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PMKConsult has enhanced its ownership structure by making two senior team members partners. The regional project and commercial management consultancy firm said that Jon Whyte and John Vint already have senior leadership roles within its commercial and cost management business stream.
“The addition of Jon Whyte and John Vint as partners reiterates our commitment as a company to elevating our team and growing from within. This partnership demonstrates that commitment. Our recent company annual event had many leadership announcements and several of the team have had their growth trajectory mapped within the business. There is a lot of excitement and positive momentum in our offices around the region,” stated Kevin Woolley, CEO of PMKConsult.
Whyte has been a team member of PMKConsult for the past several years and leads the commercial management discipline for the consultancy. His vast portfolio of commercial management clients ranges from multi-platform real estate projects to hospitality, leisure, residential in addition to many other sectors, the firm said.
In late May 2021, PMKConsult acquired value management and cost consultancy firm ACS.
Whyte’s notable assignments include the completion of a high-end residential neighbourhood in Abu Dhabi, the QE2 upper deck, and a commercial real estate project delivering over 50,000sqm of floor area. He has also delivered commercial management services for major infrastructure projects in the UAE and the UK, it added.
Speaking about Vint, the statement notes that he joined PMKConsult through the acquisition of his previous entity, ACS Cost Consulting. Since the acquisition, Vint has grown the commercial management business stream for PMKConsult and guides a 20-member team along with Whyte.
Key wins for the business include commercial new-build and fitting-out, healthcare, hospitality, engineering, and airport related schemes. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a qualified Expert Witness, who has recently contributed his expertise on cases that have all ruled in favour of his clients. He is actively growing this service within the business and has been throughout his career involved in many high-profile arbitration cases, the statement added.
In mid October 2022, the firm appointed Jesyka White as Director of Operations for the UAE.
Keenan Grote, Chief Operating Officer of PMKConsult stated, “Both Jon Whyte and John Vint have played an integral role in elevating PMKConsult’s business in particular the commercial management practice. Jon Whyte is taking leadership of the cost management delivery stream ensuring that our distinct and elevated client services are maintained throughout the business across regions, while John Vint is building the specialist services offering within the commercial management practice area. On the whole, the business stream has grown considerably under their guidance. This move strengthens the foundation of our organization and I believe that the team and our collaborators and clients will benefit.”
The firm’s commercial management business has recently grown to include assignments in KSA and the UK, with the addition of considerable key remits ongoing within the UAE including hospitality, residential, offices, medical, infrastructure and retail, the statement concluded.
In late January 2023, the firm appointed a new Human Resources Director.
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French water sector major, Saur Group, has announced the opening of its new international headquarters in Dubai, in a move that is said to symbolise the company’s ambitions for international expansion and to make its expertise available to facilitate the water transition for all Middle Eastern countries.
In a statement, the group said that the new office was opened in the presence of His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA. Also in attendance was Patrick Blethon, the Executive Chairman of Saur Group.
The UAE faces some very demanding challenges in terms of water resources, and currently relies on desalination plants to supply 42% of its drinking water, the statement highlighted. As such, the country launched its comprehensive ‘UAE Water Security Strategy 2036’ program in 2017 to ensure universal access to safe drinking water by effectively addressing not only long-term supply and accessibility issues, but also the water security challenges of the years ahead, it continued.
Therefore, as a leading water infrastructure investor, operator and technology provider, Saur has fully committed to the policy adopted by the UAE to guarantee, conserve, and protect access to sufficient supplies of high-quality water resources, the statement pointed out.
In early February 2023, DEWA said it had spent $871mn on new projects in 2022.
Al Tayer stated, “I am pleased to be here today to attend the opening ceremony of Saur new International Headquarters, in Dubai. We welcome this move from Saur. With its innovative ideas, world-class infra-structure and business-friendly policies, Dubai has built a strong reputation to be the ideal global hub for businesses and a profitable base for regional and international operations. The remarkable inflow of investments and relocation of businesses to Dubai observed in recent years, is a testament to the robust commercial appeal of Dubai.”
The group is said to have amassed a recognised body of expertise in many regions subject to significant levels of water stress, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, USA, and Singapore. Across a broad diversity of international projects, it has implemented cutting-edge water treatment and renewable energy production technologies, underlining its expertise in the management of facilities that combine high performance with powerful innovation.
