Muscat, Oman - Urban Mapping Lab
Muscat has grown significantly in recent years. Muscat's urbanization has been hampered by a lengthy history of political and socioeconomic factors. Evidently, these elements have had a significant impact on the entire urban pattern over time. The development of urban concerns has been exacerbated by centralized decision-making. The rapid consumption of land is largely due to the land allocation system. Furthermore, Muscat's and many other areas in Oman's land-granting system, which is based on a random lottery, has greatly contributed to the formation of low-density, scattered territory (Al Gharibi 2019, 16).
The present urbanisation process promotes low-rise and low-density neighborhoods, changing agricultural land permanently. As the balance between environment and urban development is disrupted, natural resources such as habitats, land, and fresh water are at risk. As a result, measures for re-densifying and transforming neighborhoods into multifunctional, diverse, and resilient communities should be established.
︹︹︹
References:
Al Gharibi, H., 2019. Urban Growth Within a Finite Space: Case-study Muscat. In Gulf Research Meeting 2016 (pp. 16-39). Future Cities Laboratory Singapore; ETH Zurich. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000339855
Elham Annis, Shaharin; tutor at the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Stuttgart University. 2021. Al Khoudh 6, lecture 23rd October.
Alnaabi, Akram; student at Sultan Qaboos University. 2021. Interview 4th November.Times
News Service. 2016. Oman Neighborhoods: Five Reasons to live in Phase 6 Al Khoudh. Newspaper. 16th October. https://timesofoman.com/article/20582-oman-neighborhoods-five-reasons-to-live-in-phase-6-al-khoudh (2021-11-17).
National Center for Statics Information Oman - https:// www.ncsi.gov.om/Pages/NCSI.aspx
Richthofen, A, Nebel, S., 2014. Urban Oman Exhibition Panel 6 - Settlement Pattern Al Khoud. ETH Zurich. DOI: https://www.research-collection.ethz.ch/handle/20.500.11850/156187?show=full
