Quality of Architecture and Infrastructure
Overall, Qanat Quartier has a large number of positive aspects, connected with eco- and pedestrian friendliness and colorful architectural designs, although some negative aspects still can be noted. First of all, it is important to mark that mentioned quarter was designed using the city of Venice as the basis (Ferwati,
Wadi, Ferwati, Keyvanfar, & Shafaghat, 2019). As a result, the fact that Qanat Quartier’s high residential towers are located near the extensive canal system has various positive and negative impacts on the residents. The constant view of the waterworks as a psychological boost for the resident, and the location itself offers more privacy to the owners of the apartments. However, stagnant water is a source of unpleasant smells, various vermin, and insects. The housing itself is colorfully designed and rich in architectural elements like terraces and connecting bridges, thus offering a varied environment, which has a positive impact on the inhabitants (Ferwati, Wadi, Ferwati, Keyvanfar, & Shafaghat, 2019). The other important parts of this community are the pedestrian-friendly squares and plazas, which many modern cities lack (Ferwati, Wadi, Ferwati, Keyvanfar, & Shafaghat, 2019). That is why Qanat Quartier undoubtedly benefits from the pedestrian-friendly environment since all its residents have sustainable access to every part of the quarter (Yassin, 2018). In addition, most vernacular architecture gives a sense of comfort and safety to a resident (Ferwati, Wadi, Ferwati, Keyvanfar, & Shafaghat, 2019). Although Qanat Quartier has some minor inconveniences, mostly related to canals, it answers the main needs of its residents, being a calm neighborhood with accessible infrastructure.
Local Environment
Although the environment of Qanat Quartier can be assessed as more than acceptable, there is one severe problem – the fact that Pearl Qatar is a human-made island. Which, on the first glaze, may look like a progressive decision, turns out to be quite an impractical move. First of all, most human-made sand islands are slowly sinking, and the process cannot be reversed. Moreover, the proper drainage of canals and their maintenance requires large amounts of money, thus wasting part of the budget that could be spent elsewhere. However, the investments in Qanat Quartier most likely cover these expenses since the housing prices are very high. In addition, the infrastructure of the quarter is designed to provide water taxi functioning, aiming to replace the ordinary transporting vehicles and thus benefitting the local natural environment (Our community: Services, n.d.). Mentioning the prior, it is important to note that the canal system has also enriched maritime life, which has increased in quantity and diversity. Thus, the community is designed to preserve the natural environment and fit ecological standards.
Conclusion
Qanat Quartier is a quarter that was built for rich local and foreign residents, with the expectation of large investments in order to cover the maintenance of the human-made isle of Pearl Qatar and of local canals. The planning of this community intentionally resembles that of Venice and offers a comfortable and smartly planned infrastructure for its residents. It is fair to say that the planners of this quarter intentionally excluded the need to use automobiles within the quarter to provide an eco-friendly environment. Despite all the positive aspects of this community, it encounters a major problem of slow but steady sinking, thus making maintenance expenses higher every year. Including the fact that the number of residents grows not so fast as expected, this may result in severe holes in the authorities’ budget.
References
Ferwati, M.S., Wadi, R.S., Ferwati, O., Keyvanfar, A., & Shafaghat, A. (2019). Emerging factors shaping identity of indigenous urbanism concurrently adopting modernity in Qatar: The application of diffusion theory. ACE: Architecture, City and Environment, 14(42), 8362.
Yassin, H. H. (2018). Livable city: An approach to pedestrianization through tactical urbanism. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 58(1), 251-259.
Our community: Services. (n.d.). Web.