Qatar expands outdoor cooling to make public spaces summer-friendly
Advanced cooling technologies are being used across the country to transform outdoor public spaces, souqs, and pedestrian districts into destinations that remain accessible and attractive during the c...
Qatar has expanded its use of advanced cooling technologies to create more comfortable outdoor public spaces during the scorching summer months. According to Qatar TV, this initiative includes underground cooling networks combined with specialized outdoor air-conditioning systems, transforming areas such as souqs, pedestrian districts, and parks into summer-friendly destinations.
By providing temperatures ranging from 22°C to 30°C, these cooling systems enable residents and tourists to comfortably engage in outdoor activities despite ambient temperatures often exceeding 45°C. This shift from indoor air-conditioned spaces to outdoor cooling is reshaping public life, supporting retail activity, tourism, and the development of climate-resilient urban environments.
Locations like Lusail Boulevard, Lafayette Street, Msheireb Downtown Doha, Al Hazm Mall, and several parks have benefited from these cooling systems. Eng Jamal Yousef al-Derbasti, director of the District Cooling Department at Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), explained that decisions on where to implement cooling infrastructure are based on technical studies and criteria like cooling density and population density, ensuring investments generate the most social and economic benefit.
District cooling, a centralized system that distributes chilled water through underground pipelines, reduces power demand by 30% to 40% compared to traditional cooling methods. This efficiency is crucial for Qatar, where cooling consumes a significant portion of energy due to the prolonged hot season. The technology also offers benefits such as improved reliability, lower energy consumption, reduced peak power requirements, and a better user experience.
Retailers at Souq Waqif have noted that outdoor cooling has increased visitor flows, while visitors have praised the comfort of walking and sightseeing in cooled public areas. Qatar's expertise in district cooling, developed through applications in commercial, residential, and public facilities, highlights the technology's growing role in everyday urban life.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
