Tag: World Records of Qatar

QATAR : Individual honours, struggles, and mega events: Qatar’s 2024 in sports

A year that started with a sporting success in the form of an Asian Cup win at home ended in mixed results.

Titles, goodbyes, the highs and low: 2024 was anything but a boring year for Qatari sports as the country continued hosting mega events, yet similarly took a few stumbles on the pitch.

While the likes of Mutaz Barshim and Akram Afif dominated the headlines with their glories, the other side saw Qatari sides struggle to keep up their good form, whether in World Cup qualification or the Olympics.

Let’s take a look at some of the standout themes that defined Qatar’s 2024.

Barshim bags bronze in Paris Olympics 2024

Mutaz Barshim defied odds once again to win bronze at the Men’s high jump event, securing Qatar’s only medal of the Paris Olympics 2024.

While it was an underwhelming campaign for the Qatari contingent that had defied expectations to clinch two golds in Tokyo, Barshim’s win became a highlight. It was his fourth Olympic medal — a fitting end to a tournament that the high jumper had termed to be his last before the trip to Paris.

However, the 33-year-old multiple-time world champion hinted at the possibility of competing in the next Olympics, upon his return to Doha. “Never say never,” he said, in an exclusive chat with Doha News.

‘Sporting DNA : Mutaz Barshim keeps raising the bar and it all starts with his family

The year 2024 was also Aspire Academy’s 20th anniversary, which the country’s premier athletic scouting and training centre celebrated in style, hosting multiple seminars and events, such as the Aspire Global Summit as well as giving home to FIFA’s The Best Football Awards during its Gala Dinner in December.

Asian Cup triumph, Al-Haydos’ farewell and Afif’s ascent

The year ends in uncertainty for Qatar just like it started for Qatari football.

However, there were significant achievements in between. Much like the sport itself, it was a game of two halves for Qatari football — a perfect first half, followed by a tough second.

Qatar hosted and ultimately defended the Asian Cup crown in February as Akram Afif became the difference maker yet again. The tournament drew record attendance number as well as record engagement figures, underscoring yet another successful tournament in Qatar.

Al Annabi’s longstanding two-time Asian Cup-winning captain Hassan Al-Haydos retired from international football after the tournament, putting an end to the most capped Qatari career ever.

Qatar continued their good run under Bartolome Marquez Lopez at the World Cup Qualifiers thereafter, ending the second round unbeaten. The AFC U-23 Asian Cup was also hosted by the country in between, where Japan were crowned the champions.

It started going downhill with the loss against UAE at home with the start of the third round of the Asian Qualifiers to the FIFA World Cup 2026. While Afif clinched his second AFC Player of the Year title, Qatar’s hopes of making it to the tournament in North America hangs in balance with just two wins and three losses from the first six games. The team also crashed out of the group stages of the Arabian Gulf Cup following two draws and a defeat.

In the meantime, Qatar also hosted two of the Palestine national team’s qualifying games, the former of which in June saw Al Fida’i make it to the last round of World Cup Qualifiers for the first time in history with a 0-0 draw against Lebanon. Similarly, the Qatar U-20 team seamlessly qualified, at home, for the U-20 Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia next year.

Qatar was also the home to FIFA’s new club competition, the Intercontinental Cup, which saw European champions Real Madrid win in Lusail Stadium. The Stadium 974 was put to use for the first time since the 2022 World Cup for two of the tournament’s matches.

A good year for racket sports

The Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex was a busy venue this year as it hosted multiple tournaments throughout the year, including the Qatar Open tennis event in February, the QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash event in September and October, followed by the World Padel Championship in November.

Russian player Karen Kachanov won the men’s Qatar Exxonmobil Open, while Polish Iga Swiatek claimed the women’s event held in February. Qatar Exxonmobil Open will now return as an ATP 500 event and was also voted the best ATP 250 event on calendar for 2024.

The QTerminals Qatar Classic saw Diego Elias and Nour Al-Sherbini come out on top of the men’s and women’s events, marking a thrilling end to the squash event.

