Abstract Due to rapid urbanization during the past few decades, Doha has witnessed the disappearance of significant areas of its traditional built environment that were replaced by modern mega real-estate developments, public buildings and projects. More traditional built environments are threatened to be demolished and disappear to pave the way for new projects and developments. Due to their increased land value and strategic locations, the most threatened areas are the ones located in the old city center. There is a need to preserve these environments because they represent an important stage in the development of the country and the history of its people.
1. Introduction This project presents strategies and proposals to preserve and improve one of Doha’s unique traditional built environments. A group of graduate students from the Master of Urban Planning and Design program at Qatar University carried out an indepth study of one of the threatened traditional built environments in Doha as part of Urban Planning Legislation course requirements intrdouced by course instructor Dr. Yasser Mahgoub. The area, known as Old-Mushaireb, located near the under construction Msheireb Downtown Doha and the renovated touristic attraction Souq Waqif, was the residence of many old Qatari families. It has a strategic location in the heart of Doha surrounded by main roads, namely; the A-Ring Road, Wadi Musheireb Street and Abdul Aziz Bin Ahmed Street. It contains large number of traditional houses, historical and modern buildings. The perimeter of the area is occupied by mixed-use buildings constructed after the discovery of oil. The heart of the area contains large number of traditional houses occupied by low income migrant workers. Each house is occupied by a large number of individuals with no adequate hygienic nor living conditions. The narrow streets and old fareejs are in a deteriorated condition lacking proper pavement and sewerage system. Many buildings are either abandoned, deteriorated or neglected with no proper maintenance.
QFARC_14_0163
Preserving and Improving Traditional Built Environments in Doha: The case of Old-Mushaireb area
College of Engineering Department of Architecture& Urban Planning Master of Urban Planning and Design Faculty Member: Dr. Yasser Mahgoub Students: Participating students: Abdullah Al-Qahtani, Amna Al-Jehani, Ayla Shawish, Dalal Harb, Esra Mutlu, Nada Ghanem and Rana Awwad
2. Objectives The aim of this project was to study the area and introduce strategies to preserve and enhance the quality of the built environment that would consequently enhance the human experience and use of space. The goal was to make the area a national and tourist attraction representing a stage in the physical evolution of the built environment in Doha. Another objective was to ensure a quality experience in an attractive heritage place that would respect all age groups using a sustainable approach. The area was surveyed and documented applying urban planning and design methods and practices. The team members analyzed the area and a proposed a preservation and improvement strategy that addresses the following components: 1) historical preservation, 2) safety and security, 3) children, 4) territoriality, 5) senior citizens, 6) walkability and 7) streets and parking. The study provides a model for a comprehensive strategy to improve and preserve traditional built environments that represent important stages of Doha’s urban development.
3. The Site: Location: The Old-Msheireb site is placed within Doha, being centrally located on the western edge of Inner Doha, less than 0.5km south of Doha Bay. The Old-Msheireb has a strategic location in the heart of Doha surrounded buy main key roads, namely; the A Ring Road, Wadi Msheireb Street and Abdul Aziz Bin Ahmed Street. Challenges: The site hosts a considerable amount of Historical Buildings as identified recently by MATAHEF. It has a main metro station which is currently under construction. The site is located close to one of the largest development projects “Msheireb”. It has mixed-use buildings, especially on the parameters of the area under study. The main residence of the area from the un-educated and un-skilled labors. The site is very congested with no proper infrastructure. Most of the buildings are either abandoned or deteriorated and neglected with no proper maintenance. Aims: This is aiming to practice the process of applying legislation that would allow a change to a sustainable and better in a sensitive built environment, considering the social, physical and economic aspects. The objective is to ensure a high quality life experience in an attractive heritage place that would respect all age group demands in a sustainable approach.