Saur is also convinced that the development and use of data are essential for effective water resource conservation. Unlike water, data is an inexhaustible resource whose analysis enables remote unmanned smart management of infrastructure facilities, in addition to physical maintenance and repair. The group said it is now also rolling out new AI based integrated digital platform and partnering with the most advanced technology providers to take maximum advantage of all data-driven opportunities.
The group is the first water company to have transformed its performance model to combine financial profitability with ambitious environmental commitments. It has also given its commitment to reduce the amount of water abstracted from the natural environment by 5% over 10 years and cut its greenhouse gas emissions by a factor of six. Supported by a strong private equity fund, EQT (US $100bn of assets under management), the Saur group has robust assets to answer the region’s needs, the statement continued.
In early February 2023, SEWA said it had made major progress on Khorfakkan infrastructure projects.
Patrick Blethon, Executive Chairman of Saur Group remarked, “Our opening of a new office in the United Arab Emirates is a clear demonstration of the group’s ambition to continue its international expansion in key markets. The combination of our innovation capabilities and expertise in countries suffering high levels of water stress makes Saur the preferred partner for succeeding in the specific challenges faced by the countries of the Middle East and supporting them to achieve their own water transition.”
Nader Antar, President of Saur International concluded, “It’s a great honour to officially open our new office in Dubai today, a major hub for Saur. The in-country presence of Saur International, alongside our regional HQ in Riyadh, will allow the Group to work much more closely with its customers throughout the region, and provide them with the highest level of support for sustainable, long-term water resource management.”
In mid February 2023, DEWA and ENOC signed a MoU to develop and operate a hydrogen-based mobility pilot project.
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Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) has launched Al Fursan, the company’s largest, new residential suburb in the northeast of Riyadh, and confirmed the launch of the second phase of its Khuzam Suburb.
The launch represents the largest real estate supply in the capital city, with Al Fursan spanning an area of over 35m sqm alone. This will include more than 50,000 residential units of various types, as well as more than 190 vital facilities and commercial centres. These will all be surrounded by six million square metres of green space, the company added.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh region, unveiled the project at a ceremony attended by a number of dignitaries, including the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al Hogail, as well as other senior government officials.
Speaking at the launch, Prince Faisal highlighted the support provided to the housing sector by the Kingdom’s leadership, and also praised the Ministry of Housing and NHC for its work in helping provide decent living standards to Saudi citizens.
In early March 2022, the NHC launched a new residential project in Makkah for citizens and, in early October 2022, DGDA and NHC said they would collaborate on mutual areas that serve the housing sector.
Mohammed bin Salih Al Batti, NHC Chief Executive Officer, said that the new suburb comes with a ‘new concept of housing and modern styles that carry the spirit of architectural originality with global standards that meet quality of life requirements’. He added that these residential units will provide a unique experience for residents, with gardens, green spaces, and integrated services.
Al Fursan, he added, was the largest project, in terms of the area and number of housing units, that NHC is implementing in partnership with real estate developers. “We plan to launch the second phase of the Khuzam suburb in the near future,” he explained.
A total of 18 investment agreements worth more than US $6.4bn were signed by NHC and the Ministry of Housing with leading real estate developers for the Al Fursan suburb’s projects.
In mid February 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince launched the New Murabba Development Company to develop world’s largest modern downtown in Riyadh.
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Emirates will invest US $135mn into building an advanced training facility to accommodate six Full Flight Simulator Bays (FFS) for its future Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X aircraft. The new facility is slated to open in March 2024.
The 63,318sqft facility will be adjacent to the existing Emirates Training Facilities in Dubai, which the organisation says will provide ‘great integration and close proximity to all the other pilot training centres’.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group said, “This $135mn investment to build a new pilot training centre will ensure Emirates’ readiness to commence its pilot training ahead of the delivery of its new aircraft fleet starting from 2024. The building will be equipped with the latest, technologically advanced simulators to provide the best training for pilots, while using solar power to reduce energy consumption.”
In early November 2022, construction work on Kuwait International Airport achieved significant headway.
According to Emirates, pilot trainees will benefit from being able to set-up and configure the cockpit environment using bespoke devices as part of the pilot training module and upload the data to the Full Flight Simulator (FFS) prior to commencing their training session.
