MUSCAT: During the Shura Council session on Monday, April 21, His Excellency Khalfan bin Saeed Al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, presented a comprehensive overview of the current state of Oman’s housing policies and the vision for future development. He emphasized the government’s continued efforts to provide sustainable housing solutions that align with national priorities and meet the evolving needs of citizens. The session underscored the strategic framework guiding housing projects, including affordability, accessibility, and balanced regional development.
The Minister highlighted several achievements in urban planning, pointing to a new era of modernized city layouts, infrastructure resilience, and improved quality of life. He discussed how recent policies are helping shape livable urban environments that consider transportation, green spaces, and efficient public services. Al Shuaili also noted the importance of integrating smart technologies into city planning to enhance functionality and promote environmental sustainability.
Land management was another critical area addressed, with Al Shuaili detailing reforms aimed at improving land allocation transparency and reducing administrative bottlenecks. He explained that digital platforms now play a major role in streamlining processes for land applications, ownership transfers, and tracking development progress. These changes are part of a broader push to modernize land governance in line with Oman Vision 2040.
In closing, the Minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to inclusive dialogue with stakeholders to ensure that housing and urban planning decisions reflect community needs. He stressed that collaboration between public institutions, private developers, and local communities is essential for long-term success. The council expressed support for the ministry’s initiatives and encouraged further innovation to address future challenges in housing and urban growth.
