2nd Annual Smart Skyscrapers Summit - Dubai - May 2015 presentation

1. Socio-cultural Sustainability and Tall Buildings:
Planning Challenges and Design Opportunities
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
Head of Department of Architecture and Urban Planning
College of Engineering - Qatar University

2. Contents
• Introduction
• The human dimension of skyscrapers
• Skyscrapers impact on the urban context
• Socio-cultural challenges of skyscrapers
• Towards sustainable skyscrapers
• Conclusions

3. Contents
• Introduction
• The human dimension of skyscrapers
• Skyscrapers impact on the urban context
• Socio-cultural challenges of skyscrapers
• Towards sustainable skyscrapers
• Conclusions

4. Introduction
The love affair with tall buildings is undeniable. Initially very
much a western society symbol of power and progress that
started in the late 19th century, the tall building love affair has
well and truly infected developing nations throughout Asia
and the Middle East, for many of the same reasons.
Keen to be seen as the new power-houses of the world, these
nations are falling over themselves to build the biggest and
greatest symbols of their city's and creator's success.
However, do tall buildings actually make these cities better
places?
Jon Brock (Urban Melbourne, 01/09/2014 )

5. • Tall Buildings, in name and
social function, are modern
expression of the age-old
symbol of a pillar that
connects earth to heaven
and the four compass
directions to one another.
Shibam, Yemen
Giza Pyramids, Egypt
Mayan temples in Tikal, Guatamala
Introduction

6. • The construction of tall buildings emerged as a feasible
economic solution to provide more spaces in dense old cities
such as Chicago and NY.
Introduction

7. Introduction
• Tall buildings in emerging cities of the Middle East are
statements of modernity, globalization and economic
prosperity.

8. The built environment found in
the Gulf countries has passed
through rapid changes during
the second half of the 20th
century, as a result of
economic wealth generated
after the discovery of oil that
initiated major urban
development schemes to
improve the quality of life and
urban environment.
Introduction

9. • Tall buildings in the Middle East often carry a connotation of
pride and achievement.
World's Tallest Clock, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
World’s Tallest
Building, Burj
Khalifa, Dubai
Introduction

10. Contents
• Introduction
• The human dimension of skyscrapers
• Skyscrapers impact on the urban context
• Socio-cultural challenges of skyscrapers
• Towards sustainable skyscrapers
• Conclusions

11. The human dimension of skyscrapers
Skyscrapers
Public Realm
Skyscrapers
Skyscrapers
A common concern with tall buildings is the way they relate to the public realm
on the ground level. Their success in touching the sky should be measured by
their success in reaching the ground.

32. Contents
• Introduction
• The human dimension of skyscrapers
• Skyscrapers impact on the urban context
• Socio-cultural challenges of skyscrapers
• Towards sustainable skyscrapers
• Conclusions

37. Contents
• Introduction
• The human dimension of skyscrapers
• Skyscrapers impact on the urban context
• Socio-cultural challenges of skyscrapers
• Towards sustainable skyscrapers
• Conclusions

38. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers
• With 800 tower projects
expected to be completed
over the next decade in the
Middle East, it is important
to retain a sense of cultural
identity and heritage.

39. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers
Problems Identification
Globalization
Rapid
Urbanization
The Urban
Planning Process

40. Pre1950-Pre-OilEra
VernacularSettelement
1950’s–1970’s
UncontrolledGrowth
1972
LlewellynDavis
1stMasterPlan
1975
PereiraArchitects
NewWaterfront
1979
ShanklandCox
20yearsUrbanStrategies
1983
HOK
DohaLandscapeMasterPlan
1985
DarAl-Handasah
Doha’sCityCenter
1993
LouisBerger&HOK
PhysicalDevelopmentPlan
2005
PacificConsultantsInternational
QNMP2030!
2010
FIFAWorldCupAnnouncement
History of Urban Planning in Doha

41. Doha skyline, 2005
Doha skyline 2007
Doha skyline 2010
Doha Skyline Development
Doha skyline, 1960
Doha skyline 2013

42. Socio-cultural Challenges of SkyscrapersThe Pearl
QF
Education
City
West
Bay
West Bay
Lagoona
Doha
Downtown
KATARA
Port
Airport
Khalifa
City
QU

43. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers
• Problems in
West Bay
high-rise
district in
Doha

45. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers

46. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers

47. PRE-PLANNING
PHASE
A shallow part
of the Gulf that
has been
dredged and
planned to be
developed
PHASE I
Planned as a
district for
luxurious
residential villas.
Small plots, narrow
streets and loop-
circulation usually
used in residential
villas districts in
Doha.
PHASE II
Planned as a high-
rise district that
represents high-
quality design
High-quality tall
building that failed
to create street
attractive public
realm.
Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers

48. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers
The existing urban regulations lack the integration between the
buildings and the surrounding space

49. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers
Existing Building Regulations

50. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers
Existing Public Realm

51. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers
Unshaded pedestrian pathwaysPavement obstructed with fences

52. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers
Lack of connectivity with the
public realm
Street level security gates and
parking lots

53. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers

54. Socio-cultural Challenges of Skyscrapers

55. Socio-cultural challenges of skyscrapers
Livability of high-rise districts
Regulatory
framework
Integrated urban
planning process
Shift from
conventional codes
to form-based codes

56. Contents
• Introduction
• The human dimension of skyscrapers
• Skyscrapers impact on the urban context
• Socio-cultural challenges of skyscrapers
• Towards sustainable skyscrapers
• Conclusions

57. Form-Based Codes (FBCs)
FBCs focus on the image of the development such as building height and
bulk, façade treatments, the location of parking, and the relationship of
the building to the street and to one another then integrate
those factors towards better appearance and qualities of the public realm
(Local Government Commission, 2013).

58. 3d Visualization Techniques
Three-dimensional visualization of designs using computer
software as 3d MAX, Revit and Maya facilitates the task of place-
making with high-rises as a more challenging building typology. This
emerging technique also helps in interaction with the community.

59. Towards Sustainable Skyscrapers
Mixed-Use

60. Towards Sustainable Skyscrapers
Vertical land Use

61. Towards Sustainable Skyscrapers
Mixed Building Heights

62. Towards Sustainable Skyscrapers
Pedestrian Environment and Circulation

63. Towards Sustainable Skyscrapers
Pedestrian Environment and Circulation

64. Towards Sustainable Skyscrapers
Pedestrian Environment and Circulation
Pedestrian-Only Alleys

65. Towards Sustainable Skyscrapers
Pedestrian-Only Alleys

66. Contents
• Introduction
• The human dimension of skyscrapers
• Skyscrapers impact on the urban context
• Socio-cultural challenges of skyscrapers
• Towards sustainable skyscrapers
• Conclusions

67. Conclusions
As urban areas grow in population and number,
urban designers and architects must examine,
embrace, and enhance the relationship
between tall buildings and the built
environment.
(Kheir Al-Kodmany and Mir M. Ali: The Future of the City:
Tall Buildings and Urban Design, 2013.)

68. Conclusions
In the Roadmap on the Future Research Needs of Tall Buildings issued by CTBUH , the
authors identified 11 “priority research topics and research gaps in the field of tall
buildings.” These 11 fields are:
1. Urban Design, City Planning and Social Issues
2. Architecture and Interior Design
3. Economics and Cost
4. Structural Performance, Multi-Hazard Design and Geotechnics
5. Circulation: Vertical Transportation and Evacuation
6. Fire and Life Safety
7. Cladding and Skin
8. Building Materials and Products
9. Sustainable Design, Construction and Operation
10. Construction and Project Management
11. Energy: Performance, Metrics and Generation
(Roadmap on the Future Research Needs of Tall Buildings. Philip Oldfield, Dario Trabucco & Antony
Wood , Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat: Chicago. 2014)

69. Conclusions
Skyscrapers
Public Realm
Skyscrapers
Skyscrapers
Skyscrapers
Skyscrapers
As tall buildings grow in height and number, more attention should be given to
their impact on the public realm.
Public RealmPublic Realm

70. Socio-cultural Sustainability and Tall Buildings:
Planning Challenges and Design Opportunities
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
Head of Department of Architecture and Urban Planning
College of Engineering - Qatar University
Thank You.