Urban Design Approach for an Oasis settlement in Ash Sharqiya Sands, Oman, as a prototype for future development

1. Beauty of the Past
Design Approach for an Oasis settlement in
Oman, as a prototype for future development
Master thesis 2016, Urban planning, University of RWTH
Aachen. Hamda Al Hajri
Consciousness is a Quality
of being aware, especially of
something within one self. Is it
possible to do the same to our
cities?
(Palti, 2015)
2.0

2. Table of Content
03
04
06
09
10
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
Intuition
Introduction
Design Strategy
Preserve Identity
Conscious Settlement
Planning Process
Methodology
Intervention’s Manual
Self/ Community
Authenticity
Tolerance
Implimentation
Atmosphere
Vision
Urban Concept
Distibution of Typologies
Layers of Content
Master Plan Scenario
Zoomed in Area
Intuition
Until this stage of my Analysis process, I still did not know what the
final product will look like. I still did not see how will I achieve my aims.
And how the analysis will help me further. But I knew one thing, I
knew I am ready. And I accepted the fact that I will not have a rigid
plan rather a strategy. A strategy that every time it is used, it pro-
duces different products. Products that are adaptable to environ-
ments, reflects people’s moods and behavior and allow flexibility in
its attitude. I want to experiment this approach and see where it will
take me in this journey of Design. I leave you now with the design
section. I introduce the concept based on the humble analysis in the
booklet 1.0.
03

3. INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN APPROACH
In order to achieve the main goals of authenticity in this project, there are few
significant aspects to be taken into account. Aspects like preserving identity,
bringing the settlement into Consciousness of people’s behavior, define plan-
ning process and identifying implementation scenarios. The main question to
be answered within these aspects is “How to adjust the traditional compo-
nents of the settlement into the modern life style”. That’s mainly the goal of
the design approach. I think today, this question is neglected in the planning
process in Oman. While driving though Oman, one can see the new develop-
ment is hardly taking the good values of the traditional architecture and the
urban planning. Values like the high density, traditional housing typologies like
courtyards and the Arabian public spaces. These are very suitable for our en-
vironments and culture. They keep the microclimate balanced in comparison
to the new concrete villa typologies.
My aim is to provoke the possibilities to open our eyes to the treasure of our
traditions in planning and architecture. I believe it is important to recognize
the authenticity of the past in order to move into a better future.
According to my observation, the new Oman is still young. It only started to de-
velop in 1970. It is still in the process of creating systems. This indicates the
flexibility for new ideas and strategies to be introduced. We are in the stage
of innovation I believe. It is the time where Oman needs new ideas from Omanis
themselves. For this respect I take the chance to suggest a design strategy and
show a scenario of implementation. Not to be taken as a rigid approach, rather
ideas to provoke change in the current design process in Oman. Keeping in
mind the visionary idea of the future development.
A lot of the times, what keeps a settlement function is the economical base. In
this case Al Hawiyah is a place for summer holidays where extended families
come back to spend some time with their extended families and enjoy the land-
scape. In my approach I aim to offer more reasons to make it an attraction for a
diverse group of people. Also looking into what the locals can offer, I recognized
that the traditional fashion is in the local level has a market in Oman. Women
still offer the skill of designing traditional clothes from their homes. In addition,
the skill of building with mud-bricks is a hidden knowledge between local men.
Nevertheless, the culture of traditional home medicine is well known in the Area.
Not to forget the landscape in the oases is recognized unique and already an
attraction for tourists. We have several reasons to bring this settlement into an
attraction by allowing local skills to come on the surface of our modern lifestyle.
The knowledge must not be forgotten, rather developed and innovated for our
future. It is true that through urban design and architecture we can’t do a lot,
but we can influence the life style in our urban structures.
What made people stay
Agriculture
Wadi ( Water Source)
Village
Collected water
Aflaj fo Irrigation
Source of Income
Sense of Comunity
Temporary Structure
Natural Border
Transportation
Animals
Provides Food& Jobs
“The Sultanat of Oman is inhabited 8000 years
ago. The ancient civilization until 1970 have lived on
Trading, fishing, cattle breeding and agriculture.
Around 200 B.C, Oman was also known to trade
copper, building materials and fine Marble.” (Hoch)
These civilizations settled clearly on specific
locations where water existed, created an irrigation
system called Aflaj (water channels fueled with
monsoon rain from the mountains) to keep the
water equally distributed in the settlements.
“Due to drought and harsh environment Oases
settlements were the adapted solution for life to
exist. It shaped an ecological and cultural behavior
in the Arabian Peninsular. Oman to be well known
with the Aflaj system as well internationally today. “
(Prof. Dr. Moawiyah Ibrahim, 2001)
However, after 1970 with the ruling of His Majesty,
Sultan Qaboos, the economical boom from oil and
gas was rapidly increasing. The modern develop-
ment did not only take a place in cities and towns, it
also had an impact on rural Areas. Oases and
other settlements started to lose identity, leaving
behind elements of ancient civilizations like ruins,
forts, mud-brick houses and Aflaj systems. Urban
sprawl is spreading all over Oman. The bases of an
Arabian architecture and urban planning is no
longer adapted to the environment nor to the
Omani culture.
My aim in this project is to reverse the negative
impact of this new development by creating a
versatile solution for an existing Oases. Not to be
implemented, it’s a standardized fiction to be taken
as conceptual strategy in the short and long term
growth. My approach is based on the understand-
ing of the Arabian social structure and lifestyle.
Together with the understanding of local architec-
ture and the structure of urban spaces in general.
This will help Imposing authenticity as an identity of
the city growth.
In my opinion the meaning of authenticity is
“The Sultanat of Oman is inhabited 8000 years
ago. The ancient civilization until 1970 have lived on
Trading, fishing, cattle breeding and agriculture.
Around 200 B.C, Oman was also known to trade
copper, building materials and fine Marble.” (Hoch)
These civilizations settled clearly on specific
locations where water existed, created an irrigation
system called Aflaj (water channels fueled with
monsoon rain from the mountains) to keep the
water equally distributed in the settlements.
“Due to drought and harsh environment Oases
settlements were the adapted solution for life to
exist. It shaped an ecological and cultural behavior
in the Arabian Peninsular. Oman to be well known
with the Aflaj system as well internationally today. “
(Prof. Dr. Moawiyah Ibrahim, 2001)
However, after 1970 with the ruling of His Majesty,
Sultan Qaboos, the economical boom from oil and
gas was rapidly increasing. The modern develop-
ment did not only take a place in cities and towns, it
also had an impact on rural Areas. Oases and
other settlements started to lose identity, leaving
behind elements of ancient civilizations like ruins,
forts, mud-brick houses and Aflaj systems. Urban
sprawl is spreading all over Oman. The bases of an
Arabian architecture and urban planning is no
longer adapted to the environment nor to the
Omani culture.
My aim in this project is to reverse the negative
impact of this new development by creating a
versatile solution for an existing Oases. Not to be
implemented, it’s a standardized fiction to be taken
as conceptual strategy in the short and long term
growth. My approach is based on the understand-
ing of the Arabian social structure and lifestyle.
Together with the understanding of local architec-
ture and the structure of urban spaces in general.
This will help Imposing authenticity as an identity of
the city growth.
In my opinion the meaning of authenticity is
15 7
8
14
6
Sikkah
Courtyard
+1 Room
Saha Saha
Research center
Public & mixed Buildings
Poor diversity of mixed use
buildings. thefore, there is a high
need for daily trips outside the
settlement.
Residential
Monofunctional Area
Mainly with pure
Residential units.
Animal Huts
High demand for animal
huts in comparison to th
mixed used fucntions.

