Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) has announced the masterplan for a reimagined waterfront development in downtown Muscat, the nation’s capital. Designed by ZHA, the $1.3bn Al Khuwair Muscat Downtown and Waterfront Development will span 3.3 million sqm and is set to revitalise the area.

The sustainability-led design prioritises the well-being of residents and visitors, redefining urban living in Oman as Muscat’s population is anticipated to almost double from 1.5 million to 2.7 million inhabitants by 2040. The city is also increasingly popular with international visitors, welcoming over 3 million tourists last year. Responding to this rapid growth, ZHA’s design will transform this existing administrative and industrial area of Muscat into a vibrant new urban district with an expected population of 64,500.

The district will comprise five key areas: a marina, a recreational waterfront lined with beaches and sports facilities, a canal walkway, a cultural quarter and a Ministry campus. Incorporating residential areas extensive mixed-use developments catering to government and commercial businesses, together with  arts, culture, and leisure spaces, the district will be a thriving, environmentally resilient and sustainable development with a 24-hour community.

Continuing Muscat’s rich tradition as a historic port city, the Al Khuwair development is informed by local culture, with the marina acting as the cornerstone of the project, catering to residents, visitors, and tourists. It will feature a range of attractions while emphasising green spaces and public realm along the waterfront, including destination dining experiences, luxury retail outlets, health and wellness facilities, hotels, and residential spaces.

MoHUP and ZHA have worked with global engineering, design and advisory practice Buro Happold to implement a materials strategy with specific interventions to assist with climate and coastal resilience, including mitigating any ‘urban heat island’ effects, stormwater management and breakwaters. It prioritises material reuse, including recycled construction materials and responsible sourcing, and buildings within the Ministry campus will be retrofitted and reused through a programme of refurbishments.

Throughout the compact and walkable development, Transport-Oriented Development principles encourage use of public transportation with good connections to transit services underpinning smart mobility, including light rail transit, bus rapid transit and water taxis. Pedestrian activity is encouraged by introducing passive shading and cooling to the public realm, alongside cycle infrastructure to improve the safety and usability of active transport modes, while capitalising on the carbon savings of minimising private vehicle use.

Onsite renewable energy with solar energy will be maximised alongside a passive design strategy to limit energy demand and reduce water use in buildings and landscaping. Additionally, it is targeting a biodiversity net gain of 10% while conserving and restoring native plant species.

The announcement follows the appointment of ZHA to the project as part of 30 agreements signed with the MoHUP last month. MoHUP has also been working with CBRE as the strategic partner responsible for implementing a financially viable, place-led, people-focused development and will establish the governance framework for the management entity overseeing the masterplan.

Contributing to Oman’s projected construction pipeline of more than $33bn, these projects are key to the Oman Vision 2040, which strives to achieve a developed, diversified, and sustainable national economy with fair distribution of development gains and protection of natural resources. Works are due to commence on site at the end of 2024.

His Excellency Dr. Khalfan Al Shueili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, said: “This visionary project will bring us another step closer to realising the Oman Vision 2040 and delivering a sustainable and prosperous future for the people of Oman. It will help shape the future of both Muscat and Oman more broadly, creating a new destination to welcome visitors from across the globe to our capital city. We trust this project will serve as an exemplar of our ambition to improve human and environmental well-being and our commitment to collaborate with leading international partners during this period of unparalleled development and growth for our nation.”

Paolo Zilli, Project Director and Associate Director at ZHA, said: “Seamlessly integrated within the urban fabric of Muscat, Al Khuwair will create a bridge between the coastal landscapes of the Arabian Sea  and the Hajar Mountains that surround the city. The project is designed to connect local and international communities while embracing a sustainable vision for the future that honours the Muscat’s heritage.”

Federico Cassani, Partner and Global Director Of Transport & Mobility at Buro Happold, said: “Al Khuwair masterplan is an extraordinary example of multidisciplinary engineering excellence at a district scale level. Placing the well-being of the local community and ecology at the centre of our work, we’re proud to have delivered sophisticated and innovative solutions for this project, spanning sustainable mobility, renewable energy, microclimate and marine engineering. It’s an exciting moment for Oman and we’re delighted to play a key role in bringing this ambitious plan to life.”

Carlos Castelló, Head of Strategic Consulting at CBRE, said: “We are honored to be part of this unique consortium in a once-in-a-lifetime flagship project that will transform Muscat, and position it as an international reference and a place to live, work and visit. Our key role aligning the masterplan design, experiential elements, and economic productivity from the outset is crucial for the success of this transformative project. We're excited to play a part in its realization, ensuring the cultural heritage projected in the future for the Omani people and the entire world."