Oman Advances GCC Smart City Agenda with Sustainable Expertise
Oman is stepping up as a key player in shaping the Gulf's urban future, offering its expertise in sustainable, interoperable smart city solutions at recent regional forums. The Sultanate’s growing influence and ambitious projects signal its commitment to shared growth and tech-driven urban planning.
At the 28th GCC Ministers of Municipal Affairs meeting in Kuwait, Oman emphasized the value of collaboration in municipal and urban development. Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, advocated for harmonized building codes, a unified action plan for 2024–2030, and stronger partnerships with global urban governance bodies. This collaborative vision underpins Oman’s support for regional smart city frameworks.
Oman is not just talking—it is delivering. On the international stage, Musandam Governorate received global acclaim for its IoT-powered smart street lighting project. The system, using real-time sensors, automatically adjusts lighting levels based on traffic and environmental data. This innovation reduced electricity usage by up to 40 percent, cut carbon emissions, and set a sustainability benchmark recognized by experts.
Building on its Vision 2040 roadmap, Oman continues to launch strategic initiatives across its regions. In Dhofar, a partnership between Awasr and the municipal authority is bringing public Wi-Fi to parks, tourist areas, and municipal buildings. The project goes beyond connectivity, integrating services like e-payments, geospatial tools, and community platforms—bolstering both convenience and engagement.
Meanwhile, corporate and international collaboration is also in motion. Oman Broadband Company has teamed up with ST Engineering to build the digital backbone for future smart city setups. Their plan covers everything from ultra-fast fiber-optic networks to AI-driven smart mobility and utility platforms—tools essential for tomorrow’s urban living.
The nation’s smart city vision goes further. At the Oman Conference & Exhibition Centre, officials unveiled two new low-carbon smart city projects. One will rise in Jebel Akhdar, perched high in the mountains, accommodating around 10,000 residents. The second—Thuraya City in Bawshar Heights, Muscat—will host approximately 8,000. Both developments will run on renewable energy and align with Oman’s goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
These initiatives join the crown jewel of Oman’s smart-city ambition: Sultan Haitham City, designed as a model of integrated, sustainable living. Spanning nearly 15 million square meters, it will house 100,000 people across 20,000 residences and feature abundant green spaces and a central park. Construction begins in 2024 and is structured across four phases through 2045.
Supporting all this is Oman’s Smart City Platform—a collaborative ecosystem for innovation, knowledge sharing, hackathons, and research. The second phase, known as “Smart Cities and Governorates,” seeks to elevate urban development through policy, infrastructure, and skill-building aligned with Vision 2040.
By contributing technical know-how, innovative projects, and strategic partnerships, Oman is positioning itself as a connector in regional smart city efforts. The Sultanate’s actions—ranging from high-tech lighting and digital networks to low-carbon urban planning—are shaping both national and Gulf-wide urban futures.
