Doha, Qatar, 23 August 2026: Doha Design District, powered by Msheireb Properties, hosted a special edition of its monthly Design Talks series exploring the concept of placemaking, its evolution in Qatar over the years, and the relationship between people, the built environment, and the spaces they inhabit.
Held at Sada, Doha Design District's dedicated venue at its headquarters in Msheireb Downtown Doha, the talk titled "Between Space and Place" brought together leading voices from the Ministry of Municipality, Qatar Museums, Qatar University, and Earthna by Qatar Foundation to examine how places are shaped not only by physical design, but also by culture, memory, community, and human interaction.
The talk forms part of Doha Design District's monthly series of conversations and knowledge-sharing platforms, reflecting its commitment to advancing awareness and dialogue around design, its influence on society and human civilisation, and its role in addressing the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of contemporary cities and communities.
Opening the discussion, Abdulrahman Al-Mana, City and Regional Planner at the Ministry of Municipality, reflected on the evolving understanding of public space and the role of designers, planners, architects, cultural institutions and policymakers in transforming physical environments into meaningful places.
"As designers, planners and architects, we approach the design of public spaces. Perhaps our role, together with that of cultural institutions and policymakers, is to help transform a physical space into a place — one that carries meaning, identity and a connection to the people who use it," he said.
Al-Mana also highlighted traditional approaches to placemaking, noting how historic urban environments were shaped by a deep understanding of their natural surroundings. Considerations such as wind direction, shade, climate and the needs of communities were integral to the design of neighbourhods and public spaces.
Reflecting on Qatar's rapid urban development, he pointed to Souq Waqif as an example of a place that continues to resonate strongly with residents and visitors alike.
"Despite the scale of development across the country, Souq Waqif has emerged as a major magnet for tourists and visitors. I think that is really interesting. The Souq has been rebuilt to reflect its original character, but it has continuously existed as a marketplace for centuries. To me, it is very much a champion of what a successful place can be," he said.
HE Sheikha Reem Al-Thani, Deputy CEO of Exhibitions, Public Art and Rubaiya at Qatar Museums, discussed the organic nature of placemaking and how successful places can evolve through the interaction between planning, community needs and the ways people choose to inhabit and use their surroundings.
"There are certain things that can be planned for, but there are also neighbourhoods that have developed organically around the communities that already exist within them. We may begin with housing and then return to the area to introduce green spaces or create new market areas. What was not originally conceived as a particular destination can gradually become a vibrant, living place because people settle there, interact with it and create a genuine need for it," she explained.
Dr Hameda Yousef Janahi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning at Qatar University, explored placemaking through the lens of Doha's traditional Fereej neighbourhoods and the principles of Arab-Islamic urbanism. She highlighted how the layered nature of traditional urban environments created rich and diverse experiences, encouraging interaction between different segments of society while responding to cultural, social, and environmental needs.
"The Islamic urban concept is very much layered, and this creates a particularly interesting experience in the way different segments of society interact with one another and with the spaces around them. When we look at the physical and cultural values, as well as the design philosophies found across the traditional Arab-Islamic world, we see many elements that contribute to public spaces and create places that remain fascinating and meaningful to us today," she said.
She emphasised that placemaking, as a practice, has deep roots in Arab and Islamic traditions. The relationship between the built environment and society, she noted, is shaped by a range of interconnected factors, including cultural identity, heritage, resilience and people-centred urban development.
Dr Samie Kayani, Sustainable Urbanism Specialist at Earthna, Qatar Foundation, presented several case studies from Earthna and highlighted the importance of understanding the meaning of place within its wider environmental, cultural, and social context. He stressed that placemaking is not a fixed formula, but rather an ongoing evolution of ideas shaped by the changing ways in which people understand and interact with their surroundings.
"It is important to understand what place means today, as the way people engage with their environment changes over time. This evolution is reflected in the buildings, public spaces and artworks around us. Our understanding of place continues to grow alongside the changing relationship between people and their environment," he continued.
Through its ongoing programme of Design Talks, workshops and other knowledge-sharing initiatives, Doha Design District continues to provide a platform for dialogue, further strengthening its position as an integral part of Qatar's growing design and cultural ecosystem.