https://arab.news/yjppe
RIYADH: Qatari citizens have demonstrated a preference for villas in their residential choices, as indicated by official building permit data for December 2023.
Analyzing the data, Qatar’s Planning and Statistics Authority identified villas as the prevailing preference, constituting 79 percent of all new residential building permits, totaling 172.
Subsequently, dwellings financed through housing loans held a 14 percent share with 31 permits, while apartment building permits accounted for 7 percent, amounting to 16 licenses.
In the year-end release, jointly published by the authority and the Ministry of Municipality, Al-Rayyan municipality emerged as the frontrunner among municipalities.
It claimed the top position with 194 building permits issued, making up 31 percent of the total approvals. Following closely, Al-Doha municipality secured the second spot with 125 permits, accounting for 20 percent of the total issuance during the same month.
Meanwhile, Al-Da'ayen municipality secured the third position, issuing 100 permits, constituting 16 percent of the total. Al-Wakrah municipality, on the other hand, ranked fourth, issuing 94 licenses, representing 15 percent of the overall permits.
According to the statement published by the authority, the remaining municipalities included Umm Slal, with 44 permits; Al-Khor, with 41; Al-Shammal, with 15; and Al-Sheehaniya, which issued 14 building permits.
The statement added that concerning the categories of approvals granted, the data indicates that new construction licenses for both residential and non-residential units constituted 39 percent, totaling 245 clearances of the overall building approvals issued during that month.
It further highlighted that permits for extension constructions comprised 59 percent, encompassing 368 issued licenses, while permissions for fencing recorded a modest 2 percent, with a total of 14 granted building approvals.
In contrast, the report noted that industrial structures, including workshops and factories, took the lead in non-residential building permits with 11 approvals. Following closely were commercial buildings with 10 licenses, trailed by other non-residential structures with three permits.
Comparing the numbers of permits issued in December 2023 with those granted a month before, the authority said it noted a general decrease of 16 percent, with the municipalities of Al-Wakrah and Al Da'ayen registering a 25 and 23 percent decline, respectively.
Furthermore, there was a decrease of 22 percent in Al-Sheehaniya and 19 percent in Al-Rayyan, respectively. Similarly, Umm Slal saw a 14 percent decrease while Al-Doha registered a 13 percent downturn.