Argentina’s men’s team and Spain’s women’s team maintained their dominance by lifting the World Championship in Padel, which saw some of the world’s finest compete in Doha.

Qatar’s squash ace Abdullah Al-Tamimi capped the year off in style, winning the Cape Town Squash Open 2024 his first title away from Qatar since 2022.

Glory in motorsports and skydiving

Qatar won four gold medals at the World Air Sports Federation (FAI)’s World Championships which was hosted by Czechia’s Prostejov in the first week of September.

Qatar won three golds in events across the Canopy Formation category and bagged solitary gold in male Style and Accuracy landing in the six-day tournament.

It was yet another year of glory for Qatari rally driver Nasser Al-Attiyah, who clinched his third FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (WR2C) in October after winning the 2024 Rallye du Maroc with his French co-driver Edouard Boulanger for the Dacia Sandriders.

Al-Attiyah’s decorated racing career now boasts seven Rallye Du Maroc titles, in addition to five wins in the Dakar Rally and 13 Middle East Rally wins.

What also stood out, however, was Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari’s victory in the Middle East Rally Championship as well as the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation’s triumph in the Baja Middle East Teams Championship — all of whom were awarded in December at the annual FIA Awards.

Qatar also hosted the pinnacle of motorbike and motor racing, the MotoGP and the F1 Grand Prix – the latter of which saw record-breaking attendance at the Lusail International Circuit.

Defending champion Francesco Bagnaia won the MotoGP event held in March, whereas Max Verstappen rose against the odds to win his second Qatar Grand Prix on December 1, despite starting away from the front of the grid.

source/content: dohanews.co (headline edited)

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QATAR : UDC enters Guinness World Records with three new global achievements on Gewan and The Pearl Islands

United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, has continued its global track record of accomplishments by securing three new Guinness World Records. This remarkable achievement further strengthens UDC’s position as one of the leading real estate developers in the region.

During an official ceremony, Yasser Salah Al-Jaidah, CEO of United Development Company, received the Guinness World Record certificates in recognition of these milestones, which include the largest outdoor air-conditioned shopping mall, Largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy, located on Gewan Island, and Largest pneumatic waste management network on the Pearl Island.

Largest outdoor air-conditioned mall

The Crystal Walk not only establishes itself as the largest outdoor air-conditioned mall with 7,360 square meters (79222.41 sq ft) but also impresses visitors with its exceptional design and amenities. A standout feature is the breathtaking crystal display, featuring over 10 tons of crystals and a 1000- meter crystal path, the longest in the world, creating a visually stunning environment that enhances the shopping experience.

Thanks to its state-of-the-art cooling technology, The Crystal Walk maintains a comfortable environment by achieving temperatures as low as 21- 23 degrees Celsius during the summer season. This ensures shoppers enjoy a pleasant and refreshing experience, regardless of the outdoor weather. Maintaining a consistently pleasant atmosphere, even during Qatar’s hot summers, is achieved through a cutting-edge district cooling system. This system offers significant advantages over traditional individual air conditioning units, Lower energy consumption directly translates to a smaller carbon footprint. The reduced reliance on individual air conditioning units minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, promoting a more environmentally friendly approach to retail development and Centralized cooling systems offer greater reliability than individual units. A centralized system is easier to monitor, maintain, and repair, leading to fewer disruptions and improved overall efficiency.

The 10 Crystal buildings were positioned in an oriented maximizing shading, providing a flow stream of airflow improving cooling while deploying a high-tech energy-efficient cooling system that conserves energy by at least 20% compared with conventional systems and this system mobilized a chilled water district cooling system that future reduce carbon emissions and footprint by at lowest 20 – 50% of the crystal walk.

With over 100 unique retail experiences that cater to a luxurious lifestyle, The Crystal Walk offers a diverse range of brands along with exquisite dining options. This combination of luxury and innovation transforms the mall into a comprehensive lifestyle destination, attracting a distinguished clientele.

