Muscat – A comprehensive masterplan for redevelopment of Qurum Beach and Qurum Park has been unveiled aiming to transform these iconic areas into sustainable, accessible and community-centric spaces.

Led by Amsterdam-based VMX Architects, the initiative involves master planning of Qurum Park and Qurum Beach as well as envisioning Qurum as a mixed-use urban district, combining residential spaces with commercial zones and green landscapes.

According to VMX Architects,  the redevelopment will occur in phases. “Currently, we are updating the Qurum Park design to meet the requirements set by both the municipality and Governor of Muscat,” a spokesperson for VMX Architects said.

The official further stated that the current priority is focused on Qurum Beach Road, “for which we have already developed a master plan. This represents the first phase of the broader initiative, with Qurum Park and its connection to the beach over the mangroves slated for the second phase”.

Qurum Beach, including its prominent Love Road, sits between the mangroves and the sea. The masterplan envisions transforming the area into a vibrant public space that promotes interaction with nature. Currently, Beach Road is dominated by cars and lacks shaded areas and green spaces, making it less inviting.

The proposed changes include shifting the road behind existing businesses to create a car-free zone. This space will connect restaurants and cafes directly to the beach, improving pedestrian safety and accessibility. The plan also incorporates viewing towers, sport facilities, parking structures, and pathways linking the beach with the surrounding nature reserve.

Qurum Park is set for upgrades as well. It will feature new sports facilities, including cricket, tennis, basketball and athletics grounds, as well as expanded play areas for children, teenagers and adults. Other highlights include gardens, a boating lake, splash pad and performance spaces.

The masterplan introduces a network of pathways to connect the park’s currently fragmented zones, transforming underutilised areas into functional spaces.

The nearby Qurum Nature Reserve, home to one of the largest mangrove forests in the Sea of Oman, will remain a focal point of ecological preservation with minimal interventions to protect its natural beauty. Proposed features include eco-friendly facilities such as bird-watching hides, an eco-resort, water sports amenities and immersive mangrove walks.

The proposal envisions Qurum as a mixed-use urban district, combining residential spaces with commercial zones and green landscapes. With over 75,000sqm of new wild planting, a 7.5km pathway network and enhanced public spaces, Qurum is poised to become a hub for residents and visitors alike.