Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable developer and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Sciences and Community Development, has received another global accolade by obtainingPlatinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation for the Tram Depot located within their flagship development project, Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD). This accolade coincides with Msheireb Properties receiving their third tram from the US-based manufacturer, TIG/m, LLC.
The Tram Depot, a stabling and maintenance facility for Msheireb Properties’ three trams, received Platinum LEED accreditation in recognition of its advanced specifications that meet the LEED criteria. According to a report produced by the judges, accreditation was awarded based on excellence across multiple criteria, including, design, fit out, sustainability, and optimized energy performance. The report also referred to the building’s overall approach to environmental friendliness, in terms of waste management and low-emitting materials.
Msheireb Downtown Doha has one of the highest concentrations of LEED-certified sustainable buildings, making it the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project. With a 32% energy reduction goal, almost all the project buildings have LEED Gold certification, with some buildings exceeding expectations to achieve LEED Platinum status.
The tramway network is one of the core features of MDD, planned to facilitate the transportation of residents and visitors around the city in an eco-friendly way. The third self-powered, high-tech, electric streetcar, designed and built by TIG/m, has now arrived on site and is being installed at the district. TIG/m designed, manufactured, and installed the public transportation system of MDD, with the goal of reducing automobile traffic and providing eco-friendly, convenient travel in Downtown Doha.
TIG/m President Brad Read said, “We aim to facilitate the reintroduction of the electric street railway into the fabric of modern cities and Msheireb Downtown Doha is an example of how to do just that without compromising functionality or aesthetics. We are very happy with our collaboration and immensely proud of what we have achieved. It is sincerely our wish at TIG/m that more urban developers follow the lead of Msheireb Properties and start introducing transportation substitutes that are cleaner, more affordable, fast, and efficient.”
Mr. Ali Al KuwariActingChief Executive Officer, Msheireb Properties said: “We are proud to receive yet another Platinum LEED accreditation for the Tram Depot. We know of no other development project in the world that has LEED certified the housing and maintenance of a cities’ transportation vehicles. With the arrival of final tram for Msheireb Downtown Doha, we have the ability to provide an easy transport network throughout the smart and sustainable city’s neighbourhoods and facilities. It will be the first of its kind in Qatar and another milestone on our journey to conclude the development of this award-winning development project.”
The three TIG/m trams are single-deck, rigid body, self-powered vehicles, and require no overhead wire or wayside power systems of any kind. The traction power is provided by onboard batteries operating with a regenerative braking function. Ancillary power is provided by a small onboard generator. Because the power for a full day of service is carried on-board, the trams are immune to technical problems caused by an off-board power support system, and free of the need to stop for charging during passenger service.
The MDD trams are fully air-conditioned and incorporate special light-filtering glass panels which inhibit over 90% of the heat from sunlight. The trams are also convertible and can be operated as open-air cars during the cooler winter months by removing the large glass panels. This feature is unique to the MDD tramway system.
In addition, the System incorporates many advanced features for the convenience of the passengers and overall safety of the tramway and assets. They include: level boarding at all passenger stations; a hop-on-hop-off service in the Wadi Msheireb section of Downtown; Virtual Tram Detection and tram priority at the traffic signals; tram arrival signs in real-time on the trams and at the passenger stations; on-board CCTV; and on-board Wi-Fi.
The tramway network within Msheireb Downtown Doha is a single 2 km, closed-loop track system that includes nine stops, with a 400-meter hop-on/hop-off zone. The trams will operate between the hours of 6am to 1am on Sunday to Thursday, and from 1pm to 1am on Friday and Saturday, every day of the year. The system links all parts of the development within 18 minutes, with a 6-minute headway at each station, and offers residents access to Msheireb Station, the largest Doha Metro station that links Qatar Rail’s three metro lines: Red, Green, and Golden.
The MDD trams run on standard gauge track (1,435 mm) and are custom designed and hand crafted to the highest standards of excellence, while adhering to European Standards for Tramway Safety.
Upon completion, the new Downtown District will offer residents a combination of luxurious and spacious townhouses that blend traditional Qatari heritage with modern architecture, as well as contemporary apartments with world-class fittings and finishes. MDD will also provide residents with the largest offering of parks & plazas within one development in Qatar — a testament to its commitment to providing not only green spaces, but also green practices throughout the city.
