Al Najada Explained

Al Najada
Native Name:النجادة
Native Name Lang: ar
Settlement Type:District
Pushpin Map:Qatar Doha#Qatar
Coordinates:25.2833°N 82.8°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Qatar
Subdivision Type1:Municipality
Subdivision Name1:Ad-Dawhah
Subdivision Type2:Zone
Subdivision Name2:Zone 5
Subdivision Type3:District no.
Subdivision Name3:5
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:0.05
Population Density Km2:auto

Al Najada (Arabic: النجادة|An-Najādah) is a Qatari district in the municipality of Doha.[2] It is one of the oldest districts of Doha.[3] Doha's rapid urbanization during the 1970s after it gained independence resulted in the gradual decline of Al Najada. Several of its historical buildings have been demolished.[3]

The Qatar Museums Authority has taken steps to preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of the district with its 'Al Turath al Hai' ('living heritage') initiative.[4] Most significant structures dating back to the early 20th century that still exist have been documented by the Origins of Doha Project. Some of the contemporary buildings dating to the late 20th century were intentionally designed with traditional elements of Qatari architecture in the interests of preserving the district's identity.[5]

Etymology

The name Al Najada is thought to be derived from the term describing the people of the Najd, the place of origin of its original residents.[6]

Geography

Al Najada borders the following districts:[7]

Landmarks

Najada Souq

Najada Souq, also known as the Mobile Phone Souq, was closed in 2012. It was announced in 2017 that the souq would re-open.[8] A gold market containing 50 shops was inaugurated in the refurbished Najada Souq in July 2018. The new souq has an underground parking lot with 250 spaces.[9]

Sikkat Al Ihsan

Sikkat Al Ihsan is a tapered street that connects Al Maymoun Street and Barahat Al Jufairi Street. Most of the residential units on this street are old, likely dating to the early 20th century, and provide good examples of vernacular architecture in Doha. Because of its long and mostly-undisturbed history, Sikkat Al Ihsan is considered a significant historic site of interest.[10]

Windtower house

Windtowers are structures built to direct airflow in buildings. In the past, they were a common occurrence in Qatar, however, the rapid modernization of Doha has seen all other windtowers in the city demolished, leaving Al Najada's windtower as the last surviving one in Qatar's capital.[11] Situated inside the Najada Souq complex, the house once served as an ethnographic museum but has since been closed to the public.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: District Area Map. Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. 11 February 2019.
  2. Web site: 2010 population census. Qatar Statistics Authority. 29 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142501/http://www.qsa.gov.qa/eng/publication/annabs/2014/1_Population2013.pdf. 2 April 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  3. Web site: Al Asmakh historic district in Doha, Qatar: from an urban slum to living heritage. academia.edu. Djamel Bouassa. 10 July 2015.
  4. Web site: The Winners of the Old Doha Prize Competition Announced. Marhaba. 26 November 2013. 10 July 2015. 27 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180927165027/http://www.marhaba.qa/the-winners-of-the-old-doha-prize-competition-announced/. dead.
  5. Web site: Historic Building Survey Report. Origins of Doha Project. 41. Daniel Eddisford . Kirk Roberts. June 2014. 27 August 2018.
  6. Fletcher. Richard. Carter. Robert A.. Mapping the Growth of an Arabian Gulf Town: the case of Doha, Qatar. Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient. 60. 4. 24. 10.1163/15685209-12341432. 12 May 2017. 10 June 2024.
  7. Web site: District map. The Centre for Geographic Information Systems of Qatar. 30 November 2019. 24 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124143437/https://geoportal.gisqatar.org.qa/qmape/index.html. dead.
  8. Web site: Qatar's Old Souq Najada Is Getting a Makeover. expatwoman.com. 30 January 2017. 27 August 2018.
  9. Web site: New Gold Souq housing 50 shops opens at Souq Najada. Gulf Times. 2 July 2018. 27 August 2018.
  10. Web site: Historic Building Survey Report. Origins of Doha Project. 30. Daniel Eddisford . Kirk Roberts. June 2014. 27 August 2018.
  11. Book: Population Growth and Rapid Urbanization in the Developing World. Benna. Umar G.. Garba. Shaibu Bala. IGI Global. 7 June 2016. 182. 9781522501886.
  12. Web site: Windtower House. Explore Qatar. 8 November 2019.