The Impact of “Smart” Transportation and Communication Systems on the Refurbishment of Doha’s Existing Low-Density Neighborhoods

Abstract

Qatar aims to become a sustainable state as envisioned in the Qatar National Vision 2030, endorsed in the quinquennial National Development Strategies and planned for by the Qatar National Master Plan. However, Doha, Qatar’s capital, where ~80% of the population reside, remains a low-density, fractured city. Rapid economic growth for the past two decades has led to unrestrained, extensive urban sprawl with high dependency on private transportation driven by an absence of public transportation services. Consequently, this problematic urban form has resulted in long and frequent commutes for individuals and families, increasing the number of vehicles in circulation, traffic congestion, transportation-related CO2 emissions and additional expenses, among several other environmental, social and economic impacts. Throughout the urban development history of Doha there have been several attempts to remedy these issues, however, none of them have paid the required attention to the most basic unit of urbanism: the neighborhood. The neighborhood is the most rudimentary urban unit, akin to nuclear families in the larger society. Can this basic urban unit become sustainable and livable in Doha, and if so, how? Considering the significance of neighborhoods and the contention that sustainability is not addressed in high-density urban centers, this research hypothesizes that improvements to the neighborhood can improve livability, maximize walkability and better the overall quality of life of a city’s inhabitants, which, in turn, raise a city’s overall environmental and social sustainability profile. To cater to the urban planning status of Doha and forecast future practices and growth trends, the research employs the Delphi method, comparative analysis, behavioral surveying and semi-structured expert interviewing. This study, to conclude, presents a phasic enhancement model for a Qatari neighborhood that aims to mitigate current sustainably and livability issues, and boost and promote elements of urban sustainability and livability.

Date of Award	2019
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Science and Engineering