Transit-Oriented Development in West Bay, Business District of Doha, State of Qatar: A Strategy for Enhancing Liveability and Sense of Place
Abstract
Purpose – West Bay, the Business District of Doha, the capital city of the State of Qatar, is facing an urban
regeneration phase due to the construction of the West Bay Central Train Station, a four-storey underground
building hosting the intersection of two metro lines – one long-distance train and one people mover.
The development of the transit village, or transit-oriented development, is raising concerns related to the need
to enhance liveability (as urban quality of life) and sense of place (considering the local cultural identity).
The purpose of this paper is to investigate existing urban elements, such as transit stations, as well as their
impact on the liveability and identity of the place and to define a comprehensive urban regeneration strategy
for the development of the distinctive urban village of West Bay.
Design/methodology/approach – The analysis and data collection were based on the type of data as
tangible aspects which mainly include the physical, and aspects such as diversity, density, connectivity,
transportation systems and public realm. Intangible factors are concluded from close and direct site
observation, semi-structured in-depth interviews, as a face-to-face type of data collection with key persons in
Qatar Rail, the Ministry of the Municipality and public work authorities, where the intangible aspects were
briefed by economic aspects, environmental situation, social pattern and human behaviours. After siting the
base ground of theoretical knowledge and site condition analysis, the authors identified a group of key factors
that respond to the targeted (tangible and intangible) aspects and threats, to propose a design treatment for
the site threats and highlighted issues in addition to a group of recommendations and design strategies
(Charmaz, 2006; Marshall and Rossman, 2010).
Findings – From the data analysis of the site and by revisiting the literature review, a group of
recommendations are formulated. The authors divided the recommendations into two types according to their
method of application. The first is the design approach, where the authors propose integrated design proposals
to tackle and solve the highlighted issues from the findings of site analysis (diversity, density, connectivity in
addition to economic, social and environmental factors). Meanwhile, the second part represents the systematic
recommendations that should be adopted and implemented to enhance the existing situation and form a
guideline for further developments.
Research limitations/implications – This research study could be further expanded to urban planning,
urban design, social development and environmental engineering. Urban design and social development
chiefly focus on the relationship between built and unbuilt forms with an eye to creating healthy, sustainable
communities for current and future generations.
Originality/value – Because issues of social sustainability and urban design have failed to attract suitable
levels of attention from local scholars, gaps have arisen in the research. Accordingly, this research study
investigates the relationship between social sustainability and urban design standards in the State of Qatar
with an eye to translating theoretical knowledge into applicable principles of urban planning. In doing so, it
will help close the gaps in knowledge related to Qatar and GCC countries.
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- Architecture & Urban Planning [293 items ]