MUSCAT, SEPT 20
The Ruwi Central Business District (CBD) and Muttrah Business District (MBD) are undergoing a comprehensive urban redevelopment and facelift, with Muscat Municipality confirming that work on the 360,000-square-metre footprint is progressing.
The project, spearheaded by Muscat Municipality, aims to revitalise Muscat’s original financial core in line with Greater Muscat Master Plan (GMMP) and reverse decades of commercial migration toward the west
“This redevelopment is about bringing life back to where Muscat’s business story began,” said Haitham al Bahrani, Adviser at Muscat Municipality. “By upgrading infrastructure, improving walkability, and integrating public transit, we are ensuring CBD and MBD areas remain competitive and relevant for the next 50 years. The goal is to make these districts places people want to work, shop and spend time in again.”
Anchored by the “Blue Spine” Muscat Metro Hub, a key pillar of the plan is transit. The Ruwi CBD Clock Tower area has been officially earmarked as the final terminus station for the upcoming Muscat Metro line.
The 55-kilometre “Blue Spine” rapid transit corridor will connect Ruwi directly to Al Khuwair Downtown, Muscat International Airport, and Sultan Haitham City in Al Maabela, creating a transit-oriented core for the capital.
"The Clock Tower area is being reimagined as a walkable, open-air lifestyle district. Plans include a new commercial boulevard, green areas, and recreational spaces. The natural wadi channel running through Ruwi is also being revitalised and integrated as a managed water and park feature," he adds.
To support this shift, the project includes over 101,000 square metres of new pedestrian walkways, dedicated bicycle tracks, and major road realignments and relocation of underground utilities. In addition, smart infrastructure, self-service kiosks, public seating, and modern restrooms are deployed around these areas.
To encourage reinvestment, the government is relaxing zoning rules in the old financial district. Building owners can now add 3 to 5 floors to existing structures. Because many buildings are decades old, owners can also conduct structural audits to either demolish and rebuild completely or add vertical capacity to modernise ageing layouts.
While intensive roadwork and utility relocation have caused short-term disruptions to foot traffic and ground-floor retail, property experts say the overhaul is vital to help Ruwi and MBD compete with newer suburbs like Airport Heights and Ghala.
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