Qatar National Development Framework (QNDF) 2032.

This National Development Framework (QNDF) 2032 is a nationwide multisectoral document that revises the QNDF approved in 2014 by the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (currently the Ministry of Municipality and Environment), a spatial development strategy as a foundation to regulate all planning and development in the country. The Qatar National Master Plan (QNMP) developed the national framework which includes an integrated set of strategies, policies, guidelines, and regulations applicable to national, municipality, city, and town jurisdictions. The QNDF establishes the spatial framework to achieve national human, social, economic, and environmental goals based on the Qatar National Vision 2030, reflecting Qatar's economic aspirations, including greater diversity and the adoption of progressive economic methods and concepts to manage the growth and create sustainable and livable communities. The key strategies include (i) the establishment of urban growth boundaries to ensure land is utilized more efficiently through the limitation of urban sprawl; (ii) the creation of mixed-use urban centers and the development of commercial and community activities while alleviating traffic congestion; (iii) adopting international best practices in planning and design to ensure sustainable growth and preservation of the natural environment.
The main Strategic Planning Objectives to achieve the Vision of creating a role model for sustainable urban living in the 21st Century and the most livable towns and cities include (i) retain the cultural identity of rural/non-metropolitan communities and support enterprises that enhance the sustainability of these communities; (ii) a high quality and integrated public transport network; (iii) reduce private motor vehicle usage and environmental costs and promote orbital routes to aid the creation of balanced growth; (iv) mega projects and other large scale development; (v) equitable accessibility to community facilities and social amenities for all residents; (vi) improve environmental and social conditions that incorporate the best of both traditional and hi-tech solutions; (vii) create high quality residential neighborhoods that accord with the cultural identity; (viii) protect and enhance the natural, built and cultural environment to avoid adverse impacts from urban land uses; (ix) ensure risks from climate change impacts are evaluated and mitigation measures are developed and implemented for land use planning and infrastructure development; (x) ensure the efficient use and timely release of land. Together with the spatial planning plan, the document includes a Municipality Plan Framework, for each Municipality, to broadly describe the intended role of urban centers, future growth patterns, and associated infrastructure priorities and to provide guidance on anticipated population growth and the housing requirements to accommodate this growth.
A crucial section of the QNDF focuses on the aim of ensuring that Qatar develops and grows in a way that respects the environment, the use of natural resources, past history and cultural values, and the manner in which human and economic activity is integrated with the natural process. To this end, the identified targets are (i) mitigate the effects of human activity to promote and protect the natural environment and resources; (ii) assess the risk posed by climate change and establish a strategy to minimize the risk to life, economic activities, infrastructure, and the natural environment; (iii) identify and protect environmentally sensitive areas; (iv) safeguard, restore and enhance the coastal environment, processes, and ecosystems; (v) protect and enhance native flora, fauna, and habitats to enhance, promote, and safeguard Qatar’s biodiversity; (vi) protect groundwater resources from excessive usage and contamination; (vii) protect adjoining land uses from high impact activities whilst ensuring the continued operation of the high impact activities; (viii) manage the collection, treatment, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste to minimize the impact on the natural environment; (ix) identify and provide sites for waste management facilities.
To improve production and ensure food security, the QNFSP proposes a change in direction and aims to (i) redress the food deficit and promote efficiencies in production. The QNFSP is an important opportunity to achieve a productive utilization of rural land for food production; (ii) establish greenbelts with a land use focus on securing long-term agriculture for food production; (iii) promote rural industries contributing to a diversified economy, including the creation of an aquaculture industry to help achieve food security and protect natural fish stocks; (iv) identify and safeguard land and water resources required to achieve national food security.