The Urban Space Design Competition has been launched in collaboration with architect Javier Peña Ibáñez, the creator of the Concéntrico Festival, by DesignDoha, Qatar Museums’ biennial showcase for excellence and innovation in the design community in Qatar and the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA).
Designers are invited to reinvent and enhance Doha's urban environments as part of Design Doha's Public Design Commissions, an ambitious effort.
Architects, designers, artists, and urban planners from the MENASA region are invited to enter this first-of-its-kind competition to submit ideas for long-term urban installations in Doha that encourage public interaction and strengthen the city's distinct physical, cultural, and social identity. As part of Doha Design 2026, the winning designers will each earn 25,000 QAR in rewards and a production budget of up to 120,000 QAR for the installation of their works at strategic urban areas throughout Doha.
The Urban Space Design competition seeks creative solutions to turn Doha's parks, historical landmarks, souqs, waterfronts, and metro exteriors into thriving, welcoming community centers. The following criteria will be used to evaluate entries: sustainability, inventiveness, cultural significance, and flexibility. Local identity and materials that meet Qatar's sustainability aims will be given special attention.
The production of chosen proposals will be carried out in conjunction with assigned production partners. The use of long-lasting and environmentally friendly materials, creative shading and cooling strategies suited to the regional climate, and the incorporation of modularity and reuse into ideas are also encouraged.
Participants may submit multiple digital proposals through the Design Doha website by 26 July 2025.
