Qatari coastal city to double in size but won’t kill the mangroves

Qatar is spending billions of dollars to prepare for the 2022 World Cup and some of that money will be used to expand Al Dhakira, a coastal city just 37 miles outside of the capital Doha that has protected mangrove forests to the north and south.

Italy’s RRC Studio has developed a master plan for Al Dhakira’s impressive expansion, which is expected to double the city’s size.

Coastal development throughout the Gulf region, including Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Qatar, have had serious ramifications for the Persian Gulf’s ecosystems. Coral reefs have been wiped out, and mangrove forests have taken a hit as well.

Either Qatar seems to have learned from past errors, or RRC Studio has taken ecological matters into their own hands with a design that specifically makes room to leave the protected mangroves unharmed.

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Qatari coastal city to double in size but won’t kill the mangroves (photos)