Abstract
In the past decade, Doha has witnessed fast-urban growth, an increased population rate, and an over-reliance on the automobile as the main mode of urban transportation. These factors caused social and environmental problems related to (1) the loss of a compact urban pattern, (2) an increased level of air pollution (3) high traffic congestions and (4) increasing landscape fragmentation. In consideration of such concerns, The State of Qatar invested large funds into the urban landscape development of Doha, as envisioned by Qatar National Vision 2030. As a result, in the past five years various parks and/or green areas, such MIA Park, a major public green space located around the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), were planned and developed within metropolitan Doha. The authors argue that this park is currently facing issues and challenges related to (1) accessibility to/from the neighboring districts, and (2) connectivity to/from the neighboring parks. Therefore, this research study aims at assessing the existing conditions of MIA Park, at considering the broader city context and, at recommending strategies for implementing MIA Park’s green network system. It approached the investigative challenge using a multi-pronged comprehensive methodology, that deployed focus groups, semi-structured interviews and a comprehensive network analysis based on graph theory. The findings, revealed through these hybrid research tactics, allowed the researchers to generate a framework to enhance accessibility and connectivity of MIA Park through a green network system, planned at inter-related neighborhood-scale and city-scale levels. While the research examines most notably a single case, it is advocated that the proposed framework represents not just an optional feature pertaining to the case in Doha, but a valuable reference for the sustainable master planning of future cities in the State of Qatar and across the GCC. The paper proffers numerous key contributions, including the critical exploration of manufactured landscapes in Doha Qatar and the delineation of broadly applicable environmental design strategies to improve the fabric and livability of cities.
Highlights
As the human body grows as one entity shaped by different apparatus & appendages, so to do cities expand as one entity shaped by and incorporating different aspects and components
This study argues that Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park is neither accessible at the neighborhood-scale level nor connected to the large network of green areas, at city-scale level
Based on the insights provided by the literature reviewed, this research study aims at investigating the existing conditions of one of the most significant green urban areas in Doha, namely MIA Park, to better understand the extent to a urban green network can be implemented by addressing challenges related to the park’s (i) accessibility to/from neighboring districts, and (ii) connectivity to/from neighboring green areas
Summary
As the human body grows as one entity shaped by different apparatus & appendages, so to do cities expand as one entity shaped by and incorporating different aspects and components. While accessibility can be defined as the spatial or territorial easiness by which people can reach a desired activity site, connectivity refers to movement among spatially distinct entities such as districts (Furlan et al 2016; Jona 2018; Massicotte and Frenette 2011; Semm and Palang 2010) The insights from this investigation (through the criteria of accessibility and connectivity) will contribute to develop a spatial model of urban green network (defined as the interactions between the nodes), aiming at reducing landscape fragmentation and at enhancing urban green areas’ integration, based on (1) the neighborhood and (2) the city-scale. Based on the insights provided by the literature reviewed, this research study aims at investigating the existing conditions of one of the most significant green urban areas in Doha, namely MIA Park, to better understand the extent to a urban green network can be implemented by addressing challenges related to the park’s (i) accessibility to/from neighboring districts, and (ii) connectivity to/from neighboring green areas. The findings revealed by this investigation will contribute to the development of a novel spatial model, aiming at enhancing the park’s social-ecological capital and reducing landscape fragmentation at both the neighborhood and (ii) the city-scale level (Fig. 3)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
