DOHA: Students of Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) are conducting a qualitative study on Doha’s urban development.
Called “Doha by Design: Urban Planning and Social Space in Doha”, the study analyses Doha’s use of planning and space, and effects of the plans on social interaction.
Renée Gallant, GU-Q’s Associate Director of Outreach and Corporate Engagement, said, “Doha by Design provides a wonderful illustration of the intersection and relevance of the study of culture, economics and politics with the seemingly unrelated industries of urban planning, design and architecture.”
The project, sponsored by Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Undergraduate Research Experience Programme (UREP) grant, is being conducted by student researchers Khadija Mahsud, Nadia Al Khater, Catherine Lechicki and Sana Jamal. Their project mentors are GU-Q political scientist Dr Mark Farha and Georgetown University sociolinguist Dr Patricia O’Connor.
The students assert that there is well-documented quantitative data on urban development, but that no qualitative research exists. This is the information vacuum they seek to fill.
“One of the most valuable experiences from the research process through UREP is making the step into the real world to collect data, being able to test hypotheses and draw conclusions on what we have been able to observe rather than sticking purely to data people have reported in the past,” said Al Khater.
“We had to go through training and learn how to ethically undertake projects involving behavioural research,” added Mahsud. “The actual survey giving experience requires patience and care. We learned how best to formulate surveys and how to approach potential survey takers. The project has also taught me a lot about the city of Doha and urban space in general.”
The students received feedback on their research from planning and design professionals from Lusail Real Estate Development Company, Turner International Middle East, and Allies and Morrison Architects, whose current projects include Lusail City and Msheireb Downtown Doha.
The meeting included a tour of the new LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) dormitories in Education City, and an opportunity for analysis and discussion of the students’ UREP project with some of the world’s leading urban designers.
The Peninsula
