Abstract
Uniform urban development severely compromises the quality of life in cities. As a result, cities lose on valuable socio-economic opportunities. Qatar was one of the countries that took leadership and delved into an alternative development model. As a result, Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of the Qatar Foundation, implemented the Msheireb Downtown Doha project. Located in the historical heart of the city, the project revived a 31 ha wide commercial district by regenerating selected historical buildings and adding new constructions that reinterpret the traditional Qatari architectural language in a contemporary way. The intervention created a dense, walkable neighbourhood knit together by naturally cooled streets built at a human scale. Traditional typologies of built and unbuilt spaces were reinterpreted through a 7-step design manifesto that led to the project's Sustainable Development Guidelines. Some of these are: 1. Maintain continuity in the form and expression of traditional Qatari architecture through new buildings; 2. Ensure shared approach to materiality and the arrangement of buildings in an informal manner to embody the qualities of a traditional Islamic city; 3. Integrate shaded streets, active rooftops, courtyards and terraces by using the form of buildings, colonnades and overhangs to make walking around the neighbourhood comfortable. Deep, layered facades are to minimise the impact of the sunlight and to strengthen the effect of natural ventilation to enhance the comfort level and minimise the energy use. This interactive session aims at highlighting these elements and giving the Congress participants an opportunity to directly learn on-site and from key experts involved into the conception and implementation of the project. The importance of such an interaction is critical in the context where cities struggle with preserving their visual identity, lose their socio-economic competitiveness and make financial losses over an excessive energy consumption. The session will be built in a highly interactive mode where the organizers will help participants identify the key elements highlighted above on the site and incite them to reflect upon how the approach could be useful to their own cities’ context. The session also aims to create a dialogue on alternative methods of development in a global context. It will be jointly organized by ISOCARP and Msheireb Properties. The session will be divided into 3 parts: 1. An introductory onsite presentation will highlight the importance of creating a synthesis between retaining unique traditional features and responding to the contemporary needs of the city; 2. An experiential on-site discussion will delve into details of the project, allowing participants to identify key features of the project in a guided manner; 3. A brainstorming session (20 minutes) will encourage exchange of ideas on how this experience could benefit participants’ respective cities.
