Qatar’s capital is developing very fast, and two new districts with space for a quarter of a million inhabitants, plus a new harbour and new major airport, will put more pressure on transport facilities in Doha.
Responsibility for city development lies with the Urban Planning & Development Authority (UPDA), who has selected COWI for a feasibility study of the various options for an improved transport infrastructure and subsequent proposals for the best solutions.
Ejgil Veje, COWI's project director, expects the expansion and improvement of the infrastructure to cost some EUR 1.3-2.7 billion and be completed by 2012.
According to Ejgil Veje, the feasibility study will include evaluation of a six kilometre long bridge over Doha Bay, which will run traffic around the city itself. Options also include a 5 kilometre long tunnel under the city and the establishment of a metro system.
“This project is very far reaching, demanding the expertise of various business units in COWI – from traffic analyses, transport planning and environmental management to metro systems, road, bridge and tunnel designs,” he explains.
Ejgil Veje hopes that COWI will be at the forefront of contenders when the chosen solution is to be implemented:
"In the Gulf, it’s about being on board from the very beginning. If the client knows and appreciates our work, we are in a much stronger position to land more contracts in the future. Therefore, personal and professional relationships are often more important than price."
COWI was in competition with eight international companies for this project.
"I believe that the UPDA chose us because of our considerable international experience on similar projects, and because we are now one of the leading consultancy companies in the Region," says Ejgil Veje.
Examples of projects managed by COWI include performing initial studies and concept design for a 40 kilometre long connection between Qatar and Bahrain and a 36 kilometre long connection linking Kuwait City with a new district.
In Denmark, COWI has been involved in the Copenhagen Metro, the fixed link across the Great Belt, the Øresund fixed link to Sweden and most recently with a potential Fehmarn-connection with Germany.
COWI has also been part of the consultancy consortiums responsible for planning and designing the development of new city districts to the north of Doha.
Today, COWI employs some 100 people in Qatar.
By Kathrine Schmeichel, kats@cowi.dk Published: 06.05.2008