Urban Design Guidelines

Urban Design Guidelines 07
DUQM CITY - Sultanate of Oman

Stage 4 Report: Final Master Plan and Development Framework, Schematic Engineering Design and Governance Strategy
February 2019
7.0 Development Control Regulations – Urban Design Guidelines

7.1 Introduction 7.1.4 Form-Based Codes for Land Use Types 7.1.5 Street-Based Codes
This section provides a combination of standards and The approach towards the preparation of urban design The DMP applies the zones within a framework of streets
guidelines that set out the preferred urban design guidelines has been influenced by the approach advocated and blocks. This helps to identify areas that are subject
approaches for the new city. Some design proposals are by the Form-Based Codes Institute (FBCI) in the USA. They to differing design and development standards. These
mandatory, some are strongly encouraged and some are were first developed by Duany Plater-Zyberk and Company organising principles include describing and regulating the
optional. The section is sub-divided into the following five for the Town of Seaside Florida in 1986. Since then they desired form and character of individual neighbourhoods,
topics. have been successfully adopted by the New Urbanism districts and corridors; relating differences in Building Form
Movement on a range of projects. Standards to the type of street fronting a site.
Form-base codes are a method of development regulation, The street-based codes include a section drawing that
7.1.1 Design Principles and Approach adopted into municipal law, that emphasises the defines the dimensional requirement for the street design,
physical character and form of development, especially such as width and number of travel lanes, allocation and
The over-arching goals and design principles that will the relationships between buildings and the street, width of on-street parking, the width of the pedestrian
influence the standards and guidance are set out. pedestrians and vehicles, and public and private spaces. realm and the location of planting. In addition, the specific
Due to this emphasis on urban design, form-based codes way that a building is required to address the street, both
provide greater predictability about the visual aspects of in height, frontage type and setback is included in the
7.1.2 Shade and Climate Attenuation development. regulating street section.
Of fundamental importance is the need to respond to the The land use boundaries shown on the Detailed Master
harsh desert climate and to provide a climate sensitive Plan (DMP) identify where different rules for development
urban design that provides shade, shelter and thermal apply. This provides an entry point into the code that allow 7.1.6 Application of Guidelines - Phase 1
comfort. a person interested in the possibilities for development or
land use on a specific site to identify the applicable zone so The guidelines and standards are applied to the proposed
that they can then refer to the text in the code document to Phase 1 areas of the new development area of the city, this
determine the rules for design. includes all of the Rock Garden District and parts of the
7.1.3 The Courtyard Principle Airport District and the Coastal District.
The development standards define the critical differences in
The traditional Arab town is the result of a dense the form and character of development in each zone, and
grouping of courtyard houses. The long-standing, cultural thereby also determine the configuration of the
and climatic advantages of the courtyard principle are public realm.
summarised.
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February 2019
07 Urban Design Guidelines

7.2 Design Principles and Approach
7.2.1 Design Principles
The over-arching urban design goals and principles that
have helped shape the development codes are summarised
below:
• Climate responsive: the need to provide shelter, shade
and protection to address extreme temperatures and
solar exposure during the summer months.
• Cultural inspiration: designs that enhance and
enforce Diriyah unique cultural identity, emphasise
family and hospitality and provide a blend of tradition
and modernity.
• Character: creating distinct places of character
with a strong sense of identity, responding to local
environmental factors, such as wadis and topography.
• Ease of movement: providing an accessible, well
connected, pedestrian friendly environment that The Mouj (The Wave), Muscat Dar Al Zain, Muscat The Mouj (The Wave), Muscat
prioritises pedestrians, cyclists and transit users before
motor vehicle traffic.
• Liveability: by ensuring that streets and public spaces
are valued places where people enjoy spending time,
not just places to be rushed through or avoided, by
making them clean, safe and attractive environments.
• Places of quality: by helping create places of quality
that people will take pride in and enjoy observing and
using in their own right.
• Sustainability: by making sure that street planning
and design promotes ‘greener’ transport modes, such
as walking, cycling and public transport and reduces
carbon emissions.
• Social inclusion: by ensuring that streets are physically
The Chedi Hotel, Muscat Al Khuwayr South, Muscat Ras Al Hamra, Muscat
and culturally accessible to all, that the varying needs
of different user groups are acknowledged and catered,
for example, the safety and security of women and
children.
• Legibility: the creation of legible sequence of places
that are readily understandable and link up in a logical
way to form an easily navigable environment defined by
landmarks, nodes and gateways.
• Vitality and viability: by helping to promote lively
and economically successful places through the
location, format and design of streets and spaces
which encourage local economic activity and attract
investment.
Al Marsa Waterfront, Al Mouj Muscat Oasis Residence Zighy Bay, Oman
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February 2019
7.3 Shade and Climate Attenuation

7.3.1 Climate Effects on Outdoor Liveability
The harshest weather conditions in Duqm are between • Provide free-standing shade structures when Streets should be oriented and sized to take advantage
the months of May and August when the predominately architecturally integrated or attached shade structures of shading from adjacent buildings where possible. In
southern Khareef desert winds align with the hottest are not feasible. developments where buildings are not high enough
temperatures. The airport on the plateau receives the to provide usable shade within the pedestrian realm,
strongest winds. The harsh desert winds are also funnelled
• Shade structures should be built from materials with
low Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) values. Consider architectural solutions, including canopies and arcades in
along Wadi Saay. During the Shamal winter months from adjacent buildings, should be incorporated.
integrating efficient radiant cooling and solar
November to March cooler, gentle easterly winds blow
photovoltaic systems into the architecture of the shade Figure 7-1 illustrates and describes various types of
inland from the sea. Rainfall is usually limited to the winter
structure. overhead shading elements that can be freestanding or
months, particularly December. During the transition
months between the Shamal and Khareef there can • Use of indigenous, native or locally adaptive trees to attached to buildings.
be fog. provide shade and lower ambient temperatures.
At a macro-level it is proposed to plant shelter belts of trees • Porous and open grade pavements that permit
within the wide rights-of-way of the existing arterial roads water and air to pass through to allow cooling by air
to help provide shelter from the harsh desert winds. This movement and evaporation.
form of planting will also extend along the banks of existing • Unused surface areas left unpaved and covered with a Car
wadis. The network of district avenues which provide a layer of crushed rock, or stabilised sand.
loose grid across the city will also have significant tree Sun Sun Arcades Galleria
planting to help provide shade and shelter. Movement Movement
Within districts and neighbourhoods a connected 7.3.3 Shading the Pedestrian Realm
network of greenways and sikkas will provide shaded and
Shade and shelter from the sun, as well as climate
comfortable routes for pedestrians and cyclists. At a local
attenuation through wind capture, tree planting and
level courtyard housing is advocated as the best climatic
selection of suitable materials, will be critical in creating a
and cultural response to the desert conditions.
comfortable pedestrian realm. Shaded facades
& roofs
Streetscape elements that attenuate the hot desert climate
will be important for encouraging multi-modal travel.
7.3.2 Mitigating the Urban Heat Gain Effect Exposed facades
& roofs
Thermal comfort for cyclists and pedestrians is a key factor
Urban heat gain caused by direct and reflected sunlight in mode choice.
and heat radiating back from warmed surfaces will increase In traditional Arabian architecture and urban form, streets
temperatures further, this effect can be mitigated by: Arcade and planting
and alleys (Sikka) were narrow and shaded by buildings.
• Undertaking detailed sun angle / shade projection Where additional or temporary shade was needed, fabric
studies to effectively inform the need for streetscape or wooden coverings were constructed to span over areas
shade. of the street adjacent to buildings, particularly where
Car
pedestrian activity was focused.
• Passive shading and ventilation measures that lessen
the exposure of pavement and wall surfaces to the sun Unfortunately, the need to accommodate the car and wide Sun
Movement
Sun
Movement
and increase air circulation. utility corridors has meant that it is difficult to re-create the
• Architectural elements and ground surfaces constructed compact shaded streets of traditional Omani settlements.
with materials that retain and radiate less heat. The introduction of the car has led to buildings being
pushed further apart from one another, creating streets that
• The use of materials that will minimise and mitigate
are fully exposed to the sun. The need to accommodate
urban heat gain. Shaded facades
parking within villa plots has further increased the width & roofs
between buildings.
Exposed facades
& roofs
Free-standing villa Courtyard villa
 
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February 2019
Figure 7-1: Figure 7-1 Overhead shading elements

Tree Planting Architectural Built-form Design Framed Landscape Bus Shelters Site-wide Feature or Freestanding or Advertising / Proportion of
Colonnades Facade Awning Trellis Modular System Major Recreational Suspended Hoarding / Public Art Shading Provided
Private Realm Devices Freestanding Destination Structures Shading Devices Installations by Built Form
Public Realm
City Boulevard
        
District Avenues
        
Neighbourhood
Streets
        
Access Lanes
        
Sikkas
        
Greenways and
Wadi Trails
        
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February 2019
7.4 The Courtyard Principle

Perhaps the most fundamental feature of traditional house The use of inward-looking courtyard housing creates many
and town design in the Middle East is the courtyard. Oman’s possibilities for the contemporary urban design of housing
traditional settlements are typically dense and compact areas which do not exist when open-plan principles are
groupings of courtyard houses. used. Compact grouping of houses around semi- private,
communal courtyards promotes domestic security and
Courtyard houses derive light and air from their own
privacy, and reinforces family ties and relationships.
internal open spaces and allow wall-to-wall construction
Compact layouts enable the strict requirements of climatic
of adjacent buildings. This introverted protected space
control to be met, whereas open-plan layouts create
preserves the privacy of each family and eliminates wasted
problems of wind, sand deposition and exposure to sun and
space between properties. The courtyard provides essential
glare.
shade and shelter in an unfriendly, harsh environment.
House types in Oman have undergone remarkable changes
The courtyard house is an ancient Arab form that was
over the last four decades. The long-standing advantage
previously common in Oman and that works well in this
of compactness, stemming from the courtyard principle,
region because it responds to the cultural requirements and
has been largely abandoned since the 1970’s in favour of
the climatic challenges.
the imported free-standing villa. The size and shape of
The benefits of courtyard houses are: the building have been transformed from the typically 1-2
• The use of passive design techniques that is both storey courtyard houses to 2-3 storey free-standing villas in
sustainable and responsive to the climate by providing a walled plot.
shade and shelter from the sun. The very low density of development that results is not
• Privacy from overlooking by adjacent plots and the resource efficient and reinforces the need for the private
separation of the private family space from the semi- car to travel to school, shopping and work. The research
private guest space. currently being undertaken by Atkins on the Oman National
sports cities : benchmarking

