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For commuters stepping out of an air-conditioned Metro station into Qatar’s summer heat, the most difficult part of the journey can sometimes be the shortest: the final few hundred metres on foot. As Doha expands its public transport, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, Qatar’s intense summer climate is placing greater focus on how routes connecting Metro stations, bus stops and other transport hubs to people’s destinations can be made more comfortable and accessible. The issue is already recognised in Qatar’s official planning framework. The Doha Municipality Vision and Development Strategy, developed under the Qatar National Master Plan, calls for a “network of shaded routes” connecting key facilities and transit stops to enhance thermal comfort for pedestrians and cyclists. The policy highlights an increasingly important consideration for cities in hot climates: shade is not simply an amenity or architectural feature, but an important part of making streets and public spaces more usable during periods of intense heat. For Qatar residents, the difference between shaded and exposed routes becomes particularly noticeable during summer, when daily routines often shift indoors or towards the cooler hours of early morning and evening. “Shaded areas help a lot during summer. But sometimes we have to wait several minutes for buses, so I hope more will be built for commuters,” Doha resident Ramil R told Gulf Times, adding that tall buildings and the canopy of trees also provide useful protection from direct sunlight. A frequent Metro commuter, he finds public transport practical, particularly as stations provide welcome relief from the heat. Online discussions and expatriate guides also frequently advise residents to use the Doha Metro and covered walkways during summer to minimise prolonged exposure to the sun. Discussions about daily commuting similarly highlight the extent to which everyday movement in Qatar relies on transitions between air-conditioned cars, Metro stations, buses and buildings. “Getting around Doha by public transport at this time of year can be challenging for many, but I think it is always better to plan ahead before leaving the house,” said Aristotle, another Doha resident who enjoys going out with his classmates during summer. A passenger, for example, may travel comfortably across Doha on the Metro only to face an exposed walk between the station exit and an office, home, shop or other destination. This final stretch presents a challenge for public transport in a hot-climate city. “We visit and hop from one mall to another via the Doha Metro, and it’s fun, and we don’t have to wait for the cold months to do this,” Aristotle said. “There are several ways to avoid direct sunlight, and I think being exposed for a few minutes is manageable.” Qatar’s planning framework has long recognised the importance of connecting public transport with pedestrian-friendly routes. A similar policy to Doha’s appears in the Al Rayyan and Al Shahhaniya Municipality Vision and Development Strategy, which also calls for shaded routes linking key facilities and transit stops. Several developments across Qatar demonstrate different approaches to addressing outdoor thermal comfort. At Msheireb Downtown Doha, climate-responsive design is integrated into the masterplan. According to Msheireb Properties, buildings and streets were designed to increase shading, reduce direct solar exposure and incorporate principles drawn from traditional Qatari architecture. Rather than treating individual buildings in isolation, the district uses the relationship between buildings, streets and public spaces to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment while providing greater protection from the sun. At Ras Bufontas Free Zone, Qatar Free Zones Authority has also incorporated climate-responsive features into pedestrian planning. The authority says pedestrian and cycling networks connect key facilities, while ample shading and specific street orientations help improve airflow and outdoor thermal comfort. Other locations have gone further by introducing mechanical cooling. At Al Gharrafa Park, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) installed an integrated cooling and air-conditioning system serving pedestrian and jogging tracks. According to Ashghal, the system is designed to maintain temperatures along the tracks at around 26C to 28C, with trees and climbing plants helping to retain cooler air. Similar temperature-controlled outdoor facilities have provided residents with more opportunities to remain physically active during the hottest months. A 2025 Xinhua report on Qatar’s adaptation to extreme summer heat highlighted the use of cooled and shaded outdoor walking facilities at Umm Al Seneem Park, where residents were able to exercise outdoors despite high temperatures. Other destinations across Qatar also offer cooled, air-conditioned or climate-controlled outdoor spaces where residents and visitors can stroll more comfortably during the summer, even during the daytime. This includes Oxygen Park at Education City, Souq Waqif’s Eastern Square, Centro at Rawdat Al Hamama, Crystal Walk at Gewan Island (Qatar’s longest climatised outdoor pedestrian walkway), 21 High St at Katara, Al Hazm Mall and West Walk in Al Waab. 

Doha Municipality's Health Control Section has carried out an sudden inspection campaign on restaurants and cafés in Gewan Island as the location sees a large turnout of families and visitors.The campaign aimed to ensure that food establishments comply with health requirements and standard specifications. The inspection tours included monitoring workers’ personal hygiene practices, cleaning and sterilisation plans for equipment, tools, and surfaces, as well as waste management and proper disposal methods.In addition, establishment managers were educated on the importance of involving workers in specialised training programmes on food safety and hygiene rules, to which the Ministry of Municipality gives top priority and implements systematically through workshops delivered by experts.

The Ministry of Municipality is cracking down on partitioning of villas and seek to mitigate damages by carrying out checks, an official said. “The primary objective of the field inspections is to combat the phenomenon of partitioning, to limit it and to mitigate the damages,” Doha Municipality's Control Department assistant director Mohamed Sultan al-Shahwani told Qatar TV in a recent interview. “We seek to eliminate the phenomenon of partitioning villas, adhere to municipal requirements and eliminate the phenomenon of workers living among families,” he said. The official explained that before the inspection campaign departs, the selected area for the campaign is surveyed and the violating properties are identified. “The campaign then sets out to take action regarding the violations and issue reports,” he said. Ibrahim Abdullah al-Harmi, director of the Technical Affairs Department at Doha Municipality, during the interview, said that the campaign's primary objective is to preserve the urban fabric of the area, target areas in violation and protect residents from structural damage resulting from the phenomenon of villa subdivisions. Authorities have so far warned against illegally partitioning residential units citing that any such practice would draw certain fines and action. Partitioning the residential units without permission is illegal and causes danger to the occupants. As per the law, partitioning should be carried out legally while following the rules.