The Urban Regeneration of al Nasser street in Doha (Qatar): Enhancing the Spatial Form and User’ Social Interactions

Abstract

Al Nasser Street is one of the most commercially populated streets in Al Mirqab District, in Doha, Qatar. Over the past few years, many commercial developments have overtaken urban spaces, leaving no place for green areas or proper urban furniture—and thus resulting in inhabitance social interactions’ decay, which, in turn, has discouraged the quality of social interactions in the street, thereby affecting the human health and social fabric. This research study investigates the street urban components as well as green areas, considering their influence on inhabitance social and environmental behavior. The study engages with issues of sustainable urban design standards linked to social sustainability of the street. The literature about sustainable development and principles of urban design was reviewed. In addition, site analysis and site observation were conducted in order to explore the street urban characteristics. The findings provide a set of practical and empirical strategies to enhance the current spatial form of Al Nasser Street.