This dissertation examines the consequences of urbanisation triggered by rapid economic and demographic growth in Oman since 1970 on spatial diversity. By tracing geographic, climatic, ecological, historic, socio-cultural, political and economic aspects the dissertation positions Oman at a crucial turning point where spatial resources are limited, not evenly accessible and not symmetrically mobilised by processes of urban growth, extension and concentration. The dissertation links spatial diversity to resilient land use and sustainable urban development in light of ongoing demographic growth and depleting resources. The hypothesis of this dissertation postulates that a differentiated spatial, temporal and structural understanding of spatial diversity in the form of land use maps, spatial diversity indices and urbanisation models can lead to a more resilient and sustainable form of urbanisation in Oman. The methods used are desk studies, field documentation, remote sensing with historic satellite images, geo-information systems mapping and parametric urban modelling. The dissertation reviews current urbanisation models in Oman in relation to urban metabolism, urban sustainability and spatial diversity. It then maps land use transformation processes across Oman at the national level, as well as focussing on four regions and 18 local samples. The dissertation postulates ‘space species’ that can be discerned through remote sensing and establishes a spatial diversity index for these local samples. The findings suggest that a balanced spatial diversity for both agricultural and urban land uses is the optimal land use configuration for a resilient and sustainable spatial development in Oman. These insights result in four urban design strategies in response to the specific regional conditions. The urban design strategies – spatially diverse and resource efficient – are translated into parametric models. These parametric urban models allow to develop urban design scenarios and visualise urban form in 3D models. The dissertation closes with a discussion of spatial diversity as a measure of sustainable and resilient development in Oman.

This dissertation examines the consequences of urbanisation triggered by rapid economic and demographic growth in Oman since 1970 on spatial diversity. By tracing geographic, climatic, ecological, historic, socio-cultural, political and economic aspects the dissertation positions Oman at a crucial t...