Interview: Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Minister of Municipality, on sustainable urban planning
How can municipal regulations and service delivery policies be adapted to accommodate the forecasted rise in housing stock by end-2026?
AL ATTIYAH: The comprehensive urban plan provides an integrated vision to achieve the objectives of Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 through sustainable urban planning, ensuring a quality of life and equitable distribution of services. The urban plans were prepared based on demographic, economic and social studies, and coordinated with infrastructure and road networks to accommodate urban growth while avoiding pressure on critical systems. The plan also introduced 33 tiered urban centres across all municipalities, serving as integrated nodes for housing, work and community services, ensuring easy access via public transport while preserving the national identity.
In what ways can evolving public-private financing regulations and incentive schemes be leveraged to diversify the affordable housing supply?
AL ATTIYAH: A public-private partnership model has been adopted to develop labour housing projects in accordance with modern planning and design standards, along with necessary community services and facilities. These partnerships create new investment opportunities and reduce financial burdens on the government, enhancing the diversity of housing supply.
To what extent can updates to zoning policies and municipal development plans help distribute economic activity beyond the capital, Doha?
AL ATTIYAH: The updates to urban plans are a direct implementation of QNV 2030, focusing on expanding infrastructure and road networks and linking them to housing projects and mixed-use urban centres. These centres combine commercial and residential activities, providing employment and investment opportunities. The plans emphasise the development of waterfronts to enhance tourism, alongside industrial zones. Plans were also prepared for remote areas to ensure the sustainability of local communities. Infrastructure priorities include strengthening public transport and connecting cities to the capital, as well as developing digital infrastructure and implementing smart services, to ensure balanced and sustainable growth.
Which regulatory measures and planning guidelines can help ensure large-scale mixed-use developments maintain affordability and liveability?
AL ATTIYAH: Spatial plans provide a regulatory framework governing urban development and ensuring the integration of large-scale mixed-use projects. The national spatial distribution strategy enables more efficient use of government investment in transport and infrastructure, contributing to reduced congestion, lower carbon emissions and improved quality of life. Strict requirements have also been implemented for reviewing land uses, requiring developers to conduct economic, environmental and social feasibility studies. Additionally, the Qatar Urban Design Compendium has been issued, focusing on enhancing the urban environment and creating vibrant public spaces, which serve as key indicators of global quality of life.
What role should urban planning policies play in encouraging the adoption of smart city technologies in future housing and infrastructure projects?
AL ATTIYAH: Transitioning towards smart cities is no longer optional, but essential. Updates to building codes and urban policies accelerate the adoption of technologies such as building information modelling and artificial intelligence-powered analytics. These tools provide high precision in coordinating service networks and minimising potential conflicts, enhancing project efficiency and enabling accurate forecasting of future needs. They also empower decision-makers to manage resources more effectively and support sustainability objectives in housing and infrastructure development.
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