Qatar's "Al-Arabi" Forum Honors Mishaal Al-Otaibi as the Author of the Best Research in Sustainability
The “Al-Arabi” Forum in Doha, the capital of Qatar, honored Eng. Meshal Al-Otaibi by selecting his research paper, “Sustainable Parking Lots Integrated with Rain Gardens,” as the best research idea in the field of sustainability.
In a statement to KUNA, Eng. Al-Otaibi expressed his delight at having his research selected as the best sustainability-related research idea at the “Al-Arabi” Forum, expressing his appreciation to the Forum and Qatar Foundation for choosing his work from among approximately 1,100 research ideas.
He explained that he participated as a speaker at the “Al-Arabi” Forum in a session titled “The Place We Do Not See,” during which he presented his research idea and its objectives, which aim to leverage engineering and natural solutions to enhance the efficiency of water resource management.
Al-Otaibi clarified that the research presented in the session aims to develop an engineered ecosystem that contributes to water purification and enhances groundwater recharge by applying subsurface filtration techniques using permeable concrete as a medium that allows surface water to percolate into the ground.
He noted that the proposed methodology relies on designing a field model for parking lots that enables water to pass through filtration layers of sand and gravel before reaching the aquifers, thereby improving water quality through natural physical, chemical, and biological processes.
Al-Otaibi pointed out that the proposed system can help reduce water loss resulting from surface runoff and enhance the efficiency of groundwater recharge, while also providing a sustainable environmental solution that can be integrated into urban infrastructure.
He emphasized that the research idea combines scientific and engineering solutions with ecological balance, enabling its application in urban and semi-arid environments and allowing for the utilization of rainwater as a resource that can be leveraged to support water sustainability.
He stated that the idea is based on harnessing the natural capacity of ecosystems to treat water through engineering interventions that mimic natural processes, explaining that the goal extends beyond developing a technical solution to enhancing awareness of the importance of sustainable water management and the conservation of natural resources.
He added that implementing the idea could enable cities and communities to benefit from rainwater rather than losing it, thereby supporting the efficiency of water resource management and contributing to improving the urban environment and quality of life.
Al-Otaibi noted that his selection to participate as one of the speakers at the Forum represents more than just recognition of a research idea; it serves as an incentive to continue research and development and a driving force to transform ambitious ideas into projects with real impact, in addition to being an opportunity to highlight the presence of Kuwaiti expertise and research capabilities in Arab and international intellectual and scientific forums.
He affirmed that participating in such forums provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences and to learn about diverse research ideas and practices, thereby contributing to the advancement of research and innovation and opening new horizons for cooperation.