• Optimum use of land with homes built close to the Spatial Strategy (ONSS) is developing new national planning
edge of the plot and with flexible internal spaces that and urban design standards which will promote more
can be adapted and expanded over time. sustainable forms of urbanisation including low-rise, high-
Air Movement. density neighbourhoods with the courtyard type house as Height & Views
Traditional urban form within Mutrah area in Muscat
• Development close to Traditional
the boundaryurban
helps toand
define the
architectural design
an important managed
building unit. to moderate the Uniformity of height should be avoided to establish an interesting skyline.
public realm and shadeclimatic
small paths (sikkas) which
conditions link built environment. Significant periods of the year
of the ImageLandmarks
© Shehab, Nadaand public
& Salama, spaces,
Ashraf. suchfrom:
(2018). Extract as mosques
The Spatialityand squares,
of Segregation: will aid
Narratives inthe Everyday Urban Environment of
from
the neighbourhood together. Gothenburg and Glasgow. International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR. 12. 71-90. 10.26687/archnet-ijar.v12i1.1502.
can be managed without air conditioning, with the provision of shading the articulation of the urban environment and create animated urban
• The courtyard creates anatural
sheltered micro-climate
ventilation. in
Controlled cross-ventilation and the proper interac- environments.
which flowers, shrubs and trees are easily grown.
tion of planting and air movement can give provide satisfactory climatic
• Because houses are oriented inwards onto a central
conditions.
court, forming a garden, fountain or pool area, a
surrounding garden is not necessary.
Arrangement of the rooms Adjoined by the surrounding Closed appearance

around a central open space houses, generally on three sides
Position of the entrance; Construction of the house Using the courtyard

angled entrance with two stories for vegetation
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February 2019

Dense and compact urban form of traditional Arab town based on the courtyard, taken from SOM City Form, Example of Courtyard Homes in Cluster
Al Duqm Urban Design Master Plan
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February 2019
7.5 Building Form Standards

7.5.1 Code Components
Building form standards are intended to help prescribe good Building height should be in keeping with adjacent uses and
public spaces as well as good urban form. As the ‘walls’ buildings. Where different sized buildings are positioned
of public spaces, building façades are regulated for height alongside one another or where there is a different adjacent Side/rear setback Plot boundary Development zone
to ensure the correct proportions of the public spaces. The use, the massing of large buildings should be broken down
maximum size and placement of all buildings is regulated to to create a sympathetic relationship with adjacent buildings
ensure the buildings are an appropriate size for the intent of and so that they do not visually dominate or shade them.
the area and will help create the desired urban form.
Building form standards are provided in this section for
each of the main land use types defined within the Detailed
Side/rear setback
Master Plan (DMP).
Built form elements such as building typologies and heights,
setbacks, parking and the provision of public space are
crucial to fostering and maintaining a positive pedestrian
experience.
Building Typologies
The definition of building type for this urban design
application is different from the typical architectural
w
ro
of
definition of building type, which is defined solely by use
it
Lim
or function. Instead the definition of building type used
in these guidelines is primarily the physical form of the Building
building and secondarily by its use or function. height
The use of building type regulations as opposed to the
conventional regulations Floor-Area Ratio (FAR) and density
enables a fine-grain mix of building that is necessary to
create a great urban form and high-quality place.
Because of their ability to help ensure diversity in building
form, building types are the ‘building blocks’ of good
urbanism.
Front setback
Building Height
Building height is defined as the largest allowed vertical
distance between the side walk and the top of the building.
This helps ensure that new buildings will be appropriately
scaled to the desired urban form. Maximum building Front setback Front setback
heights are regulated by storeys rather than dimensions.
This enables developers to use taller floor-to-ceiling heights,
which leads to better buildings, and discourages them from
using minimal floor heights.
Plot parameters
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Plot Size
Regulating the plot width and depths helps ensure that Parking zone at grade Parking zone at grade
new buildings will be appropriately scaled to the desired
scale and urban form.
Setbacks
Bu
ildi
ng
Setbacks are the distance by which a building must be en
vel
separated from the property line or right of way (RoW), op
e
typically defined and regulated as a minimum. Setbacks
help regulate placement of buildings. Active frontages
to have 0m setback. Refer to section 5.4 for permitted
structures in setbacks. Refer to section 7.6 for individual
typologies for setbacks. B
en uildi
ve ng
lop Bu
e
en ilding
vel
Parking op
e
The impact of car parking on the quality of a place can be

mitigated with appropriate requirements and good design.
Surface level parking and garages can be unattractive
and difficult to integrate successfully into the urban form.
Excessive parking takes up space that could be better used
for other uses. The design should mitigate visual impact
of parking, for example, in more urban areas parking can ing
ild pe
be accommodated in the centre of blocks, lining them Bu velo
Main frontage en
with retail and commercial uses along the perimeter street
frontage. In residential areas locating garages behind
houses will have a similar effect.
The guidance sets out the required number of spaces for
each of the building typologies and main land use types. Main frontage
Parking provision is reduced in more urban places where
high quality public transport will exist and where a higher
percentage of the people using the commercial and retail
uses will be walking.
Public Space
Main frontage
Main frontage
The provision of public open space including parks,
plazas and civic spaces for each of the main land use
types is identified and cross referenced to the Landscape
Guidelines in Chapter 8.
The roof level is used to accomodate service facilities in
the building such as the staircase room, water tank, air
conditioning equipment, lift engine room, central TV
antenna etc. A shaded roof garden can be proposed if
desired. Potential massing arrangements and access
Refer Chapter 9 for architectural detail. on similar plots.
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7.6 Residential High Density (HDR)

Building Typologies The High Density Apartment zones identifies areas for multi-family residential
apartments, providing accommodation for both Expatriate and Omanis. These are
generally located along the edge of development parcels.
Building Height • A variety of building heights can occur within a block.
• Typical heights 5-6 storeys (including penthouses)
• Up to 8 storeys in:
- City Boulevard and key focal points such as corner plots and gateways
• Utilities such as HVAC units or lift rooms on roof may exceed maximum height
of building and shall be appropriately screened.
• Parapet cannot exceed 1.5m beyond maximum height of the building.
Plot Size • Minimum 2,800 sqm
• Coverage ratio 50%
Setbacks and Entrances • Each apartment building to have a minimum of 4m setback from main streets
• Side - 3m
• Rear setback - 8m
• Principal pedestrian entrance to face the street
Refer to section 5.4 for permitted structures in setbacks.
Parking and Servicing Parking to be calculated on the basis of the below standards:
• Studio/1 bedroom apartment – 1 car parking space per apartment
• 2 bedroom apartment – 1.5 car parking spaces per apartment
• 3+ bedroom apartment – 2 car parking spaces per apartment
If commercial floorspace is to be provided, two (2) parking spaces (minimum)
to be provided per 100sqm of commercial floorspace. Servicing for the
commercial units is to be from the street. All parking to be provided within the
plot.
Public Space Designated semi-private spaces should be provided, subject to space availability
and appropriateness. These could be provided at grade, in courtyards, above the
podium or on the rooftops.
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February 2019

Building envelope
Typical floor
height
3.5m
Parking zone
5 21m
Side 4
3m 3
Rear
2
8m
Ma 1
in
Fro
nta
ge G ge
ta
on
Fr
n
Ma ai
in M d
roa a
d 4m ro
4m in
a
M
Parking zone
Massing, setbacks, heights and number of storeys Parking zone
*The diagram does not indicate plot coverage. Please refer to relevant table for % of plot coverage.
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February 2019
7.7 Residential Medium Density - Apartments (MDR-A)

Building Typologies The Medium Density Apartment zones identifies areas for residential buildings
made up of apartments, providing accommodation for both Expatriate and
Omanis.
Building Height • Typical height G+3 storeys (occasionally G+4)
Plot Size • Minimum 2,200 sq m
• Coverage ratio: 50%
Setbacks and Entrances • Each apartment building to have a minimum of 4m setback from the street
• Side setback
• Rear setback
• Principal pedestrian entrance to face the street
All parking to be provided within the plot. Refer to section 5.4 for permitted
structures in setbacks.
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Parking zone
Building envelope
Typical residential
floor height
3.5m
14.5m
3
Typical retail/podium Main
2 road
floor height
Main
4m Fron
tage
1 4m
4m
Side
G
Re
ar e
Fro Sid
nt
ag
e
Se
rv 4m 4m
ice
ro
ad
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February 2019
7.8 Residential Medium Density - Town Houses (MDR-T)

Building Typologies The Medium Density Residential zones identify areas for single unit detached or
attached townhouse accommodation for both Expatriate and Omani family living.
Building Height • Typically 3 storeys
• Typical floor height 3.5m
• Parapet cannot exceed 1m -1.5m beyond maximum height of the building.
Plot Size • Minimum 200 sq m, typically 10m x 35m
• Coverage ratio: 40%
Setbacks and Entrances • 4m Front setback
• Side setback – 3m if windows, a minimum of 1.5m in either case.
• 6m Rear setback
• Privacy can be ensured by the control of fenestration
Parking and Servicing Two (2) car parking spaces (minimum) to be provided per villa to be provided
within the plot.
Visitor parking is provided on the basis of at least one space per plot within
the housing cluster or on-street.
and appropriateness. These could be provided at grade, in courtyards or on the
rooftops.
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February 2019

Building envelope
Parking zone
Typical floor
2
height 10.5m
3.5m 1
Rear
6m
ge
nta
in Fro
Ma
1.5m
Si min
de
1.5m
min
4m
Parking zone
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February 2019
7.9 Residential Low Density (LDR)

Building Typologies Low Density Residential identifies areas for single unit detached villa
accommodation for both Expatriate and Omani family living.
Building Height • Typically 2-3 storeys
Plot Size • Range in size from 400-1000 sqm. Average 600 sqm
• Coverage ratio: 50% From their exclusive vantage point on the tip of the
Barr Al Jissah peninsula, uninterrupted views of the
enigmatic archipelago coastline and the endless sea
Setbacks and Entrances • Front setback – 4m

are hand-stitched into the fabric of these unrivalled
six-bedroom homes.

