Muscat’s Urban Design Vision in Contrast to Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are very different from Muscat’s new urban design plan. The UAE’s cities are known for their new skyscrapers and rapid growth. Another path is being taken by Muscat. For Oman this is about heritage, people and sustainability. That’s where this plan could teach us about city planning in the Gulf.

Muscat does not want the sprawl and development of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But the city doesn’t want to grow and destroy its coastline and traditional buildings. Omani authorities are not forcing a fast expansion. Instead, they seek balance in between these two environments: built and natural. This is what you see in their plans. In limiting building heights and saving green spaces, they insure that new developments will adhere to what already is.

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This slower approach is thought by experts to be better for the future. Muscat’s style might turn out to be more sustainable as climate issues escalate. They focus on shaded walkways and less use of cars. Dr. Nasser al-Kindi, an urban planning expert, says it best: “We’re not trying to make the tallest towers.” “We’re creating an environment for people to live comfortably.”

Balancing is aimed for in Muscat’s plan. The city doesn’t want the traffic and chaos that comes with other Gulf cities. Pedestrian areas and low-rise buildings are their area of focus. And people can simplify connecting with each other. And it also makes Muscat feel different from Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

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Muscat offers something for visitors, something for residents. It is a concoction of all three, history and modern life, culture. You will be able to wander around the city on foot. The skyline is earthy, the buildings low. We want to be unnoticeable, not prominent. Muscat is a good example of the way our cities can be resilient using this approach.

Muscat might offer something to urban planners in the Gulf. That slower, people focused way of growth is valued in the city’s experience. But many cities are struggling to find a way to reconcile heritage with a necessarily ever modern life. The model by Muscat shows that progress is not building fast or big. There are times when it’s better to grow at a speed that is human and ecological. Winning is about choosing what is good for culture and sustainability. Urban growth this way is a lightweight and practical way.

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References:

1. Al-Muqbali, S. Muscat Urban Planning: A Heritage-Centric Approach. Oman Times. Published October 2024.
2. Al-Kindi, Nasser. Sustainable Urban Development in the Gulf: Lessons from Muscat. Gulf Urban Journal. Published September 2024.
3. Oman Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. Future Vision for Muscat’s Growth. Published 2024.
4. Gulf News. Comparing Urban Strategies: Muscat vs. Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Published October 2024.