OMAN
Introduction: we have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to develop and implement study abroad programs in Europe, Mexico, Palestine and Panama. We intended to offer a program this summer in Beirut, but the current unrest in Syria now makes this option impossible. We are currently in the process of developing an equally compelling urban design practicum in Oman in collaboration with the planning offices of the Mayor of the capital of Oman. The Head of Muscat Municipality, Sultan bin Hamdoon Al Harthi, is an alum of CALA in architecture, and has invited CALA to participate this summer in revisioning the urban waterfront of Muscat. Although we are still formulating details of this collaborative experience, the basic intent of the program is to enhance cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary awareness, collaboration and learning in our students and faculty of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Planning. (I would like to include the Architectural Engineering faculty and students at Sultan Qaboos University).
Project: presently Muscat is undertaking a number of large urban revitalization projects. Among these are: the Sultan Qaboos Boulevard, Seeb Seafront Plaza, Al Mawaleh Souk, Waterfront Square at Shatti Al Qurum, Seeb Waterfront, Muttrah Central Business District, Al Qurum Festival Square, Muttrah Corniche, Hawiyat Najim Park, The Minaret, Landscaping Projects, Al Azaiba Park, Naseem Park, Al Barakat Park, Al Khuwair Park and Activity Hub, Al Hamriyah Terraced Park, Al Jami Street Upgrade, Muscat Plaza in Al Khuwair, Ruwi Central Business District, Al Amerat Square, Wadi Al Kabir Park, Wadi Adai Pedestrian Bridge, Muttrah Fish Market and Al Khuwair Vegetable Market. This four week summer studio will examine these current urban revitalization efforts and generate a conceptual urban waterfront master plan that attempts to lend cohesion and connectivity to this diverse array of renewal projects. It is anticipated that this experience will catalyze a better understanding of the potential influences and confines inherent in our design and planning professions regarding their ability to effect meaningful change in urban fabric. It is also intended that cultural and professional commonalities will emerge and become increasingly apparent to all participants. Although urban areas in Oman and the United States are vividly distinct across a range of criterion; both regions must contend with an array of critical environmental and social issues, i.e. uncontrolled growth, economic stagnation, transportation inefficiencies, a dearth of open space and recreational opportunities, environmental degradation, unemployment, a diminishing sense of place, as well as political intrigue and corruption. Although cultural and political schisms are at times all too apparent, students and faculty in the allied design and planning professions do in fact share many common goals. And, we choose to focus this studio experience on perhaps the most important of these objectives: that of creating urban fabric envisioned and developed across a range of interrelated variables, i.e. economy, environment, culture, function, and aesthetic measures of sustainability.
We trust that the processes employed and the community development solutions generated during this complex and multi-layered project will eventually gain relevance and bear witness
in subsequent research and professional work of
all student and faculty participants. It is also
anticipated that participating students may discover
likely thesis or capstone projects that could
become extensions of their experiences in Oman.
We will be working with the Municipality of Muscat, the Sultan Qaboos University, and the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, and we hope to establish an enduring working relationship with each entity.
Prior to travel, the studio will introduce itself to Omani culture and history, as well as initiate analysis of the city, current master planning proposals and potential infill sites. Conceptual alternatives will be generated and these along with the analysis will be tested on site and through charrette sessions with Omani planning officials. Upon return, the studio will continue development of these collaborative concepts. The results will be exhibited and published in both the U.S. and in Oman.
Financial Information: accommodations in Muscat ....?? Student participants will be expected to cover air and additional ground transportation costs as well as meals. The roundtrip airfare has
been averaging approximately $1600. Although the
exact itinerary has yet to be firmly established, the
trip will likely begin in mid to late July with a return
date in mid August, thereby allowing time to seek
summer employment during the early portions of the
summer. We anticipate that this experience will run
for four weeks. Based on expressed interest, an
optional three or four day stay in London and/or
Jerusalem is possible. Students are certainly
encouraged to schedule continued travel in Europe at
the end of their stay in Oman. There are several
travel grant opportunities and financial need strategies
available through study abroad and the Charles
Albanese and Ken Clark travel grants. We have had
considerable success with these sources of funding in
the past, http://studyabroad.arizona.edu/financing.
Draft Budget: student participants will self-fund all travel as well as room and board, (Studio expenses, facilities and staffing will be provided by Muscat Municipality). Oman / Scenario A - (21 Days in Oman):
Estimated Student Costs:
Air - $1550 (TUS-MCT-TUS) $1550
Housing $ 600
Board estimated at $30/day X 21 days. $ 630
3 Course Credits (Practicum LAR 594) $1084
Supplemental Comp./Instructor $ 850
Estimated Total: $4714 + personal expenses.
** Optional travel addenda: the following are options that could be integrated into our itinerary prior to or following our three week stay in Oman:
Abu Dhabi/Dubai / Scenario B (Optional 4 day visit / possible design charrette with the Urban Planning Council in Abu Dhabi):
Rdtp. Muscat - Dubai (air ticket): $ 140
Room and Board at $150/day X 4 days = $ 600
Ground transportation $ 100
Total Additional Costs: $840 + personal expenses
London / Scenario C (Optional four day visit):
Stop-over in London (air ticket): $ +400
Room and Board in London at $150/day X 4 days = $ 600
Ground transportation London $ 200
Total Additional Costs: $1200 + personal expenses
University of Arizona / College of Architecture & Landscape Architecture For more information please contact: Dr. Mark Frederickson @ 621-3948 / [email protected]