URBAN FORM AND MOBILITY ANALYSIS IN SUSTAINABLE CITIES: THE CASE OF MARINA DISTRICT, LUSAIL CITY

Abstract

Global urbanization has undergone massive developments in finding the right city standards through various concepts. Middle Eastern cities are no farther away in the era of urbanization as the region is experiencing a tremendous pace of development both in terms of planned urban growth and unplanned urban sprawl. The research explores the literature in transportation systems of cities, sustainable urban mobility and its interrelation with the sprawl and planned developments. The course of urbanization in Qatar is enormous and as a part of the national vision, the ambition is to develop a sustainable city. In consequence, a planned sustainable city of Lusail was built from inception on undeveloped lands to the north of Doha. The research study analyzes the built urban form of Marina District in Lusail City. In the context of the case study area in Marina District, the key categories and parameters adopted in developing the urban form to achieve sustainability standards were analyzed in accordance with the masterplan design and guidelines. However, the vital measure of mobility of Marina District and its impact on the urban environment of Doha is unjustified with the transportation system of the district's masterplan. The study observes that Marina District has sustainable building standards in terms of urban built form whereas the analyzed mobility pattern of the city with respect to Doha weakens the extent of overall sustainability of the district. The research, thus, tries to explore enhancing the transportation system to provide sustainable urban mobility towards Greater Doha. The data collection is based on the city's planning and design guidelines that includes the masterplan from city developers (LREDC) followed by a mobility survey and site observation. The study, in turn, primarily enfolded the importance of urban form and transportation system, and its significant correlation in accordance to achieve better sustainable urban mobility.