Leading international urban planning and architectural design firm Broadway Malyan has announced its commission by Omani authorities to develop a structure plan for the city of Ibri in Al Dhahirah Governorate.
The Ibri Structure Plan, part of a series of urban development strategies initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, is being crafted by a multi-disciplinary team. This team includes representatives from several Omani and international firms, each bringing expertise in various aspects of urban development.
The team comprises of F&M Middle East Engineering Consultancy, Cundall, a leader in sustainable engineering and design, and Pegasys Consulting, specialists in climate-resilient cities.
Policy Analytics Lab, a policy think-tank; Systematica, experts in transport planning and mobility engineering; and Oman Think Urban, people-centred design specialists.
Chronicle Heritage, global heritage management consultants; Green Mawared, providers of sustainable agriculture solutions; and construction consultancy firm DG Jones and Partners, among others.
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Importantly, the Ibri Structure Plan will incorporate investment initiatives that leverage the city’s proximity to Oman’s border with Saudi Arabia. These include plans for a dry port, warehousing and logistics infrastructure, and manufacturing clusters.
Significantly, Ibri is among 14 Omani cities identified by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for development based on Structure Plans that capitalize on their unique geographical, natural, strategic, and resource-based characteristics. This list includes Suhar, Salalah, Nizwa, Haima, Al Rustaq, Sur, Al Buraimi, Ibra, Al Mudhaibi, Sinaw, Saham, Al Khaboura, and Al Suwaiq. Muscat, the capital, is undergoing comprehensive Greater City development with several elements already in implementation stages.
Future Cities for development include Sultan Haitham City and Al Jabal Al Akhdar in the first phase, followed by Khor Jarma in Sur and the Agricultural City in Najd in Dhofar Governorate. Initial planning is also underway for Future Cities in Salalah, Suhar, Baushar, Al Khuwair, and Nizwa, along with the development of Khasab Downtown.
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