As part of its commitment to creating one of the world’s most liveable, competitive and vibrant cities, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced the launch of the ‘Plan Capital Survey’ under the theme ‘Shaping Tomorrow Together’.

According to a statement from DMT, the special initiative is designed to gather valuable insights and ideas that are representative of every segment of Abu Dhabi’s society, including citizens, residents, and businesses, amongst others, to shape the capital’s future.

The department is inviting the public to contribute to the capital city’s evolution by providing insights into various aspects of urban life, from local area and destination enhancements to future developments. The survey, which requires just four minutes to complete, is accessible to all segments of society, irrespective of education, profession, or background, the DMT stated.

“In the heart of every great city lies the collective dreams and aspirations of its people. The Plan Capital Survey embodies our commitment to nurturing these visions, shaping a future Abu Dhabi that reflects the hopes, needs, and ingenuity of every individual and organisation within our vibrant community,” said Hamad Al Mutawa, Executive Director of Planning and Infrastructure Sector at the DMT.

Running until 31 May, 2024, the survey offers ample opportunity for individuals to contribute their perspectives. Participants are encouraged to share what makes Abu Dhabi special, areas for improvement, and their aspirations for the capital city’s future. The newly-launched survey is guided by the principles of long-term sustainability, resilience, and community engagement, thereby ensuring progressive prosperity for generations to come, DMT noted.

Al Mutawa concluded, “Through this collective endeavour, we strive to shape a future that not only meets the needs and aspirations of every segment within our society but also sets new standards of excellence on the global stage. The survey reflects our commitment to creating a capital that is truly for the people, by the people, and for Abu Dhabi.”

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Bahrain Marina Development Company has announced that steady progress is being made on its Bahrain Marina project, which is being developed at a total investment of US $527mn in Manama. Nearly 18% of the construction work is already completed.

Designed to be a premier destination, it will feature an array of retail stores from leading brands, along with high-end restaurants, and a variety of marina-side cafes. Additionally, the project encompasses a commercial complex, a yacht parking facility, and an expansive, 3,200sqm marine club.

During a project update, the developer said the marina was not only advancing steadily towards its development objectives but also surpassing anticipated levels of progress. The completion rate of construction work had already exceeded the initial target of 17% set for the same period.

This significant progress is paralleled by another notable achievement – completing one million working hours without any accidents.

The milestone, of course, underscores the team’s commitment to safety and professionalism, critical factors in maintaining a secure and stable working environment, the developer added.

Khalid Najibi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bahrain Marina Development stated: “Our project is not just about constructing buildings; it’s about crafting a world-class cultural landmark in Bahrain on schedule. The success we’re witnessing is a direct result of the meticulous strategic planning and relentless efforts of our teams who are dedicated to transforming our vision into a splendid reality that reflects the prestige of the Kingdom and aligns with its future aspirations.

“Our commitment to the highest safety standards is a fundamental pillar of our operations, ensuring a safe and environmentally friendly workspace for all,” he concluded.

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In response to traffic challenges in Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a survey for feedback from motorists.

The RTA said the comprehensive survey is aimed at private sector employees and seeks to gather insights into traffic movement patterns, specifically exploring the potential impact of flexible work hours and remote working arrangements.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the RTA said: “In its effort to manage traffic flow and address congestion, #RTA, in cooperation with other relevant entities in the Emirate of Dubai, is conducting a survey that takes about 10 minutes to complete, to understand the current situation in the private sector in relation to ‘flexible work hours’ and ‘remote working’.”

The survey can be taken at this link.

On the survey site the RTA clarified the following:

• Flexible work hours represent practices that provide flexibility in working hours and include the “flexible work start window“, which is the time window during which employees are allowed to start work  (for example, the flexible work  start window from 7 to 9 AM means that the employee can start work at any time between 7 and 9 AM and accordingly the departure time will depend on the time they start work and the required number of working hours.
• Remote work represents any form of work that does NOT require the employee to attend to the workplace (working from home or from any place other than the workplace).

The RTA also stated that participants in the study will be entered into a draw for various prizes, and remarked that the “collected data will be treated confidentially and will be utilized only for the purpose of the study”.

