The Role of Public Art and Culture in New Urban Environments: The Case of ‘Katara Cultural Village

In recent years, public art has been featured as a trend in urban environments in GCC. During its period of development, the State of Qatar worked on large megaprojects designed to attract global investments and tourists. Also, the current process of globalization has greatly contributed to increasing competition between cities and promoting the development of public art within new urban developments. This research study discusses the role of public art in influencing urban environments in Qatar, namely within Katara Cultural Village. The study explores the extent to which such an approach can raise local communities’ environmental awareness as an indirect input to the process of upgrading the desires of those living in these areas and of international tourists. In addition, it reviews the experiences of different types of catalysts for regeneration, such as art and culture, that can enhance the built environment’s recognition, value, and economic growth. A qualitative evaluation is employed for this research study, which leverages subjective methods such as interviews and observations to collect substantive and relevant data while examining the interaction of connectivity, attraction, and development as they relate to economics and other multifaceted aspects of development. The findings reveal the main advantages and disadvantages of introducing public art to an urban space, namely in regard to acceptance, culture, and social behavior. In addition, the study helps identify new ways to use public art to enhance public interactions and participation in new urban environments

Sustainable Neighborhoods in the State of Qatar: Msheireb Downtown Doha

Over the past three decades, rapid urban sprawl, a changing economy, and shifting demographics have caused rapid developments, which included the urban regeneration of existing neighborhoods. In the 1940s, after oil and natural gas discoveries in the State of Qatar, Doha experienced massive transformations on social, economic, cultural and environmental levels. These transformations have created (A) the need for creating sustainable neighborhoods and (B) raised questions related to how existing neighborhoods can be more sustainable in the future. This study investigates the neighborhood of Msheireb Downtown Doha and the reasons which have caused its urban regeneration. The study investigates (1) practical forms of sustainable urbanism principles by analyzing the Msheireb project and (2) how this urban project can be enhanced according to these principles. The research design encompasses a summary of the literature, the site analysis, structured interviews and a resultant vision of a sustainable concept for Msheireb to define the actions needed to implement the sustainable neighborhood concept. The findings reveal that, comparing the image of old Msheireb with the current regenerated one, the later neighborhood is compact, pedestrian-friendly and mixed use, which in turn encourage people to engage and promote a higher level of social interaction and therefore, contribute to enhancing the urban livability of the neighborhood

The Urban Regeneration of West Bay, Business District of Doha (State of Qatar)

The State of Qatar is facing the construction of an advanced public railway transport system. However, researchers argue that the integration of transit stations in existing urban villages can led to a decline in quality of life and cause a loss of local culture and identity in the built environment. The aim of this research study is to investigate the impact of the transit station of West Bay, business district of Doha, on the quality of life and/or liveability of the inhabitants. The findings will contribute to determine urban design strategies for enhancing quality of life of the district

The Practice Of City Planning And Design In The Gulf Region: The Case Of Abu Dhabi, Doha And Manama

This research study explores the Arabian Gulf region’s practice of city planning and design in response to the active forces of globalization. The focused scope of analysis is justified by the commonalities that unite the Arabian Gulf region, among them is the active response to globalization and the rapid urbanization process. Following the coverage of the regional context, an investigation of the city planning and design is presented in the study as a case study approach. Three coastal Arabian Gulf capitals -Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama- are selected as primary units of analysis, investigating their urban evolution, the recent planning practice and urban development vision. The aim of the research study is to establish a theoretical connection between Gulf cities relying on their commonalities. The hypothesis assumes globalization to create a common urban planning practice based on (A) geopolitical facts, (B) historical evolution of urbanism and (C) the recent urban development trends that shape Gulf capital cities. The findings reveal that the urban practice in the Gulf region has been constantly altered in response to global challenges. New trends of megaprojects and international planning are dominating the urban development and growth of Gulf capital cities, where the knowledge of international expertise is flowing into the local planning practice. Therefore, the future of the urbanism is expected to focus on comprehensiveness, master-planning in the national scale, as well as establishing a regional interconnection as a strategic development vision unifying the whole Arabian Gulf region

Urban Revitalization of Public Spaces in the Pearl in Qatar

Qatar has witnessed a rapid development in urbanism within the last few decades especially after the oil discovery. Modern style projects have been imported to the country in-order to reflect aluxurious image. The Fareej (traditional Gulf) neighbourhood has almost disappeared and a modern lifestyle has replaced it. The Pearl Island in Qatar was one of these luxury projects contributing to the new impression. However, its social spaces lack social interaction, cohesion and vibrancy; thus, the space is less attractive except to a select group of people. Visitors are quick to notice the absence of social activities in the area, which reduces the liveability of the place. This paper focuses on investigating the social spaces of Pearl, Qatar to provide insight into what is missing and how the space could be revitalized to improve the quality of the space for users. Some recommendations are suggested to serve this aim. The paper in conclusion notes that the usage of the space can be optimised through various interventions such as hosting festivals and events in the open areas. Measures to improve thermal comfort including shading devices and thermally suited seating as well as limiting vehicular access would also help achieve the goal

