Integrated Approach for the Improvement of Human Comfort in the Public Realm: The Case of the Corniche, the Linear Urban Link of Doha

Abstract

The Corniche is a public realm located in Doha. Its waterfront palm-fringed boulevard and twin carriageway extends in a horseshoe shape and runs 7 km along the Doha Bay and the city's sea-front. Doha Corniche is indisputably the most attractive part of Doha, studded with exciting green surroundings and remarkable modern architecture. The Corniche was formed during the late 1970s and early 1980s, reshaping Doha’s coastline. The public space used to be an empty walkway, however development has expanded in the 21st century with many skyscrapers being built towards the north of the Corniche. Presently, the Doha Corniche is an appealing designation of the economic boom. Today a rapid development of the built environment of Doha including public urban open spaces is witnessed. Open spaces are functional under the circumstance that they are used by the people; however, the open spaces in Doha are vacant due to the unappealing and uncomfortable physical and non-physical factors, namely during summer. This paper proposes an integrated approach for improvement of human comfort conditions in a public outdoor space all year round with emphasis on the summer season. The objective is to assess the existing condition of Doha Corniche and provide solutions that address the outdoor urban comfort issues. The extent to which physical and non- physical characteristics of Doha Corniche can contribute to enhance human comfort was investigated through structured interviews, surveys, site observations and visual material, such as maps, photographs and drawings. Through the findings, specific parameters, which contribute to the outdoor human comfort in Doha’s public realm, have been identified. Finally, an integrated approach for implementation of human comfort in the Corniche is discussed.