4. 07
06
DESIGN STRATEGY
Preserve Identity
The economical and cultural chang-
es are threatening the Village to lose
many of its identical elements like the
Palm Gardens and Urban structures.
It also impacts the communal atmo-
sphere. People are reallocating out
side the settlement, due to better liv-
ing standard and jobs opportunities.
In the design process I think it is es-
sential to highlight means of identity
not in words, rather in atmospheres
and moods.
“Identity is the qualities, beliefs, etc.,
That make a particular person or a
group different from others”. (Merri-
am-Webster, 2016)
In the analysis booklet I identified
clearly important components of iden-
tity like in architecture and social be-
havior. Now these elements are to be
translated in my design as urban in-
terventions. For example, like offering
spaces for animals, for mixed group
of people or for families to gather. Or
imposing traditional architectural ele-
ments in the streets façades.
I am mainly focusing on urban spac-
es and housing typologies. These are
the main tools of attraction in a settle-
ment, I believe.
I tend to keep the good values of the
past to take them a long with the new
good values of technology. like Rem
Koolhaas said “New city is a city with-
out identity, without a past, without
individuality and particularity”. I agree
with his statement and I aim to en-
courage rather a growing city than
just a new one. A place that has roots
that continues to grow into a whole
structure.
I believe Identity has a lot to do with
Values inherited form the ancestors.
Its the knowledge that connects us to
our environment and surroundings.
Losing Identity means to me losing
wealth. A place stands out when you
can already see the story behind the
structures. A place you can recognize
a particular smell in it, or see the col-
ors that define its uniqueness. And
these things are strongly grounded by
identity.
As Mohamed Al Hajri, 70 years old
Man, in Bediyah mentioned “our life
style was adjusted to the climate. We
did not stay in one place. During the
heat we stay indoors with breathing
walls and in the evening our activi-
ties are mainly outside. In summer
we sleep on the dunes to get the cool
breeze and in Winter we stay indoors
to be protected from the dry cold”
To preserve Identity, is to consider ex-
isting social dynamics and traditions
as part of the new development. Al-
low historical Elements to be part of to-
days rhythm. Hierarchy of public spaces,
Compact housing and Agriculture, these
are important elements to be taking into
consideration as values of a typically
Omani settlement.
Conscious Settlement
The word Consciousness have got few
significant meanings in the dictionary.
Consciousness is for Example is:
• The thoughts and feelings, collectively,
of an individual or of an aggregate of peo-
ple
• Full activity of the mind and senses, as
in waking life
• Awareness of something for what it is;
internal knowledge
• Concern, interest, or acute awareness
( 2016 Dictionary.com, LLC., 1995)
Consciousness is a Quality of being
aware, especially of something within
one self. Is it possible to do the same to
our cities? We are already making them
smarter and efficient with technology.
We share information through media
and express ourselves, what if the city
became aware of this information and
began to combine some data like neu-
roscience with urban environment. A
conscious city can also make a semi-per-
manent improvements according to a
pattern of behavior. like kids playing out-
side school or offering spaces for elder-
ly outside to meet. (Palti, 2015)
In order to preserve identity and con-
nect it to the global level, in my strat-
egy are 2 main aspects: Conscious-
ness and planning process. This aims
to create awareness and a connection
between the identical needs and urban
spaces. It also strives for bringing the
fragments together in a way that they
complete each other, where “every
intervention/ tool effects the whole”.
(Granoux, Justet, & Minier)
Introducing one conscious is in order
to allow the sense of community and
the sense of self to be part of the set-
tlement at once. To allow tolerance
and authenticity in order to shape the
urban and architectural structures.
Also to encourage a self sufficient and
flexible community that is allowed to ex-
perience their needs.
Tolerance, Authenticity, Community
and self are the main factors to achieve
Conscious planning, in my opinion.
The understanding of these factors is
the foundation to develop my design
approach. The reason behind select-
ing these 4 components to achieve
consciousness, is perceived as a con-
clusion I reached after my analysis
process. I feel that these are the root
solutions to many problems we face in
our lives. Individual, communal or even
global. If we think as a community and

