|
The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP) is working on a comprehensive national construction development plan, according senior officials. |
The MMUP officials were speaking after a meeting with the Central Municipal Council (CMC) over the Qatar the National
Development Plan yesterday
Noora al-Suwaidi, a construction planner at MMUP, said the imbalance between population and construction growth is among the biggest challenges for the country.
“The situation demands an effective management of the real-estate market. Besides, the country is in great need for recruiting skilled workers in various fields, which also adds to the steady population growth. To cope with the situation, MMUP has adopted a comprehensive construction plan, which covers all parts of the country and involves all stakeholders,” she said.
According to the official, the plan has three main components - national development framework, which determines the general framework for land use to maintain sustainable development; municipal space development plan, which entails general standards and conditions for developing each municipality; and the guidelines and strategies of sector development.
Some CMC members called for a time schedule for implementation of the plan. They stressed that the plan focus more on the development of eastern and western parts of the country.
Drawing attention to the ongoing road expansion work in the capital, the members called for urgent measures to tackle traffic jams and their negative impact on environment.
Dr Hussam Ibrahim, a senior construction planner at MMUP, said the plan focuses on the environmental issues and improving the lives of inhabitants. “It is important to maintain adequate green belt on the outskirts of Doha such Wakrah, Umm Salal and Al Daayen as they separate the urban areas from the desert. The belt can also be used to grow crops,” Ibrahim said.
He added: “We need to combine residential, commercial, services and multipurpose areas, where the inhabitants could find stuff for daily needs in a walking distance. This would also decrease vehicles on the roads. Similarly, collective transport solutions such as bus and train services should be incorporated in thye plan to encourage people to use public transport.”
He said the creation of new economic and industrial areas in different parts of the country is an essential part of the plan.