• Rear setback – 6m, 3m if facing a public space along Sikka
• Perimeter property walls to be 2m maximum
21 22
within the plot.

the housing cluster or on-street.
and appropriateness. These could be provided at grade, in courtyards or on the
rooftops.
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Building envelope
Parking zone
10.5m
Typical floor
height 2
3.5m 1
G
Main
ace.
frontage
ublic sp
in as p
used
4m m
1.5m
c a n be lic art.
ace or pub
al sp
entr lay area
3m
a-C
Si
p
Sikk ildrens
de
h
1.5m Eg. c
min Rear
6m
Sikka
ible
poss
ere
wh
ent
nm
alig
de
in faca
inta
Ma
Parking zone
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8
2
4
9
7
10
3
2
5
Duqm Heights
The sketch plan above illustrates the application of urban design principles and the use of low and medium density
housing typologies within the Design Heights district
Neighbourhood Centre in accessible and visible Local streets provide direct access to linear wadi Medium density townhouses grouped around
1 location at entrance from Highway 3. Facilities also 4 parks and connect with foot and cycle path 8 pocket parks served by slow speed traffic calmed
serve northern part of Tourism District. network. local streets.
Slow speed road runs parallel to the wadi, providing Linear park along wadi extends into medium and
Upper reaches of tertiary wadis used as the basis for 5 frontage access to villas overlooking linear park.
linear parks which thread through the district and 9 high density housing in the form of a tree lined
2 provide footpath and cycle access to the Coastal greenway.
Villas overlook Coastal Park with access by traffic
Park and the sea. 6 calmed scenic drive. Apartments and townhouses grouped around
Neighbourhood street connects the district with the Local mosque in accessible and visible location at
10 courtyards with private pool and gardens form
3 sea and acts as the spine, serving short local streets. 7 intersection of neighbourhood streets.
entrance to Tourism District.
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7.10 Residential MoH Housing (MOH) Figure 5.6 – Principles of Large Villa Cluster Development
Building Typologies The Ministry of Housing zones identify areas for single unit detached villa
accommodation for Omani family living. There are six primary land allocations
which have both existing and committed development to a greater or lesser
extent, the majority being assigned for citizen housing, where Krookies have been
issued for their ownership and development.
Building Height • Typically 2-3 storeys
Plot Size • Typically 600 sqm, 20 x 30m
Setbacks and Entrances • Front setback – 2m
• Rear setback – 2m
Figure 5.6 – Principles of Large Villa Cluster Development
• Perimeter property walls to be 2m maximum
within the plot.
the housing cluster or on-street. Compact Plots
Public Space Clusters
Designated semi-private spaces should be provided, subject ofavailability
to space smaller plots, typically 450m2 in area, can be located on the edges of the Home Zones
close to public
and appropriateness. These could be provided at grade, in courtyards or transport.
on the Compact plots also come in a range of plot sizes. Siting higher density
rooftops.
villas in these locations supports the transit corridor and provides a more sustainable urban form.
Compact villa plots may have less external space on-plot and need to be efficient in terms of the use
and organisation of space. Like the large plots these compact plots also cater for a range of dwelling
typologies. The ground level could have a majlis court, small central courtyard, living space and
guest accommodation, together with an integrated double garage. On the upper level could be the
family bedrooms and bathrooms.
Whilst the conservative nature of the population on Maserah and their family requirements may
preclude the development of Compact plots of a large scale, Figure 6.4 demonstrates villas in a
typical compact plot housing cluster and the design principles behind the organisation of each plot,
as well as the relationships between the plots and dwellings. Four parking spaces are provided on-
plot, two in an integrated garage and two in a shaded car port. Visitor parking is provided within the
housing cluster on the basis of at least one space per plot.
Compact Plots
Clusters of smaller plots, typically 450m2 in area, can be located on the edge
close to public transport. Compact plots also come in a range of plot sizes.
villas in these locations supports the transit corridor and provides a more su
Compact villa plots may have less external space on-plot and need to be efficie
and organisation of space. Like the large plots these compact plots also cater f
typologies. The ground level could have a majlis court, small central courty
guest accommodation, together with an integrated double garage. On the upp
Principles of Large Villa Cluster Development
115
family bedrooms and bathrooms.
February 2019
7.11 Residential Mixed Use (RMU)

Building Typologies The Residential Mixed Use typology identifies areas for multi-family residential
buildings made up of commercial and retail uses at ground floor/mezzanine
level with apartments above, providing accommodation for both Expatriate and
Omanis. These are generally located along district avenues and in key areas such
as the City Boulevard where the intention is to create active frontages.
Building Height • Typically 4-6 storeys (G+3) and (G+5), up to 8 storeys (G+7) in high density
areas such as the Boulevard District and at gateway points
Plot Size • Minimum 2,800 sqm
Setbacks and Entrances • Front setback – no setback on the active frontages
• Side setback – 3m in all cases
• Rear setback – 3m in all cases
• Distance from other builodings with windows and
habitable rooms minimum 12m
• A continuous active frontage is encouraged - this can be arcaded
Two (2) parking spaces (minimum) to be provided per 100sqm of commercial
floorspace. Servicing for the commercial units is to be from the street.
All parking to be provided within the plot to the rear. If viable, this may be
decked to provide landscaped courtyards above.
Visitor parking to be calculated at 10% of the total parking and should be
accommodated on-street or within the cluster.
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Building envelope
Parking zone Active frontage
Typical residential
floor height
3.5m
22m
Typical retail/podium
floor height 4m
Rear 3m
Side
3m
Ma
M in ck
Fro
ain
nta tba
pe ge Se
de 0m
str
ian
-0
m g e-
Se
tba nta
lin
ck Fro a d
k in ro
Ma ain
M
Active frontage Parking zone
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7.12 Civic District - City Level

Building Typologies The Civic District will be the heart of the new city and situated at the core of the
urban area, in a campus setting, to the East of Road 2. Accommodating regional
and sub-regional level facilities, it includes the Grand Mosque, Sports Stadium and
Regional Hospital and the City Park. The campus is subdivided in three wedges
each with its own direct highway access and linked to each other by the City Park.
The Grand Mosque is anticipated to extend to approximately 100,000sqm GFA
and accommodate a total of around 5,000 worshippers.
The Sports stadium, located in the adjacent plot is anticipated to accommodate

approximately 15,000 seats and cater for large sporting events.
The Regional Hospital is the more comprehensive level of care provision in the
Omani Healthcare system (third level) and should cater for the whole city and
beyond providing approximately up to 800 beds.
Building Height • To be determined on a plot by plot basis - these are landmark buildings
Plot Size • Grand Mosque: 20.5 Ha
• Sports stadium: 25.00 Ha
• Regional Hospital: 28.00 Ha
Setbacks and Entrances • Set-backs: to be determined based on location, minimum 5m from all sides
• Entrances: from all sides - Vehicular from highways
- Pedestrian from City Park
Parking and Servicing • Refer to Urban Planning Guidelines, table 6.11.2 Community Facilities/ Parking
Public Space Minimum 50%. Designated public spaces should be provided, subject to space
availability and appropriateness. These could be provided at grade, in courtyards,
above the podium or on the rooftops.
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7.13 Civic - District Centre
Building Typologies The DMP adopts the best practice of fully integrating the Community Facilities in
the urban fabric.
The District Centres should be planned as compact and pedestrian friendly systems
which respect the scales of the planned urban form, therefore the policies relating
to community facilities will not be so prescriptive that they identify specific facilities
but rather identify areas where a comprehensive range of facilities and services will
be provided.
The District Centres cater for a population of 40-60,000 inhabitants.
Building Height • To be determined based on location and type of facility
• Typically for a commercial and retail landuse, the floor height should be
between 4m upto 4.75m and minimum of 6m incase of a mezzanine floor.
• Typically for educational landuse a minimum of 3.5m floor height is
recommended.
Plot Size • Up to 23ha
Setbacks and Entrances • To be determined based on location and type of facility
Public Space Up to 50%. Designated public spaces should be provided, subject to space
The district centre provides community facilities, public Figure opposite shows the proposed District Centre in the
administration, employment, retail and recreational Rock Garden District. The centre contains a traffic calmed
opportunities for multiple neighbourhoods. They fulfil a shopping street and civic plaza next to the Friday Mosque.
sub-regional role within the new city serving a population The centre also includes a district park which is overlooked
of 40,000 to 60,000 persons. To some extent this is a by the hospital. Shaded pedestrian and cycle routes set in
self-sustaining, fully functional unit within the hierarchy. greenways connect the park and schools to the surrounding Secondary
Mall
residential neighbourhoods. School
The residential typologies in the district centre include
higher density townhouses and apartments. These District Park
residential units are primarily meant for Omani professionals
who choose this lifestyle or professional expatriates.
Petrol
Station
Hospital Police
Friday Intermediate Station
Mosque and School
Civic Plaza
Road 3
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7.14 Civic - Neighbourhood Centre

Building Typologies The DMP adoptes the best practice of fully integrating the Community Facilities in
the urban fabric.
Neighbourhood Centres are the focal point of neighbourhoods, typically serving
15,000 to 35,000 persons and accessible within 800-1,000m radius.
These are planned as compact and pedestrian friendly systems which respect the
scales of the planned urban form.
Typically Neighbourhood Centres include Retail, Friday Mosque, Cycle 1and 2

schools, Sport and Youth Centre, Health Centre/Clinic, Playing Field, Petrol Filling
Station, Public Toilets and Local Post Office.
• Typically for a commercial and retail landuse, the floor height should be
between 4m upto 4.75m and minimum of 6m incase of a mezzanine floor.
Plot Size • Typically up to 10 -13 Ha
• Exceptionally up to 20 Ha if Cycle 3 schools need to be included
The planning and design of neighbourhoods will be based • Elements of Arabic vernacular urban planning such as
on the following core principles: the Sikka and the Baraha which create shaded routes
• At the centre of each neighbourhood, at the and meeting or play spaces.
intersection of routes, will be the ‘Neighbourhood • The neighbourhood module is repeated several times
Centres’ typically providing shops and services for 6-8 through the district, creating a series of self contained
Home Zones. communities, all with the same level of access to shops
• Higher density areas of shared households are located and facilities, choice of living environment and access to
close to shops and services. open space.
• A safe and shaded pedestrian and cycle network which
links the residential areas with local and neighbourhood
centres, mosques and public transport stops.
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7.15 Civic - Local Centre
Building Typologies The DMP adoptes the best practice of fully integrating the Community Facilities in
the urban fabric.
Local Centres represent the first level of Community Facilities, typically serving
communities of 6,000 to 10,000 persons. These are distributed along a finer
network of primarily pedestrian links within a radius of 400m (5 mins walk) and
act as local landmarks contributing to local identity and distinctiveness.
Typically Local Centres include a Local Mosque, Nursery, Local Shops, Community
Garden and Playground and the Local Square

