The Important Role of Friday Mosques in Reviving the Urban Identity of Doha, Qatar

Abstract

Qatar is one of the oil countries that has witnessed a paradigm shift in urbanism during the last few decades. Globalization is one of the exogenous forces that influenced the urban transformation of Doha and its identity. This global phenomenon has affected the local environment and its identity. Therefore, cities in Qatar must define their own urban and architectural characteristics. Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 and the Qatar National Development Framework (QNDF) 2032 are some governmental actions to enhance urban identity and social development to improve the built environment. Mosques are an essential element in defining urban identity due to their cultural and functional roles. The aim of this thesis is to highlight the loss of urban identity in Doha, while exploring how mosques can contribute in reinforcing this identity, especially at the micro-level of the city. Furthermore, this research tries to evaluate and analyze the components of urban identity based on qualitative and quantitative methods, through site observations, interviews, and questionnaires. The findings of this thesis show that the contemporary Friday mosques can be a successful paradigm in reviving Qatari urban identity. The thesis highlights some recommendations for urban identity enhancements.