📰 Doha · page 4

Modern architecture

During the mid-20th century, Qatar saw a transition from traditional building techniques to more modern ones.263 In the 1950s, a notable change was the adoption of concrete blocks with shell inclusions.264 These blocks were primarily produced locally and incorporated a distinctive shelly sand rich in small gastropod remains, a material abundant along Qatar's coastline.[143]265

As Qatar progressed into the latter half of the 20th century, construction methods evolved, with the use of shell-infused concrete blocks gradually giving way to more standardized building materials.266 This newer phase of construction is characterized by the use of plain concrete blocks without shell content and reinforced concrete structures.267 New materials such as manufactured wood products including plywood and metal materials such as corrugated iron were also introduced.268 This period also saw the widespread adoption of air conditioning systems.[143]269 In 2011, more than 50 towers were under construction in Doha,[120] the largest of which was the Doha Convention Center Tower.[144]270 Constructions were suspended in 2012 following concerns that the tower would impede flight traffic[145] and the site is being redeveloped into a park.271

In 2014, Abdullah Al Attiyah, a senior government official, announced that Qatar would spend $65bn on new infrastructure projects in upcoming years in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup as well as progressing towards its objectives set out in the Qatar National Vision 2030.[146]272

Msheireb Downtown Doha, a 31-hectare development costing an estimated $5bn, was dubbed the largest inner city redevelopment of its kind when launched.273 Comprising several quarters opened over different phases, Msheireb aims to preserve the historic downtown area.274

National Museum of Qatar

Main article: National Museum of Qatar

The new National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) opened to the public on 28 March 2019.[147]275 The museum features an innovative design by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel[148] that is inspired by the desert rose and grows organically around the original 20th century palace of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani.276 This important monument to Qatar's past is now preserved as the heart of the new NMoQ.[149]277 The relation between the new and old building is part of creating the bridge between the past and the present advocated by Sheikha Al Mayassa for it is the way to "define ourselves instead of forever being defined by others celebrating our identity."[150]278 Located on a 1.5 million-square-foot site at the south end of Doha Corniche, the NMoQ building rises from the sea and is connected to the shore by two pedestrian bridges and a road bridge.279

Doha Tower

Main article: Doha Tower

Doha Tower also known as Burj Doha, and previously named Burj Qatar and Doha High Rise Office Building,[151] is a high rise tower in West Bay, Doha.280 On 18 October 2012, the building received the CTBUH Skyscraper Award for the Best Tall Building Worldwide from the CTBUH.[152]281 The $125-million office building, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, has a height of 238 m, with 46 stories.[153]282

Aspire Tower

Main article: Aspire Tower

Aspire Tower, also known as The Torch Doha, is a 300 m skyscraper hotel located in the Aspire Zone complex in Doha.283 Designed by architect Hadi Simaan and AREP and engineer Ove Arup and Partners,[154] the tower served as the focal point for the 15th Asian Games hosted by Qatar in December 2006.284 The tower is currently the tallest structure and building in Doha and Qatar.285

Tornado Tower

Main article: Tornado Tower

The Tornado Tower also called the QIPCO Tower, is a high-rise office skyscraper in Doha.286 The building stands at a height of 640 ft tall with 52 floors.287 Construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2008.[155]288

Museum of Islamic Art

Main article: Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

Museum of Islamic Art, MIA is a museum on one end of the 7 km Corniche in Doha.289 As per the architect I. M. Pei's specifications, the museum is built on an island off an artificial projecting peninsula near the traditional dhow harbor.290 A purpose-built park surrounds the edifice on the eastern and southern facades while two bridges connect the southern front facade of the property with the main peninsula that holds the park.[156]291 The western and northern facades are marked by the harbor showcasing the Qatari seafaring past.292 In September 2017, Qatar Museums appointed Julia Gonnella as new director of MIA.[157]293

Qatar National Library

Main article: Qatar National Library

Qatar National Library (QNL) is a modern facility which provides the people of Qatar with access to over one million books.294 The library is a non-profit organization operated under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation.[158]295 The plans for the new national library were announced by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation, on 19 November 2012, during a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Dar Al Kutub Library in Doha.296

Al Thumama Stadium

Main article: Al Thumama Stadium

Al-Thumama Stadium is a football stadium in Al Thumama district in Doha, located approximately 13 km south of the city center.[159]297 It hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in the country.[160]298

Msheireb Museums

Main article: Msheireb Museums

Msheireb Museums is a complex of history museums housed in four historic heritage houses of Msheireb Downtown Doha, the old commercial centre of the city.299 Each house explores a different aspect of the country's history through the trades and careers of its former residents: slavery, the oil industry, and folk arts and traditions.[161]300

The restoration of the four heritage houses Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House, and Radwani House into world-class museums is a part of the first phase of the Heritage Quarter of Msheireb Properties' QR20 billion (US$5.5 billion), 310,000 sq m development.[162]301 The museum was also included in the 2018 world's best new buildings list of the Royal Institute of British Architects.[163]302

