JLL has reported that Saudi Arabia’s residential sector saw an acceleration in the number of units completed in Q1 of this year. The firm noted this was due to the government’s ongoing efforts to deliver housing which meets the needs and aspirations of its citizens.

According to JLL, Q1 2022 saw the completion of 4,000 and 2,000 units in Riyadh and Jeddah respectively, partly driven by the Ministry of Housing’s various initiatives to increase home ownership in the kingdom to 70% by 2030. The firm also noted that year-on-year, rents rose 5% in Jeddah and by 3% in Riyadh in Q1. On the same basis, sale prices in Riyadh rose by 5% and by 2% in Jeddah.

“KSA’s real estate sector continued to show promising signs that it has turned a corner in the first quarter of 2022, with increasing tourist numbers helping to provide a boost to the hospitality sector, consumers returning to retail outlets, and more positive business sentiment driving demand for office space. We look forward to this trend continuing over the remainder of the year,” said Khawar Khan, head of Research, MENA and Turkey at JLL.

He noted that the performance of the office market picked-up across the Kingdom, supported by improving economic conditions and rising business activity in the first quarter of this year. Average rents in Riyadh across a basket of Grade A & B office buildings increased by 8% year-on-year, while Jeddah saw a smaller rise of 3%.

Riyadh’s market-wide vacancy rate edged down to 4% in Q1 2022 from 5% a year earlier. Over the same period, the average vacancy rate for Jeddah dropped by 8%-points to 11%; this was mainly driven by a combination of rising demand from semi-government entities, private businesses taking on more floorspace and tenants re-locating from the south to better quality buildings in other locations across the city, he added.

On the hospitality market, the firm stated that Riyadh hotel occupancy jumped to over 71% in the first two months of 2022, compared with almost 51% in the corresponding period of 2021. Jeddah’s hotel occupancy rose by 2%-points to 46% over the same period. On the retail sector, JLL said in annual terms, rents for super regional and regional malls decreased by 5% and 7%, respectively, in Riyadh in the first quarter of this year.

On the same basis, in Jeddah, rents on average fell by 1% across super regional malls and declined by 5% for regional malls. Developers are increasingly focusing on creating unique F&B and entertainment experiences to attract footfall given the rebound being witnessed in these segments, the firm concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

A trial has been initiated by the Oman Water and Wastewater Services company on the $388mn water pipeline project that links the Sohar desalination plant with A’Dhahirah.

The water pipeline was constructed in parallel with the current water pipeline between Sohar and the Governorate of Al Buraimi, which will contribute to providing future water needs.

Ibrahim Hamad Al Hasani, senior manager of the project said that the water pipeline is 230km long. He noted that 15 water tanks were also built, each with a capacity of 451,000cu/m, in the wilayats of Sohar, Ibri and Dhank.

Four pumping stations were also set up, with a total pumping capacity of 144,000cu/m per day, according to a report by the Oman News Agency (ONA).

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Source: ME Construction News

Construction has been completed on the UAE’s first waste-to-energy plant, with the project now entering the testing and commissioning phase, it has been announced.

The Sharjah Waste to Energy plant is the first project of Emirates Waste to Energy, a joint venture established by BEEAH Energy, the renewable energy business of BEEAH Group, and Masdar, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, a statement said.

Once tested, commissioned and operational, the plant will enable Sharjah to become the Middle East’s first zero-waste city, turning unrecyclable waste into clean energy and increasing the current landfill diversion rate from 76% to 100%. It will also help reduce waste sent to landfill across the UAE, while contributing to the nation’s clean energy resources.

Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, said: “Completion of construction is an important milestone for our Emirates Waste to Energy venture, as we continue to pioneer clean energy innovations in the UAE. We look forward to a successful testing and commissioning phase followed by achieving full operations, which will make Sharjah the Middle East’s first zero-waste city. This will also be a landmark moment as we work towards a zero-waste, clean-energy future for the nation, the region and beyond.”