5. 08
09
as a self with authenticity and tolerance, our world will be a better place. Our
cities will look different. Our environment will be healthier. I believe in this in a
spiritual level and I am applying it in the ways we approach planning. Never-
theless, regarding each Factor, I am introducing “intervention’s Manual”. The
manual will be further explained in the methodology section. It will be a tool
kit to allow the flexibility to create our own suitable atmospheres, that are a
reflection of our moods and behavior. of course these tools will be also rules
and regulations that serves the main aim of the design project.
PLANNING PROCESS
Secondly is the Planning process. In or-
der to allow Identity to come to the sur-
face, the planning process has to give
space for adaptability in its structure.
Instead of having comprehensive and
random planning system, it is necessary
to develop both short and long term plan-
ning dimensions. Allow different stake-
holders to participate in the planning
process. This will mean a new planning
system that focuses on a concentrated
planned zones that could be developed
within 10 years. Through a design com-
mittee, where rules and tools will be fol-
lowed from a manual for the design stan-
dard. The manual will be created to serve
the long as well the short term planning.
It will identify the authentic elements of
architecture as well urban design of a
typically compact Omani settlement with
adjustments to the modern life style.
OASIS STRATEGY
Reverse fragmented identity
Lost Omani urban identity
Regional, Urban, Architecture
Solutions to Sprawl, Urban
Structure, and Aesthetics
Solutions to pedestrian zones
Solutions to Irrigation system
and waste management
Mobility, Transportation
Agriculture
Improvement to the Hierarchy
of spaces
Open Spaces
Random Adaptable
Priority Plan
Interventions
Manual
Architect
Poor Identity &
Poor Sustainability
Lottery
Future Plan
AUTHEN-
TICITY
+
COMMUNITY
One Conscious
SELF
TOLERANCE
STRATEGY/ AIM
OASIS STRATEGY
Reverse fragmented identity
Lost Omani urban identity
Regional, Urban, Architecture
Solutions to Sprawl, Urban
Structure, and Aesthetics
Solutions to pedestrian zones
Solutions to Irrigation system
and waste management
Mobility, Transportation
Agriculture
Improvement to the Hierarchy
of spaces
Open Spaces
Random Adaptable
Priority Plan
Interventions
Manual
Architect
Poor Identity &
Poor Sustainability
Lottery
Future Plan
AUTHEN-
TICITY
+
COMMUNITY
One Conscious
SELF
TOLERANCE
STRATEGY/ AIM

6. 11
10Methodology
METHODOLOGY
Intervention’s Manual
To Preserve precious values
in the settlement’s identity, it
is clear to me that a manual of
standard rules is important. It
will help re-framing the means of
planning after 1970’s develop-
ment (oil’s economy boom). After
1970 everything went through
a fast development sometimes
from sustainable to unsustain-
able. The current rules and
regulations are creating urban
sprawl. My aim is to question
these rules and create a manu-
al sample in order to show the
possibilities to keep the standard
qualities that I learnt from tradi-
tional settlements.
So the methodology is to reverse
the threat of identity lose from
sprawl, through a manual that
consists of urban tools. These
tools are just a standard skele-
ton to preserve what already fits
into our environment and cul-
ture. These tools are the urban
interventions to be implement-
ed within short and long term
planning. They are the stepping
stones that allow an adaptable
village to rise in consciousness.
The Toolkit consists mainly of three cat-
egories. And each category got tools to
be used for the implementation of the
design process, to reach the goal of an
identical Oasis. There are seventeen
tools in total and each tool is an action
that effects the whole structure in the
neighborhood.
The idea is to create a frame work of a
scenario. That means avoiding a rigid
master plan. My aim is to rather allow
flexibility. I offer the tools and each set-
tlement is allowed to use them and cre-
ate their own scenarios that is suitable
for their needs, environment and their
moods. Most important is to keep the
identity of an Omani settlement part of
the development.
OASIS STRATEGY
Reverse fragmented identity
Lost Omani urban identity
Regional, Urban, Architecture
Solutions to Sprawl, Urban
Structure, and Aesthetics
Solutions to pedestrian zones
Solutions to Irrigation system
and waste management
Mobility, Transportation
Agriculture
Improvement to the Hierarchy
of spaces
Open Spaces
Random Adaptable
Priority Plan
Interventions
Manual
Architect
Poor Identity &
Poor Sustainability
Lottery
Future Plan
AUTHEN-
TICITY
+
COMMUNITY
One Conscious
SELF
TOLERANCE
STRATEGY/ AIM

