Urban Transformations in Emerging Cities

Major cities in the Gulf region have recently acquired a geo-strategic importance. Through the shift of global economic forces cities in the region are developed as central hubs between old economies of Western Europe and the rising economies of Asia. In the context of international competition between cities new challenges are emerging where cities need to find ways to sustain and extend their position as emerging hubs. Service economies have been identified as the key driver for spatial and urban development processes. Subsequently, extensive migration has been transforming local societies. Yet, how exactly can Gulf cities evolve as regional and global service hubs? How will future societies redefine local architecture and urbanism? What is the role of multiculturalism in establishing sustainable cities?

Our research effort aims at offering answers by arguing that non-physical social and economic aspects and the qualities of the urban environment are interdependent. It analyzes the qualities of the urban environment and new housing dynamics in Doha and other Gulf cities through a comprehensive vertical investigation utilizing mixed research methods, including GIS analyses, interviews, onsite observations, space syntax, mapping and typological studies. While avoiding physical fragmentation and social segregation, we aim to develop guidance parameters on housing, land use, investment patterns, urban space attributes, and ultimately on the overall quality of the urban environment in emerging regional metropolises.

In this site, we present our various research activities and outcomes. Our visitors may like to navigate different pages through the links in the tab at the top of this page or through the following links:

• Research Themes
• Research Projects
• Research Outputs
• Demystifying Doha
• Migrant Cities in the Gulf
• Who we are?