Strategic Planning for the Development of Smart Cities in Oman

Abstract

The global urban population is expanding rapidly, leading to higher energy consumption, air pollution, and traffic jams in cities that require more efficient solutions. Smart cities are anticipated to address the efficiency of urban infrastructure. In the Sultanate of Oman, the government launched the idea of establishing smart cities to promote large-scale planned urban expansion, especially in the capital, Muscat, as well as to promote accelerated development and growth. As the Sultanate embarks on this journey to establish smart cities “such as the Sultan Haitham City Project” to drive development in the country. The objective of this study is to ascertain the principles and facets of sustainable development and its contribution to the formulation of urban development policies. Additionally, this study seeks to evaluate the notion of smart cities along with their distinctive features and constituents. As the Sultanate of Oman embarks on this journey to create engines and alternatives to develop the economy and push the wheel of development in the country according to Oman Vision 2040, this chapter outlines the way to make this dream a reality. The chapter provides strategies for planned urban expansion, especially in the capital, Muscat, and guidelines for the development of smart cities. It explains in detail the difficulties faced by some smart cities in the world.

Citation

Yahia, H.A.M., Al-Shukaili, A.M., Manchiryal, R.K., Eissa, T. and Mohammed, A.A. (2024), "Strategic Planning for the Development of Smart Cities in Oman", Lytras, M.D., Alkhaldi, A. and Malik, S. (Ed.) The Emerald Handbook of Smart Cities in the Gulf Region: Innovation, Development, Transformation, and Prosperity for Vision 2040, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 289-304. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-292-720241016