Sasaki has been appointed by Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to design a masterplan for New Salalah City and its coastal waterfront. The project is part of the Greater Salalah Structural Plan and aims to enhance the city’s tourism industry.
Salalah is Oman’s second-largest city and an important logistical port and tourism hub. The new masterplan supports the development of a resilient urban environment and aligns with national sustainability goals.
Highlights of the masterplan include:
- Over 12,000 residential units across four walkable neighbourhoods, for a total of an estimated 60,000 residents.
- A 6 kilometre public beach for residents and tourists.
- Commercial, cultural, transport zones and parks.
The plan emphasises climate resilience. A new wetland park, natural coastal protection systems and revetments are planned to safeguard the coastline during the Khareef monsoon and mitigate rising sea level risks.
“Salalah is blessed with incredible natural features and a deep history,” stated Romil Sheth, Principal Designer at Sasaki. “Lush wadis, local agriculture embedded into the city, an extensive coastline with sandy beaches. To complement these significant assets, the Salalah New City plan adopts forward-looking urban design, place-making and planning practices that challenge status-quo urbanism and reflect an aspirational lifestyle for Dhofaris. The plan will serve as Oman’s living laboratory for urban innovation and a model for sustainable urbanism in the broader region.”
With a history of over 70 years in the design industry, Sasaki is contributing to Oman Vision 2040, a national strategic plan that aims to diversify the economy and expand tourism’s GDP share to 10%. The first phase of the project is expected to begin later in 2025.
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