Just ten miles north of the capital, Doha, in Lusail, Qatar’s newest city, there is a celebration going on. From the yearly International Food Festival to parades and activities on Lusail Boulevard, the city is bustling with activity. However, Lusail offers more than just event venues.
Grand shopping malls, theme parks, a plethora of international eateries, islands, and two spectacular new additions to the Qatar skyline can be found in this “City of the Future.”
The Fairmont Doha and the Raffles Doha, an all-suite hotel with the distinction of being the nation’s first six-star establishment, are two lavish hotels housed in the palatial Katara Towers, whose architecture was influenced by the scimitar swords present in Qatar’s coat of arms. Despite being named after Doha, these two hotels are the first of their respective hotel brands to be found in Qatar and are situated inside the Lusail limits.
Foster + Partners created the four structures that make up the Lusail Plaza Towers, which seem to fluctuate in size and shape as one approaches the city. They were created by the same architects as the Lusail Stadium. Between the towers hangs a metal sculpture by Italian artist Marco Balich, “Al Nehem,” which features a whale-shark.
As the city is still being built, Lusail is divided into 19 districts for mixed-use, commercial, and residential purposes. In 2029, the eagerly awaited Lusail Museum, created by the Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, will debut its collection of orientalist and Middle Eastern artwork.
Using a six-lane motorway, Al Maha Island is linked to the city’s shoreline. The theme park Winter Wonderland and a wide variety of international eateries can be found on this island, which is focused on entertainment. When compared to the bustling metropolis of Doha, it is quickly emerging as a contender in terms of people’ appeal.
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Started in 2006
Construction of Lusail began in 2006, long before Qatar was announced as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, the grand Lusail Stadium became the main stage for the soccer tournament, and those who visited found there’s more to the city than event spaces.
With a palm-fringed Marina Walk leading from the Arabian Gulf to Lusail Boulevard, the city is alive with food stalls representing pretty much every nationality living in Qatar.
Lusail is a city of the future that’s quickly becoming a reality. Its mix of modern architecture, entertainment options, and international cuisine is making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. And with the Lusail Museum still under construction, there’s even more to look forward to in this exciting new city.
So if you find yourself in Qatar, be sure to check out the party in Lusail – you won’t be disappointed.
Building a city from scratch, with no existing infrastructure, presents a unique opportunity to design and build a city with smart sustainability in mind. As Qatar’s infrastructure continues to develop, little thought has been given to sustainability, but Lusail is changing that mindset.
Sustainable tweaks are being built into the construction, including a tram system designed to reduce the need for cars, systems to conserve and reuse water, and planting native vegetation which will reverse desertification and reduce rain runoff, as well as watering plants with non-potable water.
One of the major advantages of building a city from scratch is the ability to tailor the design to objectives such as sustainability, accessibility, and economic equality. The city is also planning to build an artificial reef along the Lusail shoreline to encourage marine life to settle.
Plenty of Green Spaces
Lusail is swiftly becoming a rival in the livability stakes to crowded Doha. It offers sustainability, space, and amenities, as well as plenty of green spaces. Katie Warner, a mobile travel agent originally from Australia, and her husband swapped Doha for Lusail because it felt more ecologically minded.
Their building has sustainable systems in place, such as recycling water for the gardens, solar panels to heat the building’s water, gas services for all cooking appliances, regulated electric use, and separate recycling and general waste chutes on each floor.
In addition to the sustainability aspects, Katie loves the area full of greenery, the gorgeous boardwalk, and views of the Persian Gulf. Lusail has all the day-to-day needs for groceries, transport, entertainment, and dining. There’s an extensive choice from food trucks at the Lusail Marina Food Arena, abundant cafes, and fine dining restaurants.
Lusail is a city in Qatar that is changing the country’s mindset regarding sustainability. It is a unique opportunity to design and build a city with smart sustainability in mind, and the city’s construction includes sustainable tweaks such as a tram system, systems to conserve and reuse water, and planting native vegetation to reduce rain runoff.
Lusail’s sustainability, space, and amenities, as well as plenty of green spaces, make it an attractive place to live. The city is swiftly becoming a rival in the livability stakes to crowded Doha.
Lusail
Lusail is a sprawling city that covers nearly 15 square miles, with an anticipated population of around 200,000. While its districts are each self-contained and similar to the “15-minute city” concept favored by urban planners, the city as a whole still suffers from the disjointedness that many Gulf cities face.
But with a tram system designed to reduce the need for cars and connect the different districts, Lusail is addressing this issue. The tram line began operation in 2022 and connects with the Doha metro, making it easier to travel to and from the city.
One of Lusail’s districts, Al Tara, is home to the Lusail Marina, where there are footpaths overlooking the water, art installations, small cafes, and the Katara Towers. From here, it is possible to walk to Place Vendôme, a grand Paris-inspired shopping mall, and beyond it, the Waldorf Astoria hotel, which sits on Lusail’s only private beach.
While Lusail has superb architecture, grand outdoor spaces, and festivals and events, it will never have the organic, higgledy-piggledy layout of old Doha that draws tourists. Instead, it aims to be a modern, sustainable “City of the Future.”
Lusail’s sustainability features include a system to conserve and reuse water, planting native vegetation to reduce rain runoff and reverse desertification, and an artificial reef to encourage marine life to settle. For Katie Warner, a mobile travel agent from Australia, these sustainability features were one of the reasons she and her husband moved to Lusail.
They were pleased to discover that their building had sustainable systems in place, such as recycling water for the gardens, solar panels to heat the building’s water, gas services for all cooking appliances, regulated electric use, and separate recycling and general waste chutes on each floor.
Lusail’s sustainable features and amenities, including green spaces, cafes, fine dining restaurants, and entertainment options, have made it an attractive place to live for many people. There is even a rumor that Lusail might eventually become Qatar’s capital city, although it remains unsubstantiated.
Only time will tell if Lusail will fall foul of the curse that has befallen many previous attempts at building newly constructed cities. But for now, Lusail’s commitment to sustainability and innovation make it a city to watch.
Photo: Unplash
