CONRAD PRABHU
MUSCAT: Light Transit Rail (LRT), agri-photovoltaics and pedestrian-friendly spaces are among an array of sustainability initiatives and smart city innovations that are being incorporated into the Greater Muscat Structure Plan (GMSP), according to a key member of the international consortium commissioned to deliver the ambitious urban planning project.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, the Greater Muscat Structure Plan aims to come up a more focused spatial development strategy for the 1,360 km2 metropolitan area of the capital city. A multidisciplinary team led by reputable design consultancies F&M Middle East, Broadway Malyan and Cundall is currently charting a sustainable way forward for the city’s expansion driven by a projected doubling of its population to around 2.7 million inhabitants by 2040.
Among the many attributes being actively weighed to enhance the global status of Greater Muscat is a plan for a Light Transit Rail (LRT) system, said Callum Smith, Principal Engineer, Civil Engineering – Cundall. The project will serve as a major transport artery for the city, he noted.
“The LRT will seamlessly link residential districts, business hubs and recreational areas, ensuring that essential services and key destinations are more accessible. By integrating the LRT with pedestrian and cycling routes, the plan promotes active transport options while helping to reduce traffic congestion and emissions,” Smith stated in an interview featured in Construction Week Middle East.
The broader goal, he explained, is to make the city more pedestrian-friendly by opening up spaces for walking and cycling. To this end, the plan envisages wider walkways, shaded pedestrian routes and better connectivity between key areas.
Further, in a bid to enhance livability and the quality of life of the city’s inhabitants, access to green spaces will be prioritised in the plan, with parks and recreation areas created at vantage locations across the city. “These spaces will provide residents with more opportunities to relax and enjoy nature, contributing to a healthier and more vibrant urban environment,” said Smith.
UK-headquartered Cundall, a global multidisciplinary engineering team, is playing a significant role in the city’s spatial development strategy, according to Smith. Its contribution covers expertise in sustainability, smart city innovations, terrestrial and coastal flood risk assessments, and utility infrastructure planning.
Additionally, Cundall is supporting the formulation of an Urban Risk and Climate Change Mitigation Strategy for Greater Muscat. “This strategy employs a two-pronged approach: first, by creating a climatic vulnerability map, we identified sensitive areas in the city that require targeted adaptation interventions. Secondly, we developed policies focused on climate mitigation and carbon road mapping, helping Muscat to meet its sustainability goals while addressing long-term risks.”
Significant emphasis is also being given to renewable energy and decarbonisation in line with national Net-Zero targets. To this end, Cundall is creating a more efficient power generation subzone for the city, notably by providing land for solar projects and co-locating critical infrastructure.
“The plan also promotes dual-purpose land use, integrating agricultural initiatives like Agri-PV (agri-photovoltaics). While more granular level strategies were embedded for elements such as demand side response, effectively reducing peak loads,” said Smith.
Also envisioned are initiatives to enhance the use of treated water, thereby easing the strain on the local water cycle. This is sought to be achieved by integrating areas for environmental development, such as wadis and green corridors, while earmarking re-usable water for industrial purposes, for example, he added.
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