Atkins to prepare detailed master plan for developing Duqm City

Muscat: Renowned consultants WS Atkins International will prepare a detailed master plan, design and feasibility study for the first phase of Duqm City, which will have an area of 150 square kilometres.
The Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm (Sezad) and Atkins have signed an agreement on Tuesday, which will include advisory services related to preparation of tender documents for contracts as well.
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In an effort to continue the development of Duqm City and to enhance the standards of urban planning within the zone, the Sezad is working on the initial concept master plan for Al Duqm City, which was completed in 2014, according to a press release.
This will enable the authority to provide a detail plan on how to develop the future city of Duqm, which will have a total area of 150 square kilometres.
This area is comprised of five distinct districts, which includethe existing and upcoming residential, commercial, mixed-use, logistic and tourism developments. Detailed master plan for the future city of Duqm is critical to the development of the infrastructure and understanding how and when to develop in line with the market demand.
This will enable the government of Oman to ultimately reduce infrastructure cost by applying smart planning principals and designing the required infrastructures to attract both local and international investors to cater to the needs of the future population of Duqm City.
The first phase of the design project will be divided in four stages and last 30 weeks and will start in October. The study will include the detailed master plan of the Duqm City, a market study and technical feasibility study, a strategic environmental assessment, sustainability assessment, concept design with engineering, tourism strategy, transport master plan and drainage master plan.
WS Atkins International & Co will be the lead consultant to work hand in hand with the urban planning and engineering department of Sezad and many other related departments, authorities and various stakeholders in the development of Al Duqm. The lead consultant will be joined by sub-consultants such as Deloitte, Five Oceans Environmental Services, Kamel Establishment, Driver Consult and Design Urban.
The contract was signed on behalf of the authority by Yahya bin Said bin Abdullah Al Jabri, chairman of Sezad, andon behalf of the company by Marco G Malpiedi, general manager of the company in the Sultanate.