DOHA: More than 170,000 World Cup stadium seats will be removed from several venues after the tournament and will be donated to countries which lack sporting infrastructure, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has said.
This was stated in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Sustainable Stadiums report, which was compiled by the SC. The report outlines the sustainability features of each of the tournament venues in relation to design, construction and legacy.
Commenting on the release of the report, Bodour Al Meer, Sustainability & Environment Senior Manager at the SC said: “Sustainability has been at the heart of all our tournament preparedness efforts from the day we were awarded the rights to host the world’s largest football tournament, back in 2010.”
“In particular, we have always aimed to ensure that the construction and development of our tournament infrastructure leaves a positive legacy for our planet and sets new standards for delivering sustainable, carbon neutral, mega-sporting events in the future.”
Eight stadiums will host matches during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Three of those venues – Khalifa International, Al Janoub, and Education City – have already been unveiled, with the remaining five set to be completed long before the tournament kicks off on 21 November, 2022.
“The innovative approach adopted by the SC to develop and use new environmental technologies will guarantee a significant legacy for the region and beyond,” Federico Addiechi, Head of Sustainability and Environment at FIFA, said.
Below are 10 key facts which highlight the sustainable features of Qatar’s stadiums.
Modular design means more than 170,000 seats can be donated
The FIFA World Cup demands increased seating capacity compared to Qatar’s local needs. Modular design means more than 170,000 seats can be donated – and the solution to this challenge is modular stadiums.
More than 170,000 stadium seats will be removed from several venues after the tournament, with the SC planning to donate them to countries which lack sporting infrastructure. Thanks to the modular design, it will be easy to disassemble facilities, transport them to a new location and reuse them.
The first dismantlable stadium in FIFA World Cup history
Made primarily from shipping containers, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be completely disassembled after the tournament, with its parts being repurposed to provide sporting facilities after 2022. In addition, the land occupied by the stadium will be transformed into a waterfront development which overlooks the iconic West Bay district of Doha.
Stadiums will be operational year-round
Retractable roofs and advanced, energy-efficient cooling technology mean the stadiums can be used year-round. After the tournament, parts of some stadiums will be repurposed into community facilities such as hospitals, schools, retail units and hotels. In addition, some stadium precinct areas will feature running, cycling and horse-riding tracks, among other facilities.
Public transport brings fans to stadiums
Doha Metro is fast, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. A combination of the metro, trams and buses will connect passengers directly to all stadiums. A single journey on the metro costs just QR3 (US$ 0.82).
Sustainably sourced construction materials are a priority
Fifteen per cent of building supplies for the stadiums were sourced from recycled materials. In addition, the project has prioritised using local resources wherever possible in order to support Qatar’s economy.
Construction waste reused or recycled
Ninety per cent of waste generated at Al Janoub and Al Rayyan Stadiums during the demolition of the old structures was reused or recycled. All the stadiums are designed for effective waste management during operation. Waste segregation and recycling takes place on-site, while wastewater is recycled from on-site workers’ accommodation for dust control and toilet flushing.
Green landscaping creates a cooling effect
Green landscaping provides a cooling effect as it absorbs much less heat than other built materials such as pavement or asphalt. The Qatar 2022 stadiums and surrounding precincts will house 850,000 sq. metres of new green space – equivalent to 121 football pitches.
In addition, more than 16,000 trees have been planted, including water-efficient plants. The green spaces are irrigated using recycled water and provide a habitat for native birds, lizards and other fauna.
Thirty per cent more energy-efficient than international benchmarks
A host of measures mean Qatar’s stadiums are 30 per cent more energy-efficient than minimum requirements mandated by ASHRAE 90.1 – which is administered by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
Passive energy efficiency features include thick insulation and smart site orientation, with each stadium being strategically located to make the most of the shade available.
Forty per cent less water-usage than international benchmarks
Water vapour collected from the cooling system will be used for irrigation, while recycled water will be used for dust suppression. Efficient fixtures have been installed for sinks, showers and WCs. The venues will use 40 per cent less water than the minimum requirements set by the International Plumbing Code.
Sustainability certifications
According to the mandatory requirement of FIFA, each Qatar 2022 stadium must achieve a four-star rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), which is managed by the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development.
Education City Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium recently became the first Qatar 2022 tournament venues to achieve a five-star rating.