New housing projects and social stability efforts to transform Muscat

Muscat: Eng. Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Jabri, Director General of the Directorate General of Housing and Urban Planning in Muscat, highlighted key strategic developments driving this change, such as the Muscat Master Plan and the ambitious Downtown Al Khuwair project. These initiatives are set to provide residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, with digital transformation playing a key role, further solidifying Muscat’s status as a prime urban and investment destination.

In a major step to optimize land use, the Ministry has concluded 51 usufruct contracts this year, spanning critical sectors like commercial (23), agricultural (13), industrial (10), and residential-commercial (5). The contracts have generated over RO 278,000, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to boosting investment and supporting sectoral growth.
Al Jabri also highlighted efforts to ensure social stability through housing support. In the Wilayat of Al Amerat, 32 housing units were delivered under the (townhouse) system, funded by the Saud Bahwan Charitable Foundation. Additionally, the Bahwan Foundation funded seven housing construction projects valued at RO 210,000. Further contributing to social stability, the Ministry signed an agreement with the Al Rahma Association to construct 300 housing units for needy families over five years, with 100 units set to be completed this year. Furthermore, RO 3 million were allocated for housing assistance, supporting the purchase of 18 units and the construction of 87 new homes.
Among the most noteworthy integrated housing projects is the Al Ahd neighborhood project in Al Amerat, which spans 445,000 square meters and boasts investments of RO 52 million, offering 965 diverse housing units. Additionally, progress continues on the Sultan Haitham City project, with the first phase now underway, covering 5 million square meters and featuring six integrated residential neighborhoods.

In a bid to enhance public service efficiency, the Unified Service Hall in Muscat Governorate achieved a significant milestone, attracting over 72,000 visitors this year. The hall’s improvements have reduced service waiting times to under 10 minutes, contributing to an impressive customer satisfaction rate of 88%.