Muscat: On Wednesday, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning finalized over 35 development and partnership agreements for the Sultan Haitham City (SHC) project, specifically for its First phase (2024-2030).
These agreements encompass various aspects of urban planning, housing, and the implementation of projects for future cities.
Under the patronage of HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth, the contracts were signed with strategic partners at The Royal Opera House. The total value of these agreements amounts to OMR1 billion.
The agreements cover a wide range of services, including engineering consulting, real estate development, technical cooperation, and the allocation of new sites within the SHC. Additionally, they involve the creation of layout projects, the design of future cities, and the development of a comprehensive plan and engineering designs for the "Al Khuwair Downtown" housing project.
The SHC First Phase spans over 5 million square meters and is designed to accommodate more than 39,000 residents in over 7,000 housing units. The construction area will occupy more than 3 million square meters. To facilitate this ambitious project, multiple agreements were signed, including 9 consultancy service contracts, 8 real estate development agreements, a technical cooperation agreement, and 10 agreements for the design and delivery of new sites.
The initial phase of the city will involve the creation of various facilities and institutions across different areas. These include a central park along the wadi spanning over 1 million sqm, the National Centre for Women and Children's Health, a referral hospital, the buildings of Oman Medical Specialty Board, the Higher Institute of Health Sciences, and Oman Health College covering an area of 1 million sqm. Additionally, a government university will be established on an area of more than 299,000 sqm, along with the College of Advanced Technology accommodating 1,500 students and covering an area of over 14,000 sqm. Other facilities include a Youth Centre spanning 20,000 sqm, a Rehabilitation Centre for People with Special Needs covering more than 4,000 sqm, a complex of government schools accommodating over 6,900 students across 135,000 sqm, an international private school spanning more than 33,000 sqm, a police station covering an area of over 10,000 sqm, a civil defence centre spanning more than 8,000 sqm, a national centre for craft industries covering 10,000 sqm, and four health centres spanning over 63,000 sqm.
Furthermore, agreements have been signed with international consultants to provide engineering services for Sultan Haitham City. These agreements include the initial designs for various key centers within the city, such as the complex of public schools for Neighbourhood No. 10, which was signed with Kohler Architects.
Additionally, a design consultancy agreement was signed with SOM consultants to provide consultancy services for the public schools complex serving Neighbourhood No. 6 and Neighbourhood No. 9. Another consultancy agreement with SOM consultants was signed to develop a detailed design for the city center of Neighbourhood No. 12.
Lastly, a consultancy agreement was signed with Panter Hudspith Architects to create designs for the rehabilitation center catering to the needs of people with disabilities in Neighbourhood No. 16.
Altivia consultants have been contracted to design and serve Neighbourhoods No. 9 and No. 12 through a signed agreement.
Furthermore, partnerships have been established with local and international real estate developers to develop 8 residential neighbourhoods in Sultan Haitham City. The total investment value for these projects exceeds OMR1 billion. These neighbourhoods will span over 2.2 million square metres and accommodate more than 6,000 residential units. The completion of these developments is expected within a 6-year timeframe.
In order to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the Sultan Haitham City project, a separate agreement has been signed with a limited liability company. This agreement entails the development of a section within Neighbourhood No. 6, covering an area of over 33,000 sqm. It will consist of approximately 45 residential units, all exclusively owned by Omanis.
Additionally, an agreement has been reached with Tibiaan Real Estate Company to develop Neighbourhood No. 6A. This particular area spans over 58,000 sqm and will feature around 116 residential units.
Furthermore, Edraak Development Company has signed an agreement to develop Neighbourhood 12D, covering an area of 56,000 sqm. This neighbourhood will include approximately 339 residential units.
Lastly, Amana Real Estate Development Company has entered into an agreement to develop Neighbourhood No. 13A, which spans over 86,000 sqm. This neighbourhood will consist of around 278 residential units.
An agreement has been reached with Rumman International Company to develop neighborhood No. 12 A and B, covering an expansive area of over 378,000 square meters. This development will encompass approximately 1,001 residential units.
Similarly, a partnership has been established with Al Ahly Real Estate Development Company to develop neighborhood No. 12 E and F, spanning an area of 275,000 square meters. This development will include around 1,919 residential units.
Furthermore, a collaboration has been formed with Muscat National Development and Investment Company (ASAS) to develop neighborhood 8, covering an area of 368,000 square meters. This development will consist of approximately 1,333 residential units.
Additionally, an agreement has been signed with Al-Abrar Real Estate Company to develop neighborhood 10, which spans a vast area of 770,000 square meters. This development will comprise about 1,644 residential units.
In line with the commitment to sustainable transportation, a technical cooperation agreement has been established to provide electric vehicle charging stations. As part of this agreement, special discounts will be offered to residents of Sultan Haitham City. The agreement was signed with Premium Motors (Al Mutamayza Motors Company), the authorized agents for Audi cars.
Moreover, as per the Royal directives of His Majesty the Sultan, the construction of "Singapore Street" will be undertaken as part of the SHC project. This 4-kilometer road will be distinguished by its lush greenery, passing by the College of Advanced Technology, crossing the central park and the valley, and leading to the heart of the city. It will serve as a vibrant hub of activity. The announcement of this road project was made during His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's visit to the Republic of Singapore.
Furthermore, in line with the implementation of urban strategic projects, six engineering consultancy services agreements have been signed to design detailed plans for these projects.
A draft requirements document for the Omani building code was signed, which included provisions for consultancy services. The International Code Council was the signatory for this agreement. Additionally, a separate agreement was signed with F&M Middle East Engineering Consulting Company and Broadway Money, an international company, for consultancy services related to the layout plan in the Wilayat of Ibri.
The consultancy company "Lea Associates South Asia" has signed a consultancy services agreement for the layout plan in the wilayat of Al Rustaq.
The consulting company "Ibn Bahla Engineering Consultations" and the international company K-Cap / DSP have entered into a consultancy services agreement for the layout plan in the Wilayat of Sur.
The consulting company "Dar Al-Handasah Consulting" and the international company "Foresters & Partners" have signed a consultancy services agreement to develop a comprehensive plan for the agricultural city in the Al-Najd area.
The consulting company "Surbanaguring Consulting" has signed a consultancy services agreement to develop a comprehensive plan for the agricultural city in the Wilayat of Saham.
An agreement was also entered into to prepare the comprehensive plan and engineering designs for the Al Khuwair Downtown project. The agreement entails the drafting of a detailed plan and engineering designs for the city center project, as well as the development of the waterfront. This agreement was signed with the consulting company "Zaha Hadid with CBRE".
Furthermore, an initial cooperation agreement was signed with Al Tawoos Company to develop a mixed-use tower in the Al Khuwair Downtown project.
In order to promote family stability, three agreements were signed. The first agreement involves the construction of 20 housing units in the village of Kamzar in the Wilayat of Khasab, located in the Musandam Governorate.
The second agreement entails the construction of 20 housing units and the maintenance of 32 housing units in the Wilayat of Shaleem W' Al-Halaniyyat Islands, situated in the Dhofar Governorate.
Lastly, a third agreement was signed to implement an electronic platform for housing services for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.
During the conclusion of the ceremony, HH Sayyid Theyazin graciously accepted a gift in the form of an iconic bridge. This bridge is set to be constructed in the Sultan Haitham City and will be a suspension bridge located in the middle of the central park, spanning across the valley at a distance of 500 meters.
The event was graced by several members of the Royal Family, government ministers, undersecretaries, government partners, and a crowd of 500 individuals. This diverse gathering encompassed representatives from private agencies, international consultants, investors, and real estate developers.
