Emerging Factors Shaping The Identity Of Local Urban Districts, The Case Of Doha

Forms, Designs and symbols are components of the built environment that communicate information about the place and its identity to users. Users discern information from their environmental settings, combined with their personal interests and perceptions. The premise of this thesis states that the identity of traditional architecture undergoes two paradoxical processes dynamic transformation and resistance to changes caused by global culture and societal modern needs. Qatar is placing a great attention on the change of urban and architectural identity by the rapid wave of urban development. This thesis attempts to define contemporary architecture in Qatar, through analyzing Qatari vernacular architecture, outside effect of global factors and to what extent Qatari architecture resists the change. To test the proposed premise, this thesis prolongs into human geography using Torsten Hagerstrand’s diffusion theory. The methodology of the thesis is structured to: revision of related literature and field analysis that contains: interviews, field observations of four chosen sites and field survey. Findings, and discussion illustrate tables and diagrams, that are anticipated to show that resistance of the local identity and the acceptance of new architectural styles lead to a new semiotic presentation of Doha region. The thesis ends up with a set of recommendations for the application of aspects of Qatari vernacular architecture and urban environment, in order to strengthen the local identity while taking part of the global culture

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