Doha inspiring model of sustainable urban planning in region: Minister

HE the Minister of Municipality Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie said that the Qatari capital, Doha has been able to achieve one of the most inspiring urban development models in the Middle East and even globally, and has also proven with all its sustainable urban planning, flexibility, human-centred development and diversification of the economy, its full readiness for an era after oil.

This came in the minister's speech Monday at the opening of the 57th Conference of the International Organisation of City and Region Planners (ISOCARP) for 2021, which discusses regional and global issues and challenges for planning better cities in the post-Covid era and climate change. HE al-Subaie pointed out that the main theme of the conference, 'Urban Planning Launching: New Times, Better Places, Stronger Communities', was wisely done to inspire city planners around the world to come to Doha and share experiences and ideas to achieve their common goal of a better future for people-friendly cities, calling for new approaches and creative methods of planning in order to find better places for stronger communities.HE the Minister of Municipality noted that this conference is held only one year before Qatar hosts the 2022 World Cup, and considered this an opportunity for the whole world to see the wonderful preparations made by Qatar to host this event, to be a unique experience, especially from the perspective of urban planning, sustainability and quality of life. Pointing out that Qatar, as it has always been accustomed to supporting international organisations working in development and humanitarian affairs, provided additional support to the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) of 50,000 euros, in addition to the main support for hosting of 100,000 euros, in appreciation of the difficult conditions generated by the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.The minister said that Qatar is a hospitable country with a unique history and heritage and Doha is at the top of the list of the safest cities on earth.We have amazing historical, social, cultural, creative, planning and humanitarian experiences that we want you all to experience by being our welcome guests in Doha, he added. The exhibition shows through its pavilions and exhibits how open planning can build better cities and communities.President of ISOCARP Martin Dubbeling delivered a speech at the opening session of the congress in which he stressed the importance of this edition of the conference in Doha and the vitality of the issues that it will address in terms of strategic planning for cities, exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, building friendships, and discussing research and academic projects in this field among all participants, as well as affirm commitment to planning and designing for better cities.For his part, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of 57th ISOCARP Congress, Eng Mubarak al-Nuaimi, stated that every fair observer of urban and planning development in Qatar feels the quantitative and qualitative development that has produced a set of strategies and landmark projects, affirming that Qatar has an integrated future planning vision based on its National Vision 2030, and absorbs the concepts of comprehensive sustainability. In his speech at the opening session of the congress, he noted that Qatar deserves to host this event, as it is witnessing an unprecedented urban and planning renaissance, pointing out that what happened in Doha and other Qatari cities during the last decade deserves pride and to be presented to the whole world through planning professional activities of ISOCARP.He added that the congress interacts with the climate summit currently being held in the Scottish city of Glasgow to discuss the repercussions of climate change, which made it important to ensure that the axes of discussion include the concepts of comprehensive sustainability, healthy and smart cities, raising the quality of life and the importance of resilient cities that resist challenges. He stated that the congress is also distinguished by the invitation of four main lecturers who have global value in the field of urbanisation and planning, in addition to the national lecturer and the Qatari architect, Engineer Ibrahim al-Jaidah.Urban planning has developed in Qatar, such as the city of Msheireb, the beating heart of Doha, the incubator of this congress, the Education City, Aspire Gardens, Lusail City, and the stadiums equipped to receive the FIFA World Cup. Director of the Urban Planning Department EngAbdulla al-Karani at the Ministry of Municipality said that the 57th International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) World Planning Congress 2021, which lasts for several days, is an important event in this area hosted by Qatar, and will have a global resonance in terms of the participation of a distinguished group of global, regional, and local planners.For her part, Eng Amna al-Jaber, director of the conference, said that 350 people from around the world are participating in the conference, including 150 planners who participate remotely. She said that the conference program and its activities are full and rich, and include trips to Al Wakra city, National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), Lusail City, Aspire, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), and Msheireb Properties, noting that it is the first conference that includes holding external workshops in these places.For her part, head of the community outreach team at the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Amna al-Juhani said that the accompanying exhibition reviews developments, strategies and processes that help launch urban planning practices for better cities and local communities.During the opening session, presentations were presented explaining the extent of development, planning and comprehensive urban development witnessed by the various municipalities of the country, which in turn contributes to making Qatar an attractive place and a unique tourist destination.ISOCARP is a global non-governmental association founded in 1965 in an effort to bring together recognised and highly qualified spatial planners in an international network.