Wakrah set to become jewel of the south

Wakrah will become a shining model of urban development in 25 years when a masterplan for the city takes shape

When all goes well and the construction dust finally settles, Al Wakrah Municipality will become “The Radiant South”, with the main city known as “Sparkling South Coast City” and its downtown as the “Jewel of the South”.

Planned for the next 25 years, a pilot masterplan, owned by the Urban Planning & Development Authority (UPDA), also expects Wakrah’s population to grow about 15-fold during the period.

“Located on the southern-most tip of Qatar, “The Radiant South” will become a prosperous, multi-faceted municipality, radiating diversity in population, economic activities, physical environment, and landscapes,” the UPDA’s tentative model notes.

The concept plan for the “Sparkling City” in the municipality is built on an expanded city with three distinctive clusters: traditional, regional and extended. Ample open space and green areas integrate and link the three cores as much of the existing single-family residential developments are retained.

Proposed key features within the city include: Al Wakrah Downtown, Waterfront Park, Regional Park, Sports Complex, and Al Wakrah Golf Course. The downtown, “The Jewel of South” will house the central business district and is envisioned as the regional economic hub for Southern Qatar.

There will also be several precincts; Gateway (Government and Civic district), South Square (commercial/mixed use), Festival Bay (recreational use), Waterfront (leisure), Residential (multi-family residences), College (educational institutions), and Trade Centre (hypermarkets, retail).

But the most awe-inspiring development takes place at the Al Wakrah Waterfront, a 13km resplendent destination, bordered by Ras Abu Fontas to the north and the Qatar Economic Zone (proposed) in the south, and featuring Active Recreation, Family Park, and Heritage & Commercial precincts.

Within the Waterfront, the Active Recreation will be home to plant nurseries, water sport centre, rock garden, canoeing and kayaking centre and the gem: The Sail, for sailing activities.

At the Family Park area the main landmark will be The Palms; a series of observatories, in addition to cactus and palm gardens, events lawn, and seafood centre.

Both the Family Park and Active Recreational areas have separate bicycling lanes and bicycle rentals earmarked in the UPDA proposal.

Over at the Heritage & Commercial precinct in the Al Wakrah pilot project include hotels, amphitheatre, cemetery, old fi shing wharf, souqs, promenade, and marina.

“It is at the Heritage area (near the Al Wakrah Beach) where the work is currently under way. Because the plan is long-term no deadline can be given,” an official at the Al Wakrah Municipality told Gulf Times.

According to UPDA, the masterplan, which has also been launched for Al Khor up north, reflects “Qatar’s vision of a national urban system which minimises impacts caused by centralising development in Doha.”

UPDA’s Al Khor Municipality plan is envisioned as “Emerald Oasis” while the city itself is named as “The Turquoise City”.