On the occasion of completion of planting more than 300,000 trees within "Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees" campaign to “Plant Million Trees”, launched by the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), on 7th December 2021, the committee participated with Qatar Museums, artists of JEDARIART and a group of kids in planting trees in the Post Office Plaza project.
The event began with a tour around the Post Office Plaza, where 11 artists displayed the artistic murals that they implemented on the walls of a number of different sites of Ashghal projects, as part of the public art initiative JEDARIART launched by Qatar Museums in partnership with the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar and a number of entities Qatar. This was followed by the participation of the artists in planting trees at one of the plaza’s areas.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, joined the attendees and a group of children in planting a number of trees in the plaza, announcing completion of planting 300,000 trees since the beginning of "Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees" campaign that aims to “Plant Million Trees” launched in September 2019.
On this occasion, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, said: “We are pleased to partner with and support the endeavors of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar to preserve environment through the “Qatar beautification and our kids planting trees” campaign to “Plant Million Trees” that contribute in raising awareness of Qatari youth, encouraging them to practically participate in building sustainable environment for them and for future generations.” Her Excellency added, “Ashghal is a close partner of Qatar Museums, through its participation in several initiatives, including JEDARIART, the newly launched public art initiative, which brings life to the city walls based on the concept that public art contributes to stimulate debates on issues of the present, including the environment.”
On his part, Eng. Mohammad Arqoub Al Khaldi, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar said: "Since its launch, Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees campaign has enjoyed huge public turnout and support from many entities, contributing to its impressing success of planting more than 300,000 trees so far." He added: “The committee continues to implement the plantation campaign along its efforts to build parks and increase green spaces across the country in line with the State’s strategy for sustainability and environmental development, which represents the fourth pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030.”
On the other hand, Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Khouri, Director of Public Parks Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) stressed on the importance of transforming dry lands within cities and in residential neighborhoods to green areas, which would contribute to preserving environment, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving the general atmosphere in these areas. He added that the Public Parks Dept is keen on using latest technologies available around the world to make parks in the State of Qatar energy efficient and environmental friendly.
Fine Artist Fatima Al Sharshani said: "I am grateful to the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar for giving me the chance to do my work at Post Office Plaza project. It is also my pride and honor to have my artwork placed for catching view of visitors inside and outside Qatar as it is located beside a busy street in the diplomatic area."
Fine Artist Maryam Al Maadhadi said: "I am very proud to participate in this initiative with the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar and Qatar Museums. We hope to see more such initiatives as we are much honored to be part of beautifying the streets and areas across Qatar."
On the other hand, Mr. Mohammad Al Atiq Al Dosari, a fine artist, expressed delight for the presence of sculpture of the seed of Gum Arabic Tree in the Post Office Plaza. He clarified that the artwork symbolizes human goodwill that grows and transforms through generations, and the sculpture is carefully carved using bronze material ensuring flexibility and durability to gain public attraction, and in line with advanced technology.
Post Office Plaza Project
During the event, Eng. Maryam Al Kuwari, Project Design Manager at the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar, elaborated the Post Office Square project, which the committee has begun implementation from August 2019 to be an entertainment destination serving the residents of the neighborhoods.
Eng. Maryam Al-Kuwari said that the salient feature of the plaza’s design is inspired by Qatari postage stamps, which will create the first impression among the visitor as a spatial and functional extension of the Q-Post building because of its important place in the hearts of the people of Qatar over the past years. The plaza will consist of three interconnected postal stamps forming harmonious lines and open spaces to be used for conducting events and festivals at a distinguished location in the heart of the city near Q-Post building and Doha Corniche, with proximity to Corniche Metro Station.
Eng. Maryam Al-Kuwari added that the project includes 14,400 square metres of open green areas with around 200 trees, with dedicated areas for family leisure and sport areas. The project also includes construction of around 450 metres of jogging tracks, around 500 metres of cycling paths, as well as a walkway.
Eng. Maryam Al-Kuwari also clarified that visitors to Post Office Plaza can use the car parks designated for the post office building adjacent to the plaza. It is noteworthy that the Post Office Plaza Project is a people with special needs friendly project with additional ramps and dedicated parking spaces connected to the plaza.
“Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees” Campaign to “Plant Million Trees”
The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar has launched the campaign on 28 September 2019, in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME). The campaign is in line with the efforts of Qatar for development and environmental sustainability within the fourth pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030 that aims at achieving harmony and integration between economic and social development, protection and preservation of the environment for future generations.
The campaign aims to involve kids of Qatar in planting 1,000,000 trees across the country, primarily to emphasize that protection and preservation of the environment is everyone’s social responsibility. The initiative also aims to increase green areas in the country, improve quality of life at large through environment protection, and improve air quality through minimizing carbon emissions and its negative impacts on climate change. It will also explore best utilization of treated water resource for irrigation, besides improving the general outlook of Qatar.
Since its launch, many governmental and private entities of Qatar have been active in the campaign. Participation of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education is worthwhile as many school students from different levels of education have involved in planting trees in many places and project sites, educating students about the importance of planting trees, nurturing environmental values in them and encouraging them to volunteer for preserving the environment of the State of Qatar.
The campaign welcomes participation of all members of society across all age groups, all public private entities, institutions, youth centers and others.
JEDARIART Public Art Initiative of Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums launched the public art initiative JEDARIART in November 2020, in partnership with the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar, Qatar Rail, Qatar Fuel Company ‘Woqod’ and Fire Station Museum. The initiative aims to revitalize urban areas in Doha, and give meaning to city walls through carefully curated murals and street art. Specific sites are provided to the community members with a tangible sense of the surrounding place, enhance human movement in residential areas and neighborhoods, as it will become a new destination and tourist attraction.
Eighteen Qatari artists and residents of the State of Qatar participated in the initiative by implementing various murals throughout the city to highlight issues of global concern and enrich constructive debate among the public.
Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar
The committee works in coordination with several ministries and other entities of the State such as Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Culture and Sports, Qatar Museums Authority, Qatar Railway Company, Private Engineering Bureau among others. This Committee is responsible for five major tasks including construction of central public parks, provision of dedicated lanes for pedestrians and bicycles, development of the Doha Corniche, development of Central Doha, and increasing trees and green areas.
The Committee’s work will contribute to enhance sustainability through minimizing environmental pollution, reducing emission of CO2 through minimized consumption and conservation of energy resources. It will also focus on provision of more public transport options aiming at reduced use of private cars and improve lifestyle through clean and safe transportation. It will also work for provision of healthy environment within residential neighborhoods and places of public gatherings through increased afforestation and landscaping, which will greatly help in reducing temperature in cities.