With the COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in session in the Scottish city of Glasgow, in the United Kingdom, the catastrophic changes taking place around the globe have come into focus of the world leaders and activists. Environment scientists have been warning the world about impending disasters which could devastate every form of life on the face of the earth, the signs of which the universe has started experiencing already in the form of calamitous rains triggering floods and mudslides, scorching droughts, destructive storms, earthquakes etc.
All these problems have brought sustainable living conditions into focus. Sustainable living is a wider term involving provision of clean air and water, renewable energy and thoughtful exploitation of land and other natural resources. With the growth of human population and the industrial revolutions, people were forced to make more and more dwelling places with the associated amenities resulting in the widespread urbanisation. The urbanisation unmindful of the nature and the resulting destruction of environment have led to unprecedented hardships, for which the world is now trying to find a solution.
According to a United Nations report, sustainability is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. And this is what exactly the urban planners the world over are talking about and trying to do.
In this regard, Qatar has come a long way in planning and implementing strategies to make not only its urban areas, but the whole country sustainable without hurting the environment around. Doha has emerged as one of the most inspiring urban development models throughout the world, especially in the Middle East. Recently, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change tweeted that Qatar has the highest number of buildings (1,406) with Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) green building standards.
Addressing the 57th International Society and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) World Planning Congress in Doha, Minister of Municipality H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie said: “We have committed to making all the cities of Qatar, especially Doha, a model for environment- and human-friendly cities through sustainable urban planning.”
Sustainable urban planning involves several aspects such as architecture, engineering, environmental science, material science, law, transportation, technology, economic development, finance and of course government. Coordination between different departments and the guidance under a wise, farsighted leadership is paramount in any sustainable development.
Qatar has been mastering the art of coordination fast and has emerged as leader and model for many breakthrough development with sheer grit and determination. The country has already been building sustainable cities with green buildings, mixed-use developments, greenways, dedicated cycle tracks, vast open spaces and alternative energy sources such as solar and carbon neutral public transport.
