The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has some big and bold plans for changing Qatar’s landscape!

Ashghal is the country’s dedicated organisation for all infrastructure projects and public buildings in Qatar. This includes the planning, design, procurement, construction, delivery, and asset management of projects such as roads and highways, drainage and public buildings. 

Over the last few years, there has been increasing focus on developing infrastructure related to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM. Key programm​es include:

Expressway Programme The design, construction, delivery and maintenance of expressways and major roads for the current and future traffic demand across Qatar, enabling greater mobility, shorter travel times and improved safety. Examples include Al Khor Road and the E and G Ring Roads.

Local Areas Infrastructure Programme Developing roads, drainage networks and overall infrastructure in all areas of Qatar to raise the standard of living. This involves providing infrastructure to new areas, upgrading existing infrastructure in central areas, and constructing connecting roads.

Drainage Networks Projects Developing and upgrading the existing drainage system, and establishing in newly developed areas.

Building Projects The Project Program Management System is responsible for organising project implementation phases, including design and construction. Ashghal works with the Gulf Organization for Research and Development to apply sustainability standards to all public buildings.

The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar Projects to create a sustainable environment, building public parks, pedestrian and cycle paths, providing street furniture and lighting, developing Doha Corniche and beaches, and developing/renovating the roads and public spaces in Central Doha.

One such example is the West Bay North Beach Project, located in Al Dafna and close to the DECC metro station, hotels and businesses. Under the first phase, six beaches will be delivered to hotels surrounding Al Dafna/West Bay to enhance tourism, with the second phase to be announced at a later date. Expected to become a prominent new tourist attraction in Qatar, the project has one public beach and twelve private beaches, changing rooms, three service buildings, nine open plazas, a park for sports activities, and a celebration area to be used as a fan zone during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM.

​Supporting small-scale Qatari contractors

The Small-Scale Contractors initiative (Taheel) launched in 2018 is part of Ashghal’s keenness to provide a suitable environment for the growth of Qatari companies, in line with supporting local products. This is achieved by taking measures to support the Qatari producer, contractor and consultant, while also reducing reliance on foreign companies for implementing infrastructure projects. As at June 2021, nine contracts have been awarded as part of the initiative, worth QAR189 mn. Ashghal is working on awarding four further contracts, worth QAR120 mn.

Qatari manufacturers and suppliers of local products are successfully contributing to requirements within the Road Improvement projects. The scope of work includes grading of roads, asphalt paving, construction of pedestrian crossings and pavements, adjustment of manholes and drainage covers, and enhancing traffic safety with the installation of directional signs and road marking.

Foreign investment

Although Qatarisation is a priority, the authority will continue to develop public-private partnerships (PPP). A PPP pilot project has already been launched for the construction of 45 new public schools in Qatar worth over QAR3.64 bn, providing an additional 34,000 student seats. The Al Wakra and Al Wukair Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) project will be implemented under the PPP model.

The importance of protecting workers

Health screenings were conducted for 67,719 workers – 89.12 % of the workforce – during 2020 and H1 2021. Any worker with an abnormal result was referred to a hospital in the Ministry of Public Health network for retesting and follow-up care.

The authority continues to implement procedures and regulations to ensure the health and safety of its workers, with adherence to Ministerial Decree No 17 of 2021. The decree outlines the necessary precautions to be taken to protect workers against heat stress at outdoor work sites during the summer. Outdoor work is banned 10 am – 3:30 pm, from 1 June until 15 September, for any work carried out directly under the sun or at outdoor sites with no ventilation.

According to Ashghal, ‘a safe work environment is one of the most important requirements imposed by Ashghal on its contractors, who are obligated to develop plans to deal with the risk of exposure to heat stress and to avoid its effects, while implementing a number of procedures at work sites.’

Ashghal goes digital

Digitisation first began in August 2020, with an online payment feature to allow customers access to Ashghal’s services remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. All of Ashghal’s services have now been automated.

Services are available to individuals, companies and the government through a standardised online portal, with the relevant form linked to the databases of other authorities in Qatar. A standardised system simplifies registration and links transactions with the National Authentication System. 

Although direct contact with customers has been limited due to precautionary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the customer service team continued to receive enquiries via the call centre and online channels. During 2020, the call centre assisted nearly 90,000 customers, with 8,300 online transactions received through the customer service portal and the mobile application, compared to only 900 online transactions during 2019.

For more information, visit ashghal.gov.qa


The Museum of Islamic Art gets a facelift

Museum of Islamic Art

It was recently announced by Qatar Museums that the building of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) will be renovated in a collaborative project with the Social and Sport Contribution Fund (Daam), and be implemented by Ashghal.

Work to be undertaken includes the galleries and interior spaces of the MIA building – permanent and temporary exhibition halls, private exhibition hall, lecture hall, and gift shop.  

The MIA opened in 2008, and is one of the most important Islamic museums in the world and an iconic building in the country. It hosts an extensive, unique collection of Islamic art alongside temporary exhibitions such as The Hunt: Princely Pursuits in Islamic Lands in 2015–16, and A Falcon’s Eye: Tribute to Sheikh Saoud Al Thani in 2019–20. 

The renovation project will contribute to attracting a larger audience for those interested in the history of Islamic art. The new-look museum should reopen its doors in time for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, and become a tourist destination for visitors that will be coming to Qatar from different parts of the world.

Ashghal states that work is underway to renovate the museum’s interior spaces and galleries, installing the latest technologies being used in museums around the world while also meeting GSAS sustainability standards. The museum will maintain its exterior, designed by the late Chinese-American architect I M Pei. 

Standing alone on reclaimed land near the traditional dhow harbour, the building draws influence from ancient Islamic architecture, notably the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo, yet has a uniquely modern design featuring geometric patterns. The building is made of limestone, which captures the changes in light and shade during the day. The museum spaces were designed by Pei’s collaborator on the Louvre project, Wilmotte & Associates. mia.org.qa


Ashghal Beautification Projects

Ashghal’s Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar is responsible for providing a sustainable environment. The provision of new parks, plazas, beaches and roads, as well as the renovation and revitalisation of existing projects, are all overseen by the committee. Community members are invited to create artwork for public areas, and trees and plants are planted in coordination with ministries, government agencies and schools. 

The images show just one of Ashghal’s ambitious projects, the planned beautification of a large section of Doha Corniche and the surrounding areas.


Author: Sarah Palmer

This is an editorial from Marhaba Information Guide – M81.

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