At full operational capacity, the plant will help divert up to 300,000 tonnes of unrecyclable waste away from landfill each year while producing 30 megawatts (MW) of low-carbon electricity, enough to power 28,000 homes in Sharjah.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar CEO, said: “Masdar is proud to be partnering with BEEAH, leveraging our more than a decade and a half of experience in the clean energy sector to help pioneer the UAE’s first waste-to-energy power plant. With the construction phase of the project now complete, we look forward to harnessing our knowledge in the growing waste-to-energy space to help tackle the global climate challenge through sustainable waste management enabled by clean energy solutions.”

Constructed by France-based industrial contractor CNIM, the plant covers an 80,000 sqm area and follows EU Best Available Techniques to align with the strictest environmental standards globally. Within the plant, unrecyclable waste is fed into a boiler to produce high-pressure steam, which turns electric turbine generators. Toxins and pollutants are filtered from the flue gas produced during the process. Bottom ash is collected to recover metals and ash material for use in construction and roadwork applications, while fly ash is collected and treated separately.

Adjacent to the waste-to-energy plant is an award-winning waste-management complex operated by BEEAH Recycling, BEEAH Group’s recycling and material recovery business, which has already helped achieve a 76% landfill waste diversion rate in the emirate of Sharjah. Unrecyclable waste from the complex will be transported to the waste-to-energy plant.

“From conception to completion of construction, the Sharjah Waste-to-Energy plant has demonstrated sustainability and innovation by design. Going into the testing and commissioning phase, our goal is to ensure that these fundamentals continue to be upheld,” Al Huraimel said.

Speaking about the impact the plant will have on clean energy in the region, the BEEAH Group CEO added: “We are confident that with a successful testing and commissioning period, and once the plant is fully operational, we will also demonstrate how waste-to-energy is an essential innovation to sustaining the circular economy, tackling the challenge of unrecyclable waste, and serving as a more affordable, low-carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuels.”

In addition to diverting 300,000 tonnes of waste away from landfill, the 30 MW plant will displace almost 450,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year and preserve the equivalent of 45 million m³ of natural gas.

The Masdar CEO said: “Through the Emirates Waste to Energy company, Masdar and BEEAH are pioneering a new clean energy innovation for the UAE. With construction complete on our first plant, we will soon demonstrate the efficacy of this innovation and work towards replicating its success in more areas of the UAE and beyond.”

BEEAH and Masdar have begun exploring opportunities for the Emirates Waste to Energy company to open similar plants across the UAE and the wider region.

“We are aligned with the national and regional sustainability agendas, as well as the UNSDGs, across our businesses, ventures and partnerships. Our goal is to realise a zero-waste, clean energy future, starting with the UAE, where we are driven by the Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. We believe more such waste-to-energy innovations will be critical in achieving this vision and pioneering a sustainable quality of life for all,” the BEEAH Group CEO said.

Emirates Waste to Energy, BEEAH and Masdar are planning a ceremony to formally open the Sharjah Waste to Energy plant in the near future.

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Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has appointed Egis to provide project management consultancy services for a part of its retail and heritage masterplan. Egis said its services will cover all phases of the South and Garden Districts including early development, design, procurement and construction.

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, DGDA was established with a mandate to transform the historic district of Ad Diriyah into an iconic and world class destination within Riyadh, reflecting and celebrating the rich history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Diriyah Gate will be a mixed-use project, with history and heritage assets at its core, enriched by entertainment, shopping, and residential elements, the statement from Egis noted.

The Diriyah Gardens and Diriyah South Districts developments form part of the wider Diriyah Gate masterplan and will entail hotels, museums, conference centres and more, it added.

“We are currently involved in many projects serving Saudi’s 2030 Vision and this iconic project is no different. Diriyah will serve as the Kingdom’s historic and cultural destination showcasing the country’s 300+ years of history, which will no doubt enrich the tourism industry as well as create a destination which all Saudis will pride themselves with. We look forward to watching these iconic projects come to life over the next few years and are extremely proud to play our part in this great vision,” stated Alaa Abusiam, CEO of Egis in the Middle East.

