tomorrow’s
world
design analysis
Oman Oasis
The Oman Botanic Garden will become arguably
the most ecologically important oasis on the
Arabian Peninsula, and is expected to be a huge
attraction for tourists and the conservation
community. While temperatures outside will
reach 45ºC, inside native plants will flourish in
microclimates replicating Oman’s most
mountainous and dry regions. The 425-hectare
site near Muscat will be a conservational living
Built elements of the Oman Botanical Reserve design
library of unique flora. Atkins developed the include a visitor orientation area, research centre, several
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masterplan, taking a multidisciplinary approach,
large conservatories and an Oasis Village Hotel.
with teams from landscape architecture, ecology,
and heritage all working hand in hand.
Unique flora: Oman has over 1,200 species of plants, of which 76 are unique to the sultanate. in
the past, plants, notably frankincense, have played a major role in the country’s economy. dr Robert
Whitcombe, of atkins’ ecological team, has unique experience of the habitats of Oman and found a
new species while working in dhofar, named Aloe whitcombei.
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