As part of the follow-up of the implementation of development and rehabilitation projects for areas of historical and heritage value in Central Doha, H.E. Eng. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Meer, President of the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’, inspected the progress of work on the development project of Al-Asmakh area –first package in Msheireb area, where the construction work of the project was completed, and the procedures for its delivery began.
During the visit, H.E. the President of ‘Ashghal’ was briefed with a comprehensive explanation of the project's developments and delivery procedures after the completion of construction work. His Excellency directed the necessity of completing delivery work according to the scheduled date during the current year, while adhering to the required quality and standards.
H.E. the President of ‘Ashghal’ stressed that Al-Asmakh Area Development Project – first package embodies the Authority's keenness to achieve a balance between preserving Doha's historical and heritage identity in line with modern development requirements, noting that the project extends over an area of 78,000 square meters, and aims to raise the efficiency of buildings, services and facilities in the area, which includes 73 buildings.
He added: The project's work included implementing an integrated package of development works, which included restoring and rehabilitating existing buildings, reconstructing a number of buildings while preserving their heritage character, developing service buildings, improving facades, in addition to developing infrastructure and redesigning internal streets.
For his part, Eng. Khaled Al Khamis, the project manager, explained that the construction work has been completed, while the project delivery procedures are currently continuing, noting that the development work included re-construction of an integrated infrastructure that includes streets, extensions and various facilities to serve all buildings that have been developed or re-constructed, while preserving their distinctive architectural elements.
Developing and rehabilitating buildings while preserving their heritage
The first package of Al-Asmakh Area Development Project – included the development of 73 buildings, including buildings of historical and heritage value, in addition to reconstructed and service buildings, as well as the implementation of the necessary reinforcement and structural repairs to the preserved buildings. The project included redesigning part of the old hotel building, "Doha Palace", and rehabilitating it again, with the aim of converting it into an old car showroom, which would contribute to repurposing and benefiting from one of the existing buildings, while preserving its value and architectural character.
The works also included renovating and developing the external facades of the buildings, while preserving their architectural and heritage features and returning them to their original form, in parallel with modernizing the electrical and mechanical systems, drainage connections and various building services, to raise their efficiency and meet modern safety and operational requirements.
Improving the urban environment and services
A number of external works have also been implemented, including roads, walkways, sidewalks and signage, to improve the quality of the urban environment and connect buildings to their surrounding areas in an integrated manner.
A number of additional works were also carried out, such as developing the northern facade buildings opposite Souq Waqif and Msheireb, in addition to the eastern facade buildings, which contributes to improving the urban landscape and enhancing the visual interconnection between Al-Asmakh area and its surrounding areas.
As part of the development of services and infrastructure in the region, five new power stations were constructed, along with the construction and development of service buildings and the implementation of related external works.
Preserving buildings of historical value
It is worth noting that the project attaches special importance to preserving buildings of historical and heritage value in Al-Asmakh area, where the necessary structural evaluations of existing buildings are conducted to verify their safety and condition, determine the buildings that will be preserved, and then carry out reinforcement, renovation and rehabilitation works in accordance with quality and safety requirements.
Development and rehabilitation work contributes to preserving the urban and heritage character of the region, while raising the efficiency of buildings, services and facilities and keeping pace with modern usage requirements, which enhances the sustainability of the region and preserves its historical value for future generations.