Souq Waqif Neighborhood as a Transit-Oriented Development

Abstract

In a rapidly developing nation such as Qatar, the prime aspect of growth is directed toward delivering social, economic, and environmental coherence in its neighborhood development. Qatar's current fast economic growth and the physical transformation of its built environment compromises social and environmental aspects. However, if applied suitably, these transformations can enhance these compromised aspects while increasing economic prosperity. Such transformations include major urban public transit systems currently under construction for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2030 Qatar National Vision (QNV-2030), which aims to connect the center of Doha to several megaprojects and transit villages around major metro stations. The main goal of projects such as the Doha Metro System is to reduce the number of vehicles on the road networks while providing a “stress-free” transition experience. Therefore, the pursuit of transit-oriented developments (TODs), as part of an integrated transportation and land use strategy, will aid in the revitalization of urban neighborhoods in terms of both social and environmental aspects, while allowing for economic prosperity. The main challenge for urban planners is to design the metro stations and accompanying facilities to be well integrated into the urban context of their surroundings, thus reducing traffic through the design of mixed-use, compact transit villages. This study aims to explore the extent to which the new metro station can be interconnected with the spatial form of the built environment of the Souq Waqif neighborhood. This research study argues that efficient integration of land use with balanced transportation will contribute to creating a more livable environment with reduced automobile dependence while aiding the economic context. The research design includes qualitative data based on theoretical studies to assess the principles of TODs and the extent of further implementations that can be employed for the Souq neighborhood to become a TOD.