Muscat – A consortium of international consultants has been appointed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to design the master plan of the Salalah Smart City project.

Leading the consortium is the engineering consultancy firm F&M Middle East, with Cundall – a London based company with infrastructural strategic vision, MIC-HUB – a Milan based company well versed in transportation and mobility in diverse urban settings, Cavendish Maxwell – a Dubai/Muscat based company with knowledge of marketing and feasibility studies, and Skyne – a Dubai based branding company. Omani companies HMR Consultants and TRM Engineering Consultants will offer their expertise in local environment and traffic standards, while Milcris Oman will provide cost consultancy expertise.

According to MIC-HUB, Salalah Smart City will present a bold vision for the prosperous and sustainable future of the area. ‘Our approach will be rooted in the broader ecological context of Salalah, and forward-thinking strategies of sustainability, liveability and smart systems will be integrated throughout. We envision a city of the future, with a pedestrian oriented design that seeks to reinforce a paradigm shift towards greater community and environmental stewardship,’ it stated.

The overarching mobility framework of the city will focus on macro infrastructure and landscape reconfiguration to reduce car use by providing safe spaces for everyone; increasing transit and mobility services by improving existing services, promoting shared mobility, micromobilities, on-demand and demand-responsive transport modes; reducing carbon emissions by promoting soft mobility and an integrated public transport network; integrating driverless vehicles to reduce road congestion and create a more enhanced travel experience; and digital platforms for integrated mobility systems connected to the platform and in constant active communication.

“The Salalah Smart City initiative presents an ambitious and visionary plan for the sustainable and prosperous future of the region. We are proud to have been selected to join this consortium and are honoured to bring our expertise to this significant project. With our commitment to excellence and sustainability, we are excited to be part of this important effort to shape the future of Oman and the region for generations to come,” said Lee French, Partner and Operations Director MENA, Cundall.

F&M Middle East and Cundall are also part of a consortium that is working on the Greater Muscat Structure Plan, also initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.

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