Oman unveiled ambitious plans to construct a futuristic “smart” city outside its capital, Muscat, with the potential to accommodate a population of 100,000 residents.
Named Sultan Haitham City, this visionary project will span an expansive 14.8 square kilometers (5.7 square miles), equivalent in size to Beverly Hills, yet accommodating nearly three times as many inhabitants.
The concept revealed by U.S. architecture firm Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) encompasses a vast array of components. Among them are 20,000 residences, educational institutions such as a university and schools, healthcare facilities, and mosques. Situated on an undeveloped expanse in Al-Seeb, a few kilometers west of Muscat, the city seeks to redefine urban living in the region.
Key features
- The project will cover an area of approximately 15 million square meters.
- It will utilize green spaces estimated to be 2.9 million square meters.
- It is designed to accommodate 100,000 residents.
- It includes 20,000 homes, schools, a university, health facilities, and mosques.
- The construction starts in 2024. The four phases of the project are expected to be with completed by 2045.
Sultan Haitham City
The transformative project is set to begin in 2024, following a multi-stage plan. The initial phase, scheduled until 2030, will concentrate on constructing the city’s central 5-square-kilometer core and six out of its 19 planned neighborhoods. The final phase is targeted for completion by 2045.
SOM emphasized that Sultan Haitham City will deliver dynamic public spaces, cost-effective and high-quality housing, and intelligent urban mobility.
The term “smart city” refers to the integration of sensors, cameras, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to collect and employ data from the urban environment, although privacy concerns have been raised.
SOM’s senior associate principal, Bernhard Rettig, explained that the city’s “smart infrastructure” would oversee environmental factors like air quality and water management. Additionally, a cutting-edge traffic management system leveraging real-time data from cameras and speed sensors will optimize vehicle routes and traffic flow.
Oman Vision 2040
This transformative project aligns with Oman Vision 2040, a national initiative aiming to bolster renewable energy use and decrease reliance on oil.
In the pursuit of a reduced ecological footprint, SOM’s master plan incorporates solar energy installations, wastewater recycling, electric vehicle infrastructure, and waste-to-energy facilities. While the precise proportion of renewable power remains undisclosed, the objective is to achieve 30% of Oman’s electricity from green sources by 2030.
Shaded streets and natural ventilation
Addressing the challenging climate conditions of Muscat, where temperatures can surpass 110 degrees Fahrenheit, SOM’s design integrates shaded streets and structures that optimize natural ventilation. The layout will encourage energy-efficient building orientation and promote natural airflow.
Centrally located park
Beyond residential and commercial spaces, Sultan Haitham City is set to feature a centrally located park with plazas and interconnected open areas. Utilizing a 7.5-kilometer-long dry riverbed, the park will aid in floodwater management within a region prone to seasonal flooding.
Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning characterized this development as an expansion of Muscat, integrating it with the capital through an advanced mass transit system.
Renowned for projects like the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, SOM’s legacy extends to urban master plans in key locations such as London’s Canary Wharf and Chicago’s Millennium Park.
Smart Cities in Oman
Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has signed seven agreements t build more future cities. These smart sustainable future cities in Salalah, Nizwa, Suhar, and Muscat would be spread over a total area of five million square metres with 10,000-30,000 housing units, according to media reports.