Showing posts with label Megaprojects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Megaprojects. Show all posts
Predatory cities, the book
Rapid urban development and national master planning in Arab Gulf countries
In this article we review past and current master planning efforts in Qatar, highlighting the country’s inability to manage rapid urban development. We will argue that the failure to implement sound urban planning in Qatar – and by extension, in the rest of the Arab Gulf Region – is the result of a detachment between the master planning phase – usually sub-contracted to external consultants that are insensitive to Gulf dynamics – and the implementation phase – usually carried out by incapable and redundant local government agencies – all in absence of a serious discussion of ongoing mega-projects.
Johor Bahru's response to transnational and national influences in the emerging Straits Mega-City Region
A booming economy and a growing concern for sustainable development is driving many cities in the Asia-Pacific region to progressively redefine their social and physical landscape. A new Straits Transnational Urban Region is emerging as a result of two distinct dynamics: (1) the spill-over of Singapore investments into its surrounding region, and (2) the daily transnational travel of workers, visitors and school children from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, into Singapore. At the same time, the city of Johor Bahru is influenced by Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, through political, administrative and government funding structures.
This study compares the linkages and exchanges between Johor Bahru and Singapore with those between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur. It will investigate the prevalent and potential impacts on Johor Bahru brought about by both transnational urbanisation and local forces emanating from the urban hierarchy within the national system.
more...
This study compares the linkages and exchanges between Johor Bahru and Singapore with those between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur. It will investigate the prevalent and potential impacts on Johor Bahru brought about by both transnational urbanisation and local forces emanating from the urban hierarchy within the national system.
more...
Delirious Doha—
A survey of recent projects in Qatar reveals a particular brand of "instant urbanism": while by 2022 more luxury hotels will be opened to cater for Westerns and westernised Arabs who can afford to enjoy exclusive services, issues such as spatial segregation, sustainable urban development, and affordable housing remain unsolved. An op-ed from Doha by Agatino Rizzo.
SWOT and Scenario Planning of Doha, Qatar Downtown Area
Introduction by Agatino Rizzo
Al Asmakh – Al Najada area is the original city heart of Doha. In the last 50 years it has been affected by dramatic urban transformations as result of Qatar rapid, oil-based economic growth.
Starting from the 1960s and during the next three decades increasing oil exploitation revenues enabled the country to embark in a rapid economic and social development program resulting in a dramatic urban expansion of Doha and its surrounding town*. The 1960s public housing policy, the introduction of new building materials enabling modern and denser urban blocks, and the need for public land to locate government functions can be considered among the main drivers for urban changes in Doha.
In 1972 a consortium of British planning firms was hired by Qatar’s government to prepare master plans for the city of Doha and to advise the newly established Ministry of Municipal Affairs. The consultants suggested a dual strategy of de-concentration of population from today’s A ring area - to make space for traffic infrastructures - and reclamation of shallow waters to the North of Doha to provide an exclusive location to government ministries.
Al Asmakh – Al Najada area is the original city heart of Doha. In the last 50 years it has been affected by dramatic urban transformations as result of Qatar rapid, oil-based economic growth.
Starting from the 1960s and during the next three decades increasing oil exploitation revenues enabled the country to embark in a rapid economic and social development program resulting in a dramatic urban expansion of Doha and its surrounding town*. The 1960s public housing policy, the introduction of new building materials enabling modern and denser urban blocks, and the need for public land to locate government functions can be considered among the main drivers for urban changes in Doha.
In 1972 a consortium of British planning firms was hired by Qatar’s government to prepare master plans for the city of Doha and to advise the newly established Ministry of Municipal Affairs. The consultants suggested a dual strategy of de-concentration of population from today’s A ring area - to make space for traffic infrastructures - and reclamation of shallow waters to the North of Doha to provide an exclusive location to government ministries.
PolyQatar (excerpt)
In this booklet we present the results of an ongoing research on the opportunity to implement polycentric, transit-oriented urban development in Qatar.
In the first part of the booklet we show the current urban development scenario in Doha and Qatar while in the second part we highlight problems and opportunities of the current scenario.
In the third part we propose alternative scenarios (i.e. polycentric development) to compensate the current urban problems.
