Interview: Khalfan Saeed Mubarak Al Shueili
What role does environmentally sustainable building design play in urban community development?
KHALFAN SAEED MUBARAK AL SHUEILI: Environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of urban development. Under Oman National Spatial Strategy 2040, the interplay between urbanism and the environment has been prioritised, emphasising resilience to climate change. For instance, in projects such as Sultan Haitham City, the urban plan integrates natural features as part of the design. A key example is the city’s central water body, designed for flood protection up to a 100-year threshold and as a functional and educational feature for the community.
Which measures can help to overcome the various financing challenges facing the sector?
AL SHUEILI: High interest rates are a significant challenge, but the government has addressed this by working closely with the Central Bank of Oman, private banks and developers to create solutions tailored to the local context. One approach has been to provide affordable housing options without compromising quality. By integrating government housing benefits with private investment models, prices have been reduced substantially, particularly first-time buyers.
Developers have also been encouraged to adopt offplan sales models, where early transactions help fund projects without relying heavily on initial financing. To support this, the government covers infrastructure and utility costs, easing the financial burden on developers.
In what ways will the reforms to Oman’s addressing system affect urban planning and service efficiency?
AL SHUEILI: The reforms to Oman’s addressing system are transformative for urban planning and service delivery. With a digital platform, the system enhances efficiency in logistics, addressing and resource management, especially in large urban settlements. It is vital in the context of Oman’s decentralisation initiative, which grants greater autonomy to local authorities in the country’s 11 governorates. Improved addressing also supports the digitalisation of government services, making them more accessible and efficient.
How can public-private collaboration accelerate development in the real estate sector?
AL SHUEILI: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are essential to meeting Oman’s urbanisation needs. Nearly 20 agreements have been established with real estate developers under the PPP framework. This approach allows the government to provide land and strategic objectives while developers bring investment and expertise to execute projects efficiently.
Key to this collaboration is ensuring demand, which is facilitated by offering precise planning and approval processes and aligning developments with community needs. This model encourages developers to act swiftly and confidently while transforming local contracting businesses into real estate development entities.
To what extent can the sector contribute to job creation and developing a professional knowledge base to support broader economic growth targets?
AL SHUEILI: The real estate sector is central to the sultanate’s job creation and knowledge development aims. Urban economies are powerful engines of growth, integrating housing, education, offices and leisure to create vibrant, self-sustaining communities. For example, Sultan Haitham City, a community designed for 100,000 residents, will generate around 50,000 jobs.
The focus on mixed-use urban planning maximises value by reducing inefficiencies like long commutes while creating dense, accessible communities for businesses and residents. Economic clusters in cities like Muscat are also designed to localise talent, resources and industries in one area, fostering innovation and economic productivity. The sector plays a critical role in shaping the future workforce and economy by aligning urban planning with economic diversification efforts.
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