Atmosphere

In the pre-modern era, Doha's architectural landscape was characterized by densely clustered dwellings interconnected by narrow passageways, a design that offered mutual shade, privacy, and safety to residents.303 This urban configuration persisted until the latter part of the 20th century.304 Traditional building techniques in Doha emphasized climate adaptation.305 Thick stone walls, often reaching 0.6 m in width, served as effective thermal insulators, mitigating heat transfer to the interior.306 Facades typically featured minimal fenestration to maintain privacy and regulate internal temperatures.307 When present, windows were often internal and shuttered, frequently shielded by expansive verandas to minimize solar heat gain.[164]308

The badgheer system was used to facilitate air circulation for cooling.309 This encompassed both windcatchers and wall vents, with the latter being more prevalent in Doha.310 Large open courtyards were integral to promoting air movement within structures.311 Design elements such as horizontal apertures at wall bases and within roof screens generated cooling breezes and air circulation.312 Ornate, perforated gypsum panels served dual purposes, acting as decorative elements while enhancing airflow within domiciles.[164]313

Due to excessive heat from the sun during the summer, some Doha-based building companies implemented various forms of cooling technology to alleviate the extremely torrid climatic conditions in the late 20th century.314 This included creating optical phenomena such as shadows, as well as more expensive techniques like ventilation, coolants, refrigerants, cryogenics, and dehumidifiers.[165]315 Discussions regarding temperature control have also been features of various scheduled events involving large crowds.[166]316 Other initiatives attempt to counter the heat by altering working hours, weather alteration methods such as cloud seeding,[167][168] and using whiter and brighter construction materials to increase the albedo effects.[169]317 Nonetheless, despite these measures, Doha and other areas of Qatar could become uninhabitable for humans due to climate change by the end of the 21st century.[170][171]318

Planned communities

One of the largest urban development projects in Qatar is Lusail City, a planned community north of Doha constructed at a cost of approximately $45bn and designed to accommodate 450,000 people.[172]319 Al Waab City, another planned community under development, is estimated to cost QR15 bn.[173]320 In addition to housing 8,000 individuals, it will also have shopping malls, educational, and medical facilities.[173]321 Gewan Island is the latest development of UDC comprising a 400000 sqm mixed use development.322

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Doha

To support the expanding city and increasing numbers of residents and commuters, Qatar has heavily invested in upgrading the infrastructure of Doha and Qatar.323 Since 2004, Doha has been undergoing a huge expansion to its transportation network, including the addition of new highways, a new airport in 2014, a new seaport in 2016, and an 85 km metro system which went operational in 2019.[174]324

Roads

The main highways in Doha include Dukhan Highway connecting to Dukhan;[175] the 95.2 km Al Shamal Road connecting the Doha Metropolitan Area to the northern region of Al Shamal;[176] the 33 km Al Khor Coastal Road connecting to Al Khor,[177] the 95 km Salwa Road connecting to the Saudi Arabian border;[178] the 195 km Al Majd Road which is the longest highway in Qatar;[179] the 5.5 km Lusail Expressway connecting to Lusail;[180] the 8.7 km F-Ring Road linking Rawdat Al Khail Street to Al Matar Street;[181] the 22 km G-Ring Road connecting Hamad International Airport to the south of the Industrial Area;[182] and the Industrial Area Road, a 12.5 km-dual carriageway positioned south of the Doha Industrial Area.[183]325

One of the latest projects, expected to be delivered in 2024 is the Sharq Crossing in Doha Bay.326 At a cost of approximately $12 billion, the crossing is expected to connect Hamad International Airport with both Katara Cultural Village and West Bay.[184]327

Rail

Three of the Doha Metro's four lines are currently fully operational.328 The system consists of the Red Line, the Gold Line, the Green Line, and the incomplete Blue Line.329 The Blue Line is expected to be completed in the second phase in 2025.[185]330 Msheireb Station is the transfer station for all of the metro lines.[174]331

The Red Line (also known as Coast Line) extends through Doha, running from Al Khor to Al Wakrah and Hamad Airport via the Red Line North and Red Line South.332 Doha Metro's Green Line, or Education Line, connects Doha to Education City and Al Riffa.333 Starting in Old Airport, the Gold Line (also known as Historic Line) will end in Al Rayyan and cover a distance of 30.6 km.334 Lastly, the Blue Line, or City Line, will only cover the inner city of Doha, and is planned to be semi-circular with a length of 17.5 km.[186]335

Air

Doha is served by Hamad International Airport which is Qatar's principal international gateway.336 The airport opened in 2014, replacing Doha International Airport.337 The airport is named after the previous Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.338 Hamad International Airport became the first Middle Eastern airport to be awarded the Skytrax's World Best Airport for 2021 in the 2021 World Airport Awards, ending the 7-year dominance of Singapore corpus's Changi Airport.[187]339 Qatar's Hamad International Airport has been named the World's Best Airport for the second year running.340 The announcement took place at the Skytrax 2022 World Airport Awards, held at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Paris, France.[188]341

Taxi

There are a variety of taxi operators in the Doha area.342 A plurality of taxis across the city and Hamad International Airport are marked by a distinctive turquoise colour; these taxis are owned and operated by Mowasalat, a government-owned enterprise, under the brand name Karwa.343 Ride-hailing applications like Uber, Ryde, Badrgo, and Aabir are also readily available across the city.[189][190][191]344

Education

See also: Education in Qatar, Education City, List of schools in Qatar