Nature of urban interventions in changing the old center of a globalizing Doha

Abstract

Doha, Qatar is continuously positioning itself at the forefront of international urbanism with different qualities of expression in terms of economy, culture, and global outlook, and is characterized by fast-tracked urban development process with large-scale urban interventions in the old center. Although the unprecedented urban growth of this city continues to be a subject of discussion, little attention has been given to investigate the new interventions and the resulting effects they have on the old center. This study aims to examine three important urban interventions, namely, the Museum of Islamic Art, the reconstruction of the traditional market called Souq Waqif, and the Msheireb urban regeneration project. It examines local and global issues, universal standard practices, and traditional knowledge. This study employs a descriptive analysis of these interventions to explore the impact of change in the old center, exemplified by socio-spatial and typo-morphological aspects. Reference is made to a number of empirical studies, including behavioral mapping, GIS population statistics, and analysis of historical maps. Results analytically narrate the reactions of these interventions to the possibility of simultaneously adopting universal practices with local knowledge, and whether prioritizing local influences would represent narrow-mindedness in shaping the city

Research and application of space-time behavior maps: a review

“…This was the earliest behavior map representation using symbolic coding plus floor planning (Table 1). This approach has subsequently been applied in the study of urban plaza spaces (Golicnik 2005;Gharib and Salama 2014;Ngesan and Zubir 2015), kindergarten outdoor spaces (Fernandes and Elali 2008;Raymundo, Kuhnen, and Soares 2010;Smith et al 2014), and urban street spaces (Elsheshtawy 2013). This approach focuses more on the human activities taking place in a specific environment.…”

Place-Centered or Person-Centered? Considerations about the Behavioral Mapping Approach

“…BM can be used as an empirical document in research about social groups (Elsheshtawy, 2013), urban spaces (Gharib & Salama, 2014;Goličnik & Thompson, 2010;Luz & Kuhnen, 2013;Ngesan & Zubir, 2015), child development and school environment (Abbas & Othman, 2010;Azlina & Zulkifl ee, 2012;Ozdemir & Yilmaz, 2008;Raymundo, Kuhnen, & Soares, 2010Smith et al, 2014) and in studies on use of leisure areas in apartment buildings (Latfi , Karim, & Zahari, 2012). The tool can also be used to compile data in order to design proposals for intervention in environments.…”

Integration of Historic Places in New Urban Development: A Case Study of Phitsanulok, Thailand

“…Historic area contributes to the memory of a city, creates urban identity, and forms the modern townscape (Bandarin & Van Oers, 2012;International Council on Monuments and Sites, 2016). However, the historic fabric in townscape worldwide is affected by the development processes led by globalized trend in architecture and planning (see for examples : Zukin, 2009;Wang, 2012;Said et al, 2013;Gharib & Salama, 2014;Kunc et al, 2014;Ptichnikova, 2016). In urban development, particularly in Thailand, historical context is from time to time neglected or perceived as secondary.…”