ASSESSMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD VITALITY IN DOHA

Well-functioning urban environments are good causes of societies living healthily and happily. The performance of the public realm plays an important role, in this regard, where societies are in direct contact with their physical environment. Urban environments should be created in which economic prosperity, social cohesion, and citizenship occur. The concept of urban vitality achieves this through being concerned with the socio-cultural, experiential, and spatial dimensions of the urban environment. On the scale of intimate communities, vitality plays a significant role in encouraging behaviours, social interactions, in the neighbourhood. Three domains are studied to define urban vitality: the society, its activities, and its physical environment. Considering the local context of the thesis, the rapid growth of vehicle-oriented neighbourhoods in Doha is leading to a decline in their degree of vitality. In many cases, this leads to a lower quality of urban life and a decline in the vitality of the city. Therefore, this thesis aims to assess the degree of neighbourhood vitality in Doha in order to recommend actions for areas of improvements. Study neighbourhoods are selected based on their geographical location within Doha and filtered by the average population density. Fereej Bin Mahmoud (downtown), Al-Thumama (suburban), and Al-Dafna (waterfront) neighbourhoods were selected. The assessment is approached through establishing a neighbourhood vitality index which was aggregated from the individual scores of socio-cultural, experiential, and spatial dimensions of neighbourhood vitality. This approach is supported by three data collection tools: questionnaire survey, observations, and semi-structured interviews. A total of ninety questionnaires were collected from residents, along with six neighbourhood observations, during morning and evening hours to study the functionality of the public realm. Results of the vitality index calculations showed that downtown and suburban neighbourhoods were indexed as moderately vital, whereas waterfront neighbourhoods were indexed as vital. Results of the analysis showed that three main factors should be considered to enhance the degree of vitality in neighbourhoods: culture, climate, and context. Planning and design approaches should consider these factors to create well-functioning public realms through accessible streets and shaded, green public spaces

Neighborhoods and Social Interactions: The Case of Al-Najada Area in Doha

Cities provide places for people to live, work, learn and socialize. As urban environments, cities nowadays are typically characterized by urban sprawl in which open public spaces (1) are neglected and/or (2) social interactions are discouraged. In fact, the encouragement of social interactions among neighbors is a vital factor implementing livability among city dwellers. Recent evidence suggests that social interactions occur infrequently in contemporary urban neighborhoods. Therefore, it is worth investigating how communities can be designed in the future with the aim to increase social interactions. Al-Najada area in Doha provides a useful case study because it is a traditional area, built based on formal social structures aiming to the formation of social interaction in old neighborhoods (which is called Fereej in Arabic). This paper investigated how the urban fabric of Al-Najada area can be implemented in order to enhance social interactions and become an effective sample of sustainable development. Also, this paper examined the factors that contribute to socially sustainable development in the regeneration of Al-Najada as a traditional asset in the heart of Doha. Literature review is conducted on topics of sustainable urbanism, urban sociology, and built heritage to learn about design implementation in order to enhance social interactions within the urban fabric of neighborhoods. Therefore, content analysis, site observations, and walking tour assessments are adopted as the main research methods in order to investigate how social interactions at Al-Najada area can be encouraged, namely how the spatial form can be implemented in order to enhance social interactions. The research study findings led to the definition of a set of recommendations for a design approach, based on smart planning and design guidelines, aiming at implementing Al-Najada neighborhood in order to facilitate social interactions. The recommendations are genuinely plan-led, empowering local people to shape their surroundings, with concise neighborhood plans setting out a positive vision for the future of Al-Najada area

Investigating land use dynamics in emerging cities : the case of downtown neighbourhood in Doha

The study of land use dynamics in emerging cities will inform sustainable development in the future. Doha has witnessed urban transition phases. The study objectives are: (1) conduct a review of neighbourhood planning theories and (2) develop a prototype for downtown land use dynamics in emerging cities. The developed prototype considers physical and socioeconomics aspects. The research tools are: content analysis of real-estate reports, observation study, and preferences survey. Fereej Abdulaziz has been selected as an example. The study emphasizes the importance of policymakers in analysing the changes of neighbourhood, with an overarching aim of guiding future growth

Towards a knowledge‑hub destination: analysis and recommendation for implementing TOD for Qatar national library metro station

