Tribune News Network
Doha
There’s a party going on in Lusail, Qatar’s newest city, these days and the Lusail Boulevard is buzzing with life.
CNN in a report described how Lusail transformed from a ‘city from the sand’ to the ‘city of the future’.
Touted as Qatar’s "city of the future,” construction of Lusail began in 2006, long before Qatar was announced as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup – to become home to grand shopping malls, theme parks, a wealth of international restaurants, islands, and two iconic new additions to the Qatar skyline.
CNN described that building a city of sand requires a lot of imagination, which is what Lusail succeeded in being the first sustainable city in Qatar. "The future of infrastructure is unlimited in the Middle East,” says Bryce McDevitt, vice president of Parsons Corporation, which is overseeing construction. "There is a sense of imagination and possibility that doesn’t exist anywhere else. Building a clean-sheet city allows for tailored design of your objectives: sustainability, accessibility and economic equality.”
He adds: "One major advantage of the ‘from the sand’ approach is that when designing and building a city from scratch, we are not fettered by existing infrastructure. Roadways, airports, public transit, landscape, and urban design can all be built with smart sustainability in mind.”
CNN focused in its report on the sustainability of Lusail City.
"There is a tram system designed to reduce the need for cars, and systems to conserve and reuse water – for example, planting native vegetation which will reverse desertification and reduce rain runoff, as well as watering plants with non-potable water. An artificial reef is being built along the Lusail shoreline to encourage marine life to settle,” the report said.
Australian Katie Warner, a mobile travel agent, said that she moved from Doha to Lusail because it is a sustainable city, as the building she lives in contains sustainable systems such as water recycling for gardens, solar panels to heat the building’s water, gas services for all cooking appliances, regulated electrical use and separate recycling.
Warner added that Lusail is full of greenery and contains all the daily needs of groceries, transportation, entertainment, restaurants and cafes.
CNN highlighted the sword-shaped Katara Towers, which includes two luxury hotels: the Fairmont Doha and the all-suite Raffles Doha, Qatar’s first six-star hotel.
Then CNN highlighted the four subtly twisting Lusail Plaza Towers, which seem to morph in height and shape as you approach the city. They’re the work of Foster + Partners, who also designed the Lusail Stadium. Suspended between them is a shimmering metallic sculpture – a great whale-shark, "Al Nehem,” by Italian artist Marco Balich.
Nineteen residential, business and mixed districts make up Lusail, some more developed than others – since the city is still under construction. The stadium and Lusail Plaza Towers are connected by Lusail Boulevard, which regularly plays host to parades and events, from the food festival to the annual Classic Car Show.
Lusail will host the upcoming "Lusail Museum”, which is scheduled to open in 2029, to display oriental art. CNN also described Oryx Island as "the home of entertainment” for its Winter Wonderland park and a number of international restaurants.