In Salalah, Oman, a bold new vision will transform the southern port city’s coastline. Sasaki is working with Oman’s second-largest city on the Greater Salalah Structural Plan, a comprehensive plan that reimagines the coastal region as a vibrant cultural destination and model for urban innovation. Through livability and infrastructural improvements that accommodate growth and build environmental resilience, the plan addresses critical needs in a region undergoing significant transformation and development. The first two phases, now complete, focused on establishing the regional framework and land use strategy to lay the groundwork for the plan’s next steps.
The next key phase of the plan is New City Salalah, a waterfront development that spans across 7.3 square kilometers and comprises over 12,000 housing units for an estimated 60,000 residents. Multimodal transportation links and an emphasis on soft mobility will help cultivate 10 minute neighborhoods across the city, and a pedestrianized marina and 6-kilometer long public beach will enhance access to the waterfront for residents and visitors alike. With 3.5 million square meters of parks, 200,000 square meters of retail and hospitality space, new amenities including hospitals and cultural venues, New City is poised to become a dynamic hub for tourism and urban innovation.
Building climate resilience is a central priority, given the area’s susceptibility to flooding, especially during the Khareef monsoon season. A new wetland park, as well as a series of revetments and natural infrastructure strategies will strengthen the coastline and mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels.
“New City Salalah brings together ecological strategy, infrastructure design, and livability planning to define a new urban paradigm for Oman’s future,” said Aeshna Prasad, urban designer at Sasaki. “Through close coordination with civic leaders and an understanding of regional development priorities, Sasaki has crafted a framework that balances ambitious growth with environmental sensitivity. The project demonstrates how cities can be both adaptive and aspirational—rooted in landscape while responsive to shifting climate, cultural, and economic conditions.”
The Greater Salalah Structural Plan is an important element of Oman Vision 2040, a strategic plan focused on building a diversified and sustainable national economy. The New City Salalah plan implementation is slated to begin in late 2025.
New Waterfront for Salalah
Location: Salalah, Oman