Social Sustainability, Inclusive Cities and the Legacy of FIFA in Qatar: The Case of Education City

Social sustainability, particularly in the form of inclusive cities, is high on the global agenda. One local manifestation working towards these goals in Qatar is Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development’s Education City: a large campus with multiple schools, universities,...

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Main Authors: Shaikha Al-Wadaani, Jessica DuPlessis, Hira Amin, Khansa Chemnad, Evren Tok
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/3/171
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author Shaikha Al-Wadaani
Jessica DuPlessis
Hira Amin
Khansa Chemnad
Evren Tok
author_facet Shaikha Al-Wadaani
Jessica DuPlessis
Hira Amin
Khansa Chemnad
Evren Tok
author_sort Shaikha Al-Wadaani
collection DOAJ
description Social sustainability, particularly in the form of inclusive cities, is high on the global agenda. One local manifestation working towards these goals in Qatar is Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development’s Education City: a large campus with multiple schools, universities, communities, and cultural institutions, as well as home to one of the major stadiums of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament, hitherto the most accessible World Cup in history. This study is based on a survey that explores the experiences of people with and without disabilities in their interactions with Education City’s infrastructure, facilities, and services, as well as the legacy of hosting FIFA. It found that people’s experiences of social inclusion and belonging were positive given the multiple inclusive programs hosted by Education City and that hosting FIFA accelerated this shift. Yet, there is still significant room for improvement in the availability and quality of facilities, services with trained staff, clear communication, and advertisement and raising awareness of institutionalizing policies that reduce discrimination and stigma. Designing disability-inclusive cities is a complex grand societal challenge that requires intentional integration and constant monitoring and evaluation in an increasingly urbanized world. This is one of the first studies on Qatar and post-tournament legacy after a World Cup that prioritized accessibility.
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spelling doaj-art-e1890c59d2ef43778d3455cc3d8989882025-08-20T01:48:49ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602025-03-0114317110.3390/socsci14030171Social Sustainability, Inclusive Cities and the Legacy of FIFA in Qatar: The Case of Education CityShaikha Al-Wadaani0Jessica DuPlessis1Hira Amin2Khansa Chemnad3Evren Tok4Strategy and Impact Directorate, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, QatarStrategy and Impact Directorate, Qatar Foundation, Doha 34110, QatarCollege of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, QatarCollege of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, QatarCollege of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha 34110, QatarSocial sustainability, particularly in the form of inclusive cities, is high on the global agenda. One local manifestation working towards these goals in Qatar is Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development’s Education City: a large campus with multiple schools, universities, communities, and cultural institutions, as well as home to one of the major stadiums of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament, hitherto the most accessible World Cup in history. This study is based on a survey that explores the experiences of people with and without disabilities in their interactions with Education City’s infrastructure, facilities, and services, as well as the legacy of hosting FIFA. It found that people’s experiences of social inclusion and belonging were positive given the multiple inclusive programs hosted by Education City and that hosting FIFA accelerated this shift. Yet, there is still significant room for improvement in the availability and quality of facilities, services with trained staff, clear communication, and advertisement and raising awareness of institutionalizing policies that reduce discrimination and stigma. Designing disability-inclusive cities is a complex grand societal challenge that requires intentional integration and constant monitoring and evaluation in an increasingly urbanized world. This is one of the first studies on Qatar and post-tournament legacy after a World Cup that prioritized accessibility.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/3/171social sustainabilitydisability inclusioninclusive citiesfacilitatorsbarriersFIFA World Cup
spellingShingle Shaikha Al-Wadaani
Jessica DuPlessis
Hira Amin
Khansa Chemnad
Evren Tok
Social Sustainability, Inclusive Cities and the Legacy of FIFA in Qatar: The Case of Education City
Social Sciences
social sustainability
disability inclusion
inclusive cities
facilitators
barriers
FIFA World Cup
title Social Sustainability, Inclusive Cities and the Legacy of FIFA in Qatar: The Case of Education City
title_full Social Sustainability, Inclusive Cities and the Legacy of FIFA in Qatar: The Case of Education City
title_fullStr Social Sustainability, Inclusive Cities and the Legacy of FIFA in Qatar: The Case of Education City
title_full_unstemmed Social Sustainability, Inclusive Cities and the Legacy of FIFA in Qatar: The Case of Education City
title_short Social Sustainability, Inclusive Cities and the Legacy of FIFA in Qatar: The Case of Education City
title_sort social sustainability inclusive cities and the legacy of fifa in qatar the case of education city
topic social sustainability
disability inclusion
inclusive cities
facilitators
barriers
FIFA World Cup
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/3/171
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