sprawls, which are causing major environmental, social and economic problems. In 2009, Qatar’s National Vision (QNV-2030) was finalised with the main goal of defining the strategies for the progress of Qatar, in order to allow the country to be able to: (i) sustain its own needs, (ii) provide high standards of living for the current inhabitants as well as for its future generations and (iii) focus on economic, environmental, human and social development (the ‘four pillars’ from QNV-2030). In order to align with QNV-2030, the 2013 Qatar Rail Development Program (QRDP) envisioned the execution of a modern metro system: a network consisting of four main lines and 100 train stations. Concurrently, Qatar National Master Plan supports the adoption of urban planning strategies toward reducing the use of cars and the proliferation of sprawls through the regeneration and development of urban villages around transit systems, also named as ‘Transit Oriented Developments’ (TODs). This paper focuses on the case of the vital transit village of Al-Waab. The exploration focuses on: (i) a review of the relevant literature, (ii) an analysis of the site and (iii) the formulation of an integrated planning-strategy for the regeneration and development of Al-Waab’s TOD. The recommended approach for Al-Waab’s TOD is based on: (a) creating a compact, mixed use urban village, (b) providing sustainable multimodal transportation systems, (c) minimising cars’ use and (d) preserving cultural values (ie religion).
Keywords: built environment; transit systems; TODs; cultural values; religion
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Deema Anwar Alattar holds a Bachelors Degree in Architecture (Hons) from Greenwich University, Egypt and a Masters Degree in Urban Design and Planning, Qatar University. She has three years work experience as an architect in Qatar — two years as site resident engineer and one year as a design architect.
Raffaello Furlan holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from IUAV University in Venice (Italy), and a PhD in Architecture from Griffith University in Brisbane (Australia). He has held visiting and permanent positions in Australia (University of Queensland and Griffith University in Brisbane), UAE (Canadian University of Dubai) and Qatar (Qatar University). He has been teaching Art History, History of Architecture, Project Management, Urban Design, Architecture Design and Interior Design. His areas of interest include Vernacular Architecture, Architecture and Urban Sociology, project management, art history. A member of the Board of Architects in Italy and Australia, he has 20 years’ professional experience, split between design management, project management and supervision roles, with some highly respected companies, six years of which were in Italy, 10 years in Australia, and four years in Middle East.
