Shura meeting reviews housing, urban initiatives
Published: 05:04 PM,Apr 21,2025 | EDITED : 09:04 PM,Apr 21,2025
Dr Khalfan Saeed al Shuaili outlined key initiatives aimed at shaping the future of urban and housing landscape
MUSCAT, APRIL 21
On Monday, the Majlis Ash'shura hosted Dr Khalfan bin Said al Shueili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, during the ninth regular session of the second regular session of the tenth term. The session focused on the ministry's statement, which covered several key initiatives aimed at shaping the future of Oman’s urban and housing landscape.
Dr Al Shueili presented the ministry's ongoing projects and highlighted five key areas in the statement: the National Urban Development Strategy, the programmes of the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), legislation and laws regulating the urban and housing planning sector, digital transformation and simplified procedures, and addressing future challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable cities and integrated urban neighbourhoods.
In his speech, Dr Al Shueili emphasised that the ministry is working in alignment with Oman Vision 2040 and the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. The urban strategy is being integrated with the directives of the five-year plans, ensuring that urban growth and development meet the aspirations of Oman's future. He stressed the ministry’s commitment to achieving balanced urban growth while promoting environmental sustainability and the diversification of the economy.
Badr al Jabri, a member of Majlis Ash'shura, noted that housing is one of the most critical issues affecting citizens' daily lives. He highlighted that providing adequate and diverse housing options for citizens is a core mission of the ministry. The ministry aims to ensure that all segments of society have access to suitable housing through various programmes, such as 'Choose Your Land', 'Buy Your Land', and integrated residential neighbourhoods.
A significant part of the ministry’s efforts involves fostering effective partnerships between the public and private sectors. The ministry has successfully registered 90 developers for real estate development projects and granted 20 licences for such projects between 2022 and 2024. These initiatives have led to an investment value of RO 500 million for integrated residential and neighbourhood projects. The ministry’s efforts in this area aim to ensure sustainable urban growth while strengthening the economy.
In line with its focus on innovation and efficiency, the ministry has made substantial progress in its digital transformation. As of 2024, approximately 85 automated services have been introduced, facilitating citizens' access to essential services through electronic platforms. This transformation has seen a leap in the ministry’s performance, with a rating increase from 58 per cent in 2022 to 80 per cent in 2024.
The ministry’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its push to develop smart cities that align with the latest sustainability standards. Dr Al Shueili explained that the ministry is working to ensure that future cities are built on advanced technology and integrated residential neighbourhoods, which will enhance the ability of governorates to accommodate population growth in a modern and sustainable manner.
To ensure efficient land use, the ministry has planned and prepared 49,018 plots for various uses, including residential, commercial and industrial purposes. Between 2021 and 2024, 69,963 plots of land and residential units were distributed under the Housing Options Programme, benefiting thousands of citizens. The ministry has allocated 216 housing units within integrated residential neighbourhoods and plans to allocate an additional 1,000 units in the Sultan Haitham City. This extensive distribution of residential options aims to support family stability and social cohesion.
The ministry has also focused on maximising the role of the real estate market by facilitating transparent and competitive land use services. Between 2022 and 2025, 2,189 plots of land for commercial, residential, industrial and agricultural use will be offered, further stimulating economic activity and attracting investment. The ministry has already processed 375,132 transactions, amounting to over RO 10 billion in value between 2021 and 2024.
The ministry's efforts are pivotal in creating a modern, sustainable and efficient urban landscape for Oman. Through its strategic focus on urban development, digital transformation and public-private partnerships, the ministry is working to provide Omani citizens with diverse housing options, ensure economic growth and promote sustainability, all while aligning with Oman Vision 2040.
On Monday, the Majlis Ash'shura hosted Dr Khalfan bin Said al Shueili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, during the ninth regular session of the second regular session of the tenth term. The session focused on the ministry's statement, which covered several key initiatives aimed at shaping the future of Oman’s urban and housing landscape.
Dr Al Shueili presented the ministry's ongoing projects and highlighted five key areas in the statement: the National Urban Development Strategy, the programmes of the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), legislation and laws regulating the urban and housing planning sector, digital transformation and simplified procedures, and addressing future challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable cities and integrated urban neighbourhoods.
In his speech, Dr Al Shueili emphasised that the ministry is working in alignment with Oman Vision 2040 and the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. The urban strategy is being integrated with the directives of the five-year plans, ensuring that urban growth and development meet the aspirations of Oman's future. He stressed the ministry’s commitment to achieving balanced urban growth while promoting environmental sustainability and the diversification of the economy.
Badr al Jabri, a member of Majlis Ash'shura, noted that housing is one of the most critical issues affecting citizens' daily lives. He highlighted that providing adequate and diverse housing options for citizens is a core mission of the ministry. The ministry aims to ensure that all segments of society have access to suitable housing through various programmes, such as 'Choose Your Land', 'Buy Your Land', and integrated residential neighbourhoods.
A significant part of the ministry’s efforts involves fostering effective partnerships between the public and private sectors. The ministry has successfully registered 90 developers for real estate development projects and granted 20 licences for such projects between 2022 and 2024. These initiatives have led to an investment value of RO 500 million for integrated residential and neighbourhood projects. The ministry’s efforts in this area aim to ensure sustainable urban growth while strengthening the economy.
In line with its focus on innovation and efficiency, the ministry has made substantial progress in its digital transformation. As of 2024, approximately 85 automated services have been introduced, facilitating citizens' access to essential services through electronic platforms. This transformation has seen a leap in the ministry’s performance, with a rating increase from 58 per cent in 2022 to 80 per cent in 2024.
The ministry’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its push to develop smart cities that align with the latest sustainability standards. Dr Al Shueili explained that the ministry is working to ensure that future cities are built on advanced technology and integrated residential neighbourhoods, which will enhance the ability of governorates to accommodate population growth in a modern and sustainable manner.
To ensure efficient land use, the ministry has planned and prepared 49,018 plots for various uses, including residential, commercial and industrial purposes. Between 2021 and 2024, 69,963 plots of land and residential units were distributed under the Housing Options Programme, benefiting thousands of citizens. The ministry has allocated 216 housing units within integrated residential neighbourhoods and plans to allocate an additional 1,000 units in the Sultan Haitham City. This extensive distribution of residential options aims to support family stability and social cohesion.
The ministry has also focused on maximising the role of the real estate market by facilitating transparent and competitive land use services. Between 2022 and 2025, 2,189 plots of land for commercial, residential, industrial and agricultural use will be offered, further stimulating economic activity and attracting investment. The ministry has already processed 375,132 transactions, amounting to over RO 10 billion in value between 2021 and 2024.
The ministry's efforts are pivotal in creating a modern, sustainable and efficient urban landscape for Oman. Through its strategic focus on urban development, digital transformation and public-private partnerships, the ministry is working to provide Omani citizens with diverse housing options, ensure economic growth and promote sustainability, all while aligning with Oman Vision 2040.