URBAN REGENERATION OF OLD DOHA IN QATAR; TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HISTORIC URBAN LANDSCAPE APPROACH

Abstract

This thesis examines the causes and the procedure that has led to the elaboration and implementation of a new conservation tool and adaptive recover of the modern historic cities. The new tool is the Historic Urban Landscape approach. The goal of this thesis is to confirm an improved framework of the conservation and management of the property; this framework follows the international charters of conservation. The thesis is based on the case study approach by applying the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach on the case study of Old Doha, Fareej Al-Najada as a model. The methodology is purely empirical, geared to the individual conditions, and deriving its conclusions from the specific local context it analyses. Also an imperial investigation used a comprehensive fieldwork undertaken through several sites visits, along with a number of informal interviews and discussions with some heritage players. Also Mapping, Measuring, and Visualizing the Urban Landscape. The new approach is developed to deliver a more comprehensive method of the urban heritage conservation; this is due to experiencing the successes and the failures of conservation of heritage in different cities. The new approach is a significant tool for the cities that requires managing their heritage assets; it is the new trend of the urban conservation. This thesis will examine the possible outcomes of the implementation of Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) in the local level based on the guidelines of the national level strategies. The main limitations faced are that this topic is a new topic and there are limited resources raised this topic. The challenge of the historic sites in the old Doha that it is occupied by low income workers, also the sites are facing the rural exodus and urbanization. The consumption and production shift throughout the world has conveyed the cultural resources into the sustainable development plan. This is due to the evolution in different aspects including economic development, population growth and increasing individual’s needs. The gulf has faced problems in terms of adjusting the current needs and changes. Cultural capital plays a significant role in the economic attraction, new business and investments as it is a powerful economic tool.