During the past two decades, Qatar, a developing country, has invested heavily in infrastructure development to address several challenges caused by the rapid urbanization. Qatar has made a significant step toward its urban sustainability vision through the construction of the Doha Metro system. By adopting Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), Qatar is overcoming some urban challenges. TOD promotes compact, walkable, and mixed-use development around the transit nodes, which enhances the public realm through providing pedestrian-oriented and active spaces. Additionally, Qatar aims to transfer to a knowledge-based economy through developing an environment that will attract knowledge and creative human power. Qatar Foundation is taking the lead toward implementing a Knowledge-Based Urban Development (KBUD) through its flagship project: Education City (EC). This study aims therefore to evaluate the integration of TOD and KBUD strategies to leverage the potential of TOD in attracting knowledge and creative economy industries. The selected case study is Qatar National Library (QNL) metro station at the EC in Doha. The study examines the potential of QNL as a destination TOD to enhance the area’s mission as a driver for a knowledge-based economy. The methodological approach is based on the analytical concepts obtained from the Integrated Modification Methodology as a sustainable urban design process. The study’s results revealed that void and function, followed by volume, are the weakest layers of the study area’s Complex Adaptive System which require morphological modification to achieve sustainability and a knowledge-hub TOD. The study offers recommendations to assist planners and designers in making better decisions toward regenerating urban areas through a knowledge-hub TOD contributing to the spill out of knowledge and creativity into the public realm creating a human-centric vibrant public space adjacent to metro stations

Neighborhoods and Social Interactions: The Case of Al-Najada Area in Doha

Cities provide places for people to live, work, learn and socialize. As urban environments, cities nowadays are typically characterized by urban sprawl in which open public spaces (1) are neglected and/or (2) social interactions are discouraged. In fact, the encouragement of social interactions among neighbors is a vital factor implementing livability among city dwellers. Recent evidence suggests that social interactions occur infrequently in contemporary urban neighborhoods. Therefore, it is worth investigating how communities can be designed in the future with the aim to increase social interactions. Al-Najada area in Doha provides a useful case study because it is a traditional area, built based on formal social structures aiming to the formation of social interaction in old neighborhoods (Fereej). The research investigates how the urban fabric of Al-Najada area can be studied and investigated in order to enhance social interactions and become an effective sample of sustainable development. Also, it examines the factors that contribute to socially sustainable development in the regeneration of Al-Najada as a traditional asset in the heart of Doha. Literature review is conducted on topics of sustainable urbanism, urban sociology, and built heritage to learn about design implementation in order to enhance social interactions within the urban fabric of neighborhoods. Therefore, content analysis, site observations, and walking tour assessments are adopted as the main research methods in order to investigate how social interactions at Al-Najada area can be encouraged, namely how the spatial form can be implemented in order to enhance social interactions. As understood from the reviewed literature, environment-behavior studies depend on experimental investigations. Sustainable urban development that constitutes a major part of environment-behavior studies is tested and measured through site observations, semi-structured interviews, and walking tour assessments. Also, illustrative sketches are used as common and intuitive method for communicating spatial information and knowledge. In this study, observations and walking tour assessments are the main methods to collect data. Also, morphological analysis of Al-Najada area is considered to understand its spatial configuration and the physical elements that define it. Collectively, these methods help in gathering relevant personal, behavioral, cognitive, and spatial data to achieve the research objectives. The main technique of data presentation and analysis is illustrative images of a 3D massing model developed for Al-Najada area.qscienc

Underlying Mechanisms of Transit-Oriented Development: A Conceptual System Dynamics Model in Qatar

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is an urban planning approach that facilitates the achievement of sustainable development goals from an urban planning and transportation perspective. Developed countries are moving rapidly to integrate TOD principles into the urban fabric. On the other hand, developing countries face challenges in attempting to implement TOD and introduce new transportation modes. The present research study analyzes the concept of TOD from a systematic perspective, providing an in-depth analysis of the interrelation of the three subsystems of TOD: sustainable transportation, built environment, and socio-economic development. The authors posit that the appropriate application of TOD requires not only that one evaluate the existing conditions of the urban fabric, but also that one assess the typical causality characteristics of the TOD index, as well as investigate the dynamicity of these interacting factors as they change over time. This approach should allow policymakers to better understand the interrelations among the built environment, transportation, and socio-economic aspects of TOD, ultimately enabling them to provide appropriate and focused policies. In this research study, a conceptual system dynamics model for TOD is developed, taking into consideration the needs of a sustainable built environment, a sustainable transportation system, and a sustainable economy. The main findings therefore relate causality effects among multiple variables, including transportation, urban and socio-economic subsystems. The model developed in this study was developed in the State of Qatar, a small country in the Arabian Gulf, but has broader implications as it could be implemented in other countries with conditions similar to those prevailing in Qatar.This research study was developed under the grant schemes awarded by Qatar University: Grant ID: QUCP-CENG-2021-2 (National Capacity Building Program-NCB-S1), titled: ‘Re-thinking a Framework for the Urban Regeneration and Preservation of the Transit Villages of Old Salata, QNM, Msheireb and Souq Waqif,’ along the Cultural-Heritage Doha-Metro Corridor; and Grant ID: QUST-1-CENG-2021-16, titled: ‘A Holistic Strategy for the Urban Regeneration of the Souq Waqif Neighbourhood.’ English editing, proof-reading, and article processing charge (APC) were supported by Qatar University, Grant ID: QUST-1-CENG-2021-16. This paper was subject to a Double-Blind Peer Review process. The open access (OA) funding were provided by the Qatar National Library [QNL]. The authors thank QNL for its continuous support. Finally, the authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their comments, which contributed to an improvement of this paper

