Contracts representing investments worth US $3.54bn and covering a total area of more than 2.7m sqm have been awarded for 6-development sites by The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.

The contracts were awarded under the Developed Districts Program. The initiative is said to be part of the commission’s efforts to enhance the urban environment, support economic growth, improve quality of life, and advance sustainable development in the Holy City. The commission stated that the awarded sites are located in the neighbourhoods of Jurhum South, Al-Khalidiyah, Al-Hajlah, Al-Hindawiyah East, Al-Hindawiyah South, and Al-Hindawiyah West.

According to a report, the projects will be implemented through partnerships with real estate development and investment companies, as well as investment funds, reflecting the integration of regulatory and development efforts to deliver urban projects with sustainable economic and developmental impact.

The commission explained that the projects aims to redevelop priority areas by improving land-use efficiency, upgrading infrastructure and public services, addressing urban challenges, and enhancing Makkah’s investment and development attractiveness.

A report by Zawya Projects said that the consortium led by Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction has received 2-letters of award from the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites to develop 2-sites (Hindawiya West and South) adjacent to Masar Destination in Makkah.

The project is estimated to cost around $1.6bn, the developer said in a statement to the Saudi stock exchange. The project has a combined area of 1.15m sqm and will be carried out by establishing a real estate investment fund managed by a financial institution licensed by the Capital Market Authority. The consortium comprises Umm Al Qura, Makkah Construction and Development Company, and Al Rajhi United Real Estate Company.

Source: ME Construction News

AESG has inaugurated its new 25,000sqft headquarters in Dubai. The new headquarters consolidates AESG’s Dubai-based teams into a purpose-designed multidisciplinary high-performance environment, the consultancy said.

According to a statement from the firm, the move marks a significant milestone in its evolution and its commitment to the emirate as a centre for business, innovation, and technical excellence. The company now has a global footprint with offices in London, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Cape Town, Cairo and across several Middle East markets.

The new headquarters was launched following a period of sustained growth: the firm’s project pipeline has increased by over 60% in 2-years, with headcount doubling to over 500 consultants since the start of 2023, the company explained.

That expansion reflects rising client demand for integrated delivery across some of the region’s most technically demanding sectors, including data centres, giga-projects, hospitality, mixed-use developments, and large-scale infrastructure, it added.

Over the same period, AESG has significantly broadened both the scale and complexity of projects it is engaged on, as well as the technical disciplines it brings to bear on them. Increasingly, the firm is being appointed not to deliver a single service line, but to provide end-to-end technical integration across the full lifecycle of major developments, from early-stage feasibility through to detailed engineering and cost management.

“The built environment across the region is undergoing a fundamental shift in how complexity is managed and delivered. Clients are no longer procuring skillsets in isolation — they are seeking fully integrated teams that can bring engineering, sustainability and cost optimisation together from the very outset of a project. Our growth over recent years is a direct reflection of that demand, and this headquarters is our response to it. It also reflects our continued confidence in Dubai as a global hub for business and innovation. The emirate’s infrastructure, talent pool, and long-term ambition make it the right place to build from — and we remain firmly committed to it,” explained Saeed Al Abbar, CEO of AESG.

A defining feature of the new headquarters is a dedicated Data Hall — an in-house, high-performance digital engineering environment supporting AI-enabled workflows, computational fluid dynamics, digital twin modelling, high-performance BIM coordination, and real-time simulation. The facility provides a secure, scalable platform for AESG’s proprietary AI and digital engineering tools, and is designed to support the increasingly data-intensive demands of the projects the firm is delivering across the region and internationally, it added.

Scott Coombes, Co-Founder and Managing Partner concluded, “When AESG was founded in Dubai, the ambition was always to build something that could set benchmarks at an international level, while remaining deeply rooted in this market. Looking at where we are today — the breadth of our technical capabilities, the complexity of the projects we are delivering, and the reach of our global offices — that ambition is very much being realised. Investing in our own Data Hall, within our own headquarters, is consistent with that approach. It gives us a secured, scalable platform to develop proprietary AI and digital engineering tools in-house, which translates directly into better, faster, and more reliable outcomes for our clients. Dubai continues to be the right place to make that kind of long-term investment.”

