Doha: Doha Design District, powered by Msheireb Properties, hosted a talk titled "Between Space and Place" as part of its "Design Talks" series, bringing together leading specialists and academics.
According to Qatar News Agency, the talk explored the concept of placemaking, its evolution in Qatar over the years, and the relationship between people, the built environment, and the places they live in and interact with, with a focus on the cultural, social, and environmental factors that contribute to shaping the identity of a place.
HE Deputy CEO of Exhibitions, Public Art and Rubaiya at Qatar Museums (QM), Sheikha Reem Al-Thani, discussed the organic nature of placemaking, explaining that successful places can evolve over time through the interaction between planning, community needs, and the ways people choose to live in and use their surroundings. She highlighted the dynamic nature of communities, noting that neighborhoods often develop organically around the existing communities within them, evolving to accommodate various needs over time.
Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning at Qatar University (QU), Dr. Hameda Yousef Janahi, examined placemaking through the lens of Doha's traditional Fereej neighborhoods and the principles of Arab-Islamic urbanism. She emphasized how traditional urban environments fostered interaction across different segments of society while addressing cultural, social, and environmental requirements.
Dr. Samie Kayani, Sustainable Urbanism Specialist at Earthna, Qatar Foundation (QF), presented several case studies from Earthna, underscoring the importance of understanding places within their broader environmental, cultural, and social context. Kayani emphasized that placemaking is an ongoing process, influenced by evolving perceptions and interactions with the environment.
The event was notable for bringing together specialists from the Ministry of Municipality, QM, QU, and Earthna by QF, fostering a comprehensive discourse on placemaking in Qatar.