This document discusses the concept of smart cities and proposes an alternative vision for Gulf cities, using Qatar as a case study. It argues that current smart city models are too narrow, focusing only on technology and ignoring social factors. An alternative model is proposed that is socio-cultural, promotes public participation, social inclusion, and justice. Recent developments in Qatar are analyzed showing a shift towards more people-oriented and sustainable planning, with mixed-use areas, public transport, and preservation of heritage. The document advocates for Gulf cities to become resilient, equitable, and adapt to post-oil and post-carbon futures through knowledge-based urban development that celebrates culture and empowers citizens.

1. Smart, Resilient or Just Cities
Interrogating the Urbanity of Contemporary
Qatari & Gulf Cities
Ali A. ALRAOUF, Ph.D.
Prof. of Architecture and Urbanism
Adjunct Prof. HBK University
Head of CB, Training & Development
Urban Planning Dept., MME.
Doha, Qatar
alialraouf@gmail.com

2. What is a Smart City?
Semantics
• Sustainable City – Livable City – Digital City -
Healthy City – Green City – Eco City –
Innovative City - Intelligent City …………
On Defining Smart Cities: The
Current Limitations

3. The Concepts of the Smart City
Narrow and limited interpretations
• Confined to Hi Tech ICT support systems.
• Remote –centrally Controlled.
• Sectorial: Water, Energy, transport,…
The Fallacy of Competition: Fired by several rankings, there seems to be
a competition for the title of the "Smartest City".

4. Smart City or Simply “CITY”
• Are smart cities improving the quality of life?
• Does notion of smart city vary over time and
space?
• What are their contradictions or
incompatibilities?
• What city would like to be “Unsmart”?
Interrogating the Concept of the Smart City

5. Challenging the Smart Cities
Concept: Smart? City?
“Cities have the capability of
providing something for
everybody, only because, and
only when, they are created
by everybody.”
Jane Jacobs, The Death
and Life of Great American
Cities

7. A Blurred Smart Future
Welcome to “Second Life”.

8. Do we Live in an Era of Smart Phones and
Stupid People?

9. The Need For Citizen-Led Smart Cities
Citizens engagement framework in forming smart cities (Source: Frost & Sullivan).

10. Towards Stupid Cities
• The Old Market Roundabout.
• Talk, Socialize and Meet People. You are in a Stupid City!!
An Alternative Understanding of Smart City
Leuven, Belgium

11. Digital Holograms
We Are Not a Crime: Spanish Activists Hold First-Ever Hologram Protest

12. Helsinki, Finland.

13. Portland City: Transforming the most antisocial spaces into vibrant places

14. Gulf Cities: The Discovery of Oil
Dammam Oil Well, Saudi Arabia, 1938

15. The Fallacy of the Regional Urban Competition:
More, Bigger, Higher

16. Gulf Cities in Transition
A Post-Carbon Paradigm
A Post-oil Future/City
The Transition to a More Resilient,
Equitable, and Sustainable World.

17. Gulf Cities Context
The Limitations of Smart Cities in the Gulf Region
Masdar City, Abu Dhabi
• Isolated, fragmented and
unfinished eco city failed to keep
its initial promises.
King Abdullah Economic City and
University for Science and Technology
• A gated community with different
values and standerds radically
different from the ones the
country adopts.

18. Contextualizing the City

19. The Narrative of Qatar
Doha’s Unprecedented Urban Development

20. Interrogating the Emerging Urbanity of
Qatar
Main Shifts in Economical Development

21. People Matters in Cities
The word citizen has to do with
cities, and the ideal city is organized
around citizenship -- around
participation in public life.”
Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A
History of Walking
“I am proud of our people in Qatar, both
citizens and expatriates”.
H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani @ UN

22. Knowledge-based Urban Development
A New Paradigm in Planning and Urbanism
The growing importance of knowledge for the competitiveness of cities

23. An Alternative Smart City: Suggested Values
• Socio-cultural – with people in mind
• Behavior change
• Adaptation
• Co-design
• Public participation
• Social inclusion
• Social and spatial justice
Contemporary Doha: An Attempt to
Construct Holistic a Smart City
Planning, Urban Design, Architecture Levels

24. Principles of Positive and Engaging
Future Urbanism in Qatar
 Engaging People.
 Celebrating Cultural Diversity.
 Inclusive Public Spaces.
 Vibrant Streets.
 Promotes a Culture of Walking.
 Catalyst for Nature appreciation and
Environment Protection.
 Inspire and Educate.

25. The Planning Level: From Concept to
Reality: Doha Transformed

26.  Creating Environmentally-
Friendly Urbanism.
 Introducing mixed uses
development and integrated urban
centers.
 Reducing carbon foot print.
 encouraging people to walk.
 Enhancing social life.
 encourage community interaction.
Transit Oriented Development as a base for Qatar Future Urbanism

27. The Future Development of Qatar’s Transport
System
Transportation Master Plan for Qatar
• The Public Transport Network in Greater Doha

28. Urban Centers, TOD and Green Connectivity

31. The Urban Design Level
Qatari Cities from Car-oriented to People-oriented Contexts

32. Multicultural Ethics, Boundaries and Choices
A diversified society in terms of cultural, ethnic, religious, and gender back
grounds must adhere to cultural choices rather than cultural boundaries.
Cultural Diversity as an Asset: The Unique Tapestry of People in Contemporary Qatar

33. Smart Revitalization: Msheireb, Doha

34. SMART FIFA 2022
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & LEGACY
Stadium as a catalyst for development – Supporting sports in needed countries
– Future utilization of FIFA facilities.

35. Smart KBUD: The Case of Education City

36. Doha as a Cultural, Research and Educational Hub
in the Middle East

38. Doha’s Emerging Knowledge-based
Urbanism.

39. Smart Preservation of Architectural and Urban Heritage
Cultural Tourism as a tool for Economic Diversification

40. Paradigm Shift in Heritage Conservation
From Negative to Positive Conservation

42. Towards a Paradigm Shift in Gulf and
Qatari Cities Smart Urbanism
-People-based Architecture, Urbanism and Planning.
-Balanced Approach for Future Resilient Development.
-Not Only Smart but also Just and Resilient.
-Preserving National Heritage and Learning from the Past
Guarantee Smart Future.
Ali A. ALRAOUF