The World Cup reshaped the urban green space pattern of Qatar

Abstract

The World Cup stands as the most momentous global sporting event, and significantly impacts the urban green space (UGS) of host cities. However, the impacts, processes, and pattern characteristic of the World Cup on UGS have not yet been fully understood. To fill this gap, we employ time-series satellite imagery and compute the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) across detailed maps of UGS in Qatar from 2000 to 2022. In our quantitative assessment, we investigate UGS coverage, landscape patterns, and exposure both before and after the World Cup. Additionally, we compile seven instances of greening in Qatar, and compare them with greening processes in three cities located in neighboring countries. This contextual analysis aims to unravel the nuanced impact of the World Cup on UGS in Qatar. Our results demonstrate: (1) The World Cup emerges as a significant contributor to UGS growth, with UGS expansion accounting for 94.3% of the overall increase in the built-up area during the tournament. This surge in growth is equivalent to an additional area equivalent to 38 Manhattan Central Parks. (2) The World Cup induces a transformation in UGS landscapes, rendering them more complex and fragmented. The degree of change in the landscape index within the built-up area is 35 times greater than those changes observed in the pre-World Cup period. (3) The World Cup brings about a significant enhancement in the minimum level of green exposure for citizens, marking an 8.7-fold increase. This event has proven to be instrumental in propelling Qatar towards multifaceted urban greening, establishing the country as a leading model for regional greening processes. Our study thus confirms the World Cup's role in promoting and reshaping urban green space in Qatar, offering fresh insights into its contribution to urban greening and sustainable urban development.