Smart city development is often led by new technologies, but technology alone does not guarantee meaningful urban change. This study examines Muscat, Oman's readiness to become a smart city, using a two-layer framework to assess smart city transitions in planning-led urban contexts. Guided by a readiness-based approach and informed by the Theory of Change, the study examines public awareness, cultural alignment, familiarity with smart technologies, everyday urban conditions, and perceptions of governance and institutional preparedness. Data were collected through a survey of 400 residents in Muscat and analysed using descriptive methods. The findings show that readiness for smart city development in Muscat is uneven. Strong cultural support and a generally high quality of life provide a positive starting point, and residents clearly value integrating local identity into smart city initiatives. However, technological readiness remains moderate, especially for less visible infrastructure systems, and governance and institutional capacity emerge as the main challenges. While many residents are familiar with the idea of smart cities, far fewer are aware of local initiatives, pointing to a gap between planning ambitions and lived experience. The study suggests that Muscat’s smart city transition should focus less on introducing new technologies and more on strengthening governance, coordination, and community engagement, in line with long-term sustainability and urban planning goals under Oman Vision 2040. Beyond the case of Muscat, the proposed readiness-based framework offers a transferable approach for cities seeking to align technological innovation with governance capacity, cultural context, and community engagement in smart city development.