The document provides background information on urban planning legislation and development in Doha, Qatar. It discusses key periods in Qatar's history from pre-oil conditions to modernization and globalization. It outlines Qatar's timeline from the 1700s through 2013. It also summarizes two Doha Master Plans from 2005 and 2007 that guided the city's expansion and defined its future urban concept and development.

1. Urban Planning Legislation
MUPD 610
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
ymahgoub@qu.edu.qa
Qatar University
College of Engineering
Department of Architecture and Urban Planning-DAUP

2. Qatar Urban Planning
Experience

3. Urban Planning Legislations In Doha Topics
History and Impact of Legislations
• Periods:
– Pre-oil conditions (vernacular urbanism and architecture)
– Modernization period (evolution and major changes)
– Globalization period (international and regional changes)
– Post-Globalization period
– Sustainability (QSAS/GSAS)
– Master Plans for future development
– 2022 FIFA World Cup … and beyond!

4. Qatar Timeline
1700s - Migrants
establish pearling and
trading settlements
along the coast of
present-day Qatar.
1867 - Conflict with
neighboring Bahrain over
territorial claims; Doha is all
but destroyed.
1871-1913 - Turkish
Ottoman forces establish a
garrison at the emir's invitation.
1916 - Britain controls
Qatar's external affairs in return
for guaranteeing its protection.
1939 - Oil reserves
discovered. Exploitation is
delayed by World War II. Oil
comes to replace pearling and
fishing as main source of
revenue.

5. Qatar Timeline
1950s - Oil
revenues fund the
expansion and
modernization of
Qatar's infrastructure.
1961 - OPEC
1968 - Britain withdraw its
forces from the Gulf.
1971 - Independence
1972 - Sheikh Khalifa
bin Hamad Al Thani

6. Qatar Timeline
1996 - Al-
Jazeera satellite TV
launches, as an
independent channel.
1999 - Municipal
elections, the first
democratic polls since 1971
2001 - Settles long-running
border disputes with Saudi
Arabia and Bahrain.
2002 - War against Iraq.
2003 - Constitution
approved by voters

7. Qatar Timeline
2003 - Prince
Tamim was named
as crown prince by the
emir.
2005 - Constitution
comes into effect
2005 - LNG. Qatar and the
US launch a $14 billion joint
project to build the world's
largest liquefied natural gas
plant.
2007 - LSE. Qatar and
Dubai become the two biggest
shareholders of the London
Stock Exchange
2008 - St Mary's Roman
Catholic Church becomes the
first official Christian church
inaugurated in Qatar.

8. Qatar Timeline
2008 - Saudi
Arabia and Qatar
agree final delineation
of borders.
2009 - Trade ties with
Israel are cut over Gaza
offensive.
2010 - 2022 FIFA World
Cup bid was won.
2013 - Sheik Tamim bin
Hamad Al Thani reins.

9. Qatar Timeline
A chronology of key events
Pre-Oil
• 1700s - Migrants establish pearling and trading settlements along the
coast of present-day Qatar.
• 1867 - Conflict with neighboring Bahrain over territorial claims; Doha is
all but destroyed. Seeds of independence are shown when Britain signs a
treaty which recognizes Qatar as a separate entity, rather than a
dependency of Bahrain.
• 1871-1913 - Turkish Ottoman forces establish a garrison at the emir's
invitation.
• 1916 - Deal signed under which Britain controls Qatar's external affairs
in return for guaranteeing its protection.

10. Qatar Timeline
A chronology of key events
Oil
• 1939 - Oil reserves discovered. Exploitation is delayed by World War II.
Oil comes to replace pearling and fishing as main source of revenue.
• 1950s - Oil revenues fund the expansion and modernization of Qatar's
infrastructure.
• 1961 - Qatar joining OPEC.

11. Qatar Timeline
A chronology of key events
Independence
• 1968 - Britain announces that it will withdraw its forces from the Gulf. Qatar
negotiates with Bahrain and present-day United Arab Emirates on forming a
federation.
• 1971 - Independence - Qatar becomes independent on 3 September.
• 1972 - Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani takes power.
• 1990 August - After Iraq invades Kuwait, Qatar says it will allow foreign
forces on its soil. Qatari troops later take part in the liberation of Kuwait.
• 1995 - Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa takes power.