Plot Size • Typically up to 1.2 Ha
Greenways Local Park

Local Mosque
at street
junctions
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February 2019
7.16 Commercial Mixed Use – Boulevard (CMU)

Building Typologies The Commercial Mixed Use Zones identify land for mixed use commercial development
comprising a mix of retail and commercial uses. These uses will be located in areas of high
visibility on the primary road network. Retail units to street with
office development above
The ‘Primary Shopping Area’ (PSA) and the focal point of the city from a retail perspective – is and to rear
the City Boulevard. In the PSA, additional controls and restrictions apply to the retail streets,
specifically, the designated ‘primary shopping frontage’ fronting onto the Civic Boulevard and Parking to rear and / or
the supporting ‘secondary shopping frontages’ which sit behind the main Boulevard. ground floor parking with
decking to courtyards for
Building Height • Buildings will be five or six storeys facing the boulevard. They may be lower behind the front residential or office uses
block. Access roads

• Retail and commercial uses will be located on the ground floor and in some cases the first
floor. Large commercial unit
(e.g. supermarket) with
Plot Size Subject to location: average 100 x 60m, minimum plot size is 60 x 40m parking to rear
• Coverage ratio 40% Shopping mall with

parking incorporated
Setbacks and • Buildings will face the street. within building and
residential or offices
Entrances • Buildings will be built up to the boulevard plot boundary. above street frontage
• The frontage to the street will be as continuous as possible with minimal breaks (see
entrances below). Access roads, see
• Large areas of blank wall will be avoided, especially to the street which should be animated illustration below PRINCIPAL
BOULEVARD
with windows. Residential block with

small retail units at
• Buildings on corner sites will mark the corner with an architectural feature such as a tower, ground floor to street
projecting bay, entrance etc.
• The primary pedestrian entrances for all uses will be from the street. These should be clearly
identifiable through building design (use of canopies, scale of opening etc.)
Parking and • Parking may be located within development blocks at ground floor in an undercroft
Servicing arrangement; this would be located to the rear of the blocks and not adjacent to the street.
• Multi-storey or decked car parks must be located away from the front block in as
discreet a location as possible with regard also to rear views from surrounding residential
development.
• Servicing will be at the rear, behind building mass and accessed by a discreet entrance from
the street.
• Service yards will be located to the rear of the plot and in an inconspicuous location.
• Neighbourhoods shared car parking can complement required provision
Public Space Various nodal points, landmarks and focal points have been incorporated into the Master Plan
for the City Boulevard. The nodes must provide visual interest and landmark quality to orient
drivers and pedestrians. The nodes are an opportunity to provide unique places.
• Major Nodes: Along the Boulevard spine, five major nodal points have been identified which
provide access to public transport and major public open spaces.
• Secondary Nodes: In between these major nodes, secondary nodes provide orientation and
assist pedestrian movement. These secondary nodes are located along the central boulevard
in between the major nodes and along perpendicular roads which form secondary gateways
into the Boulevard area.
• Pedestrian amenities on sidewalks – transit stops, kiosks, benches, fountains, or food
cafés – encourage activity and enhance the vitality and viability of the adjacent shops and
businesses. ©2018
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February 2019
Commercial Frontage in the Civic Boulevard

KEY
Primary frontage
Secondary frontage
Building plot
Circulation and Key Public Spaces
KEY
Main pedestrian route
Service access roads
Public car park
Bus stop
Formal open space/ plaza
Wadi parks
Shared surface
Central art display
Vehicular route
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7.17 Retail Mall (CMA)

Building Typologies The Commercial Mall Zones provide locations for commercial malls to be located
around the city. The scale and focus of the malls uses will vary significantly and
will include the local or neighbourhood malls and the mall located within the civic
boulevard, to serve the retail needs of the City.
Building Height • 1 storey for local malls
• G+1 for district and central malls
Plot Size • To be determined on a plot by plot basis. Refer to specific District Plans for
further detail.
Setbacks and Entrances • To be determined on a plo t by plot basis
Parking and Servicing • Two (2) parking spaces to be provided per 100 sqm of commercial mall GFA.
• Appropriate parking must be provided within the site to be reviewed and
approved by SEZAD prior to construction. Taxis ranks also to be considered
where appropriate.
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7.18 Commercial Mixed Use - Showrooms (CMU-S)
Building Typologies The Commercial Mixed Use with Showroom Zones are located within the
Showroom District to the south of the City. This zone identifies land for mixed
use commercial development including showrooms. This zone fronts onto Road
2, and provides an alternative retail offering, with a high percentage of ‘big box’
retail uses and functions, fulfilling the retail needs of the City.
Building Height • 2 (G+1) to 6 storeys (G+5)
Plot Size • To be determined on a plot by plot basis. Refer to specific District Plans for
further detail.
• Minimum 2,500sqm - 20,000sqm
Setbacks and Entrances • Front: 0-1m
• Rear: 8m
• Side: 3m
• Access driveway can be shaded across two plots
Parking and Servicing • Two (2) parking spaces (minimum) to be provided per 100sqm of commercial
GFA, except in the Boulevard District which will benefit from the BRT and will
therefore require lower levels of parking, to be discussed and agreed with
SEZAD on a plot by plot basis. All parking to be provided within the plot, to
the rear.
• Where appropriate, parking may be located within development blocks at
ground floor in an undercroft arrangement; this would be located to the rear 0.25ha site
of the blocks and not adjacent to the street.
• Parking for each use should be separated where possible.
2ha site
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February 2019
7.19 Tourism - Business and Existing Hotels (TOU-B)

Building Typologies The identified Tourism – Business land use zone provides plots for the development
of business hotels and associated facilities such as conference and meeting
centres. They may also include serviced apartments.
Restaurants and retail shall be encouraged along the proposed corniche.
Building coverage shall in no case exceed 30% of total land area.
As a guidance the following can be adopted:
Hotel Rank /Star Classification Footprint (%)

3 20 - 30
4 15
5 12
Building Height • Within 100m beyond the setback on the seaside of plot: G+2
• Next 150m and beyond: G+4
• Excluded from the above are the following:
Public buildings such as lecture rooms, covered theatres, conference halls
and the like according to the technical specifications in force in the Sultanat,
Sports halls according to the structural requirements, Staircases, water tanks
and air conditioners on top of the buildings provided that they are enclosed
and treated architecturally to conceal them.
• The parapet shall not be more than (one) meter above the maximum height of
the building. Use of screening structures is encouraged.
Plot Size
• Minimum: 8.5 Ha
150m 100m 150m
Setbacks and Entrances • No built development shall be located within 150m of the high tide line. 21m (G+4) 9m (G+2) Shore set back
• No built development is to be located in the wadis or within the 50m buffer

zone to the edge of the wadi as illustrated on the Tourism District Plan.
• Hotels and built structures set back should not be less then 10m all around the
boundary from inside to accommodate an access service street unless one of
the boundaries is a beach or waterway, setbacks to be determined by law.
• Villas may be bound by fence walls.
Parking and Servicing
• 1 car parking space to be provided for every 3 hotel rooms and Seaside
• 1 car parking space for every 10 sqm of public area i.e. food & beverage and
entertainment uses
Public Space
Minimum 70% of total land area. Designated semi-private spaces should be
provided, subject to space availability and appropriateness. These could be
provided at grade, in courtyards, above the podium or on the rooftops.
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February 2019

7
4
2 1 Development set back 150m from the sea.
2 Shaded arrival point

3
3 Atrium garden with café and restaurants
4 Football and tennis pitches
8 5 Detached hotel apartments
6 Swimming pools with café and restaurants
6
7 Car park
8 Natural site drainage
9 Public beach
10 Paths to the beach
10
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February 2019
7.20 Tourism - Family, Leisure and Entertainment (TOU-F)

Building Typologies The identified Tourism – Family Leisure land use zone provides plots for the development of family
hotels and resorts. These zones are located in the Tourism District adjacent to the coast benefitting
from uninterrupted views out to sea and direct beach access. Restaurants and retail shall be
encouraged along the proposed corniche. As a guidance the following can be adopted:
Hotel Rank /Star Classification Footprint (%)
3 20 - 30
4 15
5 12
(TOU-F / TOU8) Residential development within the Tourism Zone shall complement the proposed
hotel and resort development and may comprise second homes/holiday homes or permanent
residential accommodation.
Building coverage shall in no case exceed 30% of total land area.
Building Height • Within 100m beyond the setback on the seaside of plot: G+2
• Next 150m and beyond: G+4
Public buildings such as lecture rooms, covered theatres, conference halls and the like
according to the technical specifications in force in the Sultanat, Sports halls according to the
structural requirements, Staircases, water tanks and air conditioners on top of the buildings
provided that they are enclosed and treated architecturally to conceal them.
• The parapet shall not be more than (one) meter above the maximum height of the building.
Plot Size
Setbacks and • No built development shall be located within 150m of the high tide line.
Entrances
• No built development is to be located in the wadis or within the 50m buffer zone to the edge
of the wadi as illustrated on the Tourism District Plan.
Front
• Residential Buildings setback is not less than 6 m.
• Mixed use residential buildings setbacks are not less than 3 m.
• Commercial facilities may be built to the road frontage boundary where outdoor dining, leisure
activities or public spaces are proposed.
150m 100m 150m
Side and Rear
21m (G+4) 9m (G+2) Shore set back
• Hotels and built structures set back should not be less then 10m all around the boundary from
inside to accommodate an access service street unless one of the boundaries is a beach or
waterway, setbacks to be determined by law.
• As a general guide, where there are openings to rooms in a building, it must be set back to a
minimum of 3m from a side or rear boundary of the site.
• If there are no openings, buildings may be built to the boundary, where the next building must
be set back 3m, otherwise to be attached.
• Building-to-building setback is not less than 6 m if there are windows in both
Parking and • 1 car parking space to be provided for every 3 hotel rooms and Seaside
Servicing • 1 car parking space for every 10 sqm of public area i.e. food & beverage and entertainment
uses
Public Space
Minimum 70% of total land area. Designated semi-private spaces should be provided, subject to
space availability and appropriateness. These could be provided at grade, in courtyards, above the
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February 2019

