Doha Skyline. Image © Cristian Dobre via Shutterstock
Doha is the capital of Qatar and the county’s most populated area, accommodating more people than the rest of Qatar combined. Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Doha is a relatively young city, founded in the vicinity of another settlement, Al Bidda, sometime during the 1820s. In recent years, the city has seen rapid population growth, an image reflected in the architectural landscape. During the 1960s and 1970s, many of the old districts in Doha have been demolished to make space for new developments, while a number of schemes have been deployed to advocate for the preservation of the city’s cultural and architectural heritage.
This year Qatar is set to welcome the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, one of the most anticipated sports events of the year and the first time the quadrennial men’s football championship is scheduled to be held in an Arab country. With many stadiums being built in or around Doha, the country has been preparing extensively for the event, yet concerns are being raised due to the hot climate and the extensive adaptations needed to host a sporting event of this scale.