12. Qatar Timeline
A chronology of key events
• 1996 - Al-Jazeera satellite TV launches, as an independent channel.
Based in Qatar but broadcasting to much of the Arab world, it establishes a
reputation for its news coverage and willingness to tackle controversial
issues.
• 1999 - Municipal elections, the first democratic polls since 1971, mark the
start of a democratization program.
• 2001 March - Qatar settles long-running border disputes with Saudi Arabia
and Bahrain.

13. Qatar Timeline
A chronology of key events
Iraq war
• 2002 - Qatar looms large in US plans for a possible war against Iraq. Its al-
Udeid air base is developed and expanded. Washington says it will deploy
US Central Command staff to Qatar.
• 2003 March-April - Qatar-based US Central Command forward base serves
as the nerve centre in the US-led military campaign in Iraq.
• 2003 April - Voters approve a new constitution, which provides for a 45-
member parliament with 30 elected members and the rest selected by the
emir.

14. Qatar Timeline
A chronology of key events
• 2003 August - The emir names his younger son Prince Tamim as crown
prince.
• 2005 June - Qatar's first written constitution comes into effect, providing for
some democratic reforms.
• 2005 November - Qatar and the US launch a $14 billion joint project to build
the world's largest liquefied natural gas plant. Most of the gas will be
exported to the US.

15. Qatar Timeline
A chronology of key events
• 2007 September - Qatar and Dubai become the two biggest shareholders of
the London Stock Exchange, the world's third largest stock exchange.
• 2008 March - St Mary's Roman Catholic Church becomes the first official
Christian church inaugurated in Qatar. Christians were previously not
permitted to worship openly.
• 2008 December - Saudi Arabia and Qatar agree final delineation of borders
and pledge to boost co-operation after diplomatic relations restored in
March.

16. Qatar Timeline
A chronology of key events
• 2009 January - Qatar cuts trade ties with Israel over Gaza offensive. Was
sole Gulf state to have trade ties with Israel.
• 2010 November - Qatar wins bid to host 2022 FIFA World Cup.
• 2013 July - Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa handover power to Sheik Tamim bin
Hamad Al Thani

17. History of Urbanism in Qatar

18. Doha 1947

24. Doha 1956

25. Doha 1959

26. Doha 1963

27. Doha 1966

28. Doha 1971

29. Doha 1973

30. Doha 1977

31. Doha 1988

32. Doha 1995

33. Doha 2003

34. Doha 2007

35. Doha 2008

36. Doha Data

44. A brief background to planning
in Qatar

45. A brief background to planning in Qatar
• As the country began to develop after the Second World War, the
natural resources of Qatar – chiefly oil and gas as there are no
adequate alternative resources – were seen to be steadily depleting
as they were converted into revenue to the State.
• That revenue was perceived to be of two sorts:
– those which produced funds that were converted into infrastructural development
of one sort or another, and
– those that were transformed into revenue generating assets designed to provide
income in compensation for the steadily depleting resources.
• Because of the complete dependency of the State’s economy on oil
and gas it was considered necessary to extend them in terms of
value and time as far as possible into the future.
• This was a common theme in countries rich in these resources and
concerned about what they perceived to be threats from the West,
leading to the establishing of OPEC in 1960, with Qatar joining in
1961.

46. Urbanity of modernization (1972 – 1984).

48. Qatar Master Plans Timeline
2005 - Llewylin Davis
2007
Pacific Consultants International
(PCI), Japan
2010 – FIFA World Cup
Announcement

49. Urban growth in Doha based on evaluated GIS data. (Source: Wiedmann, Salama and Mirincheva 2014)

50. Current mega-projects in the metropolitan area of Doha (Source: Salama and Wiedmann, 2013)

51. Urbanity of modernization (1972 – 1984).

52. Doha Master Plan, Qatar,
2005

53. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005
• The capital Doha - situated directly at the Persian Gulf on the
eastern border of the peninsula of the state Qatar - is one the fastest
growing cities of the world.
• To study future expansion prospects of the city the Urban Planning
& Development Authority of the city has selected and invited
seven international offices to a competition called "Greater
Doha Master Plan - Area One" in the summer 2005.
• Like all modern coastal cities of the world Doha is dominated by the
magic of the water and gradually starts to explore possibilities to
open up the urban structure to the sea.
• The image of the concentric radiating pattern of the classical
Arabesque, an ornamentic which has its origin in the Islamic art, is
the basic idea for the future urban concept and development.

54. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

55. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005
• Starting from the Corniche, a circular bay in the heart of the city, the
astral formation will expand into the urban city fabric. Astral desert
streams will generate fresh air corridors and define the image of the
city in the desert. The spacious Morning Star Canal will provide the
inner city ring with the beneficial water. The outer plots of the
arabesque will form a technology belt comprising commercial and
industrial areas as well as future research facilities. Through
extensive afforestation a parklike surrounding will enclose and
subdivide this for the future of Doha significant area.

56. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

57. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

58. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

59. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

60. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

61. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

62. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

63. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

64. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

65. Doha Master Plan, Qatar, 2005

66. The Qatar National Master
Plan 2007
• The State of Qatar is experiencing unprecedented growth in its
economy and population driven by increasing gas and oil revenues,
guided by the vision for a thriving economy and a pivotal role in
regional economic, social, and cultural development. Pursuant to
this vision, the Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA)
is undertaking a number of major planning projects, including Qatar
National Master Plan (QNMP).
The Qatar National Master Plan will be a comprehensive master
plan that will guide physical development of Qatar through the year
2032. The Master Plan will cover different planning levels, namely
National, Regional/Municipality, City, and Detailed Areas (Zones),
as well as urban design proposals for selected road segments and
neighborhoods. The Master Plan will include all aspects of
development including transportation, infrastructure, environmental
protection and land uses.

67. The Qatar National Master
Plan 2007
• In the Master Plan, the current demographic statistics and economic
projections will be analyzed to develop project growth scenarios and
to assess cumulative impacts of recent large scale development
projects. These will be a base to propose solutions to and integrated
mitigation measures against negative impacts of traffic,
infrastructure capacity, public service needs and future land uses. A
Transportation Model will be incorporated and utilized for both
macro and micro planning impact analysis and solutions. The
existing master plans for large-scale development, including
Education City, Pearl of the Gulf, Lusail Development, Doha
International Airport, Doha Port, etc. will be integrated into one
master plan for future development, with consideration of the Qatar
Petroleum (QP) Planning Areas of Dukhan, Ras Laffan, and
Messaieed which have independent authority for planning purposes.

68. The Qatar National Master
Plan 2007
• Description of Actual Services Provided:
– Evaluate all current road and public transport proposals
– Recommend an integrated system ranging from low capacity short public
transport routes based on people mover technology such as monorail to the high
capacity longer distance heavy rail technology
– Propose public transport technology that is appropriate to the adjacent land use
plan
– Form a complete public transport system

69. The Qatar National Master
Plan 2007

70. Doha Municipality Historic
Overview

71. Doha Municipality Historic Overview
► The history of municipalities in Qatar goes back to 1963 AD when the
Municipality of Qatar, the oldest municipality in the State, was
established by virtue of law No.11/1963 AD on the organization of the
Municipality of Qatar, it comprised 36 articles. Some of the provisions
of law No.11/1963 were amended by law No.15/1963.
► In the first amendment article, it was stated to replace the title of law
No.11/1963 "Organization of the Municipality of Qatar" by
"Organization of the Doha Municipality ". In accordance with this
article, the name of the Municipality of Qatar was replaced by Doha
Municipality.

72. Doha Municipality Historic Overview
► The first paragraph of article 2 states the creation of Doha Municipality
which shall have a legal personality and be considered as a public
institution. Its goal is to use the best means to develop Doha in
construction and health domains.
► Since its creation, Doha Municipality, with its various departments and
units, has realized many achievements, among which facilitating and
accelerating transactions and consultations related to all municipal
services, through scientific organized planning. The Municipality
supported these plans and programs with legislations and laws to
protect these achievements.
► Doha Municipality is in the capital of Qatar, Doha, and supervises the
city of Doha which borders were determined by law No.16/1988 AD.
Its total area is 121.500.000 m2