The Urban Morphology of Mshereib, the Heart of Downtown Doha

Doha experienced a remarkable transformation since oil and natural gas exportation began in the mid-twentieth century. Rapid urbanization and globalization ('process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide involving goods, services, data, technology, and capital') characterize this transformation. Doha expanded to accommodate significant population increases and lifestyle changes. The urban expansion was auto-centric and suburban, similar to post-war development in the United States and other western societies. Qatari citizens 'emptied' Old Doha as they moved to contemporary villas in new developments at the suburban periphery. In response, the Qatari government launched plans for Msheireb Downtown Doha. Its purpose is to attract Qataris back to Doha's historic center by providing a walkable, mixed-use urban environment promoting a new model of sustainable urbanism. The design and planning explicitly seek to become rooted in Qatari social identity while preserving cultural heritage and historic resources. Our paper investigates the urban form and function of Msheireb Downtown Doha to evaluate its success. It examines the urban morphology, including figure-ground and pedestrian sheds analysis from crucial locations and surveys of ground-level land uses, active/inactive frontages, and the pattern of building heights. The goal is to illustrate and understand the project's urban form and function logic. Based on this, we argue that Msheireb Downtown Doha does satisfy the inhabitants' desire for a downtown lifestyle. It offers a model for urban regeneration consistent with the Qatar National Vision 2030 for an advanced society, sustainable development, and a high standard of living for people.The authors acknowledge Qatar University and the Office of Research Support (ORS) for the grant, which covered portions of the research in this paper (Grant ID: QUCG-CENG-22/23/472)

A COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING DYNAMICS IN ABU DHABI AND DOHA

Abu Dhabi and Doha have evolved rapidly in the twentieth century due to the investment of oil and gas revenues. The fast economic growth resulted in an extensive period of urbanization. The various urban dynamics had a great impact with regards to new housing typologies during the last few decades. Doha’s housing market is studied in comparison with Abu Dhabi’s market considering their population growth rates, real estate market conditions, socio-cultural characteristics, and political approaches. The study is focused on the period from 2004 to 2013 where rapid urban development took place in both cities. The comparative assessment is based on three key aspects: housing typologies, housing distribution, in addition to housing supply and demand. The paper highlights that the urban growth in both cities is initiated via government investments, especially in the real estate market. This is reflected in the case of very similar housing dynamics in both cities. A gradual replacement of low-rise residential villas by high-rise residential towers (apartments/ penthouses) is currently observed in both cities

Investigating housing distribution for the expatriate population in Doha

Expatriates constitute 89% of Qatar's total population, and are becoming important factors in the economic dynamism by satisfying employment sectors. The theoretical framework of this paper is based on Gordon's theory which distinguishes between migrants: housing streams and employment streams. The objectives are to: 1) Investigate housing distribution for the expatriate population based on governmental regulations for the blue-collar, and housing preferences for the white-collar workers and 2) Develop a recommendation for expatriates' housing distribution in Doha. The research tools are: 1) Content analysis of recent census data, 2) Questionnaire survey for white-collar workers in different sectors, and 3) Interview with real estate experts to present insights about the expatriates housing distribution in Doha. The paper concludes that housing streams in Doha are dynamic, whereas employment streams are static. The governmental approach shows that a qualitative change in the demographic composition for Doha's population will take place; namely, white-collar workers would gradually replace blue-collar workers in future

Identification and Analysis of Land Use Change in Doha Downtown Neighborhoods

The neighborhood concept was first introduced in the 1920s by Clarence Perry. This paper adapts Clarence Perry's neighborhood concept and other neighborhood planning theories. It studies the land use dynamics of Fereej Abdul Aziz, one of downtown neighborhoods in Doha. The theory is reinterpreted to study three parameters: physical, mobility, and social aspects. The main objective is to empirically investigate the dynamics of existing land uses of downtown neighborhoods. The study aims at exploring types of land activities and their existing conditions in the study area. The findings aid in making land use guidelines for the downtown neighborhoods in Doha while considering preferences of the inhabitants. The study provides useful insights and efficient planning preference for land use changes in downtown neighborhoods that occur due to the rapid urban growth not only in Doha but also in other emerging cities