Interview: Ali Mohamed Al Ali, CEO, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, on promoting sustainability while establishing contemporary living standards for communities
What innovative technologies will be most effective at reducing the carbon footprint of largescale development projects?
ALI MOHAMED AL ALI: Qatar’s construction and real estate sectors are rapidly aligning with global sustainability initiatives to reduce environmental impact. Strategies include adopting green building standards – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and Global Sustainability Assessment System – to enhance energy efficiency, minimise waste and promote sustainable resource management. Innovative technologies that enable clean energy generation, such as building-integrated photovoltaic cells, are proving transformative. Modular construction methods also reduce material waste and energy consumption by prefabricating components off-site. Additionally, smart grids improve energy distribution, while waste-to-energy systems convert construction and operational waste into useable energy, minimising the carbon footprint of large-scale projects and ensuring short- and long-term sustainability.
In what ways are advanced technologies being integrated into infrastructure development projects in Qatar to enhance future urban planning?
AL ALI: Advanced technologies like smart infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT) are enhancing urban development in Qatar and improving liveability, efficiency and connectivity. For example, IoT sensors monitor and manage essential systems, such as energy consumption, water usage and traffic flow, in real-time. These systems not only support sustainability, but also enable more efficient resource allocation.
AI further optimises urban infrastructure by driving predictive maintenance, addressing issues before they disrupt operations, and improving energy distribution through smart grids that dynamically balance supply and demand. Integration results in seamless connectivity between residents, homes and city services. Additionally, AI integration facilitates real-time traffic management, enhanced mobility and efficient public transport, collectively reducing congestion and improving air quality. These technologies will enable cities to adapt to changing needs for future urban planning. AI can analyse population trends to guide city layouts, while smart infrastructure ensures sustainable resource management.
To what extent can the real estate sector contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage while accommodating modern development needs?
AL ALI: The real estate sector plays a central role in balancing modern urban development with the preservation of history and heritage in Qatar. Projects such as Msheireb Downtown Doha exemplify how traditional Qatari architecture can be harmoniously integrated with contemporary urban planning and technological advancement. Courtyards, souq-inspired retail spaces and traditional materials are seamlessly incorporated into a cityscape featuring green building practices and smart energy systems.
This fusion ensures that Qatar’s cultural fabric is respected while meeting contemporary living standards. By combining heritage-focused design with modern amenities, these projects are fostering a sense of national pride and community connection while also promoting sustainability. For example, traditional architectural elements like wind towers and courtyards – which naturally enhance energy efficiency – align with the global trends of sustainable design. Other examples, such as the Katara Cultural Village in Doha, demonstrate how cultural landmarks and modern infrastructure coexist. By blending Islamic architectural elements with innovative urban design, these projects are attracting locals and international visitors, and preserving cultural identity, while at the same time, embracing progress.
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