Then and now; Msheireb was cosidered Qatar's first trade town, built to house the initial traders of the old Souq Waqif. as Qatar grew and stretched it's borders, it's people started to find other places to live, in spaces less packed. With the influx of workers, Msheireb slowly transformed into a large slum district, housing many of the country's low income workers. A few years ago, Msheireb Properties project was initiated to restore what is now considered one of Qatar's most important heritage spots; Msheireb.
One of the most important routes in Msheireb was 'Electricity Street' or 'Street of Lights' . According to the people it was the first street to have electricity fully integrated to. And according to my memory, it was practically a large neon sign. Always busy and always bright, this street comprised the best of utility and textile stores; sambosa shops and juice stalls.
Qatar's history is relatively new, so when I say memorabilia, I'm talking initial home numbers and old neon signs, calligraphic calendars in Arabic, Farsi and Urdu, watercolor maps and the notorious orange taxi.
Home number and street sign compilation of both the old and new sign system
Below is a sample of the proposals created to study how Msheireb re-interpreted could have commercial appeal for the young and elder Qatari market.
Illustrated store fronts of well known shops and services.
Portrait of the nature and people of Msheireb
Old style Doha map using current naming and mapping
Comic map of Msheireb in transition; courtyard homes and building complexes
The infamous orange Peugeot taxi; now replaced with turquoise VWs (KARWA TAXI), commemorated on pattern t-shirts
Based on some of the more colloquial greetings and Qatar phrases this range is likely to appeal to Qatar students and young adults who are familiar with the phrases
And finally, 'old is gold'. True story.
