Msheireb Properties Champions Smart City Innovation at Qatar Sustainability Week 2026

Msheireb Properties and Msheireb Museums have successfully concluded their role as strategic partners in the 11th edition of Qatar Sustainability Week (QSW). The event, organized by Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future, a member of Qatar Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, ran from October 31 to November 7. Msheireb Properties extended the QSW program beyond traditional conference settings, integrating sustainability initiatives into the public spaces, heritage houses, and workplaces of Msheireb Downtown Doha.

A significant highlight included the inauguration of three living gardens within the city center by Doha Design District, an initiative of Msheireb Properties, in partnership with the Qur’anic Botanic Garden, a member of Hamad Bin Khalifa University. These gardens feature over 14 species mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, such as sidr, arak, fig, olive, and pomegranate, weaving these historically significant plants into the urban landscape. Visitors are invited to explore the botanical, cultural, and ethical importance of these plants within Islamic heritage.

Msheireb Museums transformed Bin Jelmood House into a venue for dialogue and reflection. In collaboration with Earthna, they hosted the Middle East's first public screening of 'Becoming Nature Positive,' a film by the Nature Positive Initiative. This was followed by an engaging discussion on how various sectors can contribute to halting and reversing nature loss, which garnered significant audience participation.

Internally, Msheireb Properties conducted its HSSE Week for staff, tenants, and contractors. The public was also invited to participate in a treasure hunt designed to showcase the smart and sustainable features of Msheireb Downtown Doha.

These activities underscore Msheireb Properties' commitment to moving beyond awareness to achieving measurable environmental impact. In partnership with Cundall, the company is advancing a portfolio-wide decarbonisation strategy targeting over 100 buildings in Msheireb Downtown Doha, aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Innovation is now central to this ongoing journey, driven by Azal, a program launched by Doha Design District in October. Azal aims to foster the testing and implementation of smart city solutions within the urban environment. The program's open call, which concluded on November 4, attracted 101 submissions from 40 different nationalities, all vying for the Best Smart City Innovation Award and the Best Smart City Sustainability Award. Start-ups led the submissions with 66 entries, complemented by entrepreneurs, university teams, research groups, and creatives. Siemens and Qatar Science & Technology Park are providing support as strategic partners in evaluating proposals and mentoring shortlisted teams.

The winners will be announced at the Downtown Tech and the Inc. Arabia Best in Business Awards ceremony at Barahat Msheireb, with the winning solutions slated for implementation in the city in 2027.

Ali Al Hetmi, manager of Smart City Innovation at Msheireb Properties, emphasized the daily nature of building sustainability, stating, "Qatar Sustainability Week reminds us that sustainability is built through what we do every day, from the gardens we planted with our partners to the conversations hosted at Msheireb Museums. With Azal, we want the next step to come from innovators who can prove their ideas on the ground, in a city designed to be a living testbed for the future. We thank the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and Earthna for a partnership that keeps our efforts aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030."

Msheireb Properties' dedication to sustainability and innovation has garnered international acclaim throughout 2026. The company was recognized as Smart & Sustainable Developer of the Year at the Gulf Business Real Estate Awards. Furthermore, Msheireb Downtown Doha received accolades at the Green World Awards, the SEAL Environmental Initiatives Award, and won the Sustainability & Clean Tech category at Fast Company Middle East’s Brands That Matter awards.