California tram company, TIG/m, LLC, the innovative engineering and manufacturing firm of Msheireb Downtown Doha tram, won the “Manufacturer of the Year”, “Environmental and Sustainability Initiative”, and “Highly Commended in the Category of Customer Initiative” at the Global Light Rail Awards 2020.

Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, Acting CEO, Msheireb Properties stated: “Congratulations to TIG/m, LLC for the great achievement. The tram at Msheireb Downtown Doha has been a great added value service to our city, offering a friendly environment means of transportation within our premises. The award reiterates our right selection to TIG/m, which proved their high capabilities in bringing in this solution”.

Since December 30, 2019, MDD Tram has transported 100,000 passengers within the city, taking visitors around the central hubs from Msheireb Museums station to Al Kahraba Street, Sikkat Al wadi back to the Heritage Quarter.

The MDD Tram is part of the sustainability practices adopted by Msheireb Properties to secure safe, practical, environment-friendly transportation for families, tourists, visitors and residents. Sustainability is central to Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the adoption of the latest, cutting-edge technology enables conservation of natural resources and quality of design.

At the Global Light Rail Awards (GLRA), now in its 14th year, and well-known as the industry’s Oscars, the judging panel evaluated submissions in 16 categories. TIG/m President Brad Read accepted the awards on behalf of the company, noting that “this was one of the toughest years yet to choose the winners. It is fantastic to see such expertise as we all look to bring down costs, improve safety and sustainability, and deliver the best possible passenger experience.”

Over 950 entrees were made to the GLRA awards this year and the winning results generate a great deal of interest from the international transit community. The event organized by Mainspring and supported by industry publication Tramways & Urban Transit. In the “Manufacturer of the Year” category TIG/m prevailed over two other shortlisted contenders; industry heavyweights, CAF and Stadler Rail.

TIG/m, LLC is an innovative engineering and manufacturing firm supplying self-powered trams, tramway infrastructure, and tram system services to projects in various parts of the world including North America, South America, and Asia. Their mission to reduce the environmental impacts and costs of urban rail transportation has resulted in technologically groundbreaking street railways systems that operate independent of any need for distributed power infrastructure such as overhead wires.

TIG/m was founded in 2005 by the merger of an engineering firm with a manufacturing company and dedicated all of its efforts to developing a new kind of urban electric rail car that could operate without overhead wire, carrying all of the power for a full day of passenger service aboard each car. Since that time, they have installed systems that do just that in the U.S., Aruba and Qatar, and now they are weeks away from beginning a large new project in Riverside, California.

Msheireb Properties, the leading sustainable real estate development company in Qatar, organised the first-of-its-kind virtual summit in the region – “Doha Smart Cities Summit.” The event took place on November 24, hosting Msheireb Properties representatives, partners, global smart cities leaders, innovators, and experts locally, regionally and internationally.

The speakers discussed the vital role of smart cities for current and future generations and its high capabilities to tackle different challenges during pandemic times, and its role in supporting sustainability and water and energy efficiency.

Engineer Ali Al-Kuwari, Msheireb Properties Acting CEO, revealed that Msheireb Properties is conducting tests for autonomous vehicles at Msheireb Downtown Doha during the summit. The new autonomous vehicles will be offering their services once the tests are completed.

Al-Kuawri added in his speech: “Since its inception, Msheireb Properties has taken the responsibility to build a fully sustainable smart city, which is Msheireb Downtown Doha, one of the smartest and most sustainable cities in the world. Smart cities are no longer a matter of choice but rather a global trend adopted by countries and corporates to cope with new societal demands, whether by individuals,companies, or governmental entities. Smart cities have proven their high capabilities to meet individual and companies’ needs better than conventional cities during the Corona pandemic, in the fields of remote learning, work from home, delivery servicesor unmanned equipment. ”

“Msheireb Properties is adopting an “autonomous vehicle” concept, which can be used in many matters, especially in various delivery services, without the need for a driver. Further tests are being conducted on this vehicle in our city Msheireb Downtown Doha, and once they are completed, the vehicle will serve residents and tenants,” he stated.

