Qatar Foundation’s Earthna, in partnership with social analytics platform Neighbourlytics, launched the findings of a research project as part of an ongoing program to enhance how people live, work, study and play in Education City
Doha, Qatar, October, 2023: Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, a member of Qatar Foundation, in cooperation with Neighbourlytics, has launched a report titled ‘Education City as an Innovation District’, at Cityscapes Qatar. The report is based on a study which analyzes how residents, employees, and visitors engage with the district and recommends ways to enhance environmental, social, and economic prosperity.
During a session at Cityscapes Qatar – Qatar’s largest real estate exhibition – Nihal Mohamed Al-Saleh, Director of Programs at Earthna, presented key findings from the study, which uses unique technology and social data analytics to provide a holistic view of urban life in Education City. This involves looking at the volume and variety of activities, walkability, relevance, and character of the district.
The report benchmarks Education City – Qatar Foundation’s flagship initiative, home to universities, technology parks, cultural institutions and so much more – against five key areas in Doha, and other innovation districts world-wide. It highlights that the campus has a good mix of places that people can visit for work, study, or leisure, utilize a high number of community assets, and a robust business and services network. It also identifies opportunities to create more ways for people to enjoy Education City, by improving how people move around the area, offering more activities, and creating greater awareness of events and attractions.
The report marks the first step in an ongoing program of “placemaking” work, which will empower Education City’s communities to identify ways to improve sustainability and liveability at a grass roots level.
Al-Saleh believes that cooperative action will be an essential aspect of Education City’s future success: “Earthna is committed to developing sustainable societies and liveable, resilient cities in hot and arid environments, and this report provides a foundation for the future development of Education City.
“The report’s findings will help ensure that the district’s evolution will be focused on supporting the wellbeing of its residents and visitors by creating a year-round vibrant campus, with low-carbon spaces that can be fully utilized, even in Qatar’s hot climate. However, the people who use Education City must be at the heart of this work, and it is essential that we work with the community to explore ways to revisualize the spaces we have and create a thriving urban neighborhood from the ground up.”
Jessica Christiansen-Franks, Founding Director of Neighbourlytics, said: “Our innovative social analytics platform fills the gap in our understanding of human dynamics within urban areas, and offers unique insights that traditional data—which tends to focus on the physical environment—cannot.
“This report dives deep into how people use Education City, examining it through a hyper-local lens to reveal achievements and untapped opportunities. It's a reminder that places are more than bricks and mortar—they are central to the health and happiness of their residents and visitors. The findings and actionable data will empower decision-making, guide planners, and establish a data-driven decision-making norm for future development."