VA Group and OMRAN Group Hosted Panel on Vibrant Communities at Urban October

Speakers explored innovative approaches to placemaking

MUSCAT, 8 October 2026 – VA Group international real estate developer and OMRAN Group held a joint panel session at the Urban October Conference and Exhibition at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat. Speakers discussed how integrated planning can create complete, connected neighborhoods where residents have access to vibrant public spaces, mobility, jobs, education, healthcare, recreation and essential services within walkable communities. The discussion featured Al Yazan, VA Group’s landmark waterfront development in Muttrah.

Roman Kapinos, Managing Partner of VA Group, focused on how investor priorities and buyer expectations have evolved over the past years: "Twenty years ago, investors paid for location. Ten years ago, they paid for amenities. Today, they pay for ecosystems. The logic of capital allocation has fundamentally changed. Investors are no longer backing standalone buildings — they are backing integrated environments."

Bringing the discussion from investment vision to delivery, Mohamed Saif Al Shaqsi, Executive Director for the GCC Region at VA Group Oman, emphasized the role of construction quality in residents’ well-being. He noted that a masterplan’s promise of liveability depends on how consistently its intent is carried through on site, including through material choices, construction standards and measures that protect residents’ comfort and health.

Dmitry Ivanoff, Head of Architecture and Urban Planning at VA Group, addressed the psychology of space and how design decisions determine whether a place becomes a true community: "People don't feel at home because they own property. They feel at home because the environment tells them they belong. That requires intentional design — and it is at the core of our development approach."

About Urban October Conference and Exhibition

Urban October Conference and Exhibition is Oman’s premier platform for shaping future cities. Urban October brings together a global community of industry leaders, policymakers, developers and researchers to explore how advanced urban planning and investment can prioritize well-being and improve quality of life. The 2026 edition brought together around 200 exhibitors, more than 100 distinguished speakers from 50 nations. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning of Oman and aligns with the United Nations World Habitat Day.

About VA Group

VA Group is an international real estate developer specialising in world-class business and premium real estate projects. Leveraging global capital and expertise, VA Group serves the rapidly growing markets of emerging regions through its Signature Life Development approach — creating complete environments that combine world-class standards with deep respect for local identity, culture, and heritage. The company's projects span luxury residential, mixed-use, and waterfront developments, with a focus on long-term value creation for residents, investors, and communities.