Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) Assistant Professor of Architecture and Urban Planning Dr Anna Grichting gave a presentation on “Light Nights. Reflections on Doha’s Corniche and Illuminations on other Desert Landscapes” at the “After Dark: Nocturnal Landscapes and Public Spaces in the Arabian Peninsula” conference, which was recently held at Harvard University.
Organised by Harvard University Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture Dr Gareth Doherty and Director of Harvard University Center for Middle Eastern Studies Dr William Granara, the conference aimed to explore typologies of nocturnal landscapes in the Arabian Peninsula. It was supported by the Aga Khan Program in Islamic Architecture.
The conference drew the participation of 21 speakers from Bahrain, Germany, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and the USA.
Dr Anna noted that Doha’s semi-circular Corniche was shaped during the modern planning of Doha that began in the 1970s with the development of the oil and gas industry.
“Despite the rapid development of the city, the linear landscape still remains today the symbolic and physical heart of the city, from which the structural rings and arteries of the city radiate”, she said, adding, “the Corniche is the stage of many nocturnal events and celebrations and has been the object of competitions and speculative lighting designs. A new lighting scheme will be implemented for the FIFA 2022 Mega Event.”
She also noted that the public space of the Corniche is one of the most socially inclusive spaces of the city, and is used by diverse communities at all times of the day and night, and especially at sunset and sunrise. She added: “With the extreme climate of the region, usage varies during the seasons, and summer sees an increase in nocturnal occupation.”
Dr Anna also presented the concept of light pollution and its effects on species and biodiversity, namely the Hawksbill Turtles that nests on Qatar’s beaches. She highlighted the work undertaken by QU to preserve the turtles and to design better lighting for turtles that are negatively affected by the coastal urban lighting. She also gave a brief on the dark landscapes of Qatar, where astronomers go to observe the stars and the night sky.
Dr Anna concluded with the concept of Light Festivals and highlighted the recent development of the Festival in Sharjah, and the potential of these festivals to bring new lighting ideas and concepts to the city.
