Oman’s southern coastal city of Salalah is poised for a transformative development aimed at boosting tourism and urban growth, in line with Oman Vision 2040. Spearheaded by international design firm Sasaki, the project will create a sustainable, walkable waterfront city that balances urban expansion with environmental conservation, positioning Salalah as a benchmark for sustainable urban development.
Spanning 7.3 square kilometres, the New City Salalah project will feature 12,000 residential units, housing around 60,000 residents. The development will include 3.5 million square metres of parks and open spaces, 200,000 square metres of retail space, two hospitals, and a six-kilometre-long public beach, further cementing Salalah’s status as a year-round tourist destination.
Sustainability and Urban Innovation
The masterplan incorporates climate-resilient strategies to address challenges such as rising sea levels and extreme weather during the khareef season. A wetland park and natural infrastructure solutions will mitigate flooding risks and protect coastal ecosystems. This initiative is part of the Greater Salalah Structural Plan, which aims to improve infrastructure, mobility, and spatial planning as the city’s population is expected to reach 674,000 by 2040.
Construction will begin later this year, with the first phase including 5,827 residential units. Dr. Khalfan bin Said al Shueili, Oman’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, emphasized the project’s role in economic diversification: “New City Salalah embodies Oman Vision 2040, delivering a sustainable and prosperous future for Oman. It demonstrates how tourism and urban development can drive economic diversification and create opportunities for the international community.”
He added, “With construction starting this year, we are excited to bring this vision to life alongside the Omani people and our global partners, investors, and developers.”
A Model for Future Cities
Developed in collaboration with F&M Middle East, MIC-HUB, and Cundall, the project is part of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning’s broader initiative to create Smart Cities across Oman, including in Suhar and Nizwa. The mobility framework for Salalah will prioritize pedestrian-friendly spaces, reduce reliance on cars, and introduce shared and on-demand transport solutions.
Romil Sheth, Principal Designer at Sasaki, highlighted the importance of aligning the city’s design with its natural and cultural heritage: “Salalah’s unique natural features and rich history inspired us to adopt forward-thinking urban design and placemaking practices. This plan challenges conventional urbanism and reflects an aspirational lifestyle for Dhofar’s residents. It will serve as a living laboratory for urban innovation and a regional model for sustainable urbanism.”
With its blend of sustainable design, smart city features, and tourism-focused urban planning, New City Salalah is set to become a flagship development, offering a vibrant, human-centric, and environmentally conscious blueprint for Oman’s future cities.
(Source: Oman Daily Observer)