7. 13
12Methodology
Manual identifying tools of urban
interventions
Car Sharing
Tool: Car sharing points
Aim: Reduce car using
1 2
8 9
12 13
5
7
10
11
4
6
Pergola
Mashrabiya
Courtyard
Compact Growth
Tool: Plot Distribution zone 1
Aim: plots are distributed only to
complete zone1 within 7 years
Street Trees
Tool: pavement & Shades on all roads
Aim: Ensure a suitable micro-climate
and pedestrian facilities to encourage
healthier lifestyle
Research on Traditional
Housing
Improve Aflaj System
Tool: Itegrate Recycled Water Center
Aim: To improve irrigation system and
repair existing canals.
Animal Rest Zones
Tool: Temporary structures with
shade and water.
Aim: To improve the life quality for
Animals as well.
Organic Waste Treatment
Tool: Recycling
Aim: To provide soil and feed animals.
This will improve waste management.
Camel /Horse Race Event
Tool: Camel Trails
Aim: To allow this symbolic traditional
sport to be practices in the neighbor-
hood
Impose Traditional Typology
elements
+1 Room
Tool: Extensions to existing building’s front
Aim: Use wasted spaces and allow local
Low Speed Zone
Tool: Dead ends, or marked by
material
Aim: Improve safely on roads and give
priority to people rather then cars.
Design committee
Tool: Designing process
Aim: Design a cluster of housing &
other functions to complete zone1
within 7 years
3 Attractive city
Tool: Gardens, domestic plants
Aim: Ensure a Combination
between microclimate and housing
Self/ Community
In order to have the irrigation system
organized, the whole community need to
participate. It is important for people to
play a role in organizing. It helps to cre-
ate harmony and understanding between
people. that’s how civilizations before ex-
isted in Oman. that’s how peaceful com-
munities functioned. in Al Hawiyah the
people still understand the sense of com-
munity. they share the water and they ne-
gotiate in the settlement’s matter.
These tools regarding Self/ Community
are Sprawl Zones, Agriculture and Animal
zones. I introduce these tools because I
believe people need to be aware of the
distribution of these zones. it is crucial to
give them the responsibility to build com-
pact settlement with agriculture zones
and animal zones. the community would
understand better how allocate them ac-
cording to their dynamic.

8. 14Methodology
Car Sharing
Tool: Car sharing points
Aim: Reduce car using
8 9
12 13
17
7
10
11
6
Pergola
Mashrabiya
Courtyard
1615
Street Trees
Tool: pavement & Shades on all roads
Aim: Ensure a suitable micro-climate
and pedestrian facilities to encourage
healthier lifestyle
Research on Traditional
Housing
Tool: Academy of Traditional
Architecture
Aim: To Value Heritage, improve
traditional methods and invent sustain-
able housing structures.
Aim: To improve irrigation system and
repair existing canals.
Animal Rest Zones
Tool: Temporary structures with
shade and water.
Aim: To improve the life quality for
Animals as well.
Public Spaces/ Plaza (Saha)
Tool: Define main plazas, add amenities to
them
Aim: Saha is a traditional gathering point
where the main water source stays histori-
cally. The aim is to bring this symbolic
space in present life.
Alley Way ( Sikkah)
Tool: 2 - 3 meters alleys
Aim: provide shade, traditional
method, act like a settlement’s corri-
dor.
Semi-Public
Tool: play gounds
Aim: Ensure the posibility for smaller
community to have a common space.
Aim: To provide soil and feed animals.
This will improve waste management.
Camel /Horse Race Event
Tool: Camel Trails
Aim: To allow this symbolic traditional
sport to be practices in the neighbor-
hood
Impose Traditional Typology
elements
Tool: through rules and Regulations
Aim: To Preserve Identity and traditional
aesthetics
+1 Room
Tool: Extensions to existing building’s front
Aim: Use wasted spaces and allow local
commercial uses for small offices or shops.
Low Speed Zone
Tool: Dead ends, or marked by
material
Aim: Improve safely on roads and give
priority to people rather then cars.
Authenticity
The aim of this whole project is to preserve
identity. Not any identity but rather the
beneficial ones. What our ancient civiliza-
tion thought about architecture and urban
structure was connected to environment,
climate and culture. For example, the ar-
chitectural elements like Mashrabiya, for
privacy. Or a pergola and a courtyard, to
keep the cool air circulating.
The Authenticity component is overlaps
almost in every tools category. However it
is clearly defined when it comes to archi-
tecture. the aim is to adapt the tradition-
al elements of housing typologies into the
modern structures.

