MSHEIREB DOWNTOWN
DOHA
Qatar
Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) is a landmark urban regeneration project that revived Doha’s historic commercial centre. Developed by Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, it is globally recognized as the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project. The project blends traditional Qatari architecture with cutting-edge smart technology, aiming to reverse the trend of isolated, car-dependent urban expansion in the Gulf region.
It is a strategically located mixed-use development in the heart of Doha, just minutes from Hamad International Airport and key city routes. Covering 31 hectares, it revitalizes Doha’s historic commercial centre with over 100 buildings across five precincts, offering commercial, residential, retail, cultural, and hospitality spaces. Positioned adjacent to the Amiri Diwan, Qatar’s seat of government, and the restored traditional market Souq Waqif, the project creates a vibrant, walkable urban hub that blends modern living with cultural heritage, re-establishing the area as Doha’s civic and social heart.
Future Cities criteria compliance
Environmental & Nature
Sustainability is central, demonstrated by MDD holding one of the world’s highest concentrations of LEED-certified buildings – achieving LEED Gold minimum across the entire development and over 50 LEED Platinum certifications. Passive cooling techniques, combined with District Cooling, achieve an estimated 30-32% reduction in energy consumption. This is supplemented by 6,400 rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar panels for onsite energy generation.
Smart City
It is a fully integrated smart city, leveraging an advanced Building Management System (BMS) to control utilities, security, and traffic in real-time. Through partnerships with leaders like Microsoft, it utilizes cloud computing and AI for operational efficiency and has been awarded the GOLD Smartscore certification for several commercial buildings, recognizing high user experience and future-readiness.
Human-Centric
The design draws inspiration from traditional Qatari architecture, prioritizing people and walkability, creating a compact, human-scale community that encourages walking via shaded pedestrian routes. Green Mobility is supported by the internal, free, driverless Msheireb Tram, which connects residents directly to the Doha Metro (Msheireb Station), significantly promoting car-free travel. Key cultural sites like the Msheireb Museums were preserved to maintain heritage.
Interesting Links
Links to external websites and video features available for cities and developments that apply and are accepted as Official Participants: click here to apply