Al Kharaej and Waterfront Residential districts Lusail City Qatar

In 2014 an acoustic study was undertaken of the public realm of the Al Kharaej and Waterfront residential areas of the new Lusail City development in Qatar. Located seven kilometres north of Doha the land area is approximately 2,200 hectares and comprises housing for 195,000 residents with mixed use retail, commercial hotels, community facilities and recreational areas, all within proximity to many of the city’s landmarks including the Lusail Stadium which is at the front and centre of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The new district includes several mid-high rise residential and mixed-use resort towers and community buildings, with additional commercial and retail and large areas of landscaping along the lagoon.

The acoustic design formed part of the wider vision for the Al Kharaej and Waterfront Residential districts in order to provide a high quality, sustainable and vibrant community environment attractive to local residents. The scheme provides a variety of external areas for passive leisure, social community and active recreation and sports, with an emphasis on community, identity, health and environment.

The acoustic design included full CadnaA noise prediction modelling of Lusail City based on predicted traffic flow, and subsequent recommendations for mitigation measures to improve the quality of the acoustic environment, including landscape features such as sunken amphitheatres and screening to limit sound ingress, as well as provision of natural sound sources such as water features to mask traffic noise and enhance the soundscape of the area.

Assessment was made and recommendations also presented for specific open park and recreation areas to assist in providing a suitably lively auditory atmosphere to enhance the character of Lusail City.