11
5 1 Development set back 150m from the sea

8
2 Entertainment pools with cafés and restaurants
3
7 3 Hotel gardens with shaded children’s play areas
2
4 Infinity pools
2
8 5 Plunge pools
3 7
6 Viewing point
7 Where possible wadis retained and protected
8 Family chalets
4
Boardwalks with informal cafés and restaurants
6 9 overlooking public beach
10 10 Sports pitches for beach volleyball, soccer and
10 handball with changing rooms and seating facilities
9 11 Car Park
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February 2019
7.21 Tourism - Eco Tourism, Wellness and Luxury

Building Typologies The ‘Eco Tourism, Wellness and Luxury Zone’ will be a calm and peaceful area for The plans on the following page illustrates the urban
tourists and residents to unwind. These zones are located in the Tourism District design approach for the low density villa villages and the
adjacent to the coast benefiting from uninterrupted views out to sea and on Eco Tourism Hotel in the Family / Residential / Zones, Eco
natural wetland to the south of the District. This zone has direct beach access. Tourism, Wellness and Luxury Zone.
Building coverage shall in no case exceed 20% of total land area. Wadis draining from escarpment protected and
1 retained within linear parks.
As a guidance the following can be adopted:
Development set back 150m from sea, continuous
pedestrian and cycle route runs along coast linking
Hotel Rank /Star Classification Footprint (%) 2 new waterfront communities with tourist facilities
3 20 - 30
and hotels.
4 15
5 12 Premium luxury villas front on to the sea, set within
3 plots 600 to 1000 sq metres.
Building Height • Within 100m beyond the setback on the seaside of plot: G+1 Villas and townhouses grouped around shared
• Next 150m and beyond: G+2 4 shaded gardens with children’s play area and
swimming pool.
staircases, water tanks and air conditioners on top of the buildings provided Local streets provide direct access to wadi parks
that they are enclosed and treated architecturally to conceal them. 5 and connect to recreational footpath and cycleways
• The parapet shall not be more than (one) meter above the maximum height of which run down to the sea.
the building. Use of screening structures is encouraged.
Plot Size District avenue set within landscaped corridor acts
as the main spine road, providing access to new
Setbacks and Entrances • No built development shall be located within 150m of the high tide line. In 6 communities. Highway crosses wadis by means of
addition
bridges.
• No built development is to be located in the wadis or within the 50m buffer
zone to the edge of the wadi as illustrated on the Tourism District Plan.
Local mosque in visible and accessible location at
• Hotels and built structures set back should not be less then 10 m all around 7 entrance to public beach and sports club.
the boundary from inside to accommodate an access service street unless one
of the boundaries is a beach or waterway, setbacks to be determined by law. Sports club with tennis courts serving the
Parking and Servicing • 1 car parking space to be provided for every 3 hotel rooms and 8 new residential communities and tourist
• 1 car parking space for every 10 sqm of public area i.e. food & beverage and accommodation.
entertainment uses
Swimming pool complex on outcrop with dramatic
Public Space Minimum 80% of total land area. Designated semi-private spaces should be 9 infinity pool.
provided, subject to space availability and appropriateness. These could be
provided at grade, in courtyards, above the podium or on the rooftops. Boardwalk with informal beach cafés and
restaurants overlooking public beach with parking
10 clustered in small groups next to picnic and BBQ
areas.
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February 2019

5
4
1
1
6
6
4 1
4 7
5 5
8
5
3 3 3
2 10
2
131
February 2019
Eco Tourism Hotel
4 1 Development set back 150m from the sea
Boardwalks with birdwatch towers running through

2 sea water lagoons linking Eco hotel and fisherman’s
village with wadis and public beach
Fisherman’s village with café and restaurants
5 3 overlooking sea water lagoons, public beach and
the sea
4 Development reflects natural site topography
5 Wadis provide natural drainage
9 6 Sea water lagoons creating wildlife habitat

7
Pedestrian and cycle route runs along coast
5 7 linking nature reserve with new developments
along the coast
8 6 Holiday lodge with pools on different levels

8 overlooking the sea
10
2 3 Family Chalets where possible grouped around
9 shared, shaded space with children’s play area
and pools
10 Holiday cabins on wadi edge
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7.22 Street Based Codes
7.22.1 Code Components
Form-Based Codes with streets as their organising principle
focus their regulations primarily on the specific design and
location of streets. The Standards include a section drawing
that defines the dimensional requirement for the street
design, such as width and number of travel lanes, allocation
and width of on-street parking, the width of the pedestrian
realm and the location of planting. In addition, the specific
way that a building is required to address the street, both
in height, frontage type and setback is included in the
regulating street section. The allocation of the different
street types and their required locations are directly applied
to the Detailed Master Plan and for Phase 1 the Regulating
Sub-division Plan.
Right of Way (R.O.W)

The measurement across a thoroughfare of the area the
municipality controls or owns. This includes the travel lanes
as well as parking and pedestrian realm and together with
the building setbacks and the frontage types, effectively
defines the width of the public space. Paired with the
minimum and maximum height of buildings, this defines
the proportion of the public space. All of these should be
considered together and regulated accordingly to prescribe
the desired place. Pedestrian Realm BRT Travel Lane Pedestrian Realm Travel Lane BRT Pedestrian Realm
133
February 2019
Pedestrian Realm
There are five primary zones in the pedestrian realm: Where parking is provided in courts or squares inside the
Frontage, Through, Furnishings, Cycle Track and Edge. perimeter street block, it should be designed as a shared
Because interaction occurs between these zones, surface space, seamlessly connected to building entrances
development of a cohesive design for the pedestrian realm and other public amenities. Smaller pockets of parking (no
is important. Design must consider the unique conditions more than 10-15 spaces) are more easily absorbed into
associated with each zone as well as how the pedestrian an attractive outdoor space than large, dominating areas
realm interacts with other elements of the street, such as of parking. It is also important that the parking areas are
cycle and transit facilities and junctions. Maintaining clear well overlooked and that clear and safe pedestrian routes
sight lines between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in between parking areas and the entrances to homes
these areas of interaction is critical. are provided.
Decking over parking between buildings inside a block has
advantages – parking is shaded, the cars do not dominate,
Frontage Type
and amenity space for residents can be created on the deck
The specific way that a building type addresses the street The success of this will rely on the design of the parking,
defines the transition between the public and private ensuring good lighting, security and access to dwellings. It
realms. Listing the allowable frontage types for each is important to maintain activity on the ground floor of the
building type helps ensure that the public space is properly building especially where it interfaces with the public realm.
addressed and activated based on the form and use of This activity can be generated by community facilities, or
the building. commercial properties.
Basement parking, although expensive clears the space ©Abu Dhabi Street Design Manual 2018
Managing and integrating parking between buildings for residents’ amenity. Basement parking
often requires the ground floor of buildings to be raised
Different parking types affect a project in different ways. Frontage Through Furnishings Cycle Track Edge
so that the basement can be ventilated. The height could
Based on the location and building type, certain parking Space between the Obstacle-free space for clear Primary buffer space between Designated track Interface
range between 1m-1.5m above ground as appropriate. This
types may not be acceptable for creating the urban and building façade, wall or pedestrian through travel. the active pedestrian walking for bicyclists; may between
can be beneficial for the privacy of ground floor dwellings.
building form desired. Possible parking types include: fence and the through This is the primary walking area of the through zone and not be required the on-
Disabled access also needs to be considered if the ground
• Underground garage floor dwellings are not level with the street. zone of the pedestrian area of the pedestrian realm. adjacent thoroughfares. on some streets. street
• Multi-storey realm. parking or
Garages that are designed as an integral part of town
travel lane.
• Surface parking houses have to be carefully designed so that they do not
• Integrated garage (town houses) dominate the façade. This can be achieved by lowering the
level of the garage or by placing the garage at the rear of
• Detached garage (villas)
the property accessed by an alley.
• On-street parking
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Road 32
7.23 Street Network
Street Network
A number of significant road network developments have
been completed within Duqm City. These road networks Existing / Planned Arterial Highway
have been incorporated within the Detailed Master Plan, City Boulevard - Central Business District
to ensure future road network connections respect and City Boulevard - Highland Park
incorporate existing networks, to create a highly connected
and accessible City. District Avenue
The key existing road networks include: District Avenue - Shopping Street
Highway 32 - 2 x 2 lane highway connecting Duqm City Neighbourhood Street
with Muscat in the north (approximately 550km), and Greenways
Salalah in the south (approximately 450km). This road is
signalled through Saay Village.
Road 2 - 3 x 3 lane road carriageway connecting Duqm
Airport in the south with Duqm Port in the north. The
highway runs within a 400 metre right of way.
Ro
ad
Road 3 - 2 x 2 lane road carriageway connecting Saay 3
Village in the north to Renaissance Village and the

Coastal District.
The proposed street network combines a continuous grid of
district avenues for city wide connectivity and a secondary
grid of neighbourhood streets defining
super-blocks. An open space network of greenways, sikkas
and shaded footpaths connect all streets within a super-
block and create a fully connected pedestrian realm.
This approach balances both the needs of the pedestrian
and the motorist and achieves the following objectives: Ro
ad
3
• Ease of movement for vehicle based transport passing
through the city on arterial and district avenues without
impacting on residential areas within
super-blocks.
• Secure, tranquil and safe residential Home Zones within
super-blocks.
• No through traffic in Home Zones, with local streets
2
ad
Ro
stopping within, or returning to the perimeter.
• Placing nodes of activity such as local and
neighbourhood centres at the intersection of streets
and the path system.
• A continuous, open network of shaded pedestrian
streets, spaces and paths.
• Encouraging walking while discouraging short-distance
driving.
0 1 2 3 4 5km N
Figure 7-2: City-Wide Mobility Plan 135

