Blue Design for Urban Resilience in Drylands: The Case of Qatar

Abstract

Gulf cities are generally characterized by hot, arid climates and extremely rapid developments with resulting demographic increases and accompanying environmental degradation. Until now, resources, technology, and capital have allowed expansion without limits—into the ocean with landfills and artificial islands, into the sky with tall buildings, and into the desert with Zero Energy Cities (Grichting, Int J Middle East Stud, 50(3), 580–585, 2018) With an economy largely focused on non-renewable energy sources, many of these Gulf countries are now looking to develop new postcarbon identities and to improve the sustainability and livability of their cities (Grichting, Int J Middle East Stud, 50(3), 580–585, 2018). Climate change and extreme weather conditions are also affecting the region, with more frequent and intense flooding (Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/raining-qatar-season-181112125930905.html. Accessed 17 Dec 2018). In October 2018, Qatar experienced unprecedented Flash Floods and the capital city of Doha received 84 mm of rain (Floodlist, http://floodlist.com/asia/qatar-floods-october-2018. Accessed 17 Dec 2018, 2018) the equivalent of the average rainfall of Qatar for one whole year. Buildings, roads, tunnels and coastal areas were severely flooded. In 1990, Qatar’s only sources of water were groundwater abstraction (65%) and desalinated seawater (35%) (MDPS Ministry of Development, Planning and Statistics, Water statistics in the State of Qatar 2015. https://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Environmental/Water/2015/Water-Statistics-2015-En.pdf, 2017). Treated wastewater for agriculture and green spaces irrigation purposes (5%) came into use in 2004, and increased to 11% in 2014 (MDPS Ministry of Development, Planning and Statistics, Water statistics in the State of Qatar 2015. https://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Environmental/Water/2015/Water-Statistics-2015-En.pdf, 2017). Today, municipal potable water is obtained 99% from desalination and 1% from groundwater (Government of Qatar Web Portal, http://portal.www.gov.qa/wps/portal/topics/Environment+and+Agriculture/wateranddesalination. Accessed 13 Oct 2018, undated)). At the same time, the waters of the Gulf are becoming increasingly polluted due to desalination, over-fishing and pollution from hydro-carbon industries and shipping. Researchers believe that the Gulf marine environment has already surpassed its buffering capacity, with very poor circulation of water and extreme pollution (Nadim et al., Ocean Coast Manag 51:556–65, 2008). In the face of climate change, rising sea levels, food, water, energy insecurity, and loss of biodiversity - citizens, communities, and nations must work on common visions to address these future challenges by working with, and not against nature.