Recently, The Crystal Walk has registered for the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) under the Green Ozone Rating for Design (GORD) certification. This commitment to sustainable design and construction is evident in features such as optimized building designs for energy efficiency and the incorporation of native landscaping and tropical landscaping with more than 13,000 tropical plants. This recognition highlights the mall’s dedication to environmental responsibility and efficiency.

The combination of luxurious offerings, innovative cooling solutions, and commitment to sustainability makes The Crystal Walk a pioneering destination for shoppers and a model for future developments in retail architecture.

Largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy

Beyond the cooling system, the Crystal Walk also boasts the world’s largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy, covering an impressive 3,689.55 square meters (39,713.98 square feet).

This architectural marvel seamlessly blends art and technology, providing functional shade during the day and transforming into a mesmerizing light display at night, enhancing the already captivating ambience at night. This record-breaking canopy utilizes state-of-the-art LED lighting technology, offering significant advantages over traditional lighting solutions:

l Energy Efficiency: The LEDs boast an energy savings of 20% – 50% compared to conventional lighting, contributing substantially to the overall sustainability goals of Gewan Island. This reduction in energy consumption translates to lower operating costs and a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

l Longevity: LEDs have a much longer lifespan than traditional lighting, minimizing maintenance requirements and reducing waste.

l Versatility and Control: The advanced LED system allows for dynamic and customizable lighting displays, offering unparalleled versatility in creating captivating visual effects.

The lighting canopy is more than just illumination; it’s an interactive spectacle. Over 1000 individual lighting points are meticulously coordinated, creating a mesmerizing array of colors, patterns, and effects. This sophisticated system integrates seamlessly with a state-of-the-art music system, synchronizing the light displays with music to create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for visitors. The lighting choreography can be programmed to adapt to different events, moods, and times of day and interact with live music, ensuring a constantly evolving and engaging visual feast.

During the day, the canopy provides much-needed shade, enhancing the comfort of shoppers exploring the Crystal Walk’s unique retail experiences. This thoughtful design maximizes natural light while minimizing direct sunlight exposure. The combination of advanced cooling systems and intelligent shading strategies allows for a pleasant and comfortable outdoor shopping environment regardless of the climate.

This impressive interactive lighting canopy, alongside the other innovative features of the Crystal Walk, showcases UDC’s commitment to creating exceptional spaces where luxury, technology, and sustainability converge. It’s not just a retail destination, but a destination for experiencing technological innovation within a luxurious and environmentally responsible environment.

Largest pneumatic waste management network

Furthermore, the company achieved another global milestone with the largest pneumatic waste management network on The Pearl Island, utilizing an advanced Pneumatic system for efficient and sustainable waste collection. These innovative solutions reflect UDC’s commitment to smart environmental practices and sustainability, this system achieves fully operational 66 kilometers (41.01 miles) and more than 500 chute inlets.

The advanced pneumatic waste management system also brings a number of environmental and community benefits. It reduces vehicular movement, leading to a decrease in direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions in the area. By minimizing traffic congestion around The Pearl Island, the system helps maintain better road service levels. The system is the first of its kind in the country since the island’s inception, with an expanded network and a recent extension to Gewan Island. Moreover, the system promotes a convenient, clean, and sustainable lifestyle, encouraging residents to maintain a clean community.

On Gewan Island, the new waste management system takes advantage of the opportunity to segregate waste at disposal sites through a dual chute system. This initiative engages the community in waste segregation and aims to increase participation in recycling efforts. Currently, the recycling rate stands at 36%, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and its ongoing efforts to improve environmental impact.

Commenting on this achievement, Al-Jaidah said, “This accomplishment reflects our ambitious vision and commitment to developing world-class projects that incorporate advanced technologies and sustainability principles. We are incredibly proud to achieve these Guinness World Records and will continue to deliver exceptional developments that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors to The Pearl and Gewan Islands. We look forward to reaching new milestones that strengthen our leadership in the real estate sector.”

This recognition adds to United Development Company’s impressive track record of global achievements, having received numerous prestigious awards and certificates across various fields. Notable among these are the Crystal Residence GSAS 3 stars design and build certification, Green Organization Awards, Best CSR Awards, Golden Globe Tiger Awards, and Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards. These awards highlight the company’s continuous commitment to innovation and sustainability, reinforcing its position as a leader in the real estate development sector.

