ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book develops a comprehensive discourse in response to the lack of in-depth knowledge about Doha as a new urban phenomenon. It explores the complex interrelationship between people and urban environments as revealed by various observation studies in key urban areas in the city. Since the 1970s cities have become increasingly defined by globalisation and its various social, political and economic consequences. In recent years newly emerging cities around the world have been challenging established networks and adding a new dimension of complexity to urban development. Landmark architecture and signature buildings have become a highly visible branding tool to express the new global realities created by world city formation. In recent years, Qatar has become one of the major and most important producers and exporters of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the world.
