Sultan Haitham City’s First Phase Sees Over 35 Development and Partnership Agreements

Muscat, The Gulf Observer: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning marked a historic occasion on Wednesday by signing more than 35 development and partnership agreements for the Sultan Haitham City (SHC) project’s first phase, spanning from 2024 to 2030. Valued at over OMR 1 billion, these agreements cover a diverse array of initiatives, including engineering consulting services, real estate development, technical cooperation, and the delivery of new sites within the SHC.

The signing ceremony took place at The Royal Opera House, under the auspices of HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth. The SHC First Phase, encompassing an expansive area of over 5 million square meters, is designed to accommodate more than 39,000 residents across 7,000 housing units.

The agreements, a culmination of strategic partnerships, include nine consultancy service contracts, eight real estate development agreements, a technical cooperation agreement, and ten new site design and delivery agreements. These initiatives aim to shape the city’s landscape, fostering sustainable development and providing essential amenities for its residents.

The city’s first phase will feature a central park along the wadi spanning more than 1 million square meters, the National Centre for Women and Children’s Health, a referral hospital, educational institutions, a Youth Centre, a Rehabilitation Centre for People with Special Needs, government schools, an international private school, police and civil defense facilities, and health centers.

To support these ambitious projects, international consultants have been enlisted to provide engineering services. Agreements with esteemed firms such as Kohler Architects, SOM Consultants, Panter Hudspith Architects, and Altivia Consultants were signed, covering initial designs and detailed plans for various key centers within SHC.

Moreover, partnerships with local and international real estate developers were solidified, marking a significant investment of over OMR 1 billion. These collaborations will result in the development of eight residential neighborhoods within Sultan Haitham City, spanning more than 2.2 million square meters and housing over 6,000 residential units.

In a commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), agreements were inked for the development of specific neighborhoods within SHC. These initiatives will contribute to community building and empower Omani ownership.

Furthermore, a technical cooperation agreement was established for electric vehicle stations, with special discounts offered to residents of Sultan Haitham City. Premium Motors (Al Mutamayza Motors Company), the agents of Audi cars, is a key partner in this endeavor.

In alignment with His Majesty the Sultan’s directives, the construction of “Singapore Street” will be a notable feature, stretching 4 kilometers and distinguished for its dense tree cover. This road, announced during His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s visit to Singapore, will traverse the heart of the city and contribute to its vibrancy.

As a testament to Oman’s commitment to urban strategic projects, six engineering consultancy services agreements were signed to design detailed plans for vital developments. These encompass the preparation of the Omani building code, layout plans in various Wilayats, and detailed plans for agricultural cities.

At the ceremony’s conclusion, HH Sayyid Theyazin accepted a symbolic gift—an iconic suspension bridge to be erected in the central park of Sultan Haitham City, crossing the valley at a distance of 500 meters.

The event witnessed the presence of Royal Family members, ministers, undersecretaries, and representatives from various government entities, private agencies, international consultants, investors, and real estate developers. It marked a momentous step forward in the realization of Sultan Haitham City’s transformative vision, embodying Oman’s commitment to progress, innovation, and sustainable urban development.