Researched by: Khaled Tamim Nassar

Publishing Date: 18th June 2012

Documentary Video

Please visit the link below to watch the Documentary of the Research

ABSTRACT

Everybody in the world is overlooking to the” Gulf States
renaissance” which have blossomed at the last three decades. Nevertheless, this
new cities have emerged from many factors and we can consider the most large
basic power of them all is “Labor Power”.
At this project and documentary I have put a spot over the
Accommodations and Urban Life of workers in the old industrial zone in South
East of Doha, Qatar.

The Project is suggesting some basic strategies to enhance the
inhabitant of workers in this part of the city based on the observation and
similar case studies. This process took a place by communicating with workers
and absorbing their needs. As Result, the strategies for urban areas are;
supporting the walkable community/outdoors activities, enhancing the
environment and producing green/clean power. Also, Housing have its strategies
such as; Cleaner resources “Water, Air, Power”, Healthy indoor spaces, Roof
Farming, sustainability of in usage of resources and spaces.

1. SITE: LOCATION AND EVOLUTION

The Industrial Area, located on Salwa Road, 10kms away
from Doha, covers an area of 10.5million square meters. The site divided by a grid
of streets dividing the land into rectangular plots most are built (Factories, Accommodation
& stores) and some are not but occupied from workers as play fields or as
industial waste dump site! The high damaged roads, undeveloped sidewalks and unlighted
streets are playing with many other factors a very negative role over the workers’
health & life.

2. ANALYSIS: LISTING PROBLEMS AND CURRENT CONDITIONS

2.1: Urban Areas

1.     Unmaintained and highly damaged streets

2.     Undeveloped sidewalks

3.     Dusty environment

4.     Industrial waste casing pollution.

5.     No light posts in the streets

6.     Lack of proper signage.

7.     NO zebra crossing or bikes pathways.

8.     Lake of trees and vegetation.

9.     No Proper Parking lots for heavy trucks.

Over all we can conclude that the whole area in neglected from te basic development and maintenance. This casing a very negative and dangerous impact over the residence of workers who are living there. Also, a very polluted atmosphere and land. Moreover, the visitors who come with their cars to the sites are in high potentialof getting lost, having an accident and low security feeling in such place.

2.2: Accommodations

1.      Crowded away of Qatari labor standards.

2.      lose in power (water, electricity).

3.      Poor of natural ventilation.

4.      Poor Insolation of buildings for (Moisture,Heat)

5.      Chaos in façades with laundry and satellite dishes.

3. STRATEGIES

3.1: Urban Areas

1.     Maintain streets

2.     Pedestrian friendly streets and sidewalks.

3.     Zebra crossing at the right places

4.     Proper street signage.

5.     Lighting posts for streets and play field

6.     Green power method to produce power (wind, Solar)

7.     Support playfields in empty lands with recycled seats and lighting posts

8.     Encourage recycling throw opening several recycling factories and engaging the workers with financial rewarding of collecting of the plastic or metal waste.

9.     Soil stabilizing for the sidewalks.

10. Install separated parking lots for the heavy trucks.

11. Encouraging planting streets and watering it from gray water treated at the accommodations and factories.

3.2: Accommodations

1.     Sudden visits from municipality inspectors over the workers Accommodations.

2.     Replace electrical water heater with solar  heating

3.     Gray water filtration system

4.     Encourage home farming watered from gray water treated system

5.     Isolate the sleeping cells well of moisture and heat.

6.     Restudy natural Ventilation

7.     Using the roof for planting vegetation and solar panels

8.     Provide washing machines to reduce the amount of water

9.     Organize a second hand shop corners and market.

All of the strategies above are working as whole to rebalance the society and environment with sustainability which will enhance the living space and neighborhood environment. Also, it will save a lot of power and money in the mid and long term. To do those strategies a serous of action and legislation need to take place from the municipality as well as a good marketing effort towered the accommodation owners to convince them of the financial long-term rewarding over the accommodation strategies and changes they need to make.

 

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