Source: ME Construction News

Majid Al Futtaim has signed an agreement with Dubai South to develop a landmark mixed-use community at an investment of US $16.8bn.

Spanning 22m sqft, the new master-planned development will feature a diverse mix of residential, retail, and lifestyle offerings, designed to serve the growing population within Dubai South and the surrounding areas, said a statement.

The project will be anchored by a large shopping mall, set to become a key retail, entertainment, and lifestyle destination for residents and visitors alike.

Strategically located near Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the world’s largest airport upon completion, the development will benefit from seamless connectivity to key highways and major transport corridors, within close proximity to Dubai’s major economic and logistics hubs, it added.

The agreement was signed at Dubai South HQ by Nabil Alkindi, Group CEO of Dubai South, and Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding in the presence of Khalifa Alzaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, and Fadel Abdulbaqi Al Ali, Chairman of Majid Al Futtaim Holding.

On the key project, Alkindi said, “Dubai continues to demonstrate the resilience and strength of its economy through strategic developments that reinforce its position as a global destination for investment, business, and quality living.”

“This partnership with Majid Al Futtaim marks an important milestone in the continued growth of Dubai South, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and our wise leadership’s long-term vision to develop integrated, future-ready communities that support sustainable economic and urban expansion,” he stated.

Ismail said the agreement underscores Majid Al Futtaim’s long-term confidence in Dubai’s growth and its commitment to creating destinations that deliver lasting economic value.

“Dubai South is emerging as the next major chapter in the city’s development, and we are proud to shape our next mixed-use community in such a vibrant and strategically important location. Dubai continues to set a global benchmark for resilience and ambition, and our collaboration with Dubai South is a strategic investment in the emirate’s future, helping to build its next economic hub through an integrated destination that brings together retail, entertainment, hospitality, and residential experiences within one of Dubai’s fastest-growing urban hubs,” he concluded.

Source: ME Construction News

Aramex has announced a partnership with Netzero, a Saudi-developed smart afforestation platform, to plant trees across the Riyadh and Jeddah Industrial Cities.

The smart tree sustainability initiative is a key step in Aramex’s ESG efforts, reinforcing its national and global environmental responsibilities, while directly contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.

The initiative will see Neem and Poinciana trees planted in targeted urban and industrial zones selected for their resilience under desert conditions. Both species are well-suited to high-temperature, low-rainfall environments and have been chosen for their capacity to enhance soil quality, provide shade and improve air quality in areas with dense operational activity, the firm said.

Founded in 2019 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Netzero has built its afforestation platform around Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies that digitise the full lifecycle of a tree, from planting and maintenance to carbon-sequestration estimation. Its Nabatik system creates a smart tree database that gives corporate partners continuous, auditable records of their afforestation activities, it added.

The partnership also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s national environmental agenda. The Saudi Green Initiative has set a target of planting ten billion trees across the Kingdom, with corporate initiatives forming a key pillar of that effort.

Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Nowaiser, General Manager of Aramex in KSA said, “Sustainability is not a peripheral commitment at Aramex – it sits at the centre of how we operate across every market we serve. In Saudi Arabia, we have a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the country’s environmental ambitions, and this partnership with Netzero allows us to do exactly that. What makes this initiative stand apart is the rigour behind it: every tree is digitally tracked and independently verified, giving our customers, partners and regulators transparent, real-time evidence of the impact we are delivering. We are proud to be planting a green space in the industrial communities where we work every day.”

Dr Mohammed Alshaikh, Co-Founder of Netzero concluded, “At Netzero, we believe that true sustainability is not achieved simply by planting trees, but by building a deeper connection between people and nature, and transforming environmental impact into tangible value that communities can truly experience. Through technology and innovation, we work to turn every tree into a measurable impact that supports sustainability goals, empowers communities, and contributes to building a more balanced and sustainable future for generations to come.”

