Introduction by Agatino Rizzo
During the last 50 years Doha has experienced dramatic transformations which have led to the creation of new typology of places (the mall, the promenade, the golf course, the croisette, etc.) and the destruction of others (the Majlis, the old souk with annex harbor, etc.).
These transformations have impacted deeply into the life of Qatari and long term Qatar residents. Also, 1964 and 1984 public housing policies have contributed to the displacement of people from the old, dense (some said “overcrowded”) city centre to today Doha’s sprawled suburbs (Al Rayaan, Umn Salil, etc.). It means that once knit extended families living side by side in Doha is today spread over a wide area which we may call Doha Metropolitan Area.
The aim of this final project is to re-trace back impacts of these urban transformations in the everyday lives of people of Doha from a chronological point of view. While on the one hand some would say that lives of Qatari are today much better than before, on the other hand something has been lost during this modernization process such as typical Gulf maritime skyline, places of gatherings, some habits, mobility, relation between interior desert and city, fisherman villages, ways of spending time among members of the extended family and values, ambitions, and expectations of Qatari youth, etc.
In this qualitative research inquiry students of the Research and Statistical Analysis in Planning course of the MUPD will deploy one or more basic skills to collect in-depth cross-sections of Qatar’s transformed society and urban places. Slices of videos, photo albums, interviews, and other documentation can be patch-worked together to provide an in-depth, qualitative understanding of the investigated phenomenon. Results will be presented the 30th of May by using whatever presentation tool e.g. power point, storytelling, video projection, games, and other performances.
Places of Memories
During the last 50 years Doha has experienced dramatic transformations which have led to the creation of new typology of places (the mall, the promenade, the golf course, the croisette, etc.) and the destruction of others (the Majlis, the old souk with annex harbor, etc.).
These transformations have impacted deeply into the life of Qatari and long term Qatar residents. Also, 1964 and 1984 public housing policies have contributed to the displacement of people from the old, dense (some said “overcrowded”) city centre to today Doha’s sprawled suburbs (Al Rayaan, Umn Salil, etc.). It means that once knit extended families living side by side in Doha is today spread over a wide area which we may call Doha Metropolitan Area.
The aim of this final project is to re-trace back impacts of these urban transformations in the everyday lives of people of Doha from a chronological point of view. While on the one hand some would say that lives of Qatari are today much better than before, on the other hand something has been lost during this modernization process such as typical Gulf maritime skyline, places of gatherings, some habits, mobility, relation between interior desert and city, fisherman villages, ways of spending time among members of the extended family and values, ambitions, and expectations of Qatari youth, etc.
In this qualitative research inquiry students of the Research and Statistical Analysis in Planning course of the MUPD will deploy one or more basic skills to collect in-depth cross-sections of Qatar’s transformed society and urban places. Slices of videos, photo albums, interviews, and other documentation can be patch-worked together to provide an in-depth, qualitative understanding of the investigated phenomenon. Results will be presented the 30th of May by using whatever presentation tool e.g. power point, storytelling, video projection, games, and other performances.
Places of Memories