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Al Ain City Municipality has announced it has completed 47% of the work on Phase 1 of the extensive Infrastructure and Road Upgrade Project in the Al Amerah area. Project construction began in the third quarter of 2023, at a total budget of US $35.3mn.

The three-phase project – part of a comprehensive plan to develop roads and sustainable infrastructure in Al Ain’s residential neighborhoods – aims to provide the best services for the well-being and convenience of citizens and residents alike.

It is also the largest single upgrade to the district’s roads network in the modern history of Al Ain Municipality and is part of a larger, ongoing civic enterprise concerned with improving the region’s accessibility and access, said a report.

Al Ain City Municipality explained that the project works cover numerous ley operations, including: road reconstruction; the creation of ample parking lots; storm drainage network improvement; laying down new sidewalks and walkways; resurfacing; fresh lane demarcation; lighting network upgrade; and speed bump installation. Work is currently proceeding fully on schedule.

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Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) has awarded a contract to China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) for the construction of 20,000 residential units. These will be built for key community projects throughout the Kingdom.

According to NHC, this agreement is one of several with major international construction companies. It will entail building different facilities, including medical care establishments, schools, and retail stores. The concept throughout is to create vibrant regional hubs with a full range of lifestyle amenities for residents.

The agreement was signed by National Housing Company CEO Mohammad Albuty, in the presence of Majid bin Abdullah Al Hogail, Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs & Housing and Chairman of the Housing Program Committee, during his recent visit to Beijing, China.

The deal is part of NHC’s contribution to achieving the objectives of the Housing Program, envisaged in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The aim is to create a raft of partnerships with leading companies worldwide, in order to attract international investments in the highly-important real estate sector.

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The inaugural Critical Infrastructure Summit took place on 8 May at the Two Seasons Hotel in Dubai, and recorded over 120 professionals in attendance, the Big Project Middle East (BPME) team confirmed. The event was officially endorsed by The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The event focused on a variety of topics relating to regional airports, advanced aerial mobility (AAM), data centres, seaports, and urban mobility, and explored how cities and infrastructure can be engineered to become more resilient to extreme weather events.

Delegates and speakers included industry bodies, developers & operators, as well as construction and engineering stakeholders, the editorial team said.

The event was opened by Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East, following which the first session of the day took place. The ‘Data Centres – The Backbone of a Digital World’ panel discussion was moderated by Engi Jaber, CEO/Managing Director at Climatize, while panelists included Hassan Younes, Co – CEO & Founder at grfn, Lewis Wright, Project Director at PMKConsult, Qusay Abu-Abed, Regional Sales Manager, MENA & Data Center in-Charge at Danfoss Turkey Middle East and Africa, Suhail Arfath, CEO at Hloov, and Tinboat Arslanouk, Senior Director Partner Strategy and Growth at Khazna Data Centers.

The first presentation of the day saw Chandra Dake, Group CEO at Dake Group Limited give a presentation on harnessing the principles of sponge cities, to create urban landscapes that can not only withstand new climate realities but also thrive within them.

The second panel discussion ‘Resilient connections: Airports & Seaports in Focus’ was moderated by Katarina Uherova Hasbani, Partner and Global Director of Strategy and Advisory at AESG. Her panelists included: Dr. Rana El-Dabaa, Assistant Professor of Architecture at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Dr. Talia Sherrard, Regional Director Strategic Sales & Marketing, MEI at Fugro, Fabien Jean Pierre Loy, Associate Engineer at Buro Happold, Laith Haboubi, Vice President – Middle East Region at Vector Corrosion Middle East Services, and Rhona Hunter, Managing Director at Hunter Horizon Consulting.

That session was followed by the second presentation on the development of Dubai’s commercial AAM network. Daniel O’Neill, Regional Manager – Middle East at Skyports Infrastructure took delegates through milestones that have been achieved from an operational, regulatory and development perspective, and outlined what the next 18 months of effort would entail ahead of the network’s 2026 launch goal.

