Along with several developmental projects, wadis in Muscat will be enhanced into public parks as part of the new urbanisation patterns.
An indication to this regard is given in Oman National Spatial Strategy that constitutes the national framework for directing and controlling urban growth, unlocking its potential and maximising the opportunity for investments.
“The city emerges as a pioneer at the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council due to its natural characteristics attracting people to live, work and recreate altogether”, insists the report that consists of the strategy.
To be developed as Oman’s portal to the world, Muscat will be turned into a cosmopolitan and sustainable city with cohesive and compact development around major public transport nodes.
“The capital city of Muscat is envisioned to become a world-class city of development and progress, with prominent modern features, yet based on solid foundations of cultural traditions and original Omani values”, affirms the report consisting of the strategy.
The plans seek to balance socio-economic development while preserving the Sultanate’s valuable natural and cultural resources for the next generations, in alignment with the national goals and priorities of Oman Vision 2040.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning is set to conduct a number of initiatives in this regard and implementation and investment programmes for the next 20 years are divided into four five-year plans for each governorate.
The Urban Strategy aims to achieve more balanced development based on clear hierarchy of service centers distribution, which shall lead to job opportunities in various centers based on their developmental capabilities, and thus reducing internal migration towards major attraction centres.
It also seeks to balance socio-economic development while preserving the Sultanate’s valuable natural and cultural resources for the next generations, in alignment with the national goals and priorities of Oman Vision 2040.
“Smart, sustainable and vibrant cities and a vital countryside with a viable architecture that ensures high quality of life, work, and leisure”, the report adds.
Other projects to be executed during the period include development of Ghala into a new central business district for Muscat city, focus on financial services, trade, hospitality and tourism.
