Doha Design District, in partnership with Msheireb Properties, convened a one-day forum titled “Regenerate Cities: Design for What Comes Next” to address emerging trends shaping the future of urban design and architecture. The event, held at SADA, the district's headquarters in Doha, gathered architects, designers, academics, and industry experts to discuss how sustainability and artificial intelligence (AI) are influencing the built environment.
The forum examined the integration of AI in architectural practice, highlighting its potential to enhance design decision-making, accelerate analysis, and allow architects to explore multiple scenarios while maintaining human creativity, judgment, and accountability. Participants emphasized the importance of responsible AI adoption, including transparent decision-making processes and ongoing professional oversight.
Sustainability was a central theme throughout the event, approached as a comprehensive framework encompassing resource efficiency, climate-responsive design, resilience, and the social value of urban spaces. Discussions focused on low-carbon design, efficient use of energy and materials, and design strategies that enable cities to better withstand the impacts of climate change.
The programme opened with remarks from Doha Design District director Dana Kazic and featured presentations from a diverse panel of local and international experts including Liya Maryam of AIA International, Fanos Panayides from John McAslan + Partners, Max De Castro of UNStudio, Mario Saab of Cundall, and Dr. Esmat Zaidin of Hamad Bin Khalifa University. These sessions explored how AI applications support data-informed planning, performance modelling, design exploration, and workflow optimization.
A panel moderated by Salman al-Sulaiti brought together Eng. Ibrahim M al-Jaidah, group chief executive and chief architect at the Arab Engineering Bureau; deputy project director and senior architect Dr. Moza Ghorab; Dana AlNaama, senior architect in the oil and gas sector; and Jabor al-Dosari, project engineer at Qatar Museums. Their discussion delved into the evolving interplay between architecture, technology, and sustainability, as well as the broader needs of cities and communities.
Panelists highlighted how AI-driven insights can complement sustainable design principles, enabling project teams to better evaluate building performance, anticipate future urban demands, and create adaptable, human-centered environments. The forum fostered interdisciplinary dialogue aimed at designing cities capable of adapting and thriving amid ongoing environmental and social challenges.
“Regenerate Cities” formed part of Doha Design District’s broader initiative to increase awareness of the factors driving contemporary design and urban development. The event sought to equip architects and urban practitioners with knowledge and practical tools to integrate sustainability, technological innovation, and responsible practices into their workflows, supporting the creation of resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking urban spaces.