February 2019
Integrated Street Planning and Design Place Function Street Character Types
The UK Publication: Link & Place: A Guide to Street Planning As a place, a street is a location where activities take The design of highways, will take into account the • Moving away from hierarchies of standard road types
and Design advocates bringing together the perspectives place. It has its own identity and character with particular Sultanate of Oman, Highway Design Standards 2010. A based on traffic flows and / or the number of buildings
and processes of land use planning and urban design land uses and activities associated with it. From a Place more collaborative approach to the design of the highway served.
with those of transport planning and traffic engineering perspective, the street is an area rather than a movement network is proposed which moves away from hierarchies • Developing street character types on a location-specific
to provide an integrated approach to street planning and conduit: a place to shop, access services, socialise, chat, of standard road types based on traffic flows towards basis requiring a balance to be struck between place
design. This innovative approach, summarised below, is sit or simply stroll. A Place user is someone wishing developing street character types which achieve a balance and movement in many of the busier streets.
built around the Link and Place functions of streets. to make use of some of the features that are on that between place and movement.
particular street. For such people the street is an origin or a • Encouraging innovation with a flexible approach to
This approach has been adopted in the design, street layouts and the use of locally distinctive, durable
Link and Place destination, not simply a movement conduit. construction, adoption and maintenance of urban streets in and maintainable materials.
In order to plan and design for the complex and competing the United Kingdom (Manual for Streets) and in Abu Dhabi
demand characteristics of many urban streets, it is first (Urban Street Design Manual). The principal changes to
The Place function seeks to encourage users practice, are set out below:
necessary to understand the role that the street performs.
to stay as long as desirable on a street and
These can be reduced to two distinct independent, often • Applying a user hierarchy to the design process which Street Context Names
conflicting, primary functions of a street: a Link and enjoy the street’s surroundings considers pedestrians first when designing streets.
a Place. A two name convention has been adopted for the street
• Emphasising a collaborative approach to the delivery
hierarchy. The first name is the Context name, based on
Most of the activities taking place on the street or in the of streets. Certain streets, for example, the City
land use and community character, and the second name is
adjoining frontages are carried out on foot and so the Boulevard, may require a ‘non-standard’ approach to
A street serves two primary functions: the Street Family name, describing the transport capacity of
people participating in them are regarded as pedestrians. respond to context and this can be achieved by working
the street. This approach has been followed in many cities
They are not passing through the area – they are spending as a multidisciplinary team and by looking at and
Link – a movement conduit world-wide, for example Abu Dhabi.
time in the area. The character of the Place may be researching other similar places that work well.
Place – a destination in its own right encouraging them to visit and linger in the area. • Recognising the importance of the community function Context names and characteristics are summarised below:
of streets as spaces for social interaction. Streets City – The Central Business District and high density mixed-
Link function Place function should integrate not segregate communities and use neighbourhoods either side of the City Boulevard are
Link Function neighbourhoods. generally characterised by high levels of activity.
Social sustainability
• Promoting an inclusive environment that recognises the District – Mixed-use areas with medium levels of pedestrian
As a Link, a street provides a conduit for through • Safety of people in • Personal security needs of people of all ages and abilities. Designs must activity close to district centres.
movement; it forms an integral part of a wider vehicles • Activities on streets recognise the importance of way-finding and legibility,
street network and other, more specialised, urban Neighbourhood – Areas that provide a variety of housing
• Safety of vulnerable • Presence of people especially with regards to children, older people and
transport networks. opportunities, with densities varying from villa to multi-
road users disabled people.
dwelling residential buildings. This category includes very
• Speed of moving traffic • An appropriate balance should be struck between low density Ministry of Housing Subdivision comprising only
The Link function seeks to enable users Economic sustainability the needs of different user groups. Traffic capacity villas.
and utility corridors should not always be the primary
to pass through the street as quickly and • Movement and • Viability of the Place consideration in designing streets and networks.
conveniently as possible efficiency along the • Delays moving around
Link • Creating networks of streets that provide permeability Street Family Names
the Place
and connectivity to main destinations and choice of
• Delays along the Link
routes.
A Link user’s essential need is to follow a continuous, linear Boulevard: A high vehicle capacity 3+3 street (three lanes
Environmental sustainability • Increased connectivity requires a network of smaller in each direction).
path, with minimum disruption and a seamless connection
from the beginning to the end of their journey. • Environmental quality • Air quality on the streets and shorter blocks, a ‘fine-grained network,’ Avenue: A medium vehicle capacity 2+2 street (two lanes
inside vehicles footway rather than a larger grid of wide, multi-lane streets with in each direction). Avenues may have frontage lanes.
Link users may be further subdivided by their mode of
movement such as pedestrians, cyclists, car users, bus
• Contribution to global • Noise level large junctions.
Street: A low vehicle capacity 1+1 street (one lane in each
warming • Vegetation
passengers, goods and vehicle users. direction). Anticipated low traffic volumes and low speeds.
• Environmental quality • Street infrastructure Lane: A very low vehicle capacity 1+1 street (one lane in
Source: Link & Place: A Guide to Street Planning and Design each direction). Anticipated very low traffic volumes and
very low speeds.
136
February 2019

Functional Classification Street Hierarchy
The traditional Functional Classification system makes City Boulevard: this is the most important street in the
reference to a hierarchy of street types such as Urban city, serving the main commercial, public and institutional
Arterial, Urban Secondary and Urban Distributor, based buildings. It will need to accommodate high volumes of
on the vehicle movement and property access roles in the workers and shoppers particularly at lunchtimes and early
network. However, this system makes no reference to evenings. The boulevard has the highest Place and Link
adjacent land uses, which is the basis for context sensitive status. A dedicated lane for public transit will be provided
street design. The table below shows the relationship with a high frequency BRT service connecting across
between Street Family and Functional Classification systems. Wadi Saay to the large employment zone. Continuous
formal tree planting provides shade and shelter with
outdoor cafés.
Functional Classification
Street District Avenues: these city status links form a web
Family Urban Urban Urban Local
Arterial Secondary Distributor Street of major routes across the urban area. They carry the
high frequency bus routes in the city and link residential
Boulevard neighbourhoods with retail and community facilities.
Avenue Frontage access will generally not be allowed but where
they pass through district centres and mixed use areas
Street parallel frontage parking would be provided.
Lane The District Avenues will assume different Link and Place
roles depending on the land uses they pass through. For
example, where the highway passes through a higher
density mixed use area it will have active frontages.
Integration of Utilities Elsewhere, for example in low density villa areas there will
be no frontage access. The district avenue that acts as the
The conventional approach to utility corridor design in Oman spine for the Tourism District will have a different character
typically places less emphasis on the direct impact on RoW with a more informal landscape treatment.
land take and the resulting land costs. The current approach Neighbourhood Streets: these provide a secondary
prevents the placement of utilities beneath travel lanes. This grid of streets separating super-blocks, the provide links
has a significant impact on the width of RoW, resulting in between residential areas and are served by local feeder
large areas of unused land which do not create inviting public buses. Local streets connect at frequent intervals. Frontage
spaces and a comfortable, shaded public realm. access allowed with on-street parking in defined bays.
It is recognised that utilities are an integral part of the Local Street: these provide direct access to housing within
urban street and well-designed utility networks help create urban blocks and Home Zones. They typically take the form
sustainable cities. Cities around the world increasingly focus of a loop providing access to villa clusters. They are not
on creating Complete Streets and treating land for urban served by bus services and are intended to be slow speed Figure 7-3: Street Hierarchy
RoWs as a limited resource. This requires designing public as with traffic calming features.
three-dimensional corridors.
Wadi Edge Drive: these run parallel to linear wadi parks
The street-based codes set out on the following pages and provide limited access to residential properties. They are
are based on the current Oman Highway Standards but intended to be slow speed scenic drives with low volumes
it is advocated that narrower RoWs are considered by the of traffic. Traffic calming features and surfacing to be
highway authorities and utility providers. informal in character.
Greenway: Greenways provide a green grid of shaded
pedestrian and cycle routes extending across a district. They
thread through Home Zones, linking together to provide
safe routes to school and community facilities.
137
February 2019
City Boulevard - CBD (Urban Arterial) Frontage Type

• A combination of building colonnades, shade canopy
The City Boulevard will act as the civic, ceremonial and
trees and free standing structures should be used to
commercial spine of the new city and should attract priority
provide shade near key nodes and community facilities.
treatment in terms of hard materials and planting. It is
characterised by a more generous pedestrian realm that • Design corner buildings to take into account exposure
accommodates higher volumes of pedestrians. to multiple street frontages and high public visibility.
Incorporate elements such as increased height,
Right of Way fenestration and roof features, and well-articulated
• 60m R.O.W entrances.
• Emphasize building entrances and the gateways
Traffic Lanes characteristics of the buildings and/or clusters.
• Front setback to be 0m to maintain urban townscape
• 3 Lanes in each direction character.
• High-volume surface transit can be achieved by
including dedicated transit lanes. These will help
facilitate transit-oriented development (TOD) in the
form of high density, mixed use urban corridors.
Bicycle Lanes
• Bicycle lanes for faster-moving commuter bicycles
should be incorporated into the sidewalk on a
designated path with cycle storage facilities provided at
key nodes.

• No frontage parking provided
• Parking and servicing accessed via rear City Street.
• Parking accommodated within development plots or
multi-storey public car parks
Pedestrian Realm
• Double row of closely spaced shade trees to be
provided on each side of boulevard.
• Pedestrian amenities on sidewalks – transit stops,
kiosks, benches, fountains, or food cafés – encourage
activity and enhance the vitality and viability of the
adjacent shops and businesses.
• Regularly spaced signalised step free crossings should
provide safe and accessible pedestrian crossing Pedestrian Realm BRT Travel Lane Pedestrian Realm Travel Lane BRT Pedestrian Realm
movements across the Boulevard. They should be 9.25 3 1.8 3.65 7.3 10 7.3 3.65 1.8 3 9.25
provided at every junction and middle of the blocks. Pedestrian and dry utilities Landscape edge BRT 2 lane carriageway Carriageway median for public 2 lane carriageway BRT Landscape edge Pedestrian and dry utilities
Approximately every 50m. with cycleway lane realm use lane with cycleway
and bus stop and bus stop
• Public plazas and outdoor activity areas occur along the
boulevard at key focal points. Utilities Utilities
• Transit stops should be local landmarks and could 0.8 2.5 1.5 1.5 2.6 2.5 1.2 2.5 2.6 1.5 1.5 2.5 0.8
feature sculptural canopies that provide shade.
Telecom
Water
Power (LV)
Irrigation
Power
(33/11 kV)
Storm
Street
Lighting
Storm
Power
(33/11 kV)
Irrigation
Power (LV)
Water
Telecom
138 Figure 7-4: City Boulevard (CBD)
February 2019

City Boulevard - Highland Park (Urban Arterial)
The City Boulevard takes on a different character after it
leaves the Civic District and runs in a north-east direction
to connect with Duqm Heights. The boulevard will run
around the edge of the Highland Park and in places there
will be the need for cutting through rock outcrops. The
carriageways can be stepped and the surrounding slopes
terraced with existing rock formations retained where
possible.
Right of Way
• 60m R.O.W
Traffic Lanes
• 3 Lanes in each direction
• Inside lanes dedicated to public transport
Bicycle Lanes
• Cycle track provided on one side.

