Infrastructure Planning Department - Qatar Ministry of Municipalities and Environment (IPD-MME)
The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) contributes to the rapid development of the State of Qatar by meeting the many requirements of the general public as they go about their daily life. This is in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 that aims to place the country among the most developed nations on earth, based on the pillars of economic, social and environmental development.
The MME Infrastructure Planning Department is responsible for:
1. Preparation of development plans for infrastructure including water, electricity, and sewage drainage,
2. Monitoring requests on road corridor planning, infrastructure networks and planning sites.
3. Defining locations of service corridors and public utilities.
4. Review and follow up of the approved plans in urban & rural areas of the State.
5. Preparation of plans, policies and developmental programs for the various elements of infrastructure.
6. Development of national strategies for establishing corridors for all infrastructure facilities of the country and its components.
7. Contributing to the development of standards for the management, operations and maintenance of infrastructure services networks.
8. Proposing policies for development of infrastructure facilities at all levels of the country.
The Challenge
Qatar is a Middle Eastern country characterised by an arid climate with periodic rainfall. These seasonal influxes of rain have the potential to generate high volumes of rainfall runoff which can lead to significant flood or erosion damage. Subsequently, the predicted long term effects of climate change would further exasperate the flood related hazards. As a result, urbanisation of the environment would require a process to account for the potential effects of floods and contingency plans.
A comprehensive flood study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the environment. The study would aid in the prediction of flood water behaviour allowing the governing bodies to make better decisions regarding the developement of infrastructure.
The Solution
GHD's team of spatial scientists, engineers and technology specialists worked together to undertake the flood study, which included:
- Development of high resolution flood models capable of simulating historical and design flood events
- Development of an interactive web based digital flood mapping portal capable of illustrating the degree of flood risk experienced
- Identification and testing of flood mitigation measures
- A review of the existing environment using the planning framework and provision of recommendations to incorporate appropriate flood management principles
- Preparation of a flood code to ensure the development application and approvals process accurately considers flood risk
- Provision of flood modelling and GIS training to MME
Due to the relatively flat nature of Qatar’s landscape and the uncertainty regarding catchment boundaries and overland flow path locations, a ‘rain on grid’ modelling approach was adopted.
A "rain on grid" modelling approach was adopted due to the relatively flat nature of Qatar's landscape. The flood model included representation of building footprints, fences, walls, key hydraulic structures and the existing stormwater network. A detailed sensitivity analysis was undertaken to assess the uncertainty associated with rainfall intensities, spatial and temporal rainfall patterns, soil parameters and sea level conditions.
An assessment of year 2050 and 2100 future climate scenarios was undertaken to assess the impact of increased rainfall intensities and sea level rise on the existing flood regime.
The Benefit
The Flood Study developed by GHD culminated in a web based “Flood Risk Mapping Portal” which integrated the results of the study with the clients existing planning and infrastructure data and allowed this to be made accessible to any staff within the wider department as required.
The flood study has helped to predict floodwater behaviour and guide future developments in areas prone to flooding, prioritise critical infrastructure and facilitate development of mitigation options and strategies.