Water harvesting cube

Water scarcity is at the center of the world's greatest challenges, including famine, disease, and sustainable development. In many countries, there are active researches aimed at improving the supply of fresh water through actions such as seawater desalination and water recycling. Researchers are also working, on a smaller scale, to harvest water from the atmosphere to serve individual households or small communities. Cool surface condensation, fog catchers, and humidity harvesting are three examples of sustainable approaches that relied on affordable and simple equipment. This paper aims to introduce the possibility of using water condensation to generate potable water by using a self-sustainable-energy device. The device is scalable; being able to meet the needs of a single household and up to a residential district. The focus of this research is on the function of a water-harvesting cube. It consists of a set of solar panels, an energy converter, a dehumidifier(s), a water treatment component, and a water storage tank. The sum of all parts forms a 1 X 1 X 1 m cube. The premise of the proposal is that one dehumidifier can produce a sufficient amount of pure water for an individual's various daily uses. The researcher conducted two experiments during the summer of 2018, one in London, Ontario, Canada, and the other in Doha, Qatar. The result showed that in an environment of 50-70% relative humidity, a single dehumidifier could produce up to 15 L of pure water per day. The research here proves that the proposed water harvesting cube is efficient, affordable, and requires low maintenance.Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.Scopu

Emerging factors shaping identity of indigenous urbanism concurrently adopting modernity in qatar: The application of diffusion theory

Forms, designs, and symbols are the components of built environment, which transfer the information of place and identity to users. This research aimed to explore the emerging factors shaping the identity of local urban districts while adopting the global culture and modernity. To achieve this aim, the research has conducted two phases within which include a few steps. Phase one was to explore different urban zoning. It includes a detailed analysis of the different architectural styles and elements that have spread the identity concerning the main constituents of urban zones. Because of the difficulty to survey the whole Doha region, this research has focused on four mega projects with different characteristics in Doha Governorates; Pearl Qatar (representing Islamic architecture), Souq Waqif (representing traditional architecture), Msheireb project (as the combination of traditional and modern architecture), and West Bay (as the reference for global approach). Phase one has two steps; Field Observation and Field survey. Phase two was to explore the new elements spread for built environment's identity with the concentration on the selected sites in Doha. Phase two has two steps; Photo survey and Interviews. To test the proposed premise, this phase prolonged into human geography using Torsten Hagerstrand's diffusion theory. The findings of this research help architects and urban designers to enhance susers' awareness of their natural environment, and provide a better perception of identity in local urban districts and vernacular architecture, based on instinct and strategic view derived from the global culture and societal modern architecture principles.Scopu

Factors emergents que configuren la identitat de l'urbanisme indígena adoptant simultàniament la modernitat a Qatar: l'aplicació de la teoria de la difusió

Las formas, los diseños y los símbolos son los componentes del entorno construido, que transfieren la información del lugar y la identidad a los usuarios. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo explorar los factores emergentes que dan forma a la identidad de los distritos urbanos locales al tiempo que adopta la cultura y la modernidad global. Para lograr este objetivo, la investigación ha llevado a cabo dos fases dentro de las cuales se incluyen algunos pasos. La primera fase fue explorar diferentes zonas urbanas. Incluye un análisis detallado de los diferentes estilos y elementos arquitectónicos que han difundido la identidad de los principales constituyentes de las zonas urbanas. Debido a la dificultad de encuestar a toda la región de Doha, esta investigación se ha centrado en cuatro megaproyectos con diferentes características en las gobernaciones de Doha; Pearl Qatar (que representa la arquitectura islámica), Souq Waqif (que representa la arquitectura tradicional), el proyecto Msheireb (como la combinación de la arquitectura tradicional y moderna) y West Bay (como referencia para el enfoque global). La fase uno tiene dos pasos; Observación de campo y estudio de campo. La segunda fase fue explorar los nuevos elementos difundidos para la identidad del entorno construido con la concentración en los sitios seleccionados en Doha. La fase dos tiene dos pasos; Encuesta fotográfica y entrevistas. Para probar la premisa propuesta, esta fase se prolongó en la geografía humana utilizando la teoría de difusión de Torsten Hagerstrand. Los resultados de esta investigación ayudan a los arquitectos y diseñadores urbanos a mejorar la conciencia de los usuarios sobre su entorno natural y a proporcionar una mejor percepción de la identidad en los distritos urbanos locales y la arquitectura vernácula, basándose en el instinto y la visión estratégica derivada de la cultura global y la arquitectura social moderna.Les formes, els dissenys i els símbols són els components de l'entorn construït, que transfereixen la informació de el lloc i la identitat als usuaris. Aquesta investigació va tenir com a objectiu explorar els factors emergents que donen forma a la identitat dels districtes urbans locals a el temps que adopta la cultura i la modernitat global. Per aconseguir aquest objectiu, la investigació s'ha dut a terme dues fases dins de les quals s'inclouen alguns passos. La primera fase va ser explorar diferents zones urbanes. Inclou una anàlisi detallada dels diferents estils i elements arquitectònics que han difós la identitat dels principals constituents de les zones urbanes. A causa de la dificultat d'enquestar a tota la regió de Doha, aquesta investigació s'ha centrat en quatre megaprojectes amb diferents característiques en les governacions de Doha; Pearl Qatar (que representa l'arquitectura islàmica), Souq Waqif (que representa l'arquitectura tradicional), el projecte Msheireb (com la combinació de l'arquitectura tradicional i moderna) i West Bay (com a referència per l'enfocament global). La fase un té dos passos; Observació de camp i estudi de camp. La segona fase va ser explorar els nous elements difosos per la identitat de l'entorn construït amb la concentració en els llocs seleccionats a Doha. La fase dos té dos passos; Enquesta fotogràfica i entrevistes. Per provar la premissa proposta, aquesta fase es va perllongar en la geografia humana utilitzant la teoria de difusió de Torsten Hägerstrand. Els resultats d'aquesta investigació ajuden als arquitectes i dissenyadors urbans a millorar la consciència dels usuaris sobre el seu entorn natural i a proporcionar una millor percepció de la identitat en els districtes urbans locals i l'arquitectura vernacla, basant-se en l'instint i la visió estratègica derivada de la cultura global i l'arquitectura social moderna.Forms, designs, and symbols are the components of built environment, which transfer the information of place and identity to users. This research aimed to explore the emerging factors shaping the identity of local urban districts while adopting the global culture and modernity. To achieve this aim, the research has conducted two phases within which include a few steps. Phase one was to explore different urban zoning. It includes a detailed analysis of the different architectural styles and elements that have spread the identity concerning the main constituents of urban zones. Because of the difficulty to survey the whole Doha region, this research has focused on four mega projects with different characteristics in Doha Governorates; Pearl Qatar (representing Islamic architecture), Souq Waqif (representing traditional architecture), Msheireb project (as the combination of traditional and modern architecture), and West Bay (as the reference for global approach). Phase one has two steps; Field Observation and Field survey. Phase two was to explore the new elements spread for built environment’s identity with the concentration on the selected sites in Doha. Phase two has two steps; Photo survey and Interviews. To test the proposed premise, this phase prolonged into human geography using Torsten Hagerstrand’s diffusion theory. The findings of this research help architects and urban designers to enhance susers’ awareness of their natural environment, and provide a better perception of identity in local urban districts and vernacular architecture, based on instinct and strategic view derived from the global culture and societal modern architecture principles.Peer Reviewe