Atkins has been appointed to the team working on the first phase of developing the city of Duqm, Oman.
The port town in central-eastern part of the country is undergoing significant growth with a goal to increase its population from 12,000 in 2010 to 100,000 by 2020.
The contract was awarded by the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm (SEZAD) for the development of an area of 150 square kilometres comprising five distinct districts inclusive of existing and future residential, commercial, mixed-use, logistic and tourism developments.
Marco Malpiedi, Atkins managing director for Oman, said: Well be working in partnership with SEZAD and other stakeholders to create a city fit for its future needs. This is an exciting time to be part of such an important development in Omans economic expansion.
The first phase of this project is to be divided in four stages and spread over 30 weeks. Atkins scope includes the detailed city master plan, a market and a technical feasibility study, a strategic environmental assessment, sustainability assessment, concept design with engineering fit, tourism strategy, transport master plan and drainage plan.
SEZAD is responsible for the infrastructural development of Duqm City and attracting both local and international investors.
It has a vision for Duqm City to become a regional maritime and transit-trade hub, an important complex for export-oriented industries, and an attractive tourism destination on the Arabian Sea.