Design Regeneration: Ecological re-mediation, Qatar Perspective
by Rana Al Amawi

Remediation is the cleanup and restoration of a contaminated environment site. Remedial actions remove or isolate contaminants from the environment. These actions are critical in contributing to the recovery of the ecosystem and thus the wildlife habitat (Finger, Church, & Guerard). However, during the last decade, many local environmental support organizations and systems are being established in the State of Qatar. More emphasis towards sustainable approaches, and green designs are being seriously adapted in order to insure a better quality of urban life.

Currently, sewage water disposal in Doha-Qatar is recycled for beneficial objectives as an environmental approach. This TSE-treated sewage effluent however, is being re-used for various purposed. For instance, landscaping, animal fodder farmlands, sand washing plants, and cooling districts that consist of a central cooling unit which distributes cooled TSE in order to cool offices; whereas sufficient TSE is discharged to a significant reservoir known as Abu Nakhla Lagoon (Al-Hamar, 2012). The lagoon is distinguished with being a vibrant ecosystem as it is known for rich vegetation, occupancy by variety of birds, and several animal species. On the other hand, it pumps treated water for adjacent farmlands that supports animal fodder. In fact, Al Rakkiyah Farmlands are believed to be a supporting project for QNFSP- Qatar National Food Security Program that would increase local agricultural production. The program follows QNV- Qatar National Vision2030 in terms of obtaining a sustainable environment and diversified economy through securing energy and water requirements. As Qatar has limited fresh water resources, the program develops sustainable scenarios in order to achieve the national vision. For instance, sea water desalination industrial plants operating via solar energy is anticipating to provide sufficient water resources for agricultural needs. This however, will reduce the demand on natural underground water as it will be acting as reservoirs. Investing in advanced technologies aiming to reduce expenses by generating solar energy of the desalination process is considered as an environmental degradation. Proposals involve building a Solar Park that would generate sufficient energy to the nearby the water desalination plants (QNFSP-Programme, 2011).
On the other hand and in reference to the country’s preparation of the mega sport event, FIFA world Cup 2022, treated waste water can be utilized for irrigation purposes of sport fields, outdoor infrastructure, and landscaping services. As a result, this would support the country’s national vision2030 in terms of creating a sustainable natural environment. Therefore, investing in recycling wastewater, along with renewable energies such as implementing a solar park is believed to form a sustainable approach in terms of a future ecological balance. This however, will contribute in creating a green environment, hydro-carbon independent nation for the future mega event, FIFA 2022 as the bid aimed to develop “Green Qatar 2022” through emphasis on achieving sustainable approaches (FIFA, 2010).
References:
Al-Hamar, Y. (2012, 05 28). Head of Water Management, Ministry of Environment. (R. Amawi, Interviewer)
FIFA. (2010). 2022 FIFA World Cup™ Bid Evaluation Report: Qatar. FIFA Evaluation Group for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup™ bids.
Finger, S. E., Church, E. S., & Guerard, V. P. (n.d.). Potential for Successful Ecological Remediation, Restoration, and Monitoring. Chapter F of Integrated Investigations of Environmental Effects of Historical Mining in the Animas River Watershed, San Juan County, Colorade , 1651.
QNFSP-Programme. (2011). Retrieved 05 15, 2012, from QNFSP- Qatar National Food Security Programme: http://www.qnfsp.gov.qa/programme

Critical reflections on Re-Generation in Qatar and beyond by the
candidates of the Master in Urban Planning and Design Course – Design and
Regeneration taught by Dr. Anna Grichting.

Design Regeneration: Qatar Perspective by Maha Adheir

I would like to highlight on Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s
leading sustainable real estate developer, which won the Award for best Mixed
Use Project at the first Cityscape Qatar. Recently, Msheireb Properties earned
the award for its flagship development Msheireb Downtown Doha. I believe it’s
taking a large step forward generation in Doha, putting in mind Qatar’s history
and historical cultural context.

The development draws inspiration from Vision 2030, based on the
Qatari constitution and guidelines set by the Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad
Bin Khalifa Al Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al Missned to
transform Qatar into a country capable of sustaining its own development by
2030, providing a high standard of living for its people for generations to
come.

As Chairperson of Dohaland, Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al Missned
has initiated the building of a stronger foundation for Qatar through projects
that will ‘enable people and communities to achieve, succeed and flourish’.

