343:, which largely employs underground and peripheral parking, Souq Al Wakrah maintains a more traditional approach to visitor access and parking. The primary parking facility is a surface lot situated along the western perimeter of the souq, adjacent to Al Wakrah Road, providing convenient access for visitors arriving by private vehicle. Additionally, the southern coastal areas of the souq feature informal, unpaved parking spaces. These areas offer supplementary parking options, particularly during peak visitation periods.
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246:. While originally residential in nature, these structures now primarily serve commercial purposes, housing retail establishments. In contrast to this dense, traditional core, the western perimeter of the souq is defined by a substantial open area dedicated to surface parking. This wedge-shaped lot, broader at its northern end, clearly demarcates the historical-style marketplace from the modern Al Wakrah Road.
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The market complex currently houses over 100 commercial units, offering a diverse range of retail and wholesale goods, traditional crafts, and food services. As of 2021, the souq exhibited a vacancy rate of approximately 25% in its central portion. Adjacent to the market is the Souq Al Wakrah Hotel,
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As a result, in 2008 the government devised a plan for a faithful reconstruction of the historic marketplace of Al Wakrah, aiming to recreate the atmosphere and architectural style of the original fishing village while incorporating modern amenities to serve contemporary visitors and residents. The
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Souq Al Wakrah's land use reflects modern planning principles, with similar types of establishments clustered into zones. Hotels, characterized by larger footprints, are situated at the northern and southern edges of the main souq. Unlike some traditional markets, restaurants in Souq Al Wakrah are
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in Doha, which occupies 0.19 square kilometres (0.073 sq mi) square kilometers. However, the size difference between the two souqs is less pronounced when considering only the central portion of Souq Al Wakrah. The middle section, excluding the northern and southern extensions (which
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A distinctive feature of Souq Al Wakrah is its proximity to the coastline. The marketplace maintains a direct connection to the sea via a beachfront promenade, integrating the maritime heritage of Al Wakrah with its contemporary function as a commercial and cultural destination. There are also
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The layout features five main thoroughfares running perpendicular to the coast, with two marking the northern and southern boundaries. A shorter north–south route near the coastal promenade further divides the northernmost section. This arrangement creates a pattern of five
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found in the central part of the souq. This translates to one worship location for every 17,778 square metres (191,360 sq ft). An additional five religious sites are located in the vicinity, with two within 400 metres (1,300 ft) of the geographic center.
239:. The passageways are defined by the exterior walls of rebuilt courtyard houses and compounds. Aside from showcasing Qatar's architectural heritage, these features also serve practical purposes in mitigating the effects of the region's hot desert climate.
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include a large park to the north), covers approximately 0.16 square kilometres (0.062 sq mi), a more comparable area to Souq Waqif. The souq features numerous pedestrian routes that facilitate linkage, including narrow passageways.
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The souq has a linear north–south layout that takes advantage of its coastal location. It covers a total area of 0.31 square kilometres (0.12 sq mi). This elongated shape contrasts with the more compact, square-like layout of
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284:. The superblock structure provides a framework for the narrower, winding pathways within each block. The reconstructed areas within the superblocks mimic the labyrinthine nature of historical Arab settlements.
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Buildings in the souq are modeled after traditional courtyard house typology. This design approach features individual units organized around central open-air spaces, with rooms encircling these
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The development of Souq Al Wakrah was part of a broader national initiative to protect and revitalize Qatar's historical sites. The restoration of
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385:"Tradition, Transformation, and Re-creation in Two Marketplaces: Souq Al Wakrah and Souq Waqif, Qatar"
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distributed throughout the area, with a notable concentration along the coastal promenade.
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Khan, Abida H.; Major, Mark David; Tannous, Heba O.; Paquet, Tarryn (October 2021).
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souq was officially opened to the public on 19 December 2014, in conjunction with
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Souq Al Wakrah features a high density of religious facilities, with nine
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448:"Souq Al Wakra introduces Arab heritage, culture to World Cup fans"
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The Souq Al Wakrah Beach was opened to the public in July 2017.
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established in 2018 and operated by the Tivoli Hotels Group.
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The design of Souq Al Wakrah reflects traditional Qatari
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450:. Gulf Times. Qatar News Agency. 14 November 2022
418:"Souq al Wakra – Marhaba Qatar Information Guide"
162:'bird's nest marketplace'; also known as
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470:"Souq Al Wakrah beach opens to the public"
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339:In contrast to its Doha counterpart
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401:10.1016/j.habitatint.2021.102438
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266:A narrow passageway in the souq
170:located in the coastal city of
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164:Al Wakrah Heritage Village
25:Al Wakrah Heritage Village
472:. Doha News. 19 July 2017
313:Commercial establishments
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305:The Souq Al Wakrah Beach
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16:Souq in Al Wakrah, Qatar
498:Retail markets in Qatar
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233:architectural elements
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389:Habitat International
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297:Souq Al Wakrah Beach
99:25.1709°N 51.6098°E
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208:Qatar National Day
184:Qatar National Day
237:Arab marketplaces
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214:Architecture
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115:Construction
282:superblocks
168:marketplace
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78:Coordinates
39:Native name
492:Categories
428:2020-05-16
347:References
341:Souq Waqif
273:Souq Waqif
244:courtyards
196:Souq Waqif
153:سوق الوكرة
120:Completion
90:51°36′35″E
87:25°10′15″N
44:سوق الوكرة
503:Al Wakrah
172:Al Wakrah
71:Al Wakrah
288:Land use
250:replica
67:Location
476:29 July
454:29 July
335:Parking
328:mosques
322:Mosques
190:History
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133:Website
73:, Qatar
227:Design
149:Arabic
51:Arabic
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508:Souqs
252:dhows
176:Qatar
128:Other
478:2024
456:2024
200:Doha
180:Doha
158:lit.
59:Area
397:doi
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