The third panel discussion ‘Developing state of the art urban mobility in the GCC’ was moderated by Samya Ghosh, Practice Director, Strategic Planning & Advisory at AECOM. His panelists included: Mohammad Shamlouli, Geographic Information Systems Manager at Insite, Nadeem Shakir, Regional Director – Transport & Mobility Planning at Zutari Engineering International PTY Limited – Dubai Branch, Shane Mitchell, Director, Advisory EMEA at Parsons, Steven Velegrinis, Design Director and Regional Head of Cities Practice at Gensler, and Stuart Watts, Senior Transportation Engineer at KEO International Consultants.

“Following months of planning for the Critical Infrastructure Summit, it was immensely satisfying to be on the ground, and hear the brilliant insights shared by all our speakers. I couldn’t be happier with the discussions and presentations that took place through the day, and it was great to see that we retained the majority of our audience right through to the end of the day. Infrastructure is a hugely important topic, and I look forward to covering works done on existing and new projects in the coming months. Thanks to our sponsors, valued speakers and delegates for making yesterday a success,” said Saundalkar.

The event was supported by:

Gold Sponsor: KEO International Consultants
Strategic Content Partner: ALEC
Silver Sponsor: AECOM

Read more about the Critical Infrastructure Summit by clicking here.

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NEOM has now unveiled the latest element in its ongoing raft of civic and hospitality developments – Jaumur. Billed as an upscale, cosmopolitan community on the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, it will be home to more than 6,000 residents.

Jaumur will feature 500 marina apartments and nearly 700 luxury villas, all with waterfront access and private mooring. There will also be two distinctive destination hotels offering 350 rooms and suites.

Located at the heart of Jaumur, the marina serves as the focal point of the development. A 1.5km-long aerofoil will rise above the largest of the yacht berths, providing year-round protection for yacht owners, while the landscaped surroundings aim to provide a peaceful haven for the marina’s residents and guests, the statement noted.

The marina also has sufficient depth to welcome the world’s largest superyachts and there is a host of facilities for committed yachting enthusiasts. The marina promenade will also feature entertainment, leisure and cultural events, complemented by signature retail stores and dining options.

The development will also feature a deep-sea research centre dedicated to deep-sea exploration, with established in-house experts and ambitious pioneers set to champion marine discovery, knowledge and conservation.

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Turner & Townsend, a leading global professional services company in the construction industry, has released its 2024 UAE market intelligence report, based on a survey of construction professionals, that shows the industry must adopt strategic initiatives, including integrating cutting-edge technologies and embedding sustainability practices, across the supply chain to counteract labour shortages and shrinking contractor pools. These factors will support growth and innovation in the sector, according to the company’s survey.

Digital transformation is set to play a pivotal role in the industry’s advancement in the region, with 97% of survey respondents integrating digital tools into their projects, albeit some at a moderate level. This trend is set to continue with technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM), now a standard practice in projects demanding high precision and efficiency.

Sustainability also remains a key focus, with 75% of industry professionals reporting that their companies have outlined strategies to achieve Net Zero emissions. The strategic adaptation of procurement methods highlighted in the survey, where 44% of respondents experienced single-stage procurement routes, reflects the industry’s responsiveness to market dynamics.

Drawing insights from across the UAE construction industry, the report also highlights the resilient nature of the UAE market, which continues to thrive and attract investment, despite challenges including ongoing supply chain constraints.

The report further predicts growth for the UAE construction market, emphasising sustainability and innovation-led projects. Public-private partnerships are highlighted as crucial, particularly in significant infrastructural developments and housing projects that align with the government’s vision for economic diversification and sustainable urban development.

Commenting on the report, Adam Ralph, Country Manager – Dubai, UAE, Turner & Townsend, said: “With the UAE positioned as a top emerging market with its economic plan to attract investors, there’s optimism for increased market activity. Despite facing challenges like labour shortages, shrinking contractor pools, and ongoing supply chain constraints, the industry remains resilient and is on a trajectory of growth and innovation.

“In-country construction is rebounding strongly, with a promising pipeline of projects and public-private partnerships addressing affordable housing needs.

“Yet, while some of our survey respondents expressed optimism, others showed caution, highlighting the importance of adaptive strategies. Strategic adaptation, sustainability and digital transformation will be vital for ensuring long-term success and resilience in this dynamic market.”

The report is available here: https://marketintelligence.turnerandtownsend.com/uae-mi-2024/

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