Special Economic Zone (SEZ) – Al Karaana, Qatar
Client
- Manateq
Project Value 
$7.2 Billion
Market
Urban Development
Services
Design And Urban Planning
As an essential component of the Qatar National Vision 2030, the Al Karaana Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a modern industrial, manufacturing, logistics hub, and new urban center in Qatar, featuring retail, commercial, residential, and community facilities.
Manateq was established to achieve a key economic development pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030. It is the leading developer and operator of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and logistics parks in Qatar. It focuses on building and managing world-class infrastructure to facilitate industrial and service-sector growth. Manateq awarded us the master planning and detailed infrastructure design contract in 2017 for the Al Karaana SEZ. The zone is its largest project, encompassing 44.86km2, and will house business incubator spaces, conference centers, storage facilities and logistics zones. The main clusters targeted for the development comprise construction materials, logistics and general manufacturing.
Taking A Holistic Approach To Master Plan Development
Our scope of services included preparing concept and final master plans for the entire project area; and undertaking detailed engineering design for Phase 1. During development of the master plan phasing strategy, we proposed two innovative and unique selling points for Phases 2 and 3. The first was to create a wholesale zone with on-site warehouses and showrooms. The second was to create a dry port with rail connectivity, allowing for the efficient import and export of goods. Our master plan also considered all three sustainability dimensions: social, environmental and economic. This resulted in us including many beneficial aspects in our design (e.g. sustainable transportation, and energy saving and water conservation technologies).
The master plan was developed by a multi-disciplinary team of urban planners and designers with in-depth local knowledge. Extensive data collection and discussion with the client allowed us to consider numerous options before deciding on the optimal solution.
Project Development
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- During the master plan phasing strategy development, we considered Manateq’s intention to develop the balance of the site in the two additional phases (34.695 square kilometers). We proposed two innovative and unique selling points for the QEZ 2 developments during the master-planning stage.
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- First, we proposed a wholesale zone where large quantities of goods will be available at on-site warehouses with showrooms and, second, a dry port with rail connectivity to the new Hamad Port, where goods will be imported or exported from the country. The wholesale zone and the dry port are the first of their kind in Qatar.
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- Project work began with data collection, which provided a basis in formulating plan alternatives. These alternatives, through an analysis of their respective advantages and disadvantages, and a review by Manateq, provided a thoroughly vetted basis for producing the final master plan.
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- Our methodology carried out a program of professional and technical services provided by a multidisciplinary team of urban and regional planners and designers with extensive Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) experience specific to the preparation of master plans for major industrial estates.
The Role Of Sustainability
Considerations for sustainability and the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) were an integral part of the design scope, design development, and related design deliverables of the project,. This includes concept and final master plan design and tender documentation. Emphasis was placed on energy conservation and sustainability measures and techniques throughout the project. The project is targeting the achievement of a three-star rating under the district’s certification route of the GSAS, which is administered by the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD). We are performing all required services related to GSAS as well as the Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation to enable the project to achieve this certification.
Services Provided
- Concept Master Plan
- Final Master Plan
- Detailed Engineering Design
- Traffic Impact Study (TIS)
- Environmental Impact Study (EIS)
- Environmental Assessment Strategy (SEA)