Source: ME Construction News

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has completed preparations for the road and infrastructure network in Makkah and the holy sites for Hajj. This includes implementing over 11m linear meters of roads.

The ministry achieved this through a comprehensive package of development works and field interventions. These efforts aimed to enhance traffic flow and improve mobility efficiency in densely populated areas. In addition to road construction, the ministry also worked on the maintenance and development of approximately 74m sqm of road surfaces.

To further strengthen the traffic network and support mobility efficiency in Makkah and the holy sites during the Hajj season, the ministry also asphalted over 1.2m sqm.

The plan also included enhancing the readiness of 123 bridges and 44 pedestrian and vehicle tunnels. Additionally, infrastructure improvement works were carried out along traffic routes. These efforts contributed to improved road safety and more efficient movement in crucial areas and around the holy sites.

The ministry emphasised that these efforts are part of an integrated operational system. This system aims to enhance the efficiency of municipal infrastructure, improve traffic flow, and reduce congestion points in areas with high crowd density during the Hajj season.

Source: ME Construction News

Dubai Holding Asset Management (DHAM) has broken ground on Lantana Hills, a new premium gated residential community in Dubai Science Park, Al Barsha South.

DHAM has appointed Group AMANA as the main contractor under a US $185.16mn agreement.

The milestone represents a key step in DHAM’s continued expansion of its managed residential leasing portfolio across the emirate, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, future-ready communities, said a statement.

Comprising 390 private townhouses within an amenity-rich environment, Lantana Hills will offer 3- and 4-bedroom family homes thoughtfully designed around the rhythms of modern lifestyle. The development will feature landscaped open spaces, community focused amenities, and seamless connectivity to nearby schools, healthcare facilities, and retail destinations. Handover is scheduled for the second half of 2027.

Group AMANA will deploy DuBox and DuPod’s modular technologies to deliver the community. By leveraging the latest off-site construction methods, the project will accelerate delivery timelines, reduce material waste by up to 30%, and improve on-site safety by more than 70% compared to traditional construction methods, with approximately 85% of the construction completed off-site.

Manufactured within a controlled factory environment, a record 2,730 modular units by DuBox and 2,020 bathroom pods by DuPod will ensure exceptional standards of quality, precision, and consistency. Driven by a strong commitment to sustainability, the project sets a new benchmark for smarter, faster, and more responsible community development.

Lantana Hills will offer strong city-wide connectivity, with Dubai Hills Mall within 10 minutes, Mall of the Emirates within 15 minutes, Dubai Mall approximately 20 minutes, and Al Maktoum International Airport approximately 25 minutes away.

Dubai Holding Asset Management is the majority strategic unit-holder in Dubai Residential REIT, the owner and operator of Dubai Retail which oversees 56  malls and lifestyle destinations, and the majority strategic shareholder of TECOM Group.

Source: ME Construction News

Emirates has announced a new US $5.1bn engineering complex at Dubai South. The facility is expected to become the world’s most modern and advanced maintenance, repairs and overhaul (MRO) facility. It will cement Emirates and Dubai’s leadership in global aviation capability and infrastructure.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group, Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South and Dai Hegen, Chairman, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited.

The new engineering facility is being delivered by China Railway Construction Corporation with Artelia being appointed as the project consultants.

“The groundbreaking for the $5.1bn engineering facility is a strategic step forward in Dubai’s future-focused aviation ambitions. The new facility strengthens Emirates Engineering’s vertical integration strategy by bringing more skills, infrastructure, parts production, and specialist capabilities under one roof, while positioning the airline to serve as a strategic engineering partner for the future requirements of the regional and global aviation industry. This latest investment also aligns directly with Dubai Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global economic hub and centre of aviation excellence, and lays the foundations for the next chapter of growth for Dubai, the UAE and the wider MRO industry,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group.

HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South added, “At Dubai South, our mandate is aligned with the vision of our wise leadership to further strengthen Dubai’s position as the aviation capital of the world through the development of an integrated ecosystem that supports the future needs of the global aviation sector. The groundbreaking of this world-class facility marks another milestone in advancing the aviation infrastructure surrounding Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the largest once completed. This project will play a key role in enhancing Dubai’s capabilities to cater to the growing demand for advanced aviation services and maintenance solutions, while reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global benchmark for aviation excellence, innovation, and long-term industry growth.”

Dai Hegen, Chairman of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited commented, “As an important milestone reflecting the good-neighbourly friendship and practical cooperation between China and the UAE, this project fully aligns with the consensus reached by the two heads of state and Dubai’s economic development vision, and demonstrates Emirates’ high recognition of CRCC’s comprehensive strength and brand reputation. As the main contractor, we will uphold our core values, mobilise premium resources and assemble a professional team to deliver high-standard construction, efficient progress and quality results, striving to build a model project for China-UAE cooperation and contribute our full strength to deepening bilateral economic and trade ties and building a China-UAE community with a shared future.”

The facility will span 1.1m sqm which is said to make it one of the largest buildings in the world by volume and the largest steel structure in the GCC. The facility will also feature the world’s only hangar complex with the ability to simultaneously service 28 wide-body aircraft and 2-painting hangars. Other notable features of the mega-facility include:

• The largest free-span hangar in the world at a width of 285m
• The largest dedicated landing gear workshop in the world
• 77,000sqm of dedicated workshop space for repairs and maintenance
• 380,000sqm of storage and logistics capacity
• 2 state of the art paint hangars to service Emirates’ fleet of wide-body aircraft with extended capacity to also handle narrow body aircraft.

The technical facilities will be supported by a new dedicated administrative building for Emirates Engineering providing 50,000sqm of office space and 15,000sqm of training facilities, as well as a gateway facility that will control airside access. Emirates’ new engineering complex is also expected to set new benchmarks for sustainability, with all project facilities targeting a LEED Platinum rating and with solar panels installed on the roofs across the complex among other initiatives, the statement outlined.

Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by middle of 2030 and the hangar complex will initially start servicing aircraft requiring heavy maintenance and spillover projects from the Emirates Engineering Centre at Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Source: ME Construction News

A new 215,000sqft multi-user 3PL Logistics Hub at Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) has been inaugurated by Gallega Global Logistics. The move expands regional logistics capacity and enables faster, more reliable distribution across the UAE and wider GCC.

According to the firm, the facility will support advanced fulfilment through ultra-large, multi-user warehousing facilities equipped with integrated management systems, flexible storage solutions and technology-enabled logistics services. It is expected to create 200+ jobs and enhance access to regional and international markets through JAFZA’s multimodal trade ecosystem.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ghassan Aboud, Chairman of Ghassan Aboud Holding and Abdulla Al Hashmi, Global COO – Parks and Economic Zones, DP World, alongside a group of business leaders, senior executives, and experts from the automotive, logistics, and global banking sectors.

“The opening of Gallega’s multi-user logistics hub at Jafza marks an important milestone in our partnership with DP World and reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening supply chains across the region. Through advanced infrastructure and technology-enabled operations, we continue to build scalable solutions that improve efficiency, reliability, and customer service for our partners and customers,” commented Aboud.

The launch is said to form part of a strategic partnership between Ghassan Aboud Holding and DP World GCC to deliver flexible, technology-enabled logistics solutions that support growing regional demand for integrated supply chain services.

Abdulla Al Hashmi, Global COO, Parks & Economic Zones, DP World added, “At a time when supply chains are being tested by geopolitical volatility, customers need greater flexibility, faster response times and dependable market access. Investments like this strengthen the broader logistics ecosystem around JAFZA, helping businesses manage disruption and maintain continuity as trade flows evolve. For us, this is part of building long-term supply chain resilience and we are proud to welcome Gallega to JAFZA as we deepen the trusted relationships that help businesses navigate uncertainty and grow with confidence.”

