Doha : Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, launched Dohaland's signature project yesterday, renaming the ‘Heart of Doha' as ‘Musheireb' in recognition of the historical significance and importance of the area.
The ceremony also witnessed Shaikha Mouzah Bint Nasser Al Misnad, Chairperson of Dohaland, reviving an age-old Qatari tradition by leaving her royal handprint on the cornerstone of the Musheireb project.
The developer of the project announced that the first phase of the small traditional city to be located in the heart of Doha will be completed next year, The project, scheduled to host nearly 30,000 people, will be fully functional by 2016 and cost 20 billion Qatari riyals (Dh20.17 billion),
The inspirational ceremony, which marked the beginning of construction of Phase 1A of the Musheireb project, drew from the rich history of Qatar, encompassing the country's desert, maritime and architectural heritage.
It was attended by about 300 prestigious guests, government dignitaries and renowned figures in the energy, education, real estate, environment and ICT industries.
Shaikha Mozah noted in a television show played during the ceremony that: "Our past clearly reflected that communities in Qatar have always been close-knit. People lived and worked together in harmony with the climate, with the land and with each other. We had our own ways of dealing with our environment which was sustainable and human in scale, and thus, our architecture reflected the unity of our family's identity."
Architecture
Engineer Eisa M. Al Mohannadi, CEO of Dohaland, affirmed that the Musheireb project will recreate the city's architectural scene and will strive to introduce Doha visitors to the city's deep roots and special identity.
Shaikha Mozah's handprint on the cornerstone was symbolic of a time when people inadvertently left their marks on the walls and surfaces of the houses they built, thereby forging an actual physical connection with their dwelling.
The Musheireb project will mark the return of this old link between communities and their environment, where habitations were more than mere structures where people lived — they were backdrops of peoples' aspirations, struggles and achievements.
"Skyscrapers and isolated living compounds are not the communities we aspire to in Doha. We therefore decided to revive our past, rediscover our traditions, and regenerate the communities we have lost in this globalised world. We will do this by combining the spirit and aesthetic of yesterday with the environmentally friendly and sustainable know-how of tomorrow," said Al Mohannadi.
Musheireb aims to revive the old commercial centre of the city. Ultimately, it will form an iconic landmark within the city — a district that is globally recognisable yet provides a comfortable neighbourhood in which to live, work and thrive.
"The Musheireb project will transform the landscape in the city. When you set foot here you will know that this is Qatar, an advanced country that is deeply connected to its roots, with its own identity and aesthetics. Other countries will want to emulate our city, and Musheireb will become the model everyone will seek to replicate," added Al Mohannadi.
The development will contain 226 buildings and will be home to 27,637 residents. It will have around 13,700 parking lots as well as a dedicated tramway, with a combination of commercial and residential properties, retail, cultural and entertainment areas.
— With inputs from Duraid Al Baik,Associate Editor
