The Madinat al Irfan masterplan was created with Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) to tackle important issues in Oman.  

It focuses on economic diversity, public transportation, using resources responsibly, and protecting the environment. Aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, The Paris Climate Agreement, and PAS2080 low carbon infrastructure standard, the masterplan emphasises placemaking and sustainability. It aims to be a model for long-term resilience.  

The Irfan development blends hilly terrain, valleys formed by dry river channels, and urban spaces. The masterplan focuses on community needs, local culture, and tradition. Our team prioritised creating green spaces for food cultivation andenhanced water flow. The design approach will also enable the city’s people to enjoy a range of scenic views. Our transport planning team adopted human-scaled streets, compact neighbourhoods, and mixed-use urban blocks to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and less car dependent.

Madinat al Irfan is a great example of effective urban planning. It focuses on sustainability through its green spaces, energy-efficient buildings, and circular water management systems. The development includes a mix of homes, businesses, and recreational areas, which will help to create a lively community space. The project caters to diverse demographics, ensuring comfort and convenience for both residents and visitors. It also aims to create a harmonious and sustainable environment that celebrates Omani heritage and culture.

The 624-acre Madinat al Irfan masterplan CGI
The 624-acre Madinat al Irfan provides a new sustainable development model for urban development.

Landscape architecture

The existing topography and Wadi network provide the basis upon which the masterplan has been developed. Our approach created opportunities for urban food production and palm plantations, restoring historic water flows and ecology. The central Wadi Park is 25km long and makes the area more valuable by providing homes with beautiful views.

Transport consulting

Public transport is crucial if Madinat al Irfan is to provide a host of convenient travel methods and become a walkable new district. Our transport planning team helped incorporate human-scaled streets, compact neighbourhoods and mixed-use urban blocks that encourage walking and wheeling.

These actions have resulted in a proposal for a public transportation system in Muscat. They have also demonstrated the significance of this investment to key stakeholders. It is hoped that these measures will cut car dependency by half for a city of comparable size.

Irfan masterplan CGI
Irfan is structured around a dramatic undulating topography.
Arup design of Irfan masterplan including mixed urban blocks to cut car dependency
Arup’s Transport Planning team helped incorporate human-scaled streets, compact neighbourhoods and mixed use urban blocks encourage walking.

Sustainable infrastructure design

The design of the city’s microclimate has influenced the layout of its public spaces, streets, buildings, and overall plan. The goal is to encourage walking and energy efficient practices when compared to current standards in the region.

The use of outdoor spaces in central areas was an important factor in shaping the masterplan and its implementation. Design concepts were supported by advanced analysis techniques including wind simulations, solar studies, thermal comfort analysis, and thermal comfort network analysis.

Lowering energy and water consumption

Energy consumption in Oman has doubled over the last decade because of industrial and urban growth. Water use is also putting significant pressure on an already water-stressed region. Working in collaboration with utility providers in Oman, Madinat al Irfan proposes innovative infrastructure strategies for energy and water use.

Our team specified solar panels, district cooling, dense urban farms, reuse of treated water for irrigation and smart meters to reduce demand for non-renewable resources.

Designing the masterplan

The development site has a unique landscape with hills and valleys formed by dry river channels – known as wadi in the region. These wadi areas resemble cliffs and will be connected by bridges. These bridges will link the bustling urban centre located in the north of the city to the surrounding villages in the south.

To create the masterplan, we worked closely with local people, ensuring that it will support community needs. Our goal is to build the city thoughtfully, respecting local culture and traditions. Upon completion, Madinat al Irfan is set to serve as a model for sustainable development in the region.

We drew inspiration from local architecture to design buildings that suit its surrounding climate. Our masterplan combines traditional passive design techniques with contemporary methods to ensure comfortable indoor and outdoor spaces.  

Deep window reveals, overhangs, awnings, cornices, and arcades are integrated into our buildings. Water features and trees also enhance the environment. These features work together to reduce the need for mechanical cooling.

We ensured that the modern design of the city’s buildings still represent Omani history. Our design approach combines comfort and sustainability, while bridging the past and the present.

Partners & collaborators

Allies and Morrison / Kim Wilkie / Peter Oborn / Angus Gavin / Rider Levett Bucknall / Cowi / HMR