The innovative, first-of-its-kind concept is designed to shorten the trainee’s preparatory time inside the simulator, help them maintain focus and take full advantage of the training duration, it explained.
With the addition of the new building to Emirates’ existing training colleges in Dubai, the airline will have the potential to expand its pilot training capacity by 54% per year. Across the airline’s training buildings, Emirates’ pilots will have increased flexibility and facilities to hone their flying skills with 17 full flight simulator bays offering a capacity of more than 130,000 training hours a year, the statement added.
In early November 2022, Red Sea Global appointed Reem Emirates Saudi for façade works on RSI Airport.
In line with the scheduled delivery of Emirates’ first Airbus A350 aircraft, the airline’s newest training college will commence training its first batch of A350 pilots by June 2024, the statement concluded.
In early January 2023, Saudia opened its new operations building at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah.
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Yas Holding’s real estate wing, Taraf, has just announced its ‘Luce’ residential development on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah. It is said to offer contemporary luxury and an enhanced living experience in its “spacious light-filled homes, featuring sweeping panoramic views”.
Taraf, which was itself launched in late January 2023, explained that it aims to develop lifestyle destinations “that stand the test of time with authentic places that form strong communities, build connections and shape meaningful lives.”
Unveiling the new project, the developer said the building’s design is inspired by nature, the beach – with the sand’s elegant curves and organic lines – and takes its cues from the fluidity seen within Dubai’s desert and seascapes. The property will encompass a mix of luxury units with exclusive two-, three- and four-bedroom units with sea views, along with a duplex and a penthouse.
Facilities include a swimming pool, a children’s playing area, a gym equipped with hi-tech sports equipment and a recreation space for social gatherings with direct access to the beach.
In late January 2023, Knight Frank said 219 ultra-prime homes had been sold in Dubai in 2022.
“Luce reflects our unwavering dedication to create high quality, lifestyle-driven communities and also to inspire meaningful lives. We are proud to bring new and unique investment opportunities to the UAE and international market, enhancing Dubai’s position as one of the best cities to live in the region. The launch of Luce, which is a true gem, offers privacy, luxury and comfort to those seeking a highly curated living experience,” said Yas Holding Group CEO, Low Ping.
The developer also said that Luce reflects the group’s mission to create lifestyle destinations that elevate living and create authentic places forming strong communities, which build connections and shape meaningful lives.
Taraf CEO Ahmad Shibel concluded, “We aim to develop properties that add value not only to the lives of our residents but also to the surrounding environment, with the future uppermost in mind. Setting a new standard for contemporary luxury, we are proud to offer our residents a luxurious, exclusive, comfortable and curated living environment, which will add further value to the communities on the Palm Jumeirah.”
In early February 2023, Aldar Properties formed a JV with Dubai Holding to enter the Dubai market.
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Data Hub Integrated Solutions (Moro Hub) has inaugurated its green data centre facility. The facility is located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is said to be the largest single-site solar park in the world.
Using 100% renewable energy, the Uptime TIER III-Certified data centre has a capacity exceeding 100MW. Its area will exceed 16,000sqm. Moro Hub – a subsidiary of Digital DEWA – said the facility has been recognised as the largest solar-powered data centre by the Guinness World Records.
According to a statement from the firm, the opening event saw the signing of agreements between Moro Hub and its key technology partners and customers including Dell Technologies, Microsoft, Huawei, VMWare, Emirates NBD, Digital Dubai Authority, and Dubai Islamic Bank.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council opened the green data centre in the presence of Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, the statement explained.
In mid December 2020, Facilio and Moro Hub inked a deal for energy management and monitoring services.
Following the launch, Sheikh Hamdan toured the facility where he was briefed by Al Tayer on the facility’s integrated solutions designed to provide next-generation services in the areas of digital transformation, cloud and hosting services, cybersecurity, smart cities, IoT services and professional and managed services, as well as Moro services supported by ChatGPT technology.
Al Tayer commented, “Moro Hub’s solar-powered data centre supports our efforts to achieve the targets of the Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. It reflects our commitment to support the development of a sustainable economy and our efforts to transform Dubai into a global green economy hub.”
Moro Hub has always been a frontrunner in promoting digital transformation and sustainability, as well as enhancing its integrated solutions to help organisations and companies reach Net Zero carbon emissions, he added.