Pedestrian Realm
• Shared pedestrian footpath and cycleway provided on
one side of route
• Informal grouping of indigenous trees together with
extensive landscape features.
Frontage Type Highland Park Pedestrian Realm Travel Lane Pedestrian Realm Highland Park
• No district access provided. 9.25 3 1.8 10.95 6 10.95 1.8 3 9.25
Pedestrian and dry utilities Landscape edge 3 lane carriageway Carriageway median 3 lane carriageway Landscape edge Pedestrian and dry utilities
with cycleway with cycleway
Utilities Utilities
2.5 1.5 1.5 2.6 2.5 1.2 2.5 2.6 1.5 1.5 2.5
Water
Power (LV)
Irrigation
Power
(33/11 kV)
Storm
Street
Lighting
Storm
Power
(33/11 kV)
Irrigation
Power (LV)
Water
Figure 7-5: City Boulevard (Highland Park)
139
February 2019
District Avenue - Residential Areas (Urban Secondary)

These routes provide the spine to the new residential
districts and are the main transport corridors. Two 3.65m
travel lanes are provided in each direction separated by a
3m central median with a total RoW of 52m.
A loose grid of avenues provides the main circulation within
a residential district, linking district and neighbourhood
centres to the existing arterial roads. Two 3.65m travel
lanes are provided in each direction, with limited on-street
parking and a median for left turns. Sidewalks and cycle
tracks are also provided on both sides of this roadway.
Right of Way
• 52m
Traffic Lanes
• Public transport stops and interchanges should be co-
located with the larger centres to encourage access to
facilities.
Bicycle Lanes
• A shared pedestrian and cycle zone is appropriate and
cycle storage facilities should be provided to coincide
with key public facilities.

Building Footprint Pedestrian Realm Travel Lane Pedestrian Realm Building Footprint
10.9 3 1.8 7.3 6 7.3 1.8 3 10.9
Pedestrian and dry utilities Landscape edge 2 lane carriageway Carriageway 2 lane carriageway Landscape edge Pedestrian and dry utilities
Pedestrian Realm with cycleway median with cycleway
• Allowing safe and accessible pedestrian crossing and bus stop and bus stop
movements across the District Avenues is a priority and Utilities Utilities
this should be achieved through regular signalised step 2.5 1.5 2.6 1.5 3 2.5 0.8 1.2 0.8 2.5 3 1.5 2.6 1.5 2.5
free crossings.
Water
Power (LV)
Power
(33/11 kV)
Irrigation
Sewer
Storm
Telecom
Street
Lighting
Telecom
Storm
Sewer
Irrigation
Power
(33/11 kV)
Power (LV)
Water
• An avenue of shade canopy trees should be
incorporated to enhance pedestrian comfort.
• Step free access for pedestrians should be provided
throughout to cater for people with mobility difficulties. Figure 7-6: District Avenue (Residential Areas
Frontage Type
• A combination of building colonnades, shade canopy
trees and free standing structures should be used
to provide shade near key nodes and land uses,
particularly at the District centres.
140
February 2019

District Avenue - Shopping Areas (Urban Secondary)
Where district avenues pass through centres and mixed Frontage Type
use areas, it is important to create an active frontage. • A combination of building colonnades, shade canopy
This will be achieved by shops and commercial activities trees and free standing structures should be used
on the ground floor of buildings fronting onto the street to provide shade near key nodes and land uses,
and a high quality public realm. Shade will be achieved by particularly at the District centres.
colonnades and tree planting.
• Retail and commercial activity should be encouraged
to spill out into the public realm, creating a diverse and
Right of Way active pedestrian walkway which encourages walking
and cycling.
• 52m
Traffic Lanes
• Public transport stops and interchanges should be co-
located with the larger centres to encourage access to
facilities.
Bicycle Lanes

• Parallel frontage parking provided
Pedestrian Realm
• Allowing safe and accessible pedestrian crossing
movements across the District Avenues is a priority and
this should be achieved through regular signalised step
free crossings.
• An avenue of shade canopy trees should be
incorporated to enhance pedestrian comfort.
• Step free access for pedestrians should be provided
throughout to cater for people with mobility difficulties.
• High quality street furniture, hardscape and softscape, Building Footprint Pedestrian Realm Travel Lane Pedestrian Realm Building Footprint
alongside shaded and extended pedestrian walkways 6.5 5.9 3 7.3 6 7.3 3 5.9 6.5
should be provided, with good accessibility between
both sides of the street. Pedestrian Roadside parking Landscape 2 lane carriageway Carriageway 2 lane carriageway Landscape Roadside parking Pedestrian
and dry utilities and cycleway edge median edge and cycleway and dry utilities
Utilities Utilities
2.5 1.5 2.6 1.5 3 2.5 0.8 1.2 0.8 2.5 3 1.5 2.6 1.5 2.5
Water
Power (LV)
Power
(33/11 kV)
Irrigation
Sewer
Storm
Telecom
Street
Lighting
Telecom
Storm
Sewer
Irrigation
Power
(33/11 kV)
Power (LV)
Water
141
Figure 7-7: District Avenue (Shopping Areas)
February 2019
District Avenue - Tourism Zone (Urban Secondary)

The main north-south spine road serving the sequence
of tourism clusters within t he Tourism Zone will have a
narrower right of way then other District Avenues and a
more informal character with a greater amount of soft
landscape.
Right of Way
• 52m
Traffic Lanes
• 2 Lanes in each direction split by landscaped central
median
Bicycle Lanes

• Parallel frontage parking provided at key locations, for
example at the intersection of pedestrian and cycle
routes connecting to the sea.
Pedestrian Realm
• The Avenue should have attractive hardscape and
softscape elements, with traffic calming elements to
reduce vehicle speeds to prioritise pedestrian activity.
• Allowing safe and accessible pedestrian crossing
movements across the District Avenue is a priority and Building Footprint Pedestrian Realm Travel Lane Pedestrian Realm Building Footprint
this should be achieved through regular signalised step 4.5 3 8.2 7.3 6 7.3 8.2 3 4.5
free crossings.
Pedestrian, cycleway, bus stop 2 lane carriageway Carriageway 2 lane carriageway Pedestrian, cycleway, bus stop
• Sensitively designed street lighting should be provided and dry utilities median and dry utilities
alongside small recreation areas and street furniture
to encourage activity and create liveable and attractive
Utilities Utilities
communities, day and night.
2.5 1.5 2.6 1.5 3 2.5 0.8 1.2 0.8 2.5 3 1.5 2.6 1.5 2.5
Water
Power (LV)
Power
(33/11 kV)
Irrigation
Sewer
Storm
Telecom
Street
Lighting
Telecom
Storm
Sewer
Irrigation
Power
(33/11 kV)
Power (LV)
Water
Frontage Type
• Limited direct access, villas and townhouses fronting
onto the avenue to be accessed from within clusters.
Figure 7-8: District Avenue (Tourism Zone)
142
February 2019

Neighbourhood Street (Urban Distributor)
Neighbourhood streets provide the main vehicular
circulation within and between residential neighbourhoods.
They typically take the form of a secondary grid between
district avenues with access points to Home Zones.
Pedestrian safety is of paramount importance. They are
designed for slower speeds and incorporate traffic calming
measures.
Right of Way
• 35m
Traffic Lanes
• Two 3.5m travel lanes are provided in each direction
• Include traffic calming measures to limit traffic speeds
and deter through traffic.
Bicycle Lanes
• Sidewalks and shared surface cycle tracks are provided
on both sides of this roadway.

• Parallel on-street parking provided at key locations
Pedestrian Realm
• Allowing safe and accessible pedestrian crossing Building Footprint Pedestrian Realm Parking Travel Lane Parking Pedestrian Realm Building Footprint
movements across the street is a priority and this 6.5 3 1.8 2.5 7 2.5 1.8 3 6.5
should be achieved through regular signalised step free Pedestrian Landscape edge Roadside 1 lane carriageway Roadside Landscape edge Pedestrian
crossings. and dry utilities with cycleway Parking Parking with cycleway and dry utilities
• Trees to be located along both sides of the street to
offer visual interest and shade. Utilities Utilities
• Step free access for pedestrians should be provided 2 1 2 1.5 3 0.8 1.2 2.5 2.5 1.2 0.8 3 1.5 2 1 2
throughout to cater for people with mobility difficulties.
Water
Power (LV)
Power
(33/11 kV)
Irrigation
Sewer
Telecom
Street
Lighting
Storm
Storm
Street
Lighting
Telecom
Sewer
Irrigation
Power
(33/11 kV)
Power (LV)
Water
Frontage Type
• Entrances to Home Zones Figure 7-9: Neighbourhood Street
143
February 2019
Local Street - Medium to High Density (Urban Access)

The primary function of Local Streets is to provide access
to residential plots, or cul-de-sac within Home Zones they
typically take the form of a loop and are not to be used as
through ways. Pedestrian safety is of paramount importance
and they are designed for slower speeds and incorporate
traffic calming measures.
Right of Way
• 25m
Traffic Lanes
• 1 Lane in each direction
• Traffic calming measures to limit traffic speeds and
deter through traffic.
Bicycle Lanes
• Dedicated bicycle lane not provided

• Parking for residents is provided within the large or
compact villa plots.
• Areas for visitor parking are defined to prevent
driveways being obstructed.
• Parallel parking on one side of the street only.
Building Footprint Pedestrian Realm Parking Travel Lane Parking Pedestrian Realm Building Footprint
Pedestrian Realm 4 1.5 1.5 2.5 6 2.5 1.5 1.5 4
• The streets will be in part paved to define pedestrian Figure 7-10: Local Street (Medium to High Density)
Pedestrian, cycleway Roadside 1 lane carriageway Roadside Pedestrian, cycleway
and dry utilities Parking Parking and dry utilities
priority with raised tables and pinch points.
• Connects to greenway and sikkas to provide wider
Utilities Utilities
movement through the neighbourhood.
1 1.5 0.8 1 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1 1 0.8 1.5 1
• Trees located along one side of the street only.
Water
Power
(33/11 kV)
Power (LV)
Telecom
Storm
Sewer
Storm
Sewer
Irrigation
Telecom
Power (LV)
Power
(33/11 kV)
Water
Frontage Type
• Typically fronted by villas with boundary walls or
townhouses with semi-private setback.
• Plot entrances staggered to ensure privacy.
144
February 2019

