The Urban Planning & Development Authority (UPDA) announces the completion of the re-zoning project for Fereej Kulaib (Zone 35) and Fereej Bin Omran (Zone 37). Permitted land uses will be changed from residential villas to residential apartment buildings. The land use alteration was announced on Monday, June 23, 2008 by Eng. Mr. Mohammed Abdul Qader Abu Erhama, Director of Planning of the UPDA, during the press conference held in UPDA premises in the presence of Mr. Ali Ahmed Al-Shamlan, Head of Local Planning Section within the Planning Department.
Mr. Abu Erhama announced that permitted land uses for Fereej Kulaib will be changed from single family residential (G+1+P) to residential apartment buildings (G+2). For land uses in Fereej Bin Omran, which currently allows single family residential (G+1+P), new uses will include residential apartment buildings (G+2) and (G+3).
Mr. Abu Erhama remarked that the re-zoning was conducted in light of significant studies, including the Qatar National Master Plan (QNMP), which will study and recommend future land uses and zoning for future urban development in the next 25 years.
Mr. Abu Erhama further remarked that in anticipation of the final release of the Qatar National Master Plan output, the Planning Department of UPDA has adopted a flexible approach to conducting studies. Consideration is given to the rapidly changing conditions and addressing the impacts of urban development projects. Impacts considered include addressing the shortage of residential apartment buildings in Greater Doha, coordinating with the concerned service departments in designing and implementing future infrastructure networks and ensuring adequate community services that meet the needs of the residential areas.
Mr. Abu Erhama further added that UPDA planning studies relevant to the changing conditions in Greater Doha, requires knowledge of the changing conditions and developments in the urban environment. These too will be reviewed in the context of the Qatar National Master Plan in collaboration with the consultant completing the project. The Planning Department’s approach will result in an assessment of long term impacts, with consideration for local customs and traditions that will not be jeopardized by new development activities.
The Director of Planning responded to a question on why the rezoning occurred by indicating that the residential blocks were zoned for villas, but were really an apartment building zone. The decision was made with full consideration of the Qatar National Master Plan that is being completed, the increasing demand for residential development and the government policies that call for providing quality housing for both Qatari and expatriate populations.