In the fourth and fifth part we introduce the concept of transit oriented development (TOD) and analyse case studies abroad.
Building upon the previous two sections, in part six we highlight TOD factors for success.
In part seven we deploy TOD and polycentric development principles to design a new-town development in Qatar.
In part eight we present our conclusions and recommendations.
Reconstructing Meta-Doha
by Agatino Rizzo
Qatar has recently come to the attention of the media and the international community for its rising geopolitical importance. Despite its limited size, a growing number of international companies are opening regional offices in Doha, Qatar’s capital city, which is in turn reshaping its cityscape with ambitious public funded mega-projects (for the 2022 FIFA world cup, Olympics, etc.). While this mega-project agenda has brought new useful infrastructures to cater for the country’s ambitious goals, at the same time, it has been responsible for important physical and social fractures within the city. However, while on the one hand Doha’s mega-projects contribute to further urban fragmentation in Qatar they also show better connections with other localities worldwide....
read more...
Qatar has recently come to the attention of the media and the international community for its rising geopolitical importance. Despite its limited size, a growing number of international companies are opening regional offices in Doha, Qatar’s capital city, which is in turn reshaping its cityscape with ambitious public funded mega-projects (for the 2022 FIFA world cup, Olympics, etc.). While this mega-project agenda has brought new useful infrastructures to cater for the country’s ambitious goals, at the same time, it has been responsible for important physical and social fractures within the city. However, while on the one hand Doha’s mega-projects contribute to further urban fragmentation in Qatar they also show better connections with other localities worldwide....
read more...
View Meta-Doha in a larger map
Metro Doha
by Agatino Rizzo
Doha, capital city of the Arab emirate of Qatar, has grown from a small, port city to a bustling capital region with global ambitions. Today almost 85% of Qatar’s total population (1.4 out of 1.7 million inhabitants) live in metropolitan Doha, while before 1971 (pre-independence) its total population was 30 times less. Blessed with generous oil and particularly gas reserves, since the 1970s the country has undertaken urban mega-projects and expensive land reclamations which have increased the built up area in the capital region by 60 times. In this article we review Doha’s past and current urban development, highlighting Qatar’s different urban phases. Also, by comparing Doha to Dubai, we investigate the impacts of Qatar’s “mega-projects agenda” on two important government-led developments: Education City and Mshereib Redevelopment.
more...
Doha, capital city of the Arab emirate of Qatar, has grown from a small, port city to a bustling capital region with global ambitions. Today almost 85% of Qatar’s total population (1.4 out of 1.7 million inhabitants) live in metropolitan Doha, while before 1971 (pre-independence) its total population was 30 times less. Blessed with generous oil and particularly gas reserves, since the 1970s the country has undertaken urban mega-projects and expensive land reclamations which have increased the built up area in the capital region by 60 times. In this article we review Doha’s past and current urban development, highlighting Qatar’s different urban phases. Also, by comparing Doha to Dubai, we investigate the impacts of Qatar’s “mega-projects agenda” on two important government-led developments: Education City and Mshereib Redevelopment.
more...
Conceiving transit space in Singapore/Johor
by Agatino Rizzo and John Glasson
Between Singapore and Johor Bahru (JB) about 30,000–50,000 people cross the Johor Strait during weekdays to enjoy better wages in Singapore; vice versa during the weekends Singaporeans enjoy the high purchasing value of the Singaporean dollar over Malaysian goods and entertainment. These cross-border dynamics affect many strata of the local social geography and, therefore, the economic dynamics of this region. Johor–Singapore is indeed a rapidly emerging transnational urban region in Southeast Asia. Recent plans are being implemented in Johor to move up the value chain from the industrial to the knowledge sector.Iskandar Malaysia is a vision which aims to reinvent JB as a centre for leisure, high-tech production and the knowledge industry. But to what extent can urban planning contribute to achieving at least part of such targets is the focus of this article, set in the frame of a wider transnational urban region? With the intensification of planned gated communities, extensive land privatization and increasing infrastructure investment to support a car-based urban development, the risk for JB is to move away from its original, noble purposes. To unfold the transnational urban issues of this region, we propose investigating its transit space. In a comparative manner, in this article we show how problems such as perceived lack of safety, ineffective public transport, splintered urban developments, scarce environmental sustainability and extreme privatization of land and services are all aspects which can be better managed by planning a good transit space. Last but not the least, improving Malaysian transit space will facilitate intercultural dialogue among the different, Malaysian ethnic groups in the spirit of the recent government's motto of ‘1Malaysia’.
more...
