The Doha Metropolitan Area (DMA; also known as Greater Doha Area) is the metropolitan area of Doha, the capital city of Qatar. The DMA comprises several contiguous cities and urban zones immediately surrounding Doha, serving as the main area of Qatar's population concentration. [1] As of 2021, the population of the metropolitan area is upwards of 2 million. [2]
The exact boundaries of the DMA are open to interpretation, with different definitions existing. However, at a minimum, the following areas are included in the DMA:
Some definitions attribute a larger area to the DMA by including the entire urbanized section in the easternmost half of Al Rayyan Municipality, all of northern Al Wakrah Municipality terminating before Mesaieed, all of Umm Salal Municipality and all of Al Daayen Municipality, including the city of Lusail. [5]
The Doha Metropolitan Area has witnessed substantial growth since the 1980s, marking when Qatar began investing its hydrocarbon wealth into developing its infrastructure on a major scale. From 1984 to 2020, the metropolitan area expanded eightfold while the amount of bare land decreased by half. [6]
In 2003, Greater Doha's urban confines primarily clustered around the downtown core. However, a gradual westward expansion, encompassing segments of Al Rayyan Municipality, mirrored the city's demographic influx. This foundational growth phase laid the groundwork for subsequent transformations of Greater Doha. [3]
A notable a milestone in Greater Doha's urbanization was the 2006 Asian Games, which catalyzed a rapid surge in urban development, directing attention towards the western districts and culminating in the development of the Aspire Zone. This urban sprawl coincided with the emergence of new residential developments. [3]
By 2007, Greater Doha's geographical boundaries had expanded further, enveloping extensive swathes of Al Daayen Municipality. This sustained pattern of urbanization continued in the following years, characterized by progressions westward and northward. Since then, the traditional population centers of Greater Doha have shifted from densely populated downtown hubs to areas flanking the ring roads, encroaching into the neighboring municipalities of Al Rayyan and Al Daayen. [3]
Transport in Qatar is primarily centered around the Doha Metropolitan Area (DMA), where approximately 2 million people reside and work. Doha, the capital city, serves as the national hub for government, business, and tourism, but significant development occurs outside the city as part of the government's diversification strategy.
Since 2015, Qatar has been divided into eight municipalities. In 2004, a new municipality, Al Daayen, was created under Resolution No. 13, formed from parts of Umm Salal and Al Khawr; at the same time, Al Ghuwariyah was merged with Al Khawr; Al Jumaliyah was merged with Ar Rayyan; Jarayan al Batnah was split between Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah; and Mesaieed was merged with Al Wakrah. In 2014, the western city of Al-Shahaniya split off from Al Rayyan Municipality to form its own municipality.
Umm Salal is a municipality in the State of Qatar.
Al Rayyan is the third-largest municipality in the state of Qatar. Its primary settlement is the city of the same name, which occupies the entire eastern section and is a part of the Doha Metropolitan Area. The vast expanse of mostly undeveloped lands in the south-west also falls under the municipality's administration.
Al Gharrafa is a Qatari district of Al Rayyan City, which is located in the municipality of Al Rayyan. In close proximity to Education City and constituting a part of the Doha Metropolitan Area, the Doha Expressway and Al Shamal Highway run along the district. Many malls operate out of the area. To the east, it neighbors the largely residential areas of Duhail and Madinat Khalifa North, therefore Al Gharrafa is largely a retail hub for nearby residential areas. Doha's downtown is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the southeast.
Since the early 2000s, Doha, the capital of Qatar has been undergoing an extensive expansion in its transportation network including the addition of new highways, the construction of a new airport, and the addition of the Doha metro. These projects are meant to keep up with the population's rapid growth, which has strained the country's current infrastructure.
Al Waab is a district in the municipality of Al Rayyan in Qatar. The district has witnessed tremendous growth beginning in the mid-1990s, resulting in the construction of numerous residential compounds to house expatriates, villas, and commercial and medical developments. It is a district of Al Rayyan City, which, in turn, is a part of the Doha Metropolitan Area.
Doha is the capital city and main financial hub of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf coast in the east of the country, north of Al Wakrah and south of Al Khor, it is home to most of the country's population. It is also Qatar's fastest growing city, with over 80% of the nation's population living in Doha or its surrounding suburbs, known collectively as the Doha Metropolitan Area.
Al Daayen is a municipality in Qatar. Most of the urban landscape can be found in the southern zone of the municipality, particularly in the city of Lusail, while the northern and central sections are primarily rural. It is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Qatar due to its close proximity to the capital Doha.
Baaya is a district in the municipality of Al Rayyan in Qatar. It is one of the more developed districts in Al Rayyan, hosting Villaggio Mall, Aspire Park, and the Aspire Zone, all of which run along Al Waab Street.
Ad-Dawhah is one of the eight municipalities of Qatar. It is the most populous municipality with a population of 1,186,023 in 2020, and is the municipality of Qatar's capital city, Doha.
Wadi Al Banat is a district in Qatar, geographically located in the municipality of Al Daayen but also a census-designated district of Ad-Dawhah. It is situated near the borders with Doha Municipality and Umm Salal Municipality.
Al-Rayyan is a city in the similarly named municipality of Al Rayyan, in Qatar. The city and its suburbs comprise the largest population center in Qatar outside of Doha proper, immediately to its east. Consisting of all of the districts in the municipality's easternmost section, its western boundary is roughly where the Al Majd Highway runs through the municipality. The city is a part of the Doha Metropolitan Area. It was one of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Al Egla is a Qatari district whose management is split between the municipality of Al Daayen and the municipality of Doha. It adjoins the area of the planned city of Lusail.
Gharrafat Al Rayyan is a district of Al Rayyan City in Qatar, located in the municipality of Al Rayyan.
Bani Hajer is a district in Qatar, located in the municipality of Al Rayyan.
Fereej Al Soudan is a district in Qatar, located in the municipality of Al Rayyan. It is mainly a residential area. In the 2015 census, it was listed as a district of Zone 55 which has a population of 283,675 and also includes Bu Sidra, Al Aziziya, Al Waab, New Fereej Al Ghanim, Muaither, Al Mearad, Fereej Al Manaseer, Fereej Al Murra and Al Sailiya. It is also listed as a district of Zone 54.
In the administrative divisions of Qatar, zones are the second-highest level of government after municipalities. As of the 2015 census, there were 98 zones across the country. However, several of these zones are not currently in use. Over the years, numerous changes in zones have taken place. For instance, in the 2010 census, Zone 69 was transferred to Al Daayen Municipality, Zones 50 and 58 were added to Ad-Dawhah Municipality, and part of Zone 74 was merged with Zone 70 of Al Daayen Municipality.
Fereej Al Asmakh is a Qatari district located in the municipality of Ad Dawhah. Administratively, it is part of Zone 5, along with Al Najada and Barahat Al Jufairi.