Greater Muscat Structure Plan: Economic Development and Governance Consultancy 1 November 2023

Project Name: Greater Muscat Structure Plan

Country: Oman

Start Date: 01-06-2022

End Date: Ongoing

Client Name: Oman Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning

Project Details: 

The project is a highly strategic follow up task for the Oman National Spatial Strategy; focusing on the design of the structure plan for Greater Muscat, Oman’s leading urban agglomeration and driver of economic growth. The multidisciplinary project is undertaken by a large consortium, consisting of various discplines including spatial planning, urban design, moblity and transport, infrastructure, sustainability, tourism, socio-economic development and governance.

As part of a consortium led by F&M Middle East and Broadway Malyan, PAL's responsibilities focused on demographic projections, socio-economic analysis, economic development strategy, governance and capacity building aspects of the Greater Muscat Structure Plan (GMSP). Within this project, our primary objective has been to assess and understand the social and economic aspects relevant to the development of the metropolitan region. By conducting comprehensive studies and analyses, and developing a novel methodology, we have sought to identify the key socio-economic factors that influence the spatial development strategy of the GMSP.

Our work has entailed examining various socio-economic indicators, such as population dynamics, employment patterns, income distribution, and social infrastructure requirements within the Greater Muscat area. Through rigorous research and data analysis, we have aimed to gain insights into the existing socio-economic conditions and trends in the region. The quantiative methodologies jointly developed by Pegasys and PAL Teams helped make economic analysis (jobs, GDP, clusters etc.) much more granular not only at the city level but also going down to zonal and superblock levels.

Furthermore, we have collaborated closely with stakeholders, including local communities, businesses, and governmental organizations, to gather their perspectives and incorporate their insights into the GMSP. By engaging with these key actors, we have strived to ensure that the socio-economic aspects of the plan align with the aspirations and needs of the people living and working in the Greater Muscat area.