With Qatar’s Northern and Southern parts fast becoming the country’s industrial hubs, the cities of Al Khor and Al Wakra are poised to flourish into ultra-modern and vibrant cities.

The two cities were selected in the early stages of the national master plan, not only out of social, cultural and heritage considerations, but also because of their proximity to Ras Laffan and Mesaieed industrial cities.

A week-long exhibition featuring the master plans proposed for Al Khor and Al Wakra was opened yesterday at Doha Exhibition Centre by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture H E Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Khalifa Al Thani. The plans are the outcome of collaboration between the Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA) and consultants Surbana Urban Planning Group of Singapore.

Sheikh Abdul Rahman, who is also Head of the Steering Committee of the Qatar National Master Plan, said the plans will be implemented without prejudice to any third party and avail land owners the opportunity to develop their properties according to the new land use and zoning plans and standards.

A well thought out redevelopment plan for Al Khor and Al Wakra can alleviate the traffic problems in Doha with Qatar’s total population now reaching 1.5 million, according to UPDA Director-General Ali Abdullah Al Abdullah. “This is a clear sign of the need for expanded infrastructure and public services,” he said at the opening of the exhibition hosted by the Authority. “Our vision is to redevelop Al Khor and Al Wakra into model cities that their residents desire.”

The project is being undertaken in consultation with Al Khor and Al Wakra residents. Representatives of several local authorities are invited to present their visions for cities at meetings to be hosted by UPDA to ensure that the proposed development schemes would offer a higher quality of living and work environment without compromising on the country’s cultural and social values.

The exhibition which is also to be organized both in Al Khor and Al Wakra later, features over 60 presentation panels, mock-ups and a 3D animation developed by UPDA with a view to network with local population, government authorities and investors.

On display are representations of Al Khor Downtown Precincts devoted to various themes such as arts and culture, family, fishing and marina, souq as well as heritage. Al Khor Downtown — ‘The Pearl of the Oasis’ — will be carefully nurtured to form the city’s pearl-white inner core. There will be a vibrant mix of traditional souqs, dining areas, malls, modern office buildings and shopping centres. New civic developments will include a government office complex, public plazas, and an iconic new Arabic arts and cultural centre.

The displays depicting the future development of Al Wakra include the Al Wakra Waterfront Precincts which are devoted to recreational activities, heritage and a family park. Al Wakra Waterfront — a 13km Waterfront Park — is one of the most resplendent waterfront destinations planned for Qatar. Integrated with existing and new areas, Al Wakra Front is poised to be one of the country’s major tourism destinations.

The Al Wakra New Downtown Precincts will feature zones designated specifically for hypermarkets, educational institutions, unique residential enclaves which will cater to executives working within neighboring industrial and commercial zones and festive attractions. Strategically located between the residential developments in the North and industrial towns in the South, Al Wakra Downtown will also serve as a business centre for the 2nd Qatar Economic Zone, the Mesaieed Industrial City and the Doha Port.

The Pen

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