9. 17
16Methodology
Car Sharing
Tool: Car sharing points
Aim: Reduce car using
8 9
12 13
17
10
11
Pergola
Mashrabiya
Courtyard
1615
Street Trees
Tool: pavement & Shades on all roads
Aim: Ensure a suitable micro-climate
and pedestrian facilities to encourage
healthier lifestyle
Research on Traditional
Housing
Tool: Academy of Traditional
Architecture
Aim: To Value Heritage, improve
traditional methods and invent sustain-
able housing structures.
Public Spaces/ Plaza (Saha)
Tool: Define main plazas, add amenities to
them
Aim: Saha is a traditional gathering point
where the main water source stays histori-
cally. The aim is to bring this symbolic
space in present life.
Alley Way ( Sikkah)
Tool: 2 - 3 meters alleys
Aim: provide shade, traditional
method, act like a settlement’s corri-
dor.
Semi-Public
Tool: play gounds
Aim: Ensure the posibility for smaller
community to have a common space.
Impose Traditional Typology
elements
Tool: through rules and Regulations
Aim: To Preserve Identity and traditional
aesthetics
+1 Room
Tool: Extensions to existing building’s front
Aim: Use wasted spaces and allow local
commercial uses for small offices or shops.
Low Speed Zone
Tool: Dead ends, or marked by
material
Aim: Improve safely on roads and give
priority to people rather then cars.
Tolerance
This is to be highlighted as the most im-
portant aspect in the Manual. It allows a
hierarchy of spaces. It gives the possibility
for all types of people to use these spaces.
No class nor social differences matter. In
order to live in a tolerant atmosphere, we
need more variety of Them. Where people
are allowed to exist in them and express
their moods. They are the reflection of the
conscious city. They are the platform to al-
low different behavior to take place.

10. IMPLIMENTATION
The Manual will change the random plot distribution to an intentionally planned
zones where only those who has the priority to build and farm in these plots within
7-10 years have the right to get into the planning process. Deeper study on those
who are in the need for urgent housing, otherwise the land is to be saved for the
future. These priority zones will have a design team includes locals, experts, Archi-
tects and the government to setup a platform to develop specific zones taking into
account all environmental and cultural aspect of the area. As mentioned before,
the manual is offering tools to be used differently according to environments and
need. In my approach I will offer an example of a scenario with detailed zoomed in
area. This will help drawing a picture of the implementation process.
16 Alley Way ( Sikkah)17 Semi-Public
15 Public Spaces/ Plaza (Saha)

11. 20
21
Vision
The area was well zoned. Concentrated housing structures were defined not to
be exceeded. Agriculture zones were also well defined not be built on them. Na-
ture was respected due to limited ability to build on sand dunes. Therefore, it
formed a natural border for the settlement.
Due to oil industry, the settlement went through a rapid development on housing
structures and building materials. Infrastructure came in to allow car accessibili-
ty. Also urban sprawl started to spread all over Oman due to the plot distribution
system.
My interpretation to the future development is based on observation. If the ran-
dom plot distribution system continues to function, sprawl will keep expanding and
eating up precious land. Density will remain low.
My vision is to adapt the new structures to the traditional ones. That means, cre-
ating higher density and improve accessibility. Also respect Nature as a natural
border and protect agriculture from replacement. In addition, integrate agricul-
ture within the new building structures.
The area was well zoned. Concentrated housing struc
tures were defined not to be exceeded. Agriculture zo
were also well defined not be built on them. Nature wa
respected due to limited ability to build on sand dunes
Therefore, it formed a natural border for the settleme
Due to oil industry, the settlement went through a rap
development on housing structures and building mate
als. Infrastructure came in to allow car accessibility. A
urban sprawl started to spread all over Oman due to t
plot distribution system.
My interpretation to the future development is based
observation. If the random plot distribution system
continues to function, sprawl will keep expanding and
eating up precious land. Density will remain low.
Al Hawiyah before 70s
Al Hawiyah after 80s
Interpretation of Future Development
The area was well zoned. Concentrated housing struc-
tures were defined not to be exceeded. Agriculture zones
were also well defined not be built on them. Nature was
respected due to limited ability to build on sand dunes.
Therefore, it formed a natural border for the settlement.
Due to oil industry, the settlement went through a rapid
development on housing structures and building materi-
als. Infrastructure came in to allow car accessibility. Also
urban sprawl started to spread all over Oman due to the
plot distribution system.
My interpretation to the future development is based on
observation. If the random plot distribution system
continues to function, sprawl will keep expanding and
eating up precious land. Density will remain low.
My vision is to adapt the new structures to the traditional ones. That means, creating higher
density and improve accessibility. Also respect Nature as a natural border and protect agri-
culture from replacement. In addition, integrate agriculture within the new building struc-
tures.
Proposed Vision
Al Hawiyah before 70s
Al Hawiyah after 80s
Interpretation of Future Development

