DOHA: Doha Municipality has stepped up its efforts to combat illegal building partitions and unlicensed structural modifications, in a bid to protect the city’s architectural identity, ensure the safety of its residents, and maintain the overall aesthetic and cultural character of urban neighbourhoods.
Director of the Technical Affairs Department at Doha Municipality Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Harami outlined the central objective of the campaign. Speaking to Qatar TV recently, he explained that the initiative is not only about enforcing regulations but also about preserving the urban fabric of Doha.
“The primary goal of this campaign is to maintain the architectural cohesion and visual identity of our neighbourhoods. Through this initiative, we have specifically targeted illegal partitions and unplanned structural additions, as they pose significant risks to residents. These unauthorised modifications are often carried out with poor technical standards, creating structural vulnerabilities. The ultimate and noble purpose of this campaign is to provide people with a safe and balanced residential environment,” Al-Harami said.
Assistant Director of the Inspection Department Mohammed Sultan Al-Shahwani emphasised that the campaign’s main priority is to curb the subdivision of villas and limit the resulting urban and social hazards. “Our primary objective is to reduce the phenomenon of villa subdivisions, unauthorised additions, and the misuse of family housing for worker accommodation. By doing so, we aim to eliminate structural and safety concerns while also protecting the rights of residents in family neighbourhoods,” he said.
Al-Shahwani further explained the municipality’s inspection methodology. Before launching any field campaign, municipal inspection teams conduct a thorough survey of the target area. “Our teams discreetly identify and document violations in advance without notifying the property owners. After identifying the buildings in violation, legal procedures are prepared, and the campaign is carried out with enforcement measures in place. This systematic approach ensures accuracy and transparency while preventing attempts to conceal violations,” he added.
As part of its latest joint evening campaign, Doha Municipality collaborated with the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and the Ministry of Interior’s Criminal Investigation Department. The operation targeted family residential areas and resulted in the detection of 10 buildings found to violate municipal regulations. These violations included illegal internal partitions and the unauthorised housing of workers in neighbourhoods designated exclusively for families. Officials noted that such collaborative campaigns will continue regularly, with close coordination among all relevant authorities, to ensure compliance with municipal laws and building codes. The Municipality stressed that the initiative goes beyond legal enforcement—it is about protecting the safety of residents, preserving urban harmony, and ensuring that Doha’s rapid urban development continues in an orderly and sustainable manner.
