Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani visited the Project of Doha Central and Al Corniche Development yesterday.
During the visit, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior was briefed on the latest developments of the project and the mechanism of its implementation in a manner that goes in line with the regions infrastructure and public transportation, particularly those pertained to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
He also inspected the green areas, gardens and artworks by Qatari artists that were implemented in the project, as well as the restoration work of archaeological areas.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by FIFA President H E Gianni Infantino and a number of Their Excellencies the ministers and senior officials.
Doha Central and Al Corniche Development and Beautification Project aims to humanise the city by making the area vibrant by prioritising the human and the pedestrians, promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the reliance on vehicles, develop public places and plazas in the region, in addition to beautifying the main streets, residential areas and vital centres and preserve the environment.
On this occasion, President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), H E Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, said: “The beautification and humanisation works on Doha Central and Corniche Street aims to transition them into pedestrians and cyclists friendly areas, instead of relying on vehicle transportation. This step is in line with the infrastructure and public transportation means in the area like buses and metros.”
It is worth noting that most of the green areas and parks include many artworks by Qatari artists, in coordination with the Qatar Museums.
“One of the most important goal behind this project is to preserve the Qatari identity despite the rapid urban growth. In addition to integrating the internal pedestrians paths to each other, while also liking them externally with the surrounding areas to create new destinations and restore historical areas,” he added.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, said: “I am pleased to have closely seen these infrastructures, and I am reassured by how prepared Qatar is to host the biggest sporting event on earth. I am sure that the fans will have a wonderful and unique experience here, extending beyond matches, thanks to everything that Qatar has to offer.”
Eng Sara Kafood, Vice-President of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar said that Doha Central and Al Corniche are part of the most important tourists landmarks in the country. Therefore, the committee provided special attention to its development. In turn, the committee was keen to decorate the waterfront with palm-frond lighting poles that are reflective of the Qatari cultural heritage, and implement pedestrian underpasses and plazas to facilitate the movement of people between Al Corniche and the area connected to the underpasses.”
Eng Ali Al Darwish, Head of Doha Highways Section, Highways Projects Department at Ashghal said Doha Central and Al Corniche areas are one of the civilised landmarks in the country. Therefore, applying the full vision will promote Qatar’s cultural and historical heritage and respecting the natural environment of the country. Making it after the implementation an attractive destination for visitors since it is an economic, commercial, and cultural centre.
The development works included the maintenance and planting of various trees and green spaces that aim to increase life quality and enhance the general image of the area, in addition to its contribution in reducing temperature and providing a healthy environment inside residential neighbours and vital gathering areas.
Pedestrian and cycling paths were provided that connect all vital areas in the region, where it facilitates moving from Al Corniche and the area connected to the underpasses, as well as contributes to promoting the importance of sports and the use of alternative transportation means to the personal vehicles. In addition to a 7km jogging track and it connects the path of Al Matar road and Ras Bu Abboud extending to Lusail road.
To add an aesthetic and distinctive touch to Doha Central and Al Corniche, Al Corniche was decorated using 1440 palm-frond designed poles, where the design was chosen to be in line with the palm trees along Al Corniche, and since it reflects the Qatari identity, in addition to providing 655 distinctive lighting poles in Doha Central.
Various artwork within the plazas and underpasses of Al Corniche, Al Bidda, and Al Dafna were implemented in cooperation with Qatar Museums, and with local and global artists.
Four wooden platforms were implemented to create special spaces, connecting past and future in a modern way that simulates the front of Al Corniche waterfront.
The car park can accommodate more than 7,700 cars with underground parking from the city’s side in various places that fit more than 4,500 cars. The waterfront area can take 3,200 cars.
Three pedestrian and cycling paths connect Al Corniche and Al Doha, which are Al Dafna, Al Corniche and Al Bidda. In addition to the implementation of the Museum of Islamic Art pedestrian underpass.
These underpasses promote the movement of pedestrians between Al Corniche and the area connected to the underpasses such as Al Bidda Park, Al Masrah Park, and Hassad Tower, and they connect the pedestrian and cycling paths between Al Corniche and Al Doha city.
