الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Qatar is currently experiencing unparalleled economic expansion and there is a desire to ensure a harmonious balance between economic growth, social development and environmental protection.
We present an introduction and literature review about Qatar in chapter one. We provide data on various environmental elements and their distribution in Qatar. We also provide a literature review about Qatar’s marine environment. We assessed climate change impacts on Sea Level Rise. The assessment of the potential impacts of climate change on the Qatari coast was carried out combining climate information based on historical trends for short-term time horizons and projections of mean sea level rise by the end of the century, according to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The current level of flooding in Qatar will increase with the increase in sea level rise for the two climate change scenarios 2040 and 2100. This increase is associated with the increase in the impact on both socioeconomic and natural systems.
Because Biodiversity is important in its own right and has value in terms of quality of life and amenity we discussed the biodiversity in Qatar (Doha and Al Shamal) we found that: The basic terrestrial habitat types to be found in Qatar include: mangroves, sabkha (salt marshes), sand dunes, Hammada desert (rocks and gravel), rocky ecosystems, wadis and runnels, and depressions that collect fine sand. The number of species being discovered in Qatar and in the region continues to grow, although studies are scarce. To date 1955 known species, of which 955 are marine, have been recorded in Qatar, some of them new to science. Qatar is blessed with sea grass beds that help feed the world’s second largest population of dugongs and coral reefs that survive at the threshold of their tolerance, providing valuable nursery habitat for many commercially important fish species and providing key feeding areas for globally endangered sea turtles. Key marine habitats including coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangroves are the main focus for protecting marine biodiversity in the next decade, in addition to introducing measures to ensure that local fisheries become sustainable.
Our goal of this thesis is to understand the current situation and challenges faced by the Qatar coastal areas. We identify the current and potential problems faced by the Qatari coast from a physical point of view (Doha and Al Shamal). We study the geomorphology to determine the exposure of the coastal coast. We study also land use and of the anthropization in the coast and climate dynamics. We study the coastal risks and determination of hot spots. Also data is presented in chapter III.
The Qatar National Development Framework (QNDF) which sets the strategic direction and policies to guide the future spatial growth of the country; and more detailed plans for the Municipalities and local areas within Municipalities which will be prepared under the umbrella of the QNDF. Municipality Spatial Development Plans (MSDP) of two municipalities (Doha and Al Shamal) are presented in details in chapter VI. We also present the planning objectives that apply to Doha and Al Shamal Municipalities).
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is designed to help countries to make their policies, plans and programs more sustainable. The aim of this research is to ensure that environmental considerations are fully integrated into a decision-making process. We offer SEA in chapter V as a tool to assess the objectives. Designed Strategic Environmental Assessment has focused on two coastal municipalities, which are Doha and Al Shamal. Implementing SEA of spatial plans (Doha and Al Shamal) has the potential to reduce the negative environmental impacts and enhance the positive effects.
The first stage of the SEA is scoping including identification and characterization of current environmental baseline conditions and how these are likely to change in the future. Only with a knowledge of existing conditions, and a consideration of their likely evolution, can the effects of the MSDP be identified and appraised and its subsequent success or otherwise be monitored.
The land use indicators meet the important basic information required by governments, policy-makers, researchers, analysts and civil society organizations. Land use is a unique environmental source that defines the space in which economic activities and environmental processes occur.
Qatar’s only natural freshwater resources are rainfall and groundwater. The conservation of the quality and quantity of the country’s groundwater resources is one of the targets of Qatar’s NDS 2011-2016. The groundwater safe yield amounted to 44.2 million m3 per year. However, the current groundwater abstraction reached 252.1 million m3 per year, leading to depletion of aquifers, low ground-water levels, and increased salinity.
Air pollution is one of the most environmental dangers to health. By reducing air pollution, countries can alleviate the burden of diseases caused by respiratory infections, heart diseases, and lung cancer. The more air pollution is reduced, the more respiratory and cardiovascular health is improved for both the long and short terms. We monitor the air quality from three air monitoring stations. Movenpick Station (Cornische), Qatar University Station, and Aspire Zone Station and we found that during 2014 and 2015, the index values did not exceed the normal limit of the entire monitored pollutants. All values were included in the clean standard except the fine suspended particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less (PM10).
We monitor the total cases of infectious and communicable diseases reported to the Preventive Health Department during 2010-2015 fall down to 24%. The total reported cases decreased from 36,551 in 2010 to 9,183 in 2015. The cases of mumps/parotitis decreased to -33% in 2015 compared to 2010.
The MSDPs under assessment objectives and actions have been assessed using an interaction matrix on the different environmental (physical and biological), and social components including air, water, soil and geology, biodiversity, land use, human population and public health (Tables 32 & 33). The impacts of MSDP in this research are classified in to three categories: (+ve): positive impact, (-ve): negative impact (Nil): irrelevant impact. We analyze and assess the baseline data the two coastal municipalities, Doha and Al Shamal, in detailed. We discuss the positive impacts and negative impacts and show some alternatives and solutions of these negative impacts. Detailed conduction and recommendations for future urban plans in the State of Qatar also presented in the chapter VI.
So, because strategic environmental assessment of development plans, policies and programs generally, and those of coastal areas particularly, is not explicitly addressed by the existing legal framework, we recommend requiring SEA as an assessment tools during Law 30/2002 update.
Environmental, social and economic indicators, already included in the National Sustainable Development Indicators, should be adopted. In addition, urban indicators should be set out and environmental and urban indicators should be monitor by a national observatory.
National strategies to address impacts of climate change and sea level rise should be set out, which should be take into account during planning for coastal areas, such as development of coastal resorts, industrial and commercial ports, gas pipelines, etc.
Public awareness program for coastal communities in urbanized coastal zones should be carried out to raise the population awareness of sea level rise impacts and adaptation strategies.
Policies and strategies to protect natural resources from climate change impacts should be adopted based on natural ecosystem response and adaptation to climate change, for instance protecting mangrove extension zones from urban sprawling.
For landscape of streets and project, the use of local materials and plant species reduce the water consumption, and therefore is highly recommended.
During literature review, it was realized that air pollution is an important issue at the national level; however ambient air quality monitoring networks are incomplete and do not cover all areas in the State. It is therefore recommended to enhance the monitoring network nationally level. It is also recommended to set out a national air quality strategy