Qatar Green Building Council to release healthy city guide

The Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) is developing a resource guide titled "Doha: A Rough Guide to Healthy Cities."

A "healthy city" is defined by the QGCB as one that uses less energy, has good air quality, promotes community interaction and healthy lifestyles, and is green and attractive. The guide is expected to be released this year and focus on the environmental health of urban areas. QGBC said this is becoming an increasingly important issue, as the World Health Organization expects that by 2025 about 80 percent of the world's population will live in cities.

In Qatar, urban development is booming. Recent developments include the development of Lusail City and the establishment of Doha, as well as various infrastructure projects. The Green Infrastructure Interest Group, a subcommittee of QGBC, recently released an infographic preview of the guide, which discusses the positive outcomes of planning and designing a healthy city.

"QGBC works with a number of institutions to introduce innovative concepts to raise awareness about and respond to Qatar's urban growth," QGBC Director Meshal Al Shamari said. "The Green Infrastructure Interest Group has worked closely with Atkins, a founding member of QGBC, to design the first phase of the bigger guide."

Lee Allen, Senior Urban Designer at Atkins and a member of the Green Infrastructure Interest Group, cited Doha as a prime example of a healthy city.

"The fact that the development of the city is still in its initial stages allows us to incorporate the principles in the best way possible," he said.

The QGBC is an offshoot of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF). The Green Infrastructure Interest Group was established in 2012 and includes experts from across Qatar.