Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, won a sustainability award for its flagship project Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD). MDD won the award based on a number of criteria, including innovation, strategy of the project, design, quality and sensitivity to the surrounding environment and community.
Msheireb Properties was selected for its creative approach of addressing the present and future needs of the community, environmental conservation and future sustainability.
Inspired by the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Msheireb Properties, MDD is the world’s first sustainable regeneration of a downtown area in an urban environment.
The aim of the project is to revive the old commercial district by recapturing Qatar’s heritage and architectural traditions. MDD is low-rise, pedestrian oriented, energy efficient, generates less waste, effective and emits fewer greenhouse gases, making it a model for urban regeneration.
When complete, the 31-hectare mixed use development will comprise more than 100 buildings, with dedicated areas for commercial, residential, retail, cultural offerings and entertainment.
All buildings in the development will target an average Gold rating under the LEED certification system meaning MDD will have the highest concentration of LEED certified buildings in the world.
“We are extremely proud to be recognized for the pioneering work we are currently undertaking in the field of sustainability. We hope that the project will provide an inspiration to other cities around the world on how to blend innovative design that is inspired by the past with the latest in sustainable solutions” said Abdulla Al Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties.
Sustainable principles have been fully integrated into MDD’s design: the preservation of existing heritage sites, the use of natural light and ventilation, the installation of photovoltaic solar panels and the efficient use of water and electricity. By using these methods, Msheireb Properties is aiming to reduce energy consumption in Msheireb Downtown Doha by 32% once the project is complete.
Msheireb Properties has also won the awards for Sustainable Project of the Year and Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award during a celebratory evening at the Construction Week Qatar 2013 Awards, in an event held recently in Doha.
The Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets were established to recognize design visionaries and pioneering projects in the field of international development.
Gulf Times
15 October