Local Street - Medium to Low Density (Urban Access)
The primary function of Local Streets is to provide access
to residential plots, or cul-de-sac within Home Zones they
typically take the form of a loop and are not to be used as
through ways. Pedestrian safety is of paramount importance
and they are designed for slower speeds and incorporate
traffic calming measures.
Right of Way
• 20m
Traffic Lanes
• 1 Lane in each direction
• Traffic calming measures to limit traffic speeds and
deter through traffic.
Bicycle Lanes

• Parallel parking on one side of the street only.
Building Footprint Pedestrian Realm Travel Lane Pedestrian Realm Building Footprint
Pedestrian Realm 4 1.5 1.5 6 1.5 1.5 4
• The streets will be in part paved to define pedestrian Figure 7-11: Local Street (Medium to Low Density)
Pedestrian, cycleway 1 lane carriageway Pedestrian, cycleway
and dry utilities and dry utilities
Utilities Utilities
1 1.5 0.8 1 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1 1 0.8 1.5 1
• Trees located along one side of the street only.
Water
Power
(33/11 kV)
Power (LV)
Telecom
Storm
Sewer
Storm
Sewer
Irrigation
Telecom
Power (LV)
Power
(33/11 kV)
Water
Frontage Type
• Typically fronted by villas with boundary walls or
townhouses with semi-private setback.
145
February 2019
Shared Street (Mushtarak)

The primary function of this street type is to promote
social interaction, whereby through traffic is discouraged.
They typically serve a small number of dwellings and are
connected to an Access Lane. Features that encourage
social interaction include seating, children’s play areas,
outdoor cafés, etc. All modes share the same paved surface
so that there are no grade differences between the travel
and pedestrian zones.
Right of Way
• 8-10m
Traffic Lanes
• Typical travel lane dimension is a maximum of 4.2 m in
order to allow a motor vehicle and cycle to pass each
other when travelling in opposite directions.
• The minimum travel lane width is 3 m.
Bicycle Lanes

Pedestrian Realm
• The streets will be paved to define pedestrian priority
with raised tables and pinch points.
• Features to encourage social interaction; seating,
children’s play areas, outdoor cafés, etc.
Frontage Type
Pedestrian Realm Parking Travel Lane Parking Pedestrian Realm
2 2 6 2 2
Pedestrian, roadside parking and dry utilities 1 lane carriageway Pedestrian, roadside parking and dry utilities
(accessible to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists)
Figure 7-12: Shared Street (Mushtarak)
146
February 2019

Wadi Edge Drive
These run parallel to linear wadi parks and provide direct
access to residential properties. They are intended to be
slow speed scenic drives with low volumes of traffic. Traffic
calming features and surfacing to be informal in character.
Right of Way
• Varies
Traffic Lanes
• Typical travel lane dimension is a maximum of 4.2 m in
• The minimum travel lane width is 3 m.
Bicycle Lanes

• Parking for residents is provided within villa plots.
• Visitor parking provided close to picnic and play areas.
Pedestrian Realm
• The drives will be part paved to define pedestrian
• Features to encourage social interaction; seating, Pedestrian Parking Travel Lane
children’s play areas, outdoor cafés, etc. Building Footprint Wadi
Realm
• Surfacing, lighting and furniture to be informal and 4 2 2.5 3
low-key in character. Figure 7-13: Wadi Edge Drive Pedestrian, cycleway Roadside 1 lane
and dry utilities Parking carriageway
Frontage Type
Utilities
• Small number of villas or townhouses can have direct 0.8 1 1 1.2
access. This will assist with passive surveillance. Power (LV)
Water
Irrigation
Sewer
147
February 2019
Housing Cluster
Frontage Type
The grouping of a small number of plots within a housing
cluster provides a semi-private space with a strong physical • The plots themselves are to be enclosed by a 2m
relationship between neighbouring plots. Within the cluster, boundary wall which may incorporate architectural
cars take second place to pedestrians. elements such as grilles, house numbers, copings and
limited architectural decoration. Main entrances to the
Right of Way
plots will be wide enough to accept a car.
• 10-16m
Traffic Lanes
• Typical travel lane dimension is a maximum of 4.2m in
• The minimum travel lane width is 3m.
• Whilst there is free access for vehicles, the paved area is
designed for low speeds
Bicycle Lanes

• Parking for residents is provided within villa or town
house plots.
• Shaded parking for visitors is provided within
communal courtyard
• Access geometry is adequate for all services and
emergency vehicles.
Pedestrian Realm
• Areas of planting within the enclave provide relief to
the boundary walls of plots, shade parking spaces and
help create pleasant areas for people to meet and for
children to play.
• The floorspace of the courtyard should be imaginatively
developed and a surface treatment is recommended
which would utilise pre-cast concrete paving of
different sizes on a firm bedding with parking and
traffic areas defined by inset blocks. Pedestrian Pedestrian
Building Footprint Travel Lane Building Footprint
Realm Realm
2 2.5 6 2.5 2
Pedestrian, 1 lane carriageway Pedestrian,

Figure 7-14: Housing Cluster roadside parking (accessible to vehicles, roadside parking
and dry utilities pedestrians and cyclists) and dry utilities
148
February 2019

Greenway
Greenways provide a green grid of shaded pedestrian and
cycle routes extending across a district. They thread through
Home Zones, linking together to provide safe routes to
school and community facilities.
Right of Way
• 10-15m
Traffic Lanes
• Access for emergency vehicles only
Bicycle Lanes
• Dedicated bicycle lane provided
Pedestrian Realm
• Separate footpaths and cycle paths are shaded by
evergreen trees and shade structures.
• Sitting areas are provided at regular intervals
• Community Garden with children’s play provided at the
intersection of greenways within a Home Zone.
• Connects to sikkas to provide wider movement through
the neighbourhood.
Frontage Type
Building Footprint Pedestrian Realm Wadi Building Footprint
• Greenways in low density residential neighbourhoods 4.5 1.5 1.5 4.5
typically are enclosed by the boundary walls of villas.
Pedestrian and cycleway Drainage and public realm
• In medium to high density residential neighbourhoods
town houses and apartments can front onto the
Figure 7-15: Greenway
greenway.
149
February 2019
Sikka
These narrow passageways between buildings are
traditionally used as a shaded, comfortable way for
pedestrians to move within and through a neighbourhood
and offer ‘shortcuts’ and enhanced pedestrian permeability.
Sikka should be used to increase connectivity within
neighbourhoods, providing passageways between villa plots
and through blocks to pocket parks, open spaces, schools
or other public amenities.
Right of Way
• 3.5-5m
Traffic Lanes
• Motor vehicles are not accommodated.
Bicycle Lanes
• Dedicated bicycle lane not provided but cyclists may
share the space.
Pedestrian Realm
• Sikka should be well-designed spaces with good quality
surfaces, furniture and lighting. Avoid clutter and
utilities that obstruct pedestrian movement.
• The hardscape treatment should provide the main Building Footprint Pedestrian Realm Building Footprint
points of interest through ground patterns and use of 5
colour. Pedestrian access only
• Potential for climbing plants to walls that form the Figure 7-16: Sikka
framework of the sikka.
Frontage Type
• Sikka are defined by the walls of adjacent buildings
and should be shaded by these walls as well as by any
adjacent built form.
150
February 2019

151
Duqm City, Sultanate of Oman
Stage 4 Report: Final Master Plan and Development Framework,
Schematic Engineering Design and Governance Strategy

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Urban Design Guidelines 07

DUQM CITY - Sultanate of Oman

7.0 Development Control Regulations – Urban Design Guidelines

07 Urban Design Guidelines

Al Marsa Waterfront, Al Mouj Muscat Oasis Residence Zighy Bay, Oman

7.3 Shade and Climate Attenuation

Free-standing villa Courtyard villa

Figure 7-1: Figure 7-1 Overhead shading elements

07 Urban Design Guidelines

7.4 The Courtyard Principle

sports cities : benchmarking

Arrangement of the rooms Adjoined by the surrounding Closed appearance

Position of the entrance; Construction of the house Using the courtyard

07 Urban Design Guidelines

7.5 Building Form Standards

07 Urban Design Guidelines

The impact of car parking on the quality of a place can be

7.6 Residential High Density (HDR)

07 Urban Design Guidelines

Massing, setbacks, heights and number of storeys Parking zone

7.7 Residential Medium Density - Apartments (MDR-A)

07 Urban Design Guidelines

Massing, setbacks, heights and number of storeys Parking zone

7.8 Residential Medium Density - Town Houses (MDR-T)

07 Urban Design Guidelines

Massing, setbacks, heights and number of storeys Parking zone

7.9 Residential Low Density (LDR)

Setbacks and Entrances • Front setback – 4m

• Side setback – 3m if windows, a minimum of 1.5m in either case.

within the plot.

07 Urban Design Guidelines

Massing, setbacks, heights and number of storeys Parking zone

07 Urban Design Guidelines

7.11 Residential Mixed Use (RMU)

07 Urban Design Guidelines

Active frontage Parking zone

Massing, setbacks, heights and number of storeys Parking zone

7.12 Civic District - City Level

The Sports stadium, located in the adjacent plot is anticipated to accommodate

07 Urban Design Guidelines

7.14 Civic - Neighbourhood Centre

Typically Neighbourhood Centres include Retail, Friday Mosque, Cycle 1and 2

07 Urban Design Guidelines

Building Height • To be determined based on location and type of facility

Greenways Local Park

7.16 Commercial Mixed Use – Boulevard (CMU)

block. Access roads

• Coverage ratio 40% Shopping mall with

with windows. Residential block with

Commercial Frontage in the Civic Boulevard

07 Urban Design Guidelines

Circulation and Key Public Spaces

Service access roads

Public car park

Formal open space/ plaza

Central art display

7.17 Retail Mall (CMA)

07 Urban Design Guidelines

7.19 Tourism - Business and Existing Hotels (TOU-B)