Between Singapore and Johor Bahru (JB) about 30,000–50,000 people cross the Johor Strait during weekdays to enjoy better wages in Singapore; vice versa during the weekends Singaporeans enjoy the high purchasing value of the Singaporean dollar over Malaysian goods and entertainment. These cross-border dynamics affect many strata of the local social geography and, therefore, the economic dynamics of this region. Johor–Singapore is indeed a rapidly emerging transnational urban region in Southeast Asia. Recent plans are being implemented in Johor to move up the value chain from the industrial to the knowledge sector.Iskandar Malaysia is a vision which aims to reinvent JB as a centre for leisure, high-tech production and the knowledge industry. But to what extent can urban planning contribute to achieving at least part of such targets is the focus of this article, set in the frame of a wider transnational urban region? With the intensification of planned gated communities, extensive land privatization and increasing infrastructure investment to support a car-based urban development, the risk for JB is to move away from its original, noble purposes. To unfold the transnational urban issues of this region, we propose investigating its transit space. In a comparative manner, in this article we show how problems such as perceived lack of safety, ineffective public transport, splintered urban developments, scarce environmental sustainability and extreme privatization of land and services are all aspects which can be better managed by planning a good transit space. Last but not the least, improving Malaysian transit space will facilitate intercultural dialogue among the different, Malaysian ethnic groups in the spirit of the recent government's motto of ‘1Malaysia’.
more...
Iskandar Malaysia
Since 2006, the Federal Malaysian government has developed the
South-Johor Economic Region as a major corridor for economic
development. A vision, known as Iskandar Malaysia, has been
facilitated through a Comprehensive Development Plan underpinning
strategies to boost the physical and economic development of the Johor
Bahru metropolitan area. The latter borders Singapore; the two cities,
separated by a one km. sea channel, are linked by two bridges. Thousands
of people cross the Johor Straits to enjoy better wages (in Singapore)
and cheap goods (in Malaysia). The paper provides an analysis of the
Iskandar Malaysia Vision. A key message is the need for future plans to
consider both cities, Johor Bahru and Singapore, as part of an emerging
transnational urban region
more...
more...
Beyond Theory@Qatar University - Jassim Telfat/QF-Capital Projects
mr. Jassim Telfat will deliver a
practical lecture on urban planning in the frame of dr. Agatino Rizzo's
course "Overview of Regional and Urban Planning" in the Department of
Architecture and Urban Planning at Qatar University
the 20th of December at 10.00am.
In Beyond Theory: Education City Master Plan mr. Jassim Telfat will discuss recent developments on Education City Campus in Doha. You are invited to the guest lecture which will be held in the College of Engineering, Females Campus, Room 258 (new building, first floor).
In Beyond Theory: Education City Master Plan mr. Jassim Telfat will discuss recent developments on Education City Campus in Doha. You are invited to the guest lecture which will be held in the College of Engineering, Females Campus, Room 258 (new building, first floor).
Emerging Mega-City Regions in Asia (excerpt)
This study will explore linkages and exchanges between Johor Bahru and Singapore in comparison to those between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur. It will investigate prevalent and potential impacts of transnational urbanisation as well as those emanating from the urban hierarchy within the national system on Johor Bahru. It will focus on the exploitation and/or waste of potential economic and social benefits from transnational regional exchanges and globalisation.
Places of Memories
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.
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.
Gateway City
Introduction by Agatino Rizzo
Qatar is characterized by an extreme tendency to urban primacy, that is the concentration of the majority of country's population in one city (the capital city). This tendency has led to, amongst others, a shortage of affordable housing, land value inflation, and localised environmental impacts.
