Al Khuwair Muscat Downtown and Waterfront Development is a reimagined waterfront project that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) of Oman has announced plans to establish in the capital at a total investment of $1.3 billion.
The project, which covers 3.3 million square meters, was created by London-based British architecture and design firm Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).
The well-being of both locals and visitors is given priority in the sustainability-led design, which redefines urban living in Oman at a time when Muscat’s population is expected to nearly double from 1.5 million to 2.7 million by 2040.
With over 3 million visitors in the previous year, the city is also growing in popularity among tourists from other countries. In response to this swift expansion, ZHA’s design will turn this Muscat administrative and industrial area into a thriving new urban district that will house 64,500 people.
The district will consist of five main areas: a marina, a canal walkway, a cultural quarter, a Ministry campus, and a recreational waterfront with beaches and sports facilities.
A thriving, environmentally resilient, and sustainable development, the district will include residential areas, extensive mixed-use developments that serve government and commercial businesses, as well as arts, culture, and leisure spaces. It will also be a 24-hour community.
Maintaining Muscat’s rich history as a port city, the Al Khuwair development draws inspiration from the local way of life. The marina serves as the project’s focal point and serves locals as well as tourists.
According to the statement, it will include a variety of attractions with a focus on green areas and the public realm along the waterfront, such as fine dining establishments, upscale shops, wellness centers, hotels, and residential spaces.
To help with climate and coastal resilience, the Oman ministry and ZHA have collaborated with the international engineering, design, and advisory firm Buro Happold to implement a materials strategy with targeted interventions. These interventions include breakwaters, stormwater management, and mitigating any “urban heat island” effects.
The Ministry campus will see a program of building retrofits and reuses through refurbishments, with a focus on responsible sourcing and recycled construction materials.
Transport-oriented development principles promote the use of public transportation with good connections to transit services that support smart mobility, such as water taxis, light rail transit, and bus rapid transit, throughout the compact and walkable development.
According to the ministry’s statement, passive shading and cooling systems for the public domain, along with cycle infrastructure, improve the safety and usability of active transportation options while maximizing carbon savings by reducing the use of private vehicles.
In addition to maximizing on-site renewable energy from solar power, a passive design approach will be used to lower energy consumption and use less water in buildings and landscaping. It also said that it aims to conserve and restore native plant species while achieving a 10% net gain in biodiversity.
The announcement comes after ZHA was assigned to the project as a result of 30 agreements that were finalized with the ministry last month.
Dr. Khalfan Al Shueili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, said: “This visionary project will bring us another step closer to realizing 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,” he stated.
Paolo Zilli, Project Director and Associate Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, 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,” he added.
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 wellbeing 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,” he added.
Carlos Castelló, the 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,” he added.