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

Assessment of Aesthetic Control in Qatar’s Urban Design

Aesthetic control is concerned with the visual appearance of the built environment, specifically in the urban setting. The built environment aesthetics can directly influence place identity, property values and the business owners’ financial status in the area. People’s behavior in terms of choosing a place to live or do business is also affected by the locality’s aesthetics. Qatar has invested heavily in the built environment over the last two decades, which has shed light on the importance of government adopted aesthetic control measures to preserve the identity of Qatar’s built form. This paper reviews the current control measures and provides some directions to adopt in the building permit process in support of Qatar’s National Master Plan 2032. The paper recommends a strategy to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment for a swift implementation of aesthetic/design control in Qatar until a fully integrated solution is adopted to align with the built environment as proposed in the Qatar National Master Plan 2032. Digital tools can foster designs that can restore the quality of compromised ecosystems. A partnership platform can be created between the building permit unit and pre-selected private design-oriented consultants. Lastly, this research initiative could be used by other countries subject to similar development dynamics as a precedent to further develop their own aesthetic control measures