The firm said it was proud to help shape the Saudi Vision 2030, which includes developing and diversifying the public service sectors from infrastructure, to recreation to tourism.

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The company formerly known as ACCIONA Cultural Engineering has announced that it has begun operating under the new brand name of ACCIONA Cultura and has unveiled a new logo based on its parent group’s brand architecture model, which incorporates the word ‘Culture’ to represent its core business.

In a statement, the firm said that new brand and logo will apply to all ACCIONA Cultura’s areas of business, subsidiaries and related parties in the markets in which it operates. The company is known for creating innovative, technological and sustainable solutions in the field of culture, corporations and entertainment.

Its teams are experts in developing and applying immersive narratives and interactive technologies, which they use to design and produce iconic museums, exhibitions, events and cultural and brand experiences around the world, the statement said.

“ACCIONA Cultura is evolving towards a new brand image, while remaining true to its raison d’être: making culture accessible to all audiences in a stimulating way and connecting people and brands through transformative experiences,” it added.

ACCIONA Cultura is regarded as a leading museum company in Europe, and as a specialist in the development of innovative cultural and brand experiences and the creation of interactive, educational and entertaining content, in which the public has an active role to play.

The company is also one of the most awarded agencies in the international events industry, showing its excellence in the design, organisation and implementation of events for various sectors in the public and private sectors.

ACCIONA Cultura’s portfolio includes projects in 40 countries and in five continents, winning 140 awards for creativity, innovation and sustainability.

The company is ISO 20121 certified, which guarantees that all processes are carried out based on sustainability criteria and that all its activities are carbon neutral.

In 2021, ACCIONA Cultura has developed more than 1,480 events in countries such as Spain, Mexico, Peru and the United Arab Emirates, including the Globe Soccer Awards and projects for brands such as Xiaomi, Coca-Cola, Dior, Deutsche Bank, Sephora, EMAAR and Lima Airport Partners.

In the field of museums and exhibitions, the company has been responsible for a wide range of works across 51 pavilions for Expo 2020 in Dubai, including the Sustainability pavilion, the Spain pavilion and the UAE pavilion (the host country’s pavilion). It has recently delivered the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum and has been selected to design the Real Madrid Experience (RME), an immersive experience that combines culture, sports, cuisine and leisure with the latest technology and which will be featured in the new Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Madrid, Spain), once its current renovation has been completed.

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Roshn, the national community developer backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has said that it has succeeded in completing 10 million man-hours with no lost-time injuries (LTIs) 23 months after breaking ground on its first community project, Sedra.

Located south of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, Sedra is an integrated, walkable community that has been designed to enhance interaction between residents and encourage a healthy lifestyle with a variety of essential facilities such as green spaces, cycle tracks, hospitals, medical centres, schools, mosques, and retail outlets, a statement said.

Roshn’s Group CEO David Grover said: “The primary cause of serious injuries on regional construction sites is moving vehicles, and at the peak of Sedra’s construction phase we averaged 130 heavy vehicle movements per day.”

“Reaching 10 million man-hours with zero lost-time injuries is a remarkable achievement, and the result of the hard work of our dedicated HSE staff and site supervision teams, as well as our contractors and subcontractors. I’d like to thank and congratulate them all for the brilliant teamwork that made this outcome possible,” he stated.

Lost Time Incident Rates (LITIR) have become a key indicator of construction site safety and efficiency, and are used by insurers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to assess how safe a company’s practices are.

Roshn said an estimated 4,000 employees and contractors have worked at Roshn’s Sedra 1 site since its inception, and the company has invested around 50,000 hours in training to ensure a high level of operational safety.

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Source: ME Construction News

Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that the Saih Al Dahal Road Project will be opened to the public in May, following an extensive revamp project.

In a statement, the RTA said that the project will link Saih Al Salam Road with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and that the old single-lane road is being removed and replaced by a dual carriageway extending 11km and comprising of two lanes in each direction.

A median and three roundabouts to ease movement in all directions have also been developed. The new road will link with the entry points of Al Qudra Lakes, the statement added.

