Movers and shakers descend on Doha

The 35 ha Heart of Doha will be able to accommodate up to 27,000 residents.

Government officials and journalists from around the region descended upon Doha this morning in anticipation of tonight's event to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone of DohaLand's US $5.5 billion Heart of Doha development.

The buzz around the city is palpable as rush-hour traffic is diverted and final preparations are made to a temporary ziggurat-shaped structure -- located on Doha's Corniche -- which will play host to the evening's event.

Boasting a design that is the product of collaboration between Allies and Morrison, Arup and Edaw, the 35-hectare Heart of Doha will be developed in five phases, with Phase 1A -- which is dubbed 'Diwan Emiri Quarter' and includes the Emiri Diwan annex, the Emiri Guard HQ, a heritage quarter and the Qatari National Archives -- to be completed by 2012.

"The Heart of Doha will be a shining example of Qatar's determination to innovate, not just for innovation's sake, but the end goal of improving quality of life and ensuring that heritage and culture carries on as the country grows and evolves," said Dr Abdullah Al Kubaisi, vice chairman of DohaLand.

"Qatar

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has a magnificent history of rich culture and tradition, while at the same time, a present day that exhibits a country that has evolved into a progressive, global leader in a variety of industries."

A subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, DohaLand is being developed under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missned and rumours abound that the Qatari royal will be in attendance this evening to deliver the keynote address. Her Highness is the chairperson of the Qatar Foundation and thus, her role in Heart of Doha has been more than just perfunctory.

"We feel the vision from His and Her Highness for a sustainable, lasting architecture -- architecture that isn't just glass and metal greenhouses overheating in the desert -- is our kind of vision," said Tim Makower, principal of Allies and Morrison.

Upon completion, it is estimated that Heart of Doha will be able to accommodate approximately 27,000 residents.

Contracting and project management are being handled by 'Time Qatar', which is a JV between Turner International Middle East and DohaLand.

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