The hub is expected to improve delivery speeds, strengthen service levels and enhance supply chain resilience for both regional and international operations.

Sara Rachid, CEO of Gallega Global Logistics concluded, “This centre represents a new strategic step in Gallega’s journey toward expanding its logistics footprint through a freezone-based, open storage and multi-user facility. It supports our growth ambitions both within the UAE and across international markets. Through modern infrastructure and technology-enabled operations, we continue to strengthen our operational capabilities to deliver faster, more efficient, and more flexible services to customers across markets.”

Source: ME Construction News

The completion of advanced maintenance and comprehensive rehabilitation works on Dubai Metro’s tunnel infrastructure has been announced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The maintenance works are said to align with the RTA’s vision for sustainable operational excellence, delivered through an integrated preventive and corrective maintenance framework built on advanced technologies and innovative engineering solutions. The framework enhances the efficiency of Dubai Metro’s tunnel infrastructure, extends its operational life, and maintains the highest levels of readiness and safety.

According to a statement, the works form part of the RTA’s ongoing efforts to enhance operational safety, ensure service continuity with high efficiency and reliability, and preserve vital assets in line with the highest international standards and recognised best practices in the rail sector.

The advanced tunnel maintenance and management programmes cover periodic inspections, specialised cleaning, resolution of technical observations, rectification of operational defects, replacement and upgrade works for assets that have reached the end of their service life, and continuous improvement projects aimed at sustaining optimal system performance over the long term.

Over the past year, the RTA said it carried out 51 specialised tunnel inspections under precise operational plans. These inspections led to the identification and resolution of 873 corrective maintenance tasks to high efficiency standards.

Key performance indicators recorded outstanding results, with the RTA achieving 100% of its preventive maintenance targets and 100% of its corrective maintenance targets. This reflects the RTA’s corporate commitment to safety, asset sustainability and operational service quality, the RTA outlined.

As part of its efforts to maintain a safe and sustainable operating environment, enhance asset efficiency and extend asset operational life, the RTA said it continues to carry out periodic and comprehensive tunnel cleaning works. These works involve advanced cleaning methods that combine manual cleaning with high-pressure washing technologies, ensuring the effective removal of dust, debris and surface build-up that may affect operational safety or system efficiency.

All maintenance, rehabilitation and inspection works are carried out in accordance with recognised international standards and global best practices in the rail sector. These works also focus on developing technical capabilities and strengthening continuous training and qualification programmes for specialised teams, ensuring alignment with the latest technologies and international standards while supporting the readiness and capability of teams to uphold the leadership of Dubai’s mass transit system, the RTA concluded.

Source: ME Construction News

As part of its focus on strengthening its presence across key markets, whilst maintaining an integrated international platform, HKA has announced changes within its EMEA Construction Claims and Expert Services (CCE) Partner team.

According to a statement from the firm, Nicola Caley, Partner at HKA, will be relocating to London, and will continue to play a role on major claims assignments across EMEA. The firm said her return further strengthens HKA’s regional presence and ensures continuity across key commissions. HKA notes that Caley is already well known to colleagues and clients from her previous time in the UK.

The firm also confirmed that Tom Kapapa, Partner at HKA will relocate from Doha to Abu Dhabi, where he will play a major role in expanding HKA’s expert offering in the UAE. HKA explained that he will continue to support existing projects and client relationships in Qatar, while his presence in Abu Dhabi enhances the firm’s ability to respond to growing demand in one of the region’s most important construction markets, working closely with colleagues across the Middle East.

HKA confirmed that the updates are part of its broader strategy to align leadership with priority geographies and client demand across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“These developments collectively place HKA in a strong position to sustain its momentum throughout the year, strengthen client relationships, and help deliver complex, high-value projects across the region. I look forward to supporting Nicola and Tom in their new geographical roles and to their ongoing contributions to the firm’s success,” explained Haroon Niazi, Partner, Construction, Claims and Services Lead, EMEA, International at HKA.

Source: ME Construction News