UDC continues its pursuit of further global achievements by developing integrated real estate projects that adhere to the highest standards of quality and innovation. These projects further cement The Pearl and Gewan Islands as premier destinations in the region, attracting visitors and investors seeking exceptional residential and commercial environments.

source/content: thepeninsulaqatar.com (headline edited)

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QATAR : By the Nation, For the Nation: Qatar unites through art and AI innovation to mark Qatar National Day—and sets new world record

In collaboration with Google Cloud, Media City Qatar’s initiative, ‘Qatar ArtBeat,’ united the nation’s voices to create a groundbreaking AI-generated artwork.

Qatar National Day marks the unification of the nation in 1878—a defining moment in its history. Celebrated annually on December 18, it is a day to honour Qatar’s rich heritage and look ahead to its boundless aspirations for the future.

At Media City Qatar, we asked ourselves: How can we celebrate this cherished tradition while embracing the innovations that shape tomorrow? How can we bridge the past and the future, merging tradition with technology, to unite our people in a shared celebration?

The answer was ‘Qatar ArtBeat’.

A groundbreaking activation in partnership with Google Cloud, this initiative brought together the collective voices of the nation to generate an AI artwork co-created by the nation. This innovative project marked a historic milestone, merging culture and technology in an unprecedented way.

‘Qatar ArtBeat’ not only captured the collective spirit of Qatar but also set a Guinness World Records™ for the “Most People Contributing to an AI-Generated Image,” with over 15,000 contributions, more than 5.4 million people reached, and in excess of 68,000 engagements from across the country. This milestone showcases the potential of technology to unify communities and amplify their voices on a scale never seen before.

Celebrating innovation and tradition

‘Qatar ArtBeat’ invited citizens and residents to share their reflections on what Qatar means to them between December 9 and December 17 through Media City Qatar’s social media channels.

Additionally, public conversations on various platforms were analysed, with responses processed by Google Cloud’s advanced AI technology—such as Vertex AI platform, Gemini models, and BigQuery data platforms. This cutting-edge process transformed sentiments found in social media comments and posts into a cohesive and breathtaking artwork co-created by the nation, for the nation. 

The final masterpiece, unveiled on December 18, became a visual narrative of Qatar’s collective aspirations and creativity. The initiative perfectly symbolised the harmony between the nation’s traditions and modern innovation, showcasing how technology can preserve and celebrate cultural identity in meaningful ways.

By engaging communities across Qatar, the activation demonstrated how digital platforms can foster inclusivity, accessibility, and collaboration. This activation ensured that every voice contributed to the nation’s story, transforming individual reflections into a collective celebration of shared values and unity.

Pioneering the future of digital media

As a catalyst for next-generation media and technology, Media City Qatar connects media companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative talents to shape the future of the industry.

Our focus spans gaming, news, digital and social media, media technologies, content localization, animation, broadcasters, production and post-production, and publishing. We take particular pride in fostering initiatives that celebrate Arabic-language content, uniting tradition with modern innovation.

By encouraging enterprises that specialise in the Arabic language or seek to expand into Qatar and the Middle East, Media City Qatar continues to champion the region’s voice on a global stage.

‘Qatar ArtBeat’ exemplified this mission, setting a new benchmark as the first-of-its-kind initiative in Qatar—and possibly worldwide—that achieved a new world record.

The project also highlighted the transformative potential of generative AI in storytelling and community engagement. By leveraging Google Cloud’s advanced technology, reflections were seamlessly transformed into art, reinforcing the significance of human input in creating impactful digital experiences.

A legacy for Qatar and beyond

As we look to the future, we imagine the children of today—tomorrow’s dreamers and innovators—continuing to celebrate the heritage of this great nation.

