As cities grapple with rapid urbanisation and growing housing needs, the focus is increasingly shifting towards creating urban environments that put people and quality of life at their centre.
In Qatar, urban development and infrastructure expansion are central to the country’s broader development strategy.
The state continues to advance strategic projects to upgrade existing residential areas, develop new communities, expand road networks and enhance public services and facilities in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and its sustainable development objectives.
Qatar marked World Cities Day on October 31, reaffirming its commitment to developing well-balanced cities that improve the efficiency of public facilities and services.
This year’s theme was ‘Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All’, with the global observance taking place in Fuzhou, China. The theme highlighted the importance of urban regeneration to expand access to adequate housing and create more inclusive and climate-resilient neighbourhoods.
Qatar has achieved international recognition for its efforts to promote healthier urban environments, becoming the first country in the world to have all its cities designated as ‘Healthy Cities’ by the World Health Organisation.
Expanding green spaces and making urban environments more people-friendly remain central to Qatar’s development plans.
The country’s green areas have increased tenfold since 2010, alongside continued efforts to establish more parks, recreational facilities and landscaped spaces for residents.
The country is advancing a range of sustainable urban development initiatives, from smart city solutions and AI-powered building permits to expanding green spaces and waste management projects as it seeks to enhance quality of life and build healthier, liveable cities.
These include the initiative to plant 10 million trees to enhance biodiversity, the introduction of smart city solutions and a waste-sorting-at-source project aimed at contributing to the national ‘Qatar Zero Waste’ goal.
The country also launched a project to introduce artificial intelligence-powered building permits, reflecting efforts to harness advanced technologies to improve municipal services and streamline procedures.
Qatari cities are also active participants in the Unesco Global Network of Learning Cities, reflecting the country’s efforts to promote knowledge, education and sustainable development at the urban level.
Among the country’s notable public amenities is the world’s longest air-conditioned walking and running track, located at Rawdat Al Hamama Park. The facility reflects efforts to encourage outdoor activities and promote healthier lifestyles, particularly during warmer months.
Qatar is seeking to combine environmental sustainability, technological innovation and inclusive urban planning to create cities that offer a higher quality of life, while supporting the country’s long-term development ambitions.
