International architects Allies and Morrison call for Doha to become more pedestrian-friendly

These are the conclusions made by Tim Makower, partner at Doha-based architects Allies and Morrison, who was speaking at the prestigious Human Habitation conference in London.

'We are witnessing Doha beginning the rebirth of its city centre. But to do this it needs to bring Qatari families back into the city centre and become more pedestrian-friendly,' said Mr Makower.

"The West Bay district of Doha is not very pedestrian-friendly and so it has become a car dominated area. We need to encourage people to spend less time in their cars and more time outside enjoying the city, especially when the weather is cool."

Mr Makower was speaking at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London to a distinguished audience of architects, urban designers and developers at the international conference focussed on the architecture, settlement and urban identity of the Gulf Region .

Mr Makower explained to the audience that the Heart of Doha, the Arup/Edaw master plan being developed by DOHALAND, was an example of how Doha could use design and architecture to make places pedestrian-friendly and attractive to Qatari families.

DOHALAND's focus on architecture and green building development is in alignment with it mission to lead and inspire property development in Qatar, and empower the human potential to grow and flourish. DOHALAND aims to enhance and contribute to the social dynamism, cultural heritage and quality of life in Doha, Qatar.

He told the conference that he admired Beirut's regenerated city centre, known as the 'Solidere' where buildings have been designed to border streets with arcade frontages on the ground floor to create an active street level environment. He also said he favoured tight urban blocks that provide shade and give priority to pedestrians.

'It is important to look at how buildings can work together. Buildings that work in isolation and shout "look at me" do not help to create great cities,' Mr Makower added.

'The Heart of Doha has beautifully designed compact city neighbourhoods, which favour and promote the pedestrian. The richness of the public realm will ensure that people will enjoy walking in the city centre through the day with the architecture designed to keep the streets as cool as possible. People will have the conveniences of modern life. They will have cars but will use them less and less,' said Makower.

'Family homes will be within easy and pleasant walking distance of schools, shops, public spaces, mosques and other cultural activities. Residences are also arranged around a communal courtyard garden in intimate clusters of family homes, which form the nucleus of a new community.'

Mr Makower said he admired the recent refurbishment of the Souk Waqif, which has brought the old souk back to its former glory. Mr Makower added that Heart of Doha would take the process of reflecting Qatari heritage and culture in its architecture a step further by finding a new synthesis between traditional and contemporary design.

Allies and Morrison opened an office in Doha in the summer and over the last three years has developed the 'Architectural Guidelines' for the Heart of Doha, as well as designing several of the phase one buildings. These guidelines include the 'Seven Steps', which are the principles for a new language of Qatari architecture - rooted in the past but looking to the future.

Head of Allies and Morrison's Doha office, Simon Gathercole, explained that the central theme in the Heart of Doha master plan is the reinterpretation of traditional design elements in a new architecture language that authentically reflects Qatari heritage.

Mr Makower compares the Doha of today to Renaissance Italy in the 15th Century.

'In Renaissance Italy they looked for inspiration from Ancient Rome and used some direct references in their architecture. In Doha we're exploring how architecture can work to bridge the gap between twenty-first century design and lessons from the past. We want to form a direct connection between old and new. We do not want to mimic the past, but to reinterpret it.'