Transit Oriented Development (Al Sadd)Hamad Metro station (TOD) hospital

Alifa Muneerudeen, 201304589,Qatar University Masters student (Masters in Urban Planning and Design)

What is a Transit Oriented Development? A transit-oriented development (TOD) is a mixed-use residential and

commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport

A TOD neighborhood typically has a center with a transit station or stop (train station, metro station, tram stop, or bus stop), surrounded by relatively high-density development with progressively lower-density development spreading outward from the center.

It includes a mixture of housing, office, retail and/or other amenities integrated into a walk able neighborhood and located within a half-mile of quality public transportation.

TODs generally are located within a radius of one-quarter to one-half mile (400 to 800 m) from a transit stop, as this is considered to be an appropriate scale for pedestrians.

A half mile (800 m) corresponds to the distance someone can walk in 10 minutes at 3 mph (4.8 km/h) and is a common estimate for the distance people will walk to get to a rail station. The half-mile ring is a little more than 500 acres (2.0 km2) in size.

Advantages:

TOD provides pedestrian amenities, such as street trees, landscaping, lighting, pedestrian parks, and attractive architectural features. These types of amenities result in improved aesthetics, which often leads to a stronger sense of community and improves quality of life.

Accommodating transit, pedestrian, and bicycle access into the design of new development - reduces dependence on the automobile and results in reduced traffic congestion, reduced fuel consumption, improved air quality, and a decrease in demand for new roads.

Accessibility: The most direct benefit of TOD increased accessibility to transit services. When housing, commercial and employment centers are focused around transit nodes and corridors, people can get between destinations using transit much more efficiently.

Property values:  higher when the land is within 300 feet of Metro stations.

Land use patterns: Transit oriented development promotes high-density, mixed-use and sustainable land use patterns. That lowers overall land use, preserves green space and prevents automobile-oriented sprawl.

Transit ridership: Transit oriented development is beneficial for both real estate and transit. When people live and work within walking distance of a reliable transit stop, ridership greatly increases and transit investment is financially supported.

Job and housing opportunity: TOD increases transportation options, which in turn, increases accessibility to jobs and diverse housing choices.

The need for TOD in Doha:Hamad hospital is located strategically in Al Sadd (Al Rayyan road) which allows easy access to Salwa road, Mansoura, Ramada signal, Al Nasr, Msheireb, Corniche, Souk Waqif , Gharaffa,Bin Omran, Al Waab etc.

It is imperative to discourage private vehicle usage (particularly in this area which houses the city’s main hospital which caters to all sorts of emergencies)

Air pollution is a considerable hazard as well and so is congestion.

The chosen area is an ideal location for a TOD as it is important to discourage vehicular use.

CASE STUDY: Dubai Techno Park

Dubai Techno Park –Located between Jebel Ali downtown and Free zone districts and the Dubai World central airport and is only 10-15 minutes away from cafes and restaurants of Dubai marina and the beaches

Accessed by Dubai Metro red line from Jebel Ali port station , near Sh. Zayed road. Techno park is located right behind Sh. Zayed road. The metro feeder shuttle buses of Dubai metro also run along this route.

The project is distinctly divided into 4 zones –the technology core, Technology corridor. A mixed Use strip and The industrial zone on the outskirts.

The first zone houses the main towers , boulevard , A core campus and low rise development buildings.

The area right behind called the technology corridor is where the light manufacturing buildings , residential , retail , health care and community amenities are located.

The Mixed use strip highlighted in the image (C) acts as a gateway from Sh.Zayed road and comprises malls , retail outlets, showrooms and 8 storey commercial buildings .

The outer most area is where the manufacturing industries are located.

The project aims towards true sustainability as it uses mass rapid transport systems of the metro and feeder buses to get around.The project also has a Solar panel and sea pollution project which is of significance as it is the first in the region to eliminate pollution and is part of Dubai Green Initiative.

This project aims to become a TOD making full use of the Jebel Ali Port station even though vehicular access would not be restricted.

Cycling lanes and walking areas along with ample green spaces are provided for recreation along with a number of coffee shops and retail outlets.

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SITE ANALYSIS: Hamad Hospital Metro Station

The Green Line runs east from Al Riffa to Al Mansoura in the west. Because it passes through Education City, the line is also knownas the Education Line. There are eight stationsalong this line:

• Al Mansoura• The White Palace• Hamad Hospital• Al Messila• Al Rayyan • Al Shaqab• Qatar National Library• Al Riffa

The line is expected to officially open in 2019.

This area has a mixed population of middle income groups and include the upper middle class tall apartments as well as some lower scale apartments and commercial buildings. The buildings opposite to Hamad hospitals are in good condition.

Hamad hospital metro

station site(green)

Metro station on golden line

Location: Hamad hospital metro station site(green)

The proposed location of the station is at the intersection of Ahmed bin Ali street and Al Rayyan road.

Existing Bus stations

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800 m radius:

The area around the 400m radius has a commercial establishment(Lulu),the hospital complexes, good quality residential buildings, The courts building , Wyndham Residency hotel,etc towards sports roundabout.Commercial buildings and restaurants abound the area of Al Nasr Street towards Ramada signal .Hamad hospital still occupies a major chunk of the land use.

The area towards M’sheireb haspotential for redevelopment.

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IntersectionsBus stations

DESIGN PROPOSAL - HAMAD HOSPITAL T.O.D

Recommended design elements considered are:

•Safe pedestrian crossings at intersections sidewalks provided along 5’ wide with a minimum 3’ planting strip• bicycle lanes adjacent to roadways landscaping and street trees for aesthetic purposes;• pedestrian parks, benches, and other amenities ,awnings and overhangs for weather protection in open seating areas.• bicycle racks or lockers at major transit

District Circulator Tod :

District circulators facilitate movement within an “activity node” – typically a downtown or a commercial, medical or educational center.

•Circulators promote biking, walking and “park once” strategies. Streetscape improvements such as wider sidewalks, street trees, benches and other amenities will encourage pedestrian activity within a district.• District circulators can be a key component of a district-wide parking plan, making it possible to decrease parking ratios and boost retail sales without providing more parking.• The frequency of service can determine whether a circulator corridor will enhance transit connectivity and become an organizing principle for development.

Anticipated quality of the Urban spaces:

The Main streets house retail outlets and high rise buildings while the inner streests have pocket parks which the the buildings are designed around.

Circulators extend the walk ability of thesedistricts, making it easier to access amenitieswithout a car. Circulators also connectneighboring activity nodes

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