A polycentric approach to urban planning in Qatar could be sought by considering the implementation of a new-town/urban-densification program along the future railway fro Doha-Education City to Bahrain, thus directing growth to interior of the country. Along this railway axis vast government owned land could serve the critical provision of affordable housing which would be directly connected to rail-based commuting transport, thus reducing both Qatar’s CO emissions and traffic congestion in the capital region. New “Food”, “Logistics”, “Energy”, ”Tourist”, and “R&D” cities could be created along this high speed/high capacity transit axis.
From the World Cup to the World Stage (excerpt)
Like all other Gulf nations, Qatar is undergoing a spectacular economic, social and urban change. This multi-faceted metamorphosis is projecting Qatar’s capital city, Doha, to be among the leading global city-regions in the Gulf. At the same time, the current situation in Bahrain and other MEA countries teach us that there is a need to allow local social networks to participate in a country’s global aspirations, thus fostering long-term political stability. In physical terms this means that social infrastructures capable of both valorising local social-capital and propelling knowledge-based economy must be delivered in order to achieve sustainable economic growth. By reviewing and comparing current and future real estate projects in Qatar and abroad, Dr Rizzo proposes a practical framework to help to deliver urban real estate strategies for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Arab world.
• Examining the role of world class social infrastructures in propelling a knowledge-based economy
• Revealing Qatar’s position among the Gulf’s global city-regions and pinpointing urban development milestones for long term success
• Unveiling tools to valorise diversity, creativity and social links for the benefit of local/global economies
Beyond Theory@Qatar University - QNMP
Stanislaw Konstanty will deliver a practical workshop on urban planning in
the frame of dr. Agatino Rizzo's course "Regional and Urban Land Use
Planning" in the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning at Qatar
University.
In Beyond Theory Stanislaw Konstanty will discuss the nw Qatar National Master Plan.
Qatar-based Students, Practitioners and Researchers are invited to the guest lecture which will be held in the College of Engineering, Male Campus.
In Beyond Theory Stanislaw Konstanty will discuss the nw Qatar National Master Plan.
Qatar-based Students, Practitioners and Researchers are invited to the guest lecture which will be held in the College of Engineering, Male Campus.
UTM-FAB Summer course: Planning in Developing Metropolitan Regions
UTM-FAB is organizing a summer course this year as following:
Summer course title: Planning in Developing Metropolitan Regions
Date: 18th - 31st July 2010
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is announcing the UTM2010 Summer School in Urban and Regional Planning "Planning in Developing Metropolitan Regions". It will be held from July 18th till July 31st, 2010 in Johor Bahru, Johore, Malaysia.
The summer school features advanced courses for graduate students and young researchers in the field of urban planning, metropolitan planning, and urban and transnational studies.
It consists of 2 weeks on site workshop with excursions in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Iskandar Malaysia Corridor. One online preparation week will precede the event.
The program aims to equip participants with urban management and planning knowledge to understand the complex metropolitan planning issues in fast developing countries. This will also help them to apply the knowledge in design and project planning of neighborhood or a city.
The summer school is organized by UTM in collaboration with Curtin University. Decisions for admission are made on a case by case and first come first served bases. We have applicants from all over the world. Therefore the earlier you apply the better.
http://utm2010.blogspot.com/
Summer course title: Planning in Developing Metropolitan Regions
Date: 18th - 31st July 2010
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is announcing the UTM2010 Summer School in Urban and Regional Planning "Planning in Developing Metropolitan Regions". It will be held from July 18th till July 31st, 2010 in Johor Bahru, Johore, Malaysia.
The summer school features advanced courses for graduate students and young researchers in the field of urban planning, metropolitan planning, and urban and transnational studies.
It consists of 2 weeks on site workshop with excursions in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Iskandar Malaysia Corridor. One online preparation week will precede the event.
The program aims to equip participants with urban management and planning knowledge to understand the complex metropolitan planning issues in fast developing countries. This will also help them to apply the knowledge in design and project planning of neighborhood or a city.
The summer school is organized by UTM in collaboration with Curtin University. Decisions for admission are made on a case by case and first come first served bases. We have applicants from all over the world. Therefore the earlier you apply the better.
http://utm2010.blogspot.com/
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