Ashghal launches beautification project that will expand Qatar’s green cover by 240% in two years

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) on Saturday launched an ambitious nation-wide beautification project that will see the country’s green space increase 240 percent by 2022. The launch of the project, officially titled “Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees”, coincided with the opening of the 5,800-square metre Al Abraj Park, which features 130 trees, 240 square metres of area covered with bush 3,530 square metres of lawn area.The project launch and park opening were announced by the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places, which has been formed in line with the vision of the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani and in accordance with the directives of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa al Thani.Al Abraj Park opening was attended by Ashghal President Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar Chairman Eng. Mohammed Arqoub Al Khalidi, Director of Doha Municipality Eng. Jamal Matar Al Nuaimi, Director of Public Parks Department at MME Mohamed Ali al-Khouri, Member of Central Municipal Council (First Constituency) Jassem bin Najem Ali Al Khulaifi, Deputy Manager of Ahmed Mansour Primary School for Boys Faisal Youssef Bahzad and Secretary of the Committee Eng. Amna Al Badr.In this regard, H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, President of Ashghal pointed out that in line with the vision of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, to preserve the environment for future generations and increase green areas, and in accordance with the directives of H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior to form The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar, many development works will be carried out where the main roles include building an integrated and safe network of pedestrian and cycle paths, planting trees, increasing green spaces, Doha beautification, and developing the Corniche. He also mentioned that some other areas will be converted to green areas, such as power stations. This is in addition to the implementation of an initiative aimed at involving Qatari artists and allocating a place for them within the city of Doha to display their work, in cooperation with the Qatar Museums, The Ministry of Sports and Cultureand the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.H.E. Ashghal President emphasized that the “Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees Campaign, aims to raise awareness about importance of planting trees and to instill environmental values in school students in different education stages and to emphasise that preservation of environment is everyone’s duty. Ashghal President participated with30 students, from Ahmed Mansour Elementary Boys School,to plant 25 trees, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Coordination is underway with many other entities in the country to participate in the campaign.Eng. Mohammed Arqoub Al Khalidi, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar, stated that one of the most important objectives of the Committee is to rehabilitate many areas to be environmentally, pedestrians and cyclists friendly according to Qatar Vision 2030, thus contributing to the creation of a vibrant and healthy culture that supports the use of bicycles and walking to workplaces, and to shopping and entertainment areas as well as contributing to the increase of a healthier lifestyle and exercise. Opening of Al Abrajtoday is a new step towards achieving the objectives of the Committee. The park is located in Onaiza area, which includes many administrative and government buildings as well as commercial establishments on Majlis Al Taawon Street. This will provide the area's visitors, especially employees and business owners a breathing space to take a break in a healthy green area away from the busy daily schedule and closed offices. Specially that the park is easily accessible since it is located among the towers, which will encourage the people working or visiting this area to pass through it during their day, without the need to use the car.Al Khalidi added that work is under way in coordination with many other entities and stakeholders to reduce obstacles and potential problems, and toensure that the projects are being implemented according to planned schedule. Eng. Jamal Matar Al Nuaimi, Director of Doha Municipality,expressed his happiness at launching the campaign and opening the park, pointing out that the sustainable strategy of the municipalities focuses on improving the quality of life and the importance of health and sports, thus work towards preserving the environment to achieve Qatar Vision 2030.Mr. Mohamed Ali al-Khouri, Director of Public Parks Department at MME,emphasised the importance of expanding the work of beautification, landscaping and planting trees to keep pace with the expansion of the urban development witnessed in Qatar, adding that a number of lands have already been allocated for building parks in various areas of the country. He also praisedAshghal's efforts in considering planting trees in all new road projects, which will contribute to increasing the number of trees and thus contribute to reducing carbon emissions. He explained that the role of the Department focuses on reviewing designs and selecting the types of plants that suit the nature of the Qatari environment taking into account Water consumption and future maintenance.Mr. Jassem bin Najem Ali Al Khulaifi, Member of Central Municipal Council - first Constituency,explained that Qatar prioritise the protection of the environment, and that the opening of the park is a breather for the people of Doha in general and for the employees in the West Bay region in particular. For their efforts to implement the park in record time and its opening to the public. He also thanked Ashghal andThe Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar, for the effort done to build the park and open it to public in record time. Mr. Faisal Youssef Bahzad, Deputy Manager of Ahmed Mansour Primary School for Boys,expressed his happiness for choosing the school to launch the tree planting campaign, praising the efforts of all concerned authorities to instill the values of planting trees in the school students and developing their abilities to reject bad environmental habits and behavior, and to create ethical values based on environmentrespect. He pointed out that these efforts fall within the protection of the environment and are the fourth pillar in the Qatar National Vision 2030.Eng. Amna Al-Bader, Secretary General of the Committee, said that the work of the Committee will encourage the change in the public lifestyle and will provide healthy alternatives to commuting and reaching the designated destinations through pedestrian and cycle paths especially that these paths will intersect with the metro network and other means of transport.Al Abraj ParkThe design of Al AbrajParkcame in the form of a dew drop and streamlined details, also the center of the park is made with distinctive design to include the central seating area where the rest of the park components are surrounding it such as the pedestrian and cycle paths.The park's facilities offer a variety of activities, including a green central events area, an exercise area and a walking track built made with recycled rubber and Qatari local materials.The Park also includes a cafeteria building, toilets, tree-shaded seats and wooden pergolas.The park covers 5,800 square meters and include 130 trees, the Bushes cover about 240 square meters while the grass covers about 3,500 square meters of garden area. The Park include different and distinctive types oftrees. The main works at the Park is completed and some Minor works are currently being done.The main role of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in QatarIt is worth mentioning that the increase in urban growth, which is followed by the continuous growth in the number of cars as a mean of transportation and access to daily destinations, increased the need for developing sustainable and environmental friendly services that improve lifestyle. In order to achieve a balance between the movement of cars, pedestrians and cyclists and reduce accidents and traffic congestion within the city, the Committee is taking positive steps to provide a network of safe and shaded paths for pedestrians and cyclists within the existing roads and streets.