This initiative is particularly significant since it comes in a year in which the UAE is hosting the largest international climate conference, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), he continued.
In late June 2021, Moro Hub said it inked a deal with Intel to accelerate digital transformation.
Moro Hub’s green data centre features ground-breaking solutions from Dell Technologies, Microsoft and Huawei including the latest advances in Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Digital Twin Technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Recovery as a Service, Consulting & Professional Services, Managed Services, Residency Services, Network as a Service and Moro Open Cloud, the statement concluded.
In early January 2023, Moro Hub launched its first AI-driven cyber security system.
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Sharjah Sustainable City has initiated a sustainable community engagement program with its first event, the ‘Discover Your Urban Farm’ initiative. It is designed to introduce Sharjah Sustainable City’s residents to urban farming with access to Agri Pods on which they can grow their own plants or vegetables.
The initiative will also invite the first of the community’s residents to a planting activity in the community garden pockets, with workshops on learning how to compost using organic waste and growing different plants and vegetables suited to Sharjah’s climate.
An enjoyable family-friendly initiative is aimed to further reduce the city’s carbon footprint, while creating awareness of the food-energy-water nexus, waste management and promoting health and wellbeing, the statement said.
“With over 110 villa handovers completed smoothly, it is thrilling to see our community come alive, with residents experiencing the many benefits of life in Sharjah’s first sustainable residential development. However, creating a truly green community goes beyond simply using sustainable materials and construction techniques, renewable energy and smart home technology. It extends all the way to encouraging an entirely sustainable way of life. Through our community initiatives, we aim to educate our residents on everything related to eco-friendly living, including urban farming, landscaping, local wildlife, biodiversity, waste reduction and recycling and more. Together, we will work towards a Net Zero community that offers an aspirational lifestyle that is in harmony with the wellbeing of future generations,” said Yousif Ahmed Al-Mutawa, Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Sustainable City.
In late October 2022, URB said it would develop a $20bn smart and sustainable city in South Africa and, in early November 2022, Diamond Developers said that surpassing Net Zero is on the table for Sharjah Sustainable City.
The ‘Discover Your Urban Farm’ initiative is said to be the first in an ongoing educational campaign that will take place on an ongoing basis, hosting enjoyable activities and offering holistic guidance on the most sustainable urban farming and landscaping practices, including which plant species thrive in the UAE climate, support local habitats, and consume the least resources in terms of water and soil.
The program will also include activities focused on wellness to encourage healthy lifestyle, green mobility, and special Ramadan sustainability programs.
Overall, the initiative aims to bring together residents and promote wellness and sustainability practices. It will also serve as a great platform, especially for children, to learn about the efforts and resources required to grow food and create a sense of appreciation, thus reducing food waste.
Sharjah Sustainable City extends over an area of 7.2m sqft and features 1,250 sustainable villas. The project was developed in line with national efforts related to the food-energy-water nexus, as it provides practical solutions related to food security, water and energy management, as well as natural resources conservation.
In early January 2023, Aldar announced the launch of Sustainable City – Yas Island.
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Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has signed an agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to launch the region’s first-ever Senseable City Lab, a global MIT initiative that researches and tests pilot projects for planning urbanisation and the rapid growth of cities.
In a statement, DFF said the agreement was signed at the World Government Summit 2023 by Khalfan Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of DFF, and Professor Carlo Ratti, Director of the Senseable City Lab at MIT. Also in attendance were Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai and His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner-General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Wellbeing Pillar and Chairman of the Supreme Committee of Urban Planning in Dubai.
Senseable City Lab conducts interdisciplinary research in Singapore, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Lagos, and now Dubai, where it will play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by cities in a fast-changing world. While cities occupy only 3% of the Earth’s land, they consume 70% of energy sources and account for 80% of CO2 emissions. To address this urgent and unsustainable imbalance, the lab aims to find innovative solutions to make cities more resilient and efficient, the statement explained.
Al Basti applauded the partnership and its potential to develop the technological skills needed to enhance future urban planning. He stated the partnership aims to create a scientific platform that harnesses the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, to make Dubai a testbed and laboratory for scientific innovation.
In late September 2022, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan launched the Dubai Robotics and Automation Program.