‘Qatar ArtBeat’ is a promise that Qatar’s story will be told in new and imaginative ways for generations to come. At Media City Qatar, where next is made, we are proud to help shape that future, blending tradition and technology to inspire the Qatar of tomorrow.

source/content: dohanews.co

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QATAR : Lusail’s New Year festivities set Guinness World Record

Qatari Diar received a Guinness World Records distinction for “the most fireworks launched by multirotors/drones in an aerial display.”

The distinction was awarded to Qatari Diar on the occasion of the January 1, 2025, New Year’s celebrations that took place in Lusail Boulevard.

The city of Lusail had earlier announced that the “historic” New Year’s festivities held at its boulevard had attracted 300,000 visitors, a record-breaking figure.

The distinction was awarded to Qatari Diar on the occasion of the January 1, 2025, New Year’s celebrations that took place in Lusail Boulevard.

The city of Lusail had earlier announced that the “historic” New Year’s festivities held at its boulevard had attracted 300,000 visitors, a record-breaking figure.

source/content: thepeninsulaqatar.com (headline edited)

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QATAR : Doha’s ‘Rig 1938’ enters Guinness Book of Records as World Tallest Water Slide Tower

The ‘Rig 1938’ tower made two entries in the Guinness Book of Records, as the world tallest water slide tower with a height of 76.309 meters; and the first tower of its kind to have 12 water slides.

General Manager and Chairman of Qetaifan Projects Company, Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said in a press conference that the tower provides an exceptional experience that enhances Qatar’s position as a world class global tourist destination.

He added that the tower is not just an entertainment landmark, but a symbol that expresses Qatari culture and promotes creativity.

The tower, which is 85 meters high and includes 12 water slides, is an architectural masterpiece inspired by the history of oil and gas discovery in Qatar. It was designed according to the highest safety standards to be suitable for all age groups to enhance the visitor experience.

The tower is located in the heart of Meryal City, which extends over an area of 281 thousand square meters, and is one of the largest water parks in the region, with 36 innovative water games.

Meryal is part of Qetaifan Island North, which is an integrated tourism project extending over an area of 1.3 million square meters, and includes multiple facilities as well as residential, educational and health projects, making it a destination that combines authenticity and innovation. 

source/content: thepeninsulaqatar.com (headline edited)

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QATAR set to become world’s largest exporter of urea with construction of new complex

Al-Kaabi also announced that QatarEnergy will more than double the local solar energy production by adding new power plants in Dukhan, to become “one of the largest” of their kind in the world. 

QatarEnergy is set to become the world’s largest exporter of urea by building a new production complex, a move that is set to ramp up production from a current six MTPA (million tonnes per annum) to 12.4 MTPA by 2030, marking a 106 percent spike.

QatarEnergy’s President and CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi announced the mega project in a press conference on Sunday at the Qatari company’s headquarters in Doha. 

In response to the press, Al-Kaabi said the new facility will more than double Qatar’s urea, or fertilizer, production while supporting global food production and security. He noted that the production from the project’s first urea train is expected before the end of this decade.

“When we look at the future market of urea with the growth of humanity[…]the urea requirement for food production will be exponentially increased,” Al-Kaabi told the press.

QatarEnergy announces world’s largest blue ammonia plant 

The expansion process will take place by building three ammonia production lines that will in turn provide feedstock to four new mega urea production trains in Mesaieed Industrial City. 

The announcement also came against the backdrop of Qatar’s growing ammonia and urea production over the past 50 years.

In 2022, QatarEnergy Renewable Solutions and the Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO), inked a major agreement over the development of the Blue Ammonia project, the largest of its kind in the world, in Mesaieed Industrial City.

Production is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026.

Qatar to more than double solar power production

Al-Kaabi also announced that QatarEnergy will more than double the local solar energy production by adding new power plants in Dukhan, which will become “one of the largest” of their kind in the world. 

The new plant will have a production capacity of 2,000 megawatts, doubling Qatar’s solar power production capacity from existing projects and those still under construction. Some of the projects include the Al-Kharsaah solar power plant, inaugurated in 2022 with the capacity of 800 megawatts.