H.E. Reem Mohammed Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Society Development, Ministry of Transport and Communications said: “Qatar is working to accomplish sustainable development as per the pillars of 2030 Qatar National vision and change the economy from a natural based economy to a knowledge-based society, with Qatar being positioned at the forefront of digital innovations.

 

“The ministry launched TASMU smart Qatar Program as the digital response to the national vision. TASMU harnesses advanced technology and innovation to deliver smart solutions and applications across priority sectors. For example, this year, to help reduce the strain on our health care facilities, during COVID-19, we accelerated implementing one of our existing smart solutions in the healthcare sector. We launched the service in collaboration with the Ministry of Public health virtual consultation services. We also launched EHTERAZ mobile application; the smart solution helped the country identify and manage disease transmission chains”.

 

H.E. Hassan Al-Thawadi, Secretary-General, Chairman, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, said, “Qatar succeeded through hard work and proper planning in overcoming the obstacles related to the international tournament. We work to ensure the provision of smart experience for visitors to Qatar 2022 from the moment they board a plane, arriving at Hamad International airport, using 5G network, commute through Doha Metro, booking their stay in Msheireb or any other destination, and moving to and from the stadiums and other locations.”

Reiterating the importance of sustainability in preserving the environment and resources, Al Thawadi stated that all stadiums are sustainable to serve all member of society.

H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani, CEO, Vodafone Qatar, said: “The transformation to smart cities is no longer a luxury but a necessity that is required to solve some of the greatest challenges the world is facing. Smart cities were able to quickly and efficiently respond to fighting the virus, through processing algorithms and artificial intelligence applications that helped authorities set plans in place to trace suspect COVID-19 Cases.”

“We have invested heavily in building the foundation of a smart digital city that enables integration, analysis, and sharing data. Our investments also include a 5G network. Vodafone Qatar was one of the first to launch a 5G network, which has a deep impact on how we live and work in Qatar. Vodafone Qatar partnership with Msheireb Downtown Doha reflects our commitment to accelerating Qatar’s journey towards becoming one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world”, he added.

The summit included representatives from global leading smart cities, such as Amsterdam and Singapore. Leonie van den Beuken, Program Director at Amsterdam Smart City, and Tan Puay Hong, Principle Engineer at Land Transport Authority of Singapore, shared the experience of the two cities with the audience.

The summit included a series of panel discussions about a range of specialist areas. The first panel discussed cybersecurity in smart cities and the importance of implementing digital systems services. The second panel focused on mobility and autonomous vehicles and the presentation of a new transportation business model. The third session was held under the title of “Innovation and Sustainability From Lifestyle Shift to Climate Change.” The summit ended with a special closing panel session on a pandemic-ready smart city model, outlining smart cities’ readiness and preparedness in the stages of lockdown.

Doha Smart Cities Summit was an important platform for experts, professionals, and a broader audience to share, inspire, and shape the Smart City industry’s future.

The summit comes under Msheireb Properties’ continuous commitment to adopting sustainable practices of smart cities to strengthen its position among global cities and reflects its effort in supporting the 2030 Qatar National Vision that seeks to achieve sustainable development. Also, the summit positions Qatar as a leading country in promoting partnerships that serve societies and nations.

Doha Smart Cities Summit has many local partners, including the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Free Zones Authority, and Vodafone Qatar.

Msheireb Properties, the leading sustainable real estate development company in Qatar, organises the first-of-its-kind virtual summit in the region – “Doha Smart Cities Summit” to discuss the role of smart cities in a post-pandemic world.

The virtual summit will be held on November 24 through broadcast and digital transmission technology on Msheireb Properties’ social accounts, hosting local and international innovators and experts, including representatives from global leading smart cities, such as Amsterdam, Moscow, and Singapore.

Doha Smart Cities Summit is a virtual summit for experts, professionals, and a broader audience to share, inspire and shape the Smart City industry’s future – with insights from innovators and pioneering developers on the groundbreaking technologies that will impact real estate and city living.

