As city leaders around the world seek out design strategies to help them enhance central business districts to be more lifestyle-oriented, in recent years the concept of walkable cities has grown in popularity – particularly in cities such as Dubai and Doha.
Vibrant neighbourhoods where all the essentials – restaurants, shops, schools, as well as hospitals and clinics – typically lie within a 20-minute reach are redefining city living. But for these types of cities to be successful, they must prioritise sustainability, inclusivity and specialised design, while remaining accessible and connected.
The growing threat posed by climate change, coupled with the expectations people have for the places in which they live, is driving urban planners to look for new ways to reinvigorate existing areas and build spaces that meet sustainability goals. As a result, designers are increasingly adopting interdisciplinary approaches that include urban green cover and public spaces that can withstand and adapt to environmental, social and economic stresses.
Although there has been a tendency in the Middle East for mixed-use developments to be within large, enclosed boxes, the past few years have witnessed successful examples of models that veer away from this formula. The result is a shift towards reducing the amount of energy used to cool large volumes of atrium space, designing physical connections to our outdoor environment and connecting open spaces to the surrounding urban fabric of the city to encourage physical movement.
In fact, many of these principles are deeply rooted in the culture of this region, such as the shading of outdoor spaces and using the direction of buildings to create wind tunnels. But perhaps due to rapid modernisation, such principles may have been forgotten.
A new mixed-use development in Riyadh called 1364ah Lifestyle Centre is a great example of inclusive design. This lifestyle centre is inspired by natural strata formations prevalent in the rugged landscape that surrounds the city. It also integrates services, retail, dining and entertainment options in a single location, reducing the need for long commutes, and allowing residents and visitors to fulfil their daily needs in one place.
The mall's location in the Diplomatic Quarter, a key area of Riyadh, makes it accessible to those living and working nearby. Its proximity to offices, embassies, healthcare facilities and residential areas ensures that people can access services without needing to travel far, aligning with the 20-minute city’s goal of reducing travel time and improving convenience.
The cost-of-living crisis is another trend that urban planners need to consider. Although this is a global challenge, some cities in the Middle East have experienced skyrocketing inflation regarding housing prices. For instance, inflation in Turkey reached nearly 80 per cent in 2022, according to the World Economic Forum – the highest level in 24 years. A resulting trend of increased price consciousness has resulted in a "value hacking" mindset, where consumers seek to maximise their budgets without sacrificing quality.
Urbanisation is another significant driver of the increasing demand for housing, particularly in rapidly growing cities. As more people move to urban areas for better opportunities, the pressure on housing markets intensifies. This migration leads to higher demand for residential spaces, often outpacing the supply, which can result in skyrocketing property prices and rental rates.
In the Middle East, urbanisation is occurring at a particularly rapid pace, with cities like Riyadh, Dubai and Doha experiencing substantial population growth. This surge is putting additional strain on housing availability, making the provision of affordable, well-planned urban housing a critical challenge for urban planners. This challenge could potentially be met through strategic partnerships between mission-driven developers, housing authorities and even non-profits.
Within the Middle East, authorities are actively embracing the walkable city approach with regards to existing urban areas, and those that have yet to be built
Designing around the 20-minute city concept calls for a move away from general master planning to specialised city design that meets blended work-life demands. Today, urban planners and designers must consider more mixed-use, flexible approaches that integrate living, working and leisure into every district, as well as development to cater to the varied needs of urban dwellers. An example of this is Msheireb Downtown Doha, a $5.5 billion, 310,000 square metre project.
Its sustainability can be seen in how it preserves heritage sites, uses local materials, leverages natural light and ventilation, and adopts green technologies for efficient water and electricity use. One notable achievement is the reduction of energy consumption by 32 per cent as landscaping on roofs, streets and internal courtyards contribute to the project’s low carbon footprint.
Within the Middle East, authorities are actively embracing the walkable city approach with regards to existing urban areas, and those that have yet to be built. For instance, the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan recognises the significance of time in people’s lives and acknowledges that effectively managing and utilising time for commuting and meeting basic needs is crucial to enhancing residents’ quality of life.
As we look to the future, urban planners in the region are using innovative design strategies to create even tighter neighbourhoods, while forecasting future societal habitation trends, as far as 10 years down the line, given the average project timeline. The region is going to quickly move to 20-minute cities, meaning planners must find bespoke solutions to ensure such metropolises thrive now and in the future.
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Company%20profile
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Brown/Black belt finals
3pm: 49kg female: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) v Thamires Aquino (BRA)
3.07pm: 56kg male: Hiago George (BRA) v Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA)
3.14pm: 55kg female: Amal Amjahid (BEL) v Bianca Basilio (BRA)
3.21pm: 62kg male: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) v Joao Miyao (BRA)
3.28pm: 62kg female: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR)
3.35pm: 69kg male: Isaac Doederlein (BRA) v Paulo Miyao (BRA)
3.42pm: 70kg female: Thamara Silva (BRA) v Alessandra Moss (AUS)
3.49pm: 77kg male: Oliver Lovell (GBR) v Tommy Langarkar (NOR)
3.56pm: 85kg male: Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE) v Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA)
4.03pm: 90kg female: Claire-France Thevenon (FRA) v Gabreili Passanha (BRA)
4.10pm: 94kg male: Adam Wardzinski (POL) v Kaynan Duarte (BRA)
4.17pm: 110kg male: Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE) v Joao Rocha (BRA
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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More Iraq election coverage:
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Mobile phone packages comparison
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
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ZIMBABWE V UAE, ODI SERIES
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday - Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
