The Ministry of Municipality and Environment is set to develop 60 new 'smart public parks' across Qatar, a senior official has revealed.
The Ministry is looking to establish partnership with companies to provide smart technologies, innovative ideas and unique products which are environment-friendly and sustainable, to introduce in the upcoming public facilities. The Public Parks Department at the Ministry runs and maintains some 86 c parks in all municipalities across the country.
"All the upcoming new parks will be different from the existing ones. We are planning to incorporate innovative ideas, smart technologies, new plants, flowers and trees which are more resilient to the harsh climatic conditions such as dusty winds and high temperatures," Mohammed Al Khoori, Director, Public Parks Department at the Ministry told The Peninsula on the sidelines of 'Project Qatar 2016', which is concluding today at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Al Koori, whose department is participating with a big pavilion at the expo, added: "We are participating at the exhibition for the first time. The main objective is to display the needs and requirements of our department for the upcoming parks and public facilities. We are also looking to establish partnership with companies and agencies dealing in smart technologies, green and recycled products and innovative ideas which can be introduced in the parks."
He explained that the Ministry is looking to source energy saving LED lighting system, solar technologies, new species of flowers and trees which are suitable to the local environment. He said that the upcoming parks will be developed in a phased manner over the next four-five years. The facilities will be of different sizes depending on the availability of land, expected number of visitors and requirements of the local community.
The attractive pavilion of the Ministry at the exhibition is the replica of a theme park which has used natural green grass, a running water fountain designed like a piano, live ducks, eye-catching flowers and ornamental plants. The pavilion also featured wooden furniture and footsteps all made of recycled wood planks originally used between railway tracks in Brazil. "We are trying to introduce new ideas, unique products (which are eco-friendly) and energy saving lighting system to be more green and environmentally sustainable adding value to our facilities. The innovative ideas can be anything related to landscaping which can make every park more attractive and unique from the other," said Al Khoori.
Al Khoori said the department is also working with the authorities concerned to offer free Internet service at all parks and other amenities which are currently lacking.
source: The Peninsula
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