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Al Duqm City

Duqm, Oman

2011 - Ongoing

Free Economic ZoneLarge Urban ProjectMaster PlanNew City

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Project Description

Approach Words: Attractive City, Comprehensive Planning, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Organization, Physical Intervention, Planning, Regulatory

Al Duqm City is a new city¹ set to become part of the² Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD)ⁱ ³. The project embodies the vision where “by 2030, the Special Economic Zone at Duqm shall be a destination of choice for diverse economic activities, a multi-model hub and a modern city that offers high quality of life in GCC”.

The project seeks to contribute to the economic growth of Oman, acting as a gateway to Europe and Asia⁴. Additionally, the development of the project seeks to meet the identified objectives for the new city to be: compact, connected, legible, livable, inclusive, green, and resilient⁵. These objectives, in turn, aim to make the new city an attractive place for investors, locals, visitors, and tourists to live, work, and visit⁶.

Title: Map shows the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD).

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Title: The 7 districts in the proposed master plan for Al Duqm city area at SEZAD.

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Title: Land use map of the Al Duqm city area at SEZAD.

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Title: Rendered aerial view for the heart of Duqm City.

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Title: Map shows the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD).

Source: Click Here

Title: The 7 districts in the proposed master plan for Al Duqm city area at SEZAD.

Source: Click Here

Title: Land use map of the Al Duqm city area at SEZAD.

Source: Click Here

Title: Rendered aerial view for the heart of Duqm City.

Source: Click Here

To implement the project’s objectives, a master plan for city area was proposed which extends along a 150 square kilometer site⁷ in Duqm, Al Wusta Governorate⁸, at a distance of 550 kilometers from the capital Muscat. The master plan of the city area is designed to accommodate the projected population growth from around 9,000 residents in 2019 to a total of at least 250,000 residents by 2040⁹. The master plan spans across the following seven districts identified for the city¹⁰: Rock Garden district, coastal district, boulevard district, civic district, airport district, defense district, ad show room district. Each District will have a distinct identity and character and in total they form a mixed use city that feature several economic, residential, tourism and service development zones, a multi-purpose port, a dry dock for repairing ships, a fishing port, a regional airport, industrial and logistical areas¹¹.

In terms of green space, Al Duqm City will build a network of parks and open spaces based on wadis and rock escarpments to meet the recreational needs of incoming residents and create an attractive¹² environment for the community¹³. Al Duqm City will also build infrastructure, including district cooling plants¹⁴, responding to the challenges posed by the severe weather changes¹⁵. In terms of transportation, a multimodal transportation system, including land, air, and future railway systems, is located at the center of the city¹⁶. This aims to promote integration and ease of movement within not only Duqm but also nationally, across the GCC region, and internationally.

Owner/Developer (Public)

The Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZAD)²⁸

Consultant/Designer

Atkins Realis ²⁹

Funder

The Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZAD)³⁰

Saudi Fund for Development (SFD)³¹

Contractor/Implementer

Galfar Engineering ³²

Al Rawas and Al Hashemi Contracting Company ³³

Owner/Developer (Public)

The Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZAD)²⁸

Contractor/Implementer

Galfar Engineering ³²

Al Rawas and Al Hashemi Contracting Company ³³

Funder

The Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZAD)³⁰

Saudi Fund for Development (SFD)³¹

Consultant/Designer

Atkins Realis ²⁹

The project is initiated by the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZAD)¹⁷ that has specified a final detailed master plan for the first phase (City area) proposed by lead consultant Atkins Realis¹⁸. Road infrastructure is implemented by different contractors including Galfar Engineering and Al Rawas¹⁹ and Al Hashemi Contracting Company²⁰. Part of this road construction was funded by Saudi Fund for Development (SFD)²¹ with a $51 million agreement²².

The project is to be implemented over five key phases:

First Phase [2017-2022]: Focusing on the development of Rock Garden District and some developments within the Airport District, with the delivery of homes, community facilities in these locations²³.
Second Phase [2023-2027]: Developing the Duqm Heights District and the Boulevard District as well as tourism developments in the Tourism Zone²⁴.
Third Phase [2028-2032]: Completing the development of phase 2²⁵.
Forth Phase [2033-2040]: Developing the light industrial plots in the Duqm South District, and infilling in Duqm Heights and the Airport District²⁶.
Fifth Phase [Beyond 2040]: Releasing of all other plots within the city²⁷.

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

https://www.duqm.gov.om/

Endnotes

i Established in 2011, the 2,000 square kilometer Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZD) enjoys many advantages, making it among the most prominent investment destinations at regional and international levels. More information is in this link: https://www.opaz.gov.om/en/zones/special-economic-zone-at-duqm (Accessed on 14 March 2024).

References