The summit comes as part of Msheireb Properties’ continuous commitment to adopting sustainable practices of smart cities to strengthen its position among global cities and reflects its effort in supporting 2030 Qatar National Vision that seeks to achieve sustainable development. In addition, the summit will position Qatar as a leading country in promoting partnerships that serve societies and nations.

Engineer Ali Al-Kuwari, Msheireb Properties Acting CEO, stated: “The Doha Smart Cities Summit aims to highlight the significant role smart cities play in our everyday lives, specifically under the current challenging circumstances. Msheireb Properties has always been the leading company in introducing smart and sustainable projects in the region, such as Msheireb Downtown Doha, the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project and one of the smartest and most sustainable city districts in the world.. Smart cities have proven their capabilities to meet the contemporary era’s requirements for individuals and companies; it has also contributed to finding innovative solutions in core areas.”

He added, “Msheireb Properties will be cooperating with international partners and experts during the Doha Smart Cities Summit to discuss the appropriate operational framework that outlines the role and contribution of smart cities can have towards community development.”

The Doha Smart Cities Summit will be inaugurated by opening keynote speeches from Msheireb Properties, the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, and Vodafone Qatar, including representatives from global leading smart cities, such as Amsterdam, Moscow, and Singapore.

The summit aims to outline the groundbreaking technologies that will impact real estate, city living, and the level of security and safety it provides. Also, a series of panel discussions will highlight a range of specialist areas. The first panel will discuss cyber security in smart cities and the importance of implementing digital systems services. The second panel will discuss mobility and autonomous vehicles and the presentation of a new transportation business model. The third session will be held under the title of “Innovation and sustainability… From Lifestyle Shift to Climate Change.” The summit will end with a special closing panel session on a pandemic-ready smart city model, outlining smart cities’ readiness and preparedness in the stages of lockdown.

Doha Smart Cities Summit has many local partners, including the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Free Zones Authority and is powered by Vodafone Qatar. You can attend the summit virtually on November 24, starting at 9:40 am onwards on www.dscs.msheireb.com or on Msheireb Properties social media platforms on Facebook and YouTube.

Msheireb Downtown Doha, the flagship project of Msheireb Properties and one of the smartest and most sustainable city district in the world, will host the multi-media art exhibition ‘Outbreak’, organised by the Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) 8th Ajyal Film Festival.

The multi-media exhibit is part of the Ajyal Film Festival’s events and will take place in Sikkat Wadi Msheireb in Msheireb Downtown Doha. It is part of the collaboration between the annual film festival and Msheireb Properties to promote local arts and support the creative community. The exhibition will feature selected inspiring artworks from 24 local talent that reflect the new reality of today’s world, as it faces a period of instability and uncertainty and pays tribute to the brave frontline workers and modern-day heroes who sacrifice their lives daily for our safety.

Maryam Al-Jassim, Communications and PR Manager, Msheireb Properties, said: “Art and culture are at the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha. We are pleased to host this art exhibition organized by the Ajyal Film Festival to offer the public an opportunity to see the creations from local talent. The exhibition is part of our ongoing events and initiatives to showcase the arts and provide excellent venues to display their works”.

The ‘Outbreak’ art exhibition lasts from 19^th November to 10^th December from 10 AM- 10 PM from Saturday through Thursday, and from 2 PM – 10 PM on Fridays. The exhibition follows the precautionary measures in line with government guidelines for the safety of artists and visitors.

Participating artists include: Ali Al-Mannai, Ibrahim Al-Baker, AJ Al-Thani, Shouq Al-Manaa, Hamad Al-Fayhani, Noor Al-Nasr, Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, Saad Al-Muslamani, Roda Al-Thani, Bothayna Al-Zaman, Anfal Al-Kandari, Maryam Al-Homaid, Mohammed Al-Hammadi, Marsya Abdulghani, Elie Fahed, Abdulaziz Yousef, Maryam Al-Suwaidi, Adriane De Souza, Paul Valentine, Sharefa Al-Mannai, Reem Al-Haddad, Maha Al-Subaey, Nasser Al-Kubaisi, and Ghada Al-Khater.