Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), the tech arm of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), has launched the ‘Smart Mobility’ project.
The project, featuring electric scooter service for the employees working in various companies within KOM, was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Salik Mobility.
Read more: OM: Madayn launches smart mobility project in Knowledge Oasis Muscat
Muscat Municipality is participating in COMEX 2024 with a strong focus on its ongoing efforts to transform Muscat into a "Smart and Sustainable City," aligning with its comprehensive digital transformation strategy.
Its booth features an extensive range of digital services designed to simplify and streamline transactions for citizens and residents. These services, part of a broader initiative to enhance electronic readiness and leverage modern information technologies, aim to eliminate the need for physical visits to administrative offices, thereby improving the overall quality of life in Muscat.
Read more: OM: Muscat Municipality spotlights Smart City initiatives
A master plan for the establishment of Sohar Smart City has been released by global architecture and design studio Hassell.
It was appointed by Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to design a master plan that will position Sohar as a centre of trade, commerce and innovation by 2040.
Part of the broader Sohar Master Plan, the new city will capitalise on the economic growth resulting from the free port and arrival of an international rail link to Abu Dhabi. It will include over 19,000 new homes and 520,000sqm of office space, besides schools, mosques, hospitals and a new commuter railway station.
Read more: OM: ‘5-minute walk’ Sohar Smart City master plan revealed
Recent news reveals more about the Sultan Haitham City project and its stages that have started. This ambitious national project is tied to the term "smart city," which represents a new phase in human civilisation adopting what is known as the”digital society”.
The Sultanate of Oman's ambition to keep up with digital and technological advancements is based on the vision of the country's leader, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. His Majesty has given special attention to digital projects and their role in sustainable development, and the Sultan Haitham City project reflects this noble vision.
The capital, Muscat, has improved its performance in the world's Smart City Index by moving up eight points to 88 from 96 in the previous year, which was prepared by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
The Index takes into account the economic and technological aspects of smart cities on the one hand and the “humane dimensions” of smart cities (quality of life, environment, and inclusiveness) on the other. The other GCC cities also improved rankings with Riyadh moving up to 25 from 31, Doha to 48 from 54, Dubai to 12 from 14, and Abu Dhabi to 10 from 13. The top ten smart cities are Zurich, Oslo, Canberra, Geneva, Singapore, Copenhagen, Lausanne, London, and Helsinki, apart from Abu Dhabi. A Smart City system is about the integration of all the utilities, infrastructure, and citizen services on a single platform and a unified dashboard for the efficient, reliable, and resilient operation of the city.
Read more: OM: Muscat improves position in Smart City rankings