Exploration of Sustainable Urban Qualities of Al Sadd Area in Doha

This research focuses on the contributions made to social sustainability, firstly by the functionality of urban spaces in Qatar, as defined by their physical form, and secondly by the socio-cultural attributes of those areas. The urban area addressed in this research is Al Sadd area, located in Doha, Qatar. Data is collected from both primary and secondary sources; the research methodologies were questionnaires, which targeted fifty users of the Al Sadd area, and initial ‘walk through observations’ of several areas of the Al Sadd neighborhood. The objective of this research is to explore urban qualities within the region, the meanings, who construct them, what are the parameters which are guiding those areas and what makes them sustainable. This exploration would allow understanding the context in which those urban areas are constructed and what makes them sustainable in the long term. The main findings related to the social sustainability of Al Sadd were: (1) population characteristics of the area and their needs are not properly addressed in the neighborhood design, where most of them are immigrant workers, (2) the architecture of the area lacks a distinguishing character, that sets it apart from other neighborhoods, and lastly (3) the urban design and lack of well defined open spaces, does not help in fostering social interaction between different groups

Non-critical string pentagon equations and their solutions

We derive pentagon type relations for the 3-point boundary tachyon correlation functions in the non-critical open string theory with generic c_{matter} < 1 and study their solutions in the case of FZZ branes. A new general formula for the Liouville 3-point factor is derived.Comment: 18 pages, harvmac; misprints corrected, section 3.2 extended, a new general formula for the Liouville 3-point factor adde

Design, build, occupy, adapt: Critical considerations of architectural education in an ethos of upheaval

[EN] Over the past century, as mobility increased and communication heightened, architectural education saw a shared vision gain uptake and adoption in many corners of the globe. Informed by an embrace of architecture as a regulated profession, schools pursued similar standards, structure, accreditation & assessment, albeit with local overlays and national policies dictating details and nuancing content. While numerous models developed in concert, all pursued the notion of education providing base competencies for the subsequent pursuit of professional registration/certification and associated modes of practice. In many ways curricula has been increasingly comparable between many international regions, which has resulted in benefits around legibility, reputation and value of architecture as both discipline and profession. Centered on the studio as a signature pedagogy, architectural education has tended, to date, to translate well across borders and boundaries. However, recent challenges such as climate change, health calamities, financial crises, and global conflict, to name but a few, have given cause to critically review architectural education, writ-large, in terms of content, delivery, value, efficacy and impact. The present project, driven by researchers in North America and the Middle East, examines and interrogates aspects of architectural education considering this ethos of upheaval. The work, which is exploratory in extent and preliminary in character, is intended as a provocation concerning the status quo. Included in the probe are factors that prove fundamental to our productively advancing the profession and practices of Architecture: namely technology, psychology, sociology, business, research, sustainability and ethics. Developing from an environmental scan, and drawing from extensive administrative experience (in numerous nations) of the two lead authors, the research then examines selected details for each of these factors - proposing new means and methods that promise to better prepare architecture students for a dramatically different world. Ancillary yet vital qualities, such as interdisciplinary engagement, leadership, intersectoral understanding, and holism, are investigated with respect to a curricular reset. The authors shape a novel model for higher education in architecture that resonates with emerging demands and equips students to survive and thrive given the changing global context and the transcendental ‘new normal.’Sinclair, B.; Furlan, R.; Al-Mohannadi, A.; Esmaeili, N. (2023). Design, build, occupy, adapt: Critical considerations of architectural education in an ethos of upheaval. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 330-343. https://doi.org/10.4995/VIBRArch2022.2022.1522333034

Dose escalation of desmoteplase for acute ischemic stroke (DEDAS): evidence of safety and efficacy 3 to 9 hours after stroke onset

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Background and Purpose:&lt;/b&gt; Desmoteplase is a novel plasminogen activator with favorable features in vitro compared with available agents. This study evaluated safety and efficacy of intravenous (IV) desmoteplase in patients with perfusion/diffusion mismatch on MRI 3 to 9 hours after onset of acute ischemic stroke.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Methods:&lt;/b&gt; DEDAS was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, dose-escalation study investigating doses of 90 μg/kg and 125 μg/kg desmoteplase. Eligibility criteria included baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of 4 to 20 and MRI evidence of perfusion/diffusion mismatch. The safety end point was the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Primary efficacy co-end points were MRI reperfusion 4 to 8 hours after treatment and good clinical outcome at 90 days. The primary analyses were intent-to-treat. Before unblinding, a target population, excluding patients violating specific MRI criteria, was defined.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Thirty-seven patients were randomized and received treatment (intent-to-treat; placebo: n=8; 90 μg/kg: n=14; 125 μg/kg: n=15). No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred. Reperfusion was achieved in 37.5% (95% CI [8.5; 75.5]) of placebo patients, 18.2% (2.3; 51.8) of patients treated with 90 μg/kg desmoteplase, and 53.3% (26.6; 78.7) of patients treated with 125 μg/kg desmoteplase. Good clinical outcome at 90 days occurred in 25.0% (3.2; 65.1) treated with placebo, 28.6% (8.4; 58.1) treated with 90 μg/kg desmoteplase and 60.0% (32.3; 83.7) treated with 125 μg/kg desmoteplase. In the target population (n=25), the difference compared with placebo increased and was statistically significant for good clinical outcome with 125 μg/kg desmoteplase (P=0.022).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; Treatment with IV desmoteplase 3 to 9 hours after ischemic stroke onset appears safe. At a dose of 125 μg/kg desmoteplase appeared to improve clinical outcome, especially in patients fulfilling all MRI criteria. The results of DEDAS generally support the results of its predecessor study, Desmoteplase in Acute Ischemic Stroke (DIAS).&lt;/p&gt