He added, “The agreement with MIT emphasises Dubai’s focus on transforming innovations from concepts into reality, while developing new knowledge and tools to better serve our world and keep pace with Dubai’s future ambitions. The partnership’s research and development strategy focus on finding solutions to the most pressing challenges, working towards increasing productivity, developing services, enhancing economic resilience, and preparing for the future. Selecting Dubai as a headquarters for the MIT Senseable Lab enhances the city’s global role in the advancement of future cities through partnerships between government, private and academic sectors, with contributions from scientists, futurists, and innovators from the UAE and the around the world.”
Mattar Al Tayer added, “Dubai has adopted the newest innovations and technologies of the future to advance its cutting-edge infrastructure and realise its goals. It has become a global testbed for future technologies to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading cities of the future.”
The launch was accompanied by the establishment of the Senseable City Consortium Fellowship Program, which aims to empower and guide partners to implement actionable ideas to create change. It will also provide opportunities for companies in Dubai to engage with this interdisciplinary research to inform potential future innovations.
Carlo Ratti, Director of the Senseable City Lab at MIT stated, “We are proud to collaborate with the Dubai Future Foundation to bring the Senseable City Lab to Dubai. The city’s forward-thinking approach and its commitment to innovation make it the perfect location to explore some of the most pressing issues facing cities today.”
In early October 2022, Tobias Bauly, Project Director, Buro Happold discussed the engineering behind Dubai’s Museum of the Future with Middle East Construction News.
“The signing of this agreement marks a major step forward in Dubai’s journey towards becoming a smart and sustainable city. The Senseable City Lab and the Fellowship Program will play a vital role in creating knowledge and game-changing solutions for the urban environment that will benefit not only Dubai but cities around the world,” added Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF.
The Senseable City Lab in Dubai is expected to have a significant impact on the development of smart cities in the region and the world. The launch of the MIT Lab represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of the future, and a commitment to making cities more sustainable and efficient for future generations, the statement concluded.
In early January 2023, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’.
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His Royal Highness Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, has announced the launch of the New Murabba Development Company (NMDC), which aims to develop the world’s largest modern downtown in Riyadh. The move will contribute to the city’s future development in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
According to a statement from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the New Murabba project will be built around the concept of sustainability, featuring green areas, as well as walking and cycling paths that will enhance the quality of life by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and community activities. It will also feature a museum, a technology and design university, a multipurpose immersive theatre, and more than 80 entertainment and culture venues.
His Royal Highness will also be the Chairman of NMDC. The launch of the company is part of PIF’s strategy to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors, enable the private sector and increase local content, contribute to the development of real estate projects and the local infrastructure, and diversify sources of income for the Saudi economy.
The new entity will develop the project and also build the “Mukaab”, an exceptional iconic landmark featuring the latest innovative technologies, the statement explained.
In early February 2023, PIF & AeroFarms signed a deal to develop vertical farms across the MENA region.
The design of the Mukaab includes first-of-its-kind facilities and will be one of the largest built structures in the world, standing 400m high, 400m wide, and 400m long. The cube shape of the structure will ensure the ultimate utilisation of space to accommodate the technologies necessary to develop the icon.
Inspired by the modern Najdi architectural style, the Mukaab will be the world’s first immersive destination offering an experience created by digital and virtual technology with the latest in holographic technology. The landmark will encompass a tower atop a spiral base, and a structure featuring two million sqm of floor space that will be a premium hospitality destination with a multitude of retail, cultural and tourist attractions, along with residential and hotel units, commercial spaces, and recreational facilities, the statement noted.
The New Murabba development is expected to add US $47.9bn to non-oil GDP and create 334,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030. The project is due to be completed in 2030. It will be situated at the intersection of King Salman and King Khalid roads to the North West of Riyadh, over an area of 19sqkm, to accommodate hundreds of thousands of residents.
The project will offer more than 25m sqm of floor area, featuring more than 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, and more than 980,000sqm of retail space, as well as 1.4m sqm of office space, 620,000sqm of leisure assets, and 1.8m sqm of space dedicated to community facilities.
In early February 2023, PIF said it raised US $5.5bn with its second green bond.
It will also offer a unique living, working and entertainment experience within a 15-minute walking radius and will have its own internal transport system. It will be approximately 20-minutes’ drive from the airport, the statement concluded.
In mid February 2023, PIF said it invested $1.3bn in Saudi construction firms.
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Source: ME Construction News