Event maps urban future along metro route

MUSCAT, OCT 14
Visitors to the Royal Opera House Muscat on Wednesday followed a route modelled on the proposed Muscat Metro, as 'Happy City Journey – Muscat' turned the Music Arts Hall into seven interactive stations on urban development. The day-long event, organised by the Directorate-General of Housing and Urban Planning in Muscat Governorate under the theme 'Happy and Prosperous Cities', was part of the accompanying programme of the Urban October Conference 2026.
Each station reflected a stop proposed along the Muscat Metro route, one of the key outputs of the Greater Muscat Structure Plan, and highlighted a different side of urban development. At Al Seeb, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning presented its Sorouh projects, housing options, the addressing project and the Building Code. The Knowledge and Innovation station showcased students' graduation projects in architecture, urban planning and smart cities, while Al Khuwair displayed shortlisted entries in the event's design and photography competitions for visitors to vote on. Al Qurum gave space to SMEs, and the journey ended at Ruwi, themed 'The Happy City', with a painting by Omani artist Salem al Salami.
'Through this event, we aim to raise awareness of the importance of urban planning and its role in improving quality of life, highlight the efforts and projects that contribute to the development of Muscat, and encourage community participation by listening to people's ideas and needs,' said Eng Saba al Amri. Cities, she said, should be understood not merely as networks of buildings and roads but as living environments in which people build their experiences and pursue their aspirations.
The programme also included a 'Little Engineer Lab' for children aged six to 14, a 'City for All' lab inviting persons with disabilities to identify barriers to accessibility in buildings and public spaces, and a freehand drawing workshop led by an architect.