12. 23
22
Identifying Borders
Water source
Palm Oasis + Farms
Aflaj System
Extension to
Traditional
Settlement
Palm
Gardens
buffer zone
New develop-
ment
Concep
The concept is
development t
Omani settlem
(Market). Car
settlements ar
The second ur
ter. Through a
symbol of mod
Both developm
as a buffer zon
It will also be
idea is to cre
experiment au
true self and t
Urban Concept
The concept is to allow both experiences of a traditional quarter and a new devel-
opment to take a place. First the structure of a typical compact Omani settlement
with corridors and semi private spaces with a Souq (Market). Car access is only
allowed in dead ends. The qualities of old settlements are to be adopted in this
structure.
The second urban structure will emphasize the new settlements character.
Through a grid system and a hierarchy of spaces. This will be the symbol of mo-
dernity in comparison to the traditional part.
Both developments are separated with green Area of palm tree gardens as a
buffer zone. The Buffer garden is running with Aflaj irrigation system. It will also
be the meeting zone between North and southern parts. The idea is to create a
balance between the past and the present. Also to experiment authenticity in the
way the settlement grew by showing the true self and the new self that evolved
from it.

13. 25
Typology Distribution
Type A
Commercial + Residen-
tial Flats
Basic Courtyard
Housefrom 1970s Raw
House
renewd courtyard house
Single villa
+1 Extra
commer-
cial unit
Type B Type A Type B Type CType C
Young couple
Average Family
Relatively Big Family
Mixed
24

14. 27
Layers of Content
Circulation
Introducing streets
further street typologies
Typology Distribution
Alolcating Residential and
Mixed use
Urban Structure
High Density Structure
Greenary
Increasing Green Area
Shops
Single Housing
Raw Houses
Courtyard
Mixed Use
26

15. 28
29
Master Plan Scenario
Hotel
Academy of
traditional
Architecture
p
Animal
Zones
Cafes
Mosque
Arabian
liqueur shop
Existing
Oasis
Recreational Oasis
Cafes
Animal
Zones
p
p
p
p
In this scenario I emphasize on the variety of urban structures in different zones.
There is the existing old urban structure and then the loose structure. I am aiming
to show the possibility of growing the old part into similar density with the adap-
tion of dead end roads. this is to be seen in the northern side. And on the south,
the idea is to create a less organic structure to identify the new part zone, which
does not have to fully adapt the compact traditional structure.
Through the proposal I am telling a story of an existed settlement that grew to
adapt modern life style and had a new part that was flexible for the future.

16. 31
30
Zoomed-in Area
Situation Public Spaces Main Access Connectivity
Sikkah
Courtyard
+1 Room
Saha Saha
Car free zone
ELEVATION 1:500
Research center
16 12
13
14 14
4
11
The potentials of the existing situation of this zoomed area is the natural border
from the sand dunes on the west and the oases border on the east side. This
allows the structure to be concentrated between these two borders. There are
also significant public spaces to be highlighted and add to them more hierarchy of
spaces. And then defining the main access in order to find connectivity between
the open spaces. At the end I am to show the connection between these different
layers together and what kind of spaces they offer.
The section diagram is mainly to show the implementation of the suggested Man-
ual. Just as an example of how it could be schematically implemented.

17. 33
A scenario of the Traditional Quarter
32Zoomed-inArea
Here one can see the relation between in-
side and outside. Between floor plans and
spaces. Also the diversity of roads and nar-
row streets. This zoomed in briefly detailed
part is aiming to also point at the possible
scenario that has been created from the
tool kit. My motivation was to show the ba-
zar and the neighborhood within natural
borders.

18. 34
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Granoux, R., Justet, F., & Minier, M. (n.d.).
We are Clumsy City . Retrieved from Clumsycity: http://
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Merriam-Webster. (2016). learnersdictionary. Retrieved
from learnersdictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.
com/about-us
Palti, I. (2015). Defining Conscious Cities.
(I. Palti, Ed.) Retrieved 2016, from Journal of Urban Design
and Mental Health: http://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.
com/journal1-ipeditorial.html
Master thesis 2016, Urban planning, University of RWTH Aachen