Muscat residents identified unemployment, affordable housing and public transport as the top priority areas needing attention
Muscat is ranked 88th out of 142 cities in the 2024 Smart City Index (SCI), reflecting a significant improvement from its 96th position last year. The index, developed by International Institute for Management Development, assesses residents’ perceptions of the infrastructure and technology applications in their cities.
Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), the tech arm of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), has launched the ‘Smart Mobility’ project.
The project, featuring electric scooter service for the employees working in various companies within KOM, was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Salik Mobility.
Read more: OM: Madayn launches smart mobility project in Knowledge Oasis Muscat
Recent news reveals more about the Sultan Haitham City project and its stages that have started. This ambitious national project is tied to the term "smart city," which represents a new phase in human civilisation adopting what is known as the”digital society”.
The Sultanate of Oman's ambition to keep up with digital and technological advancements is based on the vision of the country's leader, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. His Majesty has given special attention to digital projects and their role in sustainable development, and the Sultan Haitham City project reflects this noble vision.
Muscat Municipality is participating in COMEX 2024 with a strong focus on its ongoing efforts to transform Muscat into a "Smart and Sustainable City," aligning with its comprehensive digital transformation strategy.
Its booth features an extensive range of digital services designed to simplify and streamline transactions for citizens and residents. These services, part of a broader initiative to enhance electronic readiness and leverage modern information technologies, aim to eliminate the need for physical visits to administrative offices, thereby improving the overall quality of life in Muscat.
Read more: OM: Muscat Municipality spotlights Smart City initiatives
A master plan for the establishment of Sohar Smart City has been released by global architecture and design studio Hassell.
It was appointed by Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to design a master plan that will position Sohar as a centre of trade, commerce and innovation by 2040.
Part of the broader Sohar Master Plan, the new city will capitalise on the economic growth resulting from the free port and arrival of an international rail link to Abu Dhabi. It will include over 19,000 new homes and 520,000sqm of office space, besides schools, mosques, hospitals and a new commuter railway station.
Read more: OM: ‘5-minute walk’ Sohar Smart City master plan revealed