73. Doha Municipality Historic Overview
► The city witnessed a great heath and urban revolution and Doha
Municipality made huge efforts, supported by the Municipality and
Urban Planning Ministry, to develop and promote the city and
improved its services allowing Doha to become what it is now.
► Among the most important regions and districts of Doha Municipality:
Al-Badeh, al-Jesra, Mushayreb, al-Najada, al-Ghanem al-Atee, Wadi al-
Sayl, al-Rumayla, Freij Abdul Aziz, New Doha, al-Nerkab, Rawdat al-
Khayl, al-Mansoura, Nejma, Umm Ghowalina, al-Khuleyfat, Ras Bu
Abud, Umm Lakhba, Dahl al-Hamam, Al-Merkhiya, South Khalifa, Freij
Kilb, al-Masila, Freij Ben Omran, al-Sad, al-Dafna, Naeeja, al-Hilal, al-
Thamana, Aniza, and the airport.

74. Doha Municipality Historic Overview
► The competences of Doha Municipality are as follows:
► 1- Suggest new policies, programs, plans, decisions, budgets for the
development and urbanization of the Municipality, and improving its
public facilities, in coordination with specialized departments in the
Ministry.
► 2- Implement general cleanness projects, collect garbage from
buildings and institutions, sweep streets, dispose of garbage, write
contravention tickets for violators, fight pests and rodents, and
organize campaigns in houses, streets, and regions, in accordance with
set plans and technical standards.
► 3- Supervise, maintain, manage gardens and parks and prepare them
for the public according to plans and programs set by the specialized
department at the Ministry.

75. Doha Municipality Historic Overview
► 4- Issue building, maintenance, and demolishment licenses, control
building execution to make sure they are in conformity with plans and
specifications adopted by specialized authorities, issue building
finalization certificates, write contravention tickets for violators, and
correct violations.
► 5- Inspect places were food is exposed, sold, stored, stocked,
transferred, produced, control the implementation of laws, by-laws and
resolutions related to food and their validity to be consumed by
humans, and take legal measures against violators, in accordance with
rules and regulations set by the Food Control Department.
► 6- Issue permits for commercial, industrial, and public shops and
advertisement, billboards, and posters, and inspect these shops to
ensure they are in conformity with laws related to permits and rules
and regulations established by the Commercial Shops and Markets
Department.

76. Doha Municipality Historic Overview
► 7- Supervise cemeteries, and carry out burial procedures.
► 8- Supervise the Municipality's industrial zones, regarding ensuring
cleanness, construction licenses, commercial licenses, and
advertisement licenses; coordinate with specialized government
authorities about public facilities for necessary services.
► 9- Maintain roads, sidewalks, and light poles in cities and villages in
coordination with the Public Work Committee.
► 10- Coordinate with the Administrative and Financial Affairs
Department in the Ministry to complete transactions related to its
employees and workers' affairs.
► 11- Estimate the Municipality budget based on the estimation of
machines, material, and equipments needed to execute its plans, and
spend funds within its annual budget limits.

77. Doha Municipality Historic Overview
► 12- Manage warehouses of Municipality's necessities, equipments, and
supplies.
► 13- Control markets and commercial shops and organize their work
schedule; control peddlers and grant them licenses.
► 14- Transfer neglected and wandering animals and organize their
sheltering in barns.
► 15- Collect Municipal fees and revenues in coordination with the
Administrative and Financial Affairs Department in the Ministry.
► 16- Fight begging in accordance with adopted regulations.
► 17- Suggest the creation of public water closets.

78. Qatar Experience
► CENTRAL MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
► Introduction
► The first municipal council in Qatar was formed in the early 1950s and
it was reorganized in 1956. Doha municipality came into being in May
1963. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs was established in 1972 as a
government body responsible for supervising the functions of
municipalities.
► Decree No 4 for 1963 organized, for the first time, the election and
appointment of the members of the municipal council. Law No 11for
1963 followed. It stipulated that the municipal council is formed by a
decree and that the appointment of the members is based on the
nomination of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture. The
first joint meeting of municipal councils in the country was held in
1983. Most of the credit goes to this meeting in deciding to form a
central municipal council to replace the numerous municipal councils.

85. End