Tribune News Network
Doha
The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar has announced the commencement of works to instal 1,440 palm-frond designed light poles to decorate the Corniche Road.
These works are expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2022.
Engineer Mohammad Arqoub Al Khaldi, chairman of The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar, said: "The installation works of the light poles have commenced. The light poles are manufactured locally, using local raw materials. The design itself is inspired from palm fronds, which reflect the Qatari identity, thereby decorating the road with the beautiful shape of the palm fronds. This turns the light poles into artwork, which adds an exceptional appearance to Doha’s beachfront.”
About the execution of the works, Engineer Hasan Al Ghanim, acting head of External Highways, stated that the light poles utilise LED bulbs to highlight the beauty of their design during nighttime.
He added that the light poles will be installed along a distance of 10 kilometres on the Corniche Road as they will be distributed in the middle and on the side of the roads stretching from Ras Abou Aboud flyover until the traffic signals adjacent to the Convention halls close to the Sheraton.
In view of the special identity of Doha Corniche and its strategic location in the waterfront that connects eastern coastal regions, the committee decided to provide decorative lighting poles designed exclusively to highlight its identity connected to the local community.
Considering the presence of palm trees along Corniche, Eng Ahmed Al Abdullah, chairman of Board of Directors of Lightning Design Company (LDC), suggested the idea of the palm frond, in cooperation with Eng Ibrahim Al Jaida, CEO of Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), and LDC developed the palm frond design of the lighting units.
The material manufacture and supply are assigned to local firms, including Metalex to supply steel poles and bolts, and Alurays Lighting Technology to supply lightings units to decorate the Corniche Street with the beauty of palm frond.
The clarity of these designs at night was also considered in the design features by providing them with special lighting. These lighting poles will be an artistic work that gives distinct shape to the waterfront of Doha.
The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar works in coordination with several ministries and other entities of the State such as Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Culture and Sports, Qatar Museums Authority, Qatar Railway Company, Private Engineering Bureau, among others.
The committee is responsible for five major tasks - construction of central public parks, provision of dedicated lanes for pedestrians and bicycles, development of the Doha Corniche, development of Central Doha and increasing trees and green areas.
The committee’s work will contribute to enhance sustainability through minimising environmental pollution, reducing emission of CO2 through minimised consumption and conservation of energy resources. It will also focus on provision of more public transport options aiming at reduced use of private cars and improve lifestyle through clean and safe transportation. It will also work for provision of healthy environment within residential neighbourhoods and places of public gatherings through increased afforestation and landscaping, which will greatly help in reducing temperature in cities.