Regeneration in an emerging Metropolis such as Doha and in a
fast-growing economy like Qatar will build environments
that support and encourage sustainable, innovative communities, enrich
individual lives, promote environmentally friendly living

and rediscover the heritage and culture that makes a place
unique.

so what is new in design
regeneration from Qatar’s perspective?

I’ve looked at Al Barahat Square, Doha land project, they said
it will act as an urban room for the development, an urbanised version of the
majlis, fostering communication, interaction and integration between different
residential communities. The floor of the square will be ‘carpeted’, clad in
gold paving to recreate the richness and warmth of a traditional interior. The
surrounding building facades draw heavily on the Qatari vernacular, helping
define a new Qatari architectural legacy.

They
will also deal with the most challenging part of the project that is the local
climate. What they will do is that they would engag with nature: sun, wind and
mass.

As
shade is the first priority in comfort cooling, the design incorporates sheer
density with tall narrow streets. The streetscape is very much part of the
mossessian scheme: sculpting the void – carving the space between buildings –
is as important as designing the buildings themselves. Deep roof overhangs and
decorative screens layer the buildings and create shade throughout the year.
The thermal mass of the building envelope is used as a heat sink to balance the
region’s severe temperature fluctuations. This combination of strategies works
together to create an ecosystem that offers a high level of thermal comfort in
an energy efficient and therefore sustainable way.

Indeed,
Dohaland’s Musheireb project is setting a new benchmark for sustainable
architecture in the Gulf region. Dohaland’s distinctive mandate is to develop a
modern downtown that takes cues from Qatari vernacular and urbanism, yet has a
highly contemporary, sustainable approach: the entire scheme is targeting
average LEED Gold certification, making it the world’s first sustainable downtown
regeneration project.

Sources:

Website: http://www.dohaland.com

Design Regeneration: Toward Rediscovering our Hidden Treasures

By : Khaled Tamim Nassar

Urban areas are named over the communities that have developed a kind of complex and dynamic relation between its different sectors. As Today, Gulf States are one of those recognizable examples of such rapid transformation between simple fishing trading societies toward metropolitan mega cities in less than 40 years. Off course, all of us know that the oil and gas discovery where behind this urban and economical super flourishing.But what most of us not really recognizing is this enormous speed  of city expand have come over its’  interest in ;quality, ecology, history and even more in its’ future identity as modern gulf metropolitan cities. For example of those huge cities we have; Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Moreover, Doha will be our example in this article to show how all type of urban regeneration is needed to bring the city back on its past as well as future objectives.Therefor, I will take our Regeneration projects in class to set some examples of how such big difference could be easy to reached and achieved.

Indeed Doha is new emerged city which transformed in less than three decades from an economic, social and urban form to a much complex form of a city. Doha today have financial district called west bay which emerged as we see it today in less than 15 years. In these years the focus was on the infrastructure and iconic looking of “Modern face” of the gulf capital.
Today the “New Yorker city” district with its amazing “Monaco” Cornish finds its urban life away from both cities. Some regeneration of procedures and ideas need to be Generated after a sensitive and carful study which need to take place to make the west bay a vibrate zone of activities as well as it is a National Financial District. One of my colleges have serve the area and came with really interesting study and suggested some solutions would make such a difference.

In contrary we look at the other dark side of the city which is the old industrial area of Doha. The grid type of streets with good well maintained infrastructure, signage and sidewalks will make crowded place like Manhattan be such easy journey and structured flows of Pedestrian and Vehicles moving aside without any problem. Unlike Industrial zone, where it have the highest ratio in Doha in run over accidents because of the damaged streets and undeveloped sidewalks with complete absence of lighting posts. Moreover, the accommodations of thousands of workers full of harsh conditions that already have direct negative impact over the health of the workers. As well as, it does devastate role over the economy and environment and social security of the city. Another Social Revitalization & Physical Reformation study was made by me this time to explore the possibilities and suggested a full package of realistic and economical solution for both Urban and accommodation levels which will take the district to a much higher human approach.

Another three projects seen some historical and ecological sites as hidden treasures need to be regenerate and develop. These sites can and will have the best economical and ecological outcome. At the same time, conserving these sites will bring some awareness to the public of the heritage that we hold.Also, It will show the magnificent Opportunities we miss when we decide to start building from the scratch.