With a planned completion date in 2023, work has commenced on the US$175 million national botanic garden project in the Sultanate of Oman.
Set to be the largest centre of its kind in the Arabian Peninsula and one of the largest in the world, the 420-hectare site at the foot of Oman’s Al Hajar Mountains will feature two biomes and surrounding habitats filled with endangered flora.
It will also include a visitor centre, play area, nature reserve, and educational and research facilities.
Commenting on the project in regional newspaper The National, Oman Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salim Al Mahrouqi advised “it will be one of the largest botanic gardens in the world.
“It will present an opportunity for visitors to experience the flora and vegetation of Oman while learning about the agricultural heritage, rich cultural traditions and legendary hospitality of the country.”
The design team is led by Arup alongside Grimshaw Architects and Haley Sharpe Design.
Explaining the significance of the project, Grimshaw partner, Keith Brewis commented “the Oman Botanic Garden is an astonishing project with many layers of interwoven cultural and environmental significance. Its scale and diversity is truly world-leading.”
Part of Oman’s plans to diversify its attractions, regional tourism consultant Rashid Al Khalasi added “the botanic garden will be a green village that tourists looking for relaxation in an area full of flowers, man-made streams and natural wildlife like birds will enjoy to visit.
“(It will) pull in more tourists to the capital Muscat.”
The design team is led by Arup alongside Grimshaw Architects and Haley Sharpe Design.
Explaining the significance of the project, Grimshaw partner, Keith Brewis commented “the Oman Botanic Garden is an astonishing project with many layers of interwoven cultural and environmental significance. Its scale and diversity is truly world-leading.”
Images: Grimshaw.
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Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
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