Construction work is slated to begin later this year on an ambitious plan to redevelop the waterfront area of Salalah, Oman’s second largest city. Early this year Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning unveiled a comprehensive masterplan to redevelop the 7.3-sq-km site, which has been dubbed New City Salalah waterfront development.

Designed by international firm Sasaki Associates, the landmark project will create a sustainable urban centre accommodating 60,000 residents across 12,000 residential units while integrating climate resilience features.

At its heart, the plan seeks to harmonise urban expansion with environmental resilience, ensuring that Salalah’s waterfront is not just a development but an organic extension of the city’s identity. By integrating coastal protection, pedestrian-friendly design, and mixed-use spaces, the project aligns with Oman’s vision for a future-proofed, sustainable urban environment, according to Sasaki Associates.

The development represents a key component of the sultanate’s RO33 billion ($85.4 billion) national development pipeline under Oman Vision 2040 and aims to position Salalah as a premier tourism destination at the gateway between Asia, Europe, and Africa.

New City Salalah ... 10-minute neighbourhoods promote walkability.

Project Scale and Vision

The New City Salalah waterfront development encompasses a transformative urban plan that balances coastal development with environmental preservation. The project features four distinct walkable neighbourhoods, designed to create a sustainable urban environment that accommodates future population growth.

The comprehensive design includes 3.5 million sq m of parks and open spaces, 200,000 sq m of retail and hospitality space, and 100,000 sq m of cultural facilities and amenities. Two new hospitals will serve the growing population, while integrated multimodal transport links will connect the neighbourhoods and reduce dependency on personal vehicles. A new pedestrianised marina will feature retail, tourism, and hospitality offerings designed to attract both domestic and international visitors.

New City Salalah has a pedestrian-friendly design and offers mixed-use spaces.

A standout feature of the development is a new 6-km-long public beach that will enhance Salalah’s appeal as a year-round leisure destination.

The waterfront redevelopment forms an integral part of the Greater Salalah Structural Plan, a framework aimed at enhancing livability by addressing spatial, infrastructure, and mobility challenges. This structural plan is designed to accommodate Wilayat Salalah’s projected population growth to 674,000 residents by 2040.

A two-hour flight from Dubai and 1.5-hour drive from Muscat, Salalah is already home to Oman’s largest logistics port and is a popular tourist destination due to its access to nature and temperate climate, attracting over one million tourists in 2024.

The landmark project will create a sustainable urban centre accommodating 60,000 residents across 12,000 residential units.

Sustainability and Climate Resilience

The New City Salalah development places significant emphasis on sustainability and climate resilience, with design elements specifically tailored to address the region’s environmental challenges. The masterplan incorporates innovative strategies to protect the city from rising sea levels and extreme weather events, particularly during the khareef monsoon season.

A key component of the climate resilience strategy is the introduction of a wetland park alongside a series of revetments and natural infrastructure solutions. These features will work in tandem to manage flooding risks while simultaneously preserving the coastal ecosystem. Sasaki’s design team has emphasised the importance of integrating urban development with environmental protection, ensuring the preservation of Salalah’s unique natural features.

The project adopts forward-looking urban design principles, including the concept of 10-minute neighbourhoods that promote walkability and reduce carbon emissions. This approach aligns with global best practices in sustainable urban development and positions Salalah as “Oman’s living laboratory for urban innovation and a model for sustainable urbanism in the broader region,” according to Romil Sheth, Principal Designer at Sasaki Associates.

New City Salalah’s Canal Plaza ... the comprehensive design includes 3.5 million sq m of parks and open spaces.

Phased Development

The phased development approach for New City Salalah will get under way later this year, with 5,827 residential units due to be delivered in Phase One. 

The project is being developed by an international consortium of firms with specialised expertise. Sasaki Associates is responsible for the masterplan and serves as the technical lead. The development also benefits from the involvement of other international consultancies, including Cundall, a UK-based engineering and design firm selected as part of the consortium for the broader Salalah Smart City initiative.

Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning is overseeing the project, ensuring alignment with national development goals and coordination across multiple stakeholders. The ministry has emphasised that the New City Salalah development exemplifies the principles of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on creating a diversified, sustainable economy with equitable distribution of development benefits.

A standout feature of the development is a new 6-km-long public beach.

Investment and Economic Impact

The New Salalah Waterfront development represents a significant investment opportunity aligned with Oman’s national economic diversification strategy. The project is forecast to deliver developer returns of 10.2 per cent and forms part of Oman’s ambitious tourism investment targets, which aim to secure RO51 billion in tourism investment by 2040.

Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Dr Khalfan bin Said Al Shueili has highlighted the project’s significance for Oman’s economic diversification: “Our plans for the evolution of Salalah epitomise the Oman Vision 2040, designed to deliver a sustainable and prosperous future for the people of Oman. It serves as an exemplar of how combining tourism and urban development is driving the diversification of Oman’s economy and bringing forward compelling opportunities for the international community.

The minister further emphasised Salalah’s importance to the nation: “Salalah is a beloved and important city that contributes significantly to our nation. These plans will help to ensure it can continue to serve our people and economy for many generations to come, while showcasing some of Oman’s greatest strengths to visitors from across the globe.”

Sheth commented: “Salalah is blessed with incredible natural features and a deep history. Lush wadis, local agriculture embedded into the city, an extensive coastline with sandy beaches. To complement these significant assets, the New City Salalah plan adopts forward-looking urban design, place-making and planning practices that challenge status-quo urbanism and reflect an aspirational lifestyle for Dhofaris.”

The New City Salalah waterfront development represents a significant milestone in Oman’s strategic vision for economic diversification and sustainable urban growth. By transforming Salalah’s coastline into a modern, resilient urban centre, the project aims to capitalise on the city’s natural advantages while addressing future challenges related to climate change and population growth.