Existing Conditions
Proposed Conditions
4. Selected Proposed Strategies: A. Start Historical Preservation: To ensure proper historical preservation of the area, it should be under government protection and control. The aim of the renovation scheme is to conserve and protect the urban fabric of the area. It is not allowed by any means to damage the texture or urban fabric of the area. All areas, spaces and buildings should be recorded and documented. Buildings ages and history should be determined through physical and historical investigations. Assessment of buildings and spaces physical conditions should be determined in order to assess their damages and renovation needs. Complete drawings must be developed for each building that conform to the original condition. Renovating strategies should be developed to renovate deteriorated buildings to their original conditions using same materials and construction techniques. Buildings can have new functions, such as coffee shops, gift shops, restaurants or art studios if the owner allows. B. Improve Safety & Security: To improve the safety and security condition in the area, the following measures should be implemented: (1) Surveillance cameras should be added around metro station, bus station, roads and pathways as highlighted in the proposed plan, (2) Proper signage and way finding system should be developed, (3) A special security plan for each building should be implemented by the building owner / tenant, (4) A small police station and clinic should be provided in the area, (5) Limit access of cars and encourage pedestrian use, (6) Have all streets as one-way direction, (7) Renovate abandoned and destroyed buildings, (8) Increase commercial use of the buildings with a variety of trades distributed in different territories, (9) Enhance the Back-Of-House areas, (10) increase the street lighting level, and (11) Link the core of the area under study with the surrounding main streets. C. Provide Places for Children: To attract children to the area, a Children Creativity Center (CCC) is proposed to be hosted in the left corner of the area. A well facilitated library is proposed to be located in one of the renovated traditional houses. Streets and spaces should be safe for children to walk and play. No vehicular traffic is allowed; only golf carts are allowed in designated paths. Green spaces and children play areas should be provided in fenced areas to protect children from any dangers. Traditional events should be organized including children traditional games and storytelling. Small first aid clinics should be provided in the area. Schools visits should be regularly organized to the area and some classes can be delivered by senior citizens. This area would be a place to appreciate the past heritage and ensure having a new experience today’s generation life so as the generation that is yet to come. The place will offer such a flexibility to learn from the past and enjoy the present D. Provide Places for Senior Citizens: To attract senior citizens to the are, the following strategies are to be implemented: 1) Street crossings for pedestrian to access public spaces should be defined clearly with traffic light, street boards and lighting,2) in addition, waiting areas for senior citizens should be shaded and furnished, 3) Accessibility for available facilities should be enhanced by designing safe and secure entrance to these facilitates, 4) Pedestrian area should be paved and smooth, 5) The area must be well aired and clean, have a green corridor in the middle, and closed garbage cans that is distributed around the area, 6) Restaurants and cafes must have private areas for senior citizens and families, and 7) An information/security booths should be located at both ends of the area to enhance senior citizens’ feeling of safety and security. Finally, it is also important to have attractions such as a park or cultural center to attract senior citizens to the area. E. Improve Walkability: Based on the major findings from the assessment of walkability in the existing condition of the studied area, and in order to encourage and increase walkability, the following strategies are to be implemented: 1) Close streets around heritage buildings and make them for pedestrian only to create a vibrant public realm for people, 2) Improve the condition of the sidewalks and pathways by adding proper pavement, 3) Create a hierarchy network of open spaces (barahat) to maximize the opportunities for meeting, 4) Create a continuous network of pedestrian paths (sikkat), 5) Implement marked crossing in main junctions and improve entry points from/to the area, 6) Implement street furniture, trees and planting, 7) Provide way finding signage system and lighting elements, 8)Improve the neighborhood environmental quality to encourage people to walk, 9)Integrate art into pedestrian spaces, and 10) Improve pedestrian connectivity to public transit systems. 5. Conclusions: The condition of this unique area of Doha is not acceptable neither for the poor workers nor for the unique traditional built environment and houses that are deteriorating rapidly and are on the verge of collapse. There is a need to start preservation projects quickly and keep this unique layer of the history of urban environment in Doha that ensures its historical continuity and sustainability.
Hotel Masjed Historical Buildings Under Construction Metro Station Location of Future Bus Station Relatively New Buildings Old Buildings