Oman’s capital, Muscat, has proposed a unique approach to urban development, diverging from the high-rise, expansive style of cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The new plan, crafted by urban design firm Broadway Malyan, envisions a mid-rise, environmentally conscious city focused on sustainability, enhanced public transport, and an integrated network of green spaces.
This master plan, targeting 2040, aims to address Muscat’s pressing issues: rapid population growth, economic diversification from oil, and heightened climate risks. Set on a narrow coastal strip between mountains and sea, Muscat’s linear growth structure poses challenges, with up to 160-minute commute times along its length. The new design hopes to reduce car dependence by adding a 55-kilometre light rail system and bus routes to link key areas, while promoting compact, mid-rise housing along these corridors.
Recognising the city’s vulnerability to floods, especially with its 14 wadi systems, the plan includes designated floodplain green zones and enhanced wadi systems to manage water naturally. A “green lung” will preserve unbuilt western areas, creating sustainable recreational spaces. To combat sprawl, Muscat also plans no-build zones around its mountainous periphery, aiming to conserve natural landscapes while focusing denser development in transit-linked hubs.
Although still awaiting full approval, some components are already underway, such as the light rail feasibility study and waterfront construction. This integrated approach could increase Muscat’s appeal and economic viability, promising potential returns on investment that make sustainable urban transformation a realistic, self-funding ambition.
Source: Bloomberg
Source picture: ‘A rendering showing how one of Muscat’s future rapid transit-linked neighborhoods might look. Broadway Malyan