QatarEnergy, KPC sign 15-year agreement for LNG supply to Kuwait

Others include two solar power plants under construction in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed with a total production capacity of 875 megawatts. According to Al-Kaabi, the production will commence before the end of this year.

“By adding the Dukhan solar power plant to these three plants, we will achieve our Sustainability Strategy objective of about 4,000 megawatts of electricity from solar power by 2030, which makes up 30 percent of Qatar’s total electric power production,” he explained.

Al-Kaabi described the latest announcement as a “continuation” of Qatar’s efforts to provide the world with energy products and meet global needs.

“QatarEnergy’s specialised technical teams will immediately begin the necessary detailed engineering studies to implement these mega projects in accordance with the highest safety, health and environmental standards,” Al-Kaabi said.

source/contents: dohanews.co (headline edited)

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QATAR: Msheireb Downtown Doha wins Guinness World Records title™ for ‘Largest Underground Car Park” in the world

Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s pioneering sustainable and smart city district, has clinched the Guinness World Records™ title for the “Largest Underground Car Park” with a capacity of 10,017 spaces. The Guinness World Records™ recognition highlights the creative thinking that went into designing Msheireb Downtown Doha to create a sustainable urban district that sets a new benchmark for future smart city projects globally.

Msheireb Downtown Doha was designed for the human scale, which starts from the ground up. Locating car parking and building services underground has allowed the district to keep streets traffic-lite, enabling narrow, pedestrian-friendly walkways. This design improves connectivity across the wider city area, extending underground basements throughout the entire district.

“We wanted to reclaim outdoor spaces for the community by removing vehicles from the streets around Msheireb,” said Msheireb Properties CEO Eng. Ali Al Kuwari. “The Guinness World Records™ for the Largest Underground Car Park is a testament to our dedication to creating a sustainable and innovative city district that prioritizes the well-being of our community. By locating car parking and building services underground, we enabled architects to design attractive buildings with active façades on all sides.”

With an impressive capacity of 10,017 vehicles spread across six levels, Msheireb Downtown Doha’s underground parking system ensures ample space for residents, tenants, and visitors. The cutting-edge facility boasts an intelligent parking system that guides drivers to available spaces, making the parking experience seamless and hassle-free.

The underground parking system also had a significant impact on building design by removing the need for back service entrances which improved street quality and aesthetic cohesion.

As the flagship project of Msheireb Properties, Msheireb Downtown Doha has been designed to revive the historical downtown area with a new architectural language that is modern yet inspired by traditional Qatari heritage. The district incorporates the latest smart city technology and sustainability features, making it a model for future urban development’s worldwide.

Raafat Tawfik, Guinness World Records™ Official Adjudicator, commented, “We are thrilled to recognize Msheireb Downtown Doha for its outstanding achievement in creating the Largest Underground Car Park. This feat showcases the district’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and enhancing the urban living experience.”

Msheireb Downtown Doha’s underground parking is just one of the many features that make the district a unique and attractive destination. With its pedestrian-friendly streets, diverse mix of residential, commercial, and retail offerings, and cultural attractions such as the Msheireb Museums, the district has become one of Qatar’s go-to destinations for residents and visitors alike.

Source and cover image credit: Press release

source/content: iloveqatar.net (headline edited)

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QATAR: Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) in Guinness World Records for ‘Largest Underground Car Park’

Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), Qatar’s pioneering sustainable and smart city district, has clinched the Guinness World Records title for the ‘Largest Underground Car Park’ with capacity of 10,017 spaces across six levels.

Locating car parking and building services underground has allowed the district to keep streets traffic-lite, enabling narrow, pedestrian-friendly walkways. This design improves connectivity across the wider city area, with underground basements extending over the entire district.

“We wanted to reclaim outdoor spaces for the community by removing vehicles from the streets around Msheireb,” said Msheireb Properties CEO engineer Ali al-Kuwari.

“The Guinness World Records for the Largest Underground Car Park is a testament to our dedication to creating a sustainable and innovative city district that prioritises the well-being of our community. By locating car parking and building services underground, we enabled architects to design attractive buildings with active façades on all sides.”

