A delegation from the European Union and its partners launched on Sunday, May 21, 2023, the third edition of the ‘Oman Urban Hackathon’, - the largest Omani hackathon specialised in urban planning and environmental sustainability.
Over the next two days, the hackathon's activities and programs will take place at the Youth Center in Muscat, organized by the delegation in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and Muscat Municipality, in addition to the embassies of Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Oman Think Urban.
The Oman Urban Hackathon aims to bring together local practitioners and civil society institutions to find radical solutions to the most urgent issues related to sustainable development, enhance the capabilities of local talents, and support the green transformation in the city of Muscat.
During the previous period, the hackathon received proposed ideas and projects from various youth categories, including university students, entrepreneurs, professionals, and individuals interested in urban planning, architecture, civil engineering, digital arts, design, environment, science, cultural studies, and transportation. The hackathon focuses on seven main urban planning themes, as follows:
Climate change and urban sustainability: Finding solutions for challenges related to heatwaves, adaptation to rising sea levels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, public transportation, consumption behavior, and construction.
Waste management: Formulating ideas to reduce industrial or organic waste, promote recycling and reuse methods.
Mobility: Innovating environmentally friendly transportation methods on land, sea, or alternative aviation.
Energy: Reducing consumption and transitioning to renewable energy alternatives.
Water management: Developing alternative methods to reduce water consumption, mitigate flood risks, manage wadis, and promote water conservation.
Community participation and public spaces: Considering ways to empower local communities and provide accessible natural public spaces for public use.
Society and culture as urban dimensions: Creating urban ideas that promote cultural exchange, social cohesion, and enhance cultural and social activities within communities, or increase awareness of cultural practices.
The first day of the hackathon included training and guidance sessions for participants by top experts in sustainable planning, including several European experts. The hackathon witnessed the participation of 30 competitors divided into five groups, selected from over 400 applicants from all over the Sultanate. Participants had the opportunity to present their solutions to a judging committee composed of academics, technology experts, urban development specialists, and cultural experts. Five participating teams presented their projects as follows:
Transportation Solutions Team: This team presented a project to develop the bus station in the commercial district of Ruwi, Muttrah Governorate, in Muscat, to become an integrated station for various transportation networks.
Climate Change Solutions Team: This team designed the Central Park project in the Ghala area of Bousher, Muscat Governorate, to enhance green spaces through sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
Sustainable Planning and Development Solutions Team: This team presented the Community Center project connecting the Al Khoudh and Al Mawaleh areas in the Seeb Governorate, Muscat. The project hosts a range of services and social interaction activities.
Construction and Smart Solutions Team: This team presented proposed solutions for the redevelopment plan of the Ghala area in Bousher, Muscat Governorate, to enhance smart solutions based on human interaction and reduce the effects of climate change.
Public Spaces and Community Participation Solutions Team: This team presented proposed solutions for the redevelopment of the Seeb Sports Stadium in the Seeb Governorate, Muscat.
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