Overview
Lusail City is a planned urban development located approximately 23 kilometres north of central Doha. Developed by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority, Lusail is designed to become a self-contained city accommodating up to 250,000 residents and 170,000 workers upon completion.
The project is one of the largest urban development initiatives in the Middle East, encompassing residential, commercial, entertainment, retail, hospitality, and sporting districts across an area of approximately 38 square kilometres.
Districts and Infrastructure
Lusail is organised into multiple districts, including the Marina District, Fox Hills, the Entertainment District, the Commercial District, and the Lusail Waterfront. Each district is planned with a mix of uses designed to create a walkable, integrated urban environment.
Key infrastructure includes a light rail transit system (the Lusail Tram), connection to the Doha Metro Red Line, road networks linked to the national expressway system, district cooling systems, and centralised utilities management. The city incorporates smart city technologies for energy management, traffic control, and public services.
World Cup Legacy
Lusail hosted the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, an 80,000-seat venue that was the centrepiece of Qatar’s tournament infrastructure. The stadium and surrounding developments were designed with post-tournament legacy in mind, with plans for conversion to mixed-use facilities.
Foreign Ownership
Lusail is a designated area for foreign freehold property ownership under Law No. 16 of 2018. Non-Qatari buyers may acquire residential and commercial property on a freehold basis, with property ownership conferring eligibility for Qatari residency permits.
Significance
Lusail represents Qatar’s largest bet on post-hydrocarbon urban development. It is designed to absorb population growth, reduce pressure on Doha’s existing urban fabric, and demonstrate the country’s capacity for large-scale, modern city-building. The project is central to the National Vision 2030’s objectives of sustainable urbanisation and economic diversification.