The MDD’s underground parking system ensures ample space for residents, tenants, and visitors. The facility boasts an intelligent parking system that guides drivers to available spaces, making the parking experience seamless and hassle-free.

The underground parking system also had a significant impact on building design by removing the need for back service entrances which improved street quality and aesthetic cohesion.

As the flagship project of Msheireb Properties, MDD has been designed to revive the historical downtown area with a new architectural language that is modern yet inspired by traditional Qatari heritage. The district incorporates the latest smart city technology and sustainability features, making it a model for future urban development’s worldwide.

Raafat Tawfik, Guinness World Records Official Adjudicator, said: “We are thrilled to recognise MDD for its outstanding achievement in creating the Largest Underground Car Park. This feat showcases the district’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and enhancing the urban living experience.”

MDD’s underground parking is just one of the many features that make the district a unique and attractive destination. With its pedestrian-friendly streets, diverse mix of residential, commercial, and retail offerings, and cultural attractions such as the Msheireb Museums, the district has become one of Qatar’s go-to destinations for residents and visitors alike, a statement added.

source/content: gulf-times.com (headline edited)

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QATAR: ‘Largest Green Roof’ in the World- Guinness World Record for Expo Doha Main Building

The main building of Expo 2023 Doha, built on an area of 4,031 sqm by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), has won the Guinness World Records title for “The Largest Green Roof” in the world.


This is a new achievement for the Public Works Authority , which has also executed various projects for major international events in the country including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.


The new achievement is the 6th title to be added to the world records won by Ashghal which has previously got 5 Guinness World Records titles, a statement said.
Among the achievements are the world’s largest electric bus depot in Lusail, the implementation of the longest air-conditioned outdoor path in Umm Al Seneem park, the longest continuous cycling path (Olympic cycling track), the longest piece of asphalt/bituminous concrete laid continuously along Al Khor road, and the most nationalities planting trees simultaneously.


Mohammed al-Khouri, Secretary General of the International Horticultural Expo 2023, expressed his delight with the main building of Expo 2023 receiving a world title. This major achievement came just before the start of the International Horticultural Expo 2023, adding momentum to this global event.


Eng. Jaralla Mohamed al-Marri, Building Projects Department Manager said Ashghal always strives to reach the global level through its outstanding projects. He noted that the remarkable Guinness World Record for the main building of Expo 2023 is a new global recognition for ‘Ashghal’ projects.


It’s worth mentioning, the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ has completed the construction of the main building of the international exhibition, service buildings, and prepared the external and internal gardens of the exhibition to accommodate participants and visitors of one of the major horticultural exhibitions in the Middle East.


The building was designed to showcase the highest horticultural standards in a hot climate area, presenting a model of a green country existing in a desert climate like the State of Qatar.


This project was designed to provide the visitor with an interactive experience with nature and modern urban construction with elements of Qatari characteristics. The roof of the main building was planted with Pennisetum, Dahlia and green grass.

source/content: gulf-times.com (headline edited)

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QATAR Investment Authority Invests $200mn; Buys Stake in NBA, WNBA & NHL

A report by the Financial Times  has said that the country’s sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), has taken a stake in the owner of Washington’s professional basketball and hockey teams in US sport.

As per the report, the fund is paying $200mn for a 5% stake in Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE) in a deal that values the owner of the National Basketball Association’s Washington Wizards, the Women’s National Basketball Association’s Washington Mystics and the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals at $4.05bn.

The report also mentions that the investment from QIA, at an estimated $450bn in assets, comes less than a year after the NBA amended its bylaws to allow sovereign wealth funds to invest in clubs.

The QIA said, “As one of the largest integrated sports and entertainment companies in the country, MSE’s platform provides unique opportunities and scalability for growth and partnerships”.

As per the report, people familiar with the Monumental deal said that the QIA was taking a stake in the group as a financial transaction to gain exposure to a company with a diverse range of assets. As per reports, QIA will not gain board representation as part of the transaction.

Source: Financial Times

Cover image credit: www.sportingnews.com

source/content: iloveqatar.net (headline edited)

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