“The project aims to increase the road intake from an existing 1,800 vehicles to 4,000 vehicles in each direction to accommodate the continued growth in traffic volumes and ease the mobility of residents and visitors to the oasis on both sides of the road, desert areas and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority.

“The project starts from the R/A at the junction of Saih Al-Dahal Road with Saih Al-Salam Road in the North, immediately after Al Qudra Cycling Station, and heads to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in the South. It encompasses the construction of a new road of two lanes in each direction together with three R/As along the road to ease the accessibility of road users to the oases on both sides of the road, Al Qudra Lakes, desert areas as well as U-turns.”

“The project complements a series of projects completed by RTA in the area, such as the 23 km long Dubai Cycling Track, which links with the existing cycling track at Saih Al-Salam running alongside Al Qudra Road at the Gateway of the Dubai Cycling Track in the direction of the Emirates Road. From there it links with the Latifa bint Hamdan Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Al Barari district and up to Nad Al Sheba community. The cycling track at Saih Al-Salam, which extends about 115 km, is fitted with several amenities including outlets for renting bikes and accessories, a fully-equipped clinic, and 10 rest areas along the cycling path fitted with seats and bike racks,” he added.

RTA has accomplished several development projects in the area including the widening of Saih Al-Salam Road over a 21 km stretch from Al Qudra roundabout, nearby the cycling rest area, up to the intersection with the Dubai-Al Ain Road via Al Lisaili and Al Marmoom, the statement continued.

Nine roundabouts are being constructed at junctions to ease the traffic flow and enhance the traffic safety of the neighbourhood. Additional projects also included the construction of four camel and horse crossings, a cycling track, service roads, parking spaces, and widening of the existing parking area at the Dubai International Endurance Village in addition to street lighting and rainwater drainage networks.

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Source: ME Construction News

Royal Development Company (RDC) has been appointed by Q Properties to manage the development of its $2.2bn luxury residential project, Reem Hills, which is located on Abu Dhabi’s Reem Island.

RDC is owned by Emirates Stallions Group and noted that the completion of phase one of the residential project in scheduled for December 2024. It will manage the project in its entirety, leading the overall planning to the implementation process, including the design management and supervision of all contractors, said a statement.

“We are delighted to have been awarded the Reem Hills project management contract; this outstanding achievement showcases Royal Development Company’s continuous growth in these large-scale projects. This serves as a great example of the breadth of capabilities and expertise that RDC teams bring to our clients and confirms the trust and appreciation of our customers in our project management capacity and cutting-edge engineering,” said Emirates Stallions group CEO Kayed Khorma.

Reem Hills comprises a private beach, man-made hill, islands, canal, retail, and community facilities; including but not limited to parkland and open spaces, schools, mosques, community centres, clubhouses, cafes and restaurants, leisure areas for walking, exercise and biking, and transport options.

Q Holding CEO Majed Fuad Mohammed Odeh remarked, “We are thrilled to have the Royal Development Company team on board to manage the Reem Hills project on Al Reem Island, through which we will deliver the upper echelon of opulent lifestyle located right in the heart of the capital.”

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Over 24,500 residential units are currently under construction across its various masterplans, Emaar Development has announced at its Annual General Meeting (AGM). The build-to-sell (BTS) asset unit of master developer Emaar also noted that around 8,500 units are scheduled for delivery later this year.

According to a statement, Emaar Development delivered more than 4,700 residential units in 2021 across prime locations including Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai Creek Harbour, Downtown Dubai, Emaar South and Emaar Beachfront. The firm also stressed that it remained committed to delivering quality homes and communities to its customers and residents, while ensuring that all future projects are completed within its stated time frames.

“Emaar Development is extremely proud to be the industry leader in development and construction and we remain committed to delivering our highly anticipated upcoming projects within the stated timeframes. Our success and year-on-year profit is due to the diligence of our shareholders, management and highly skilled staff and we look forward to continuous growth and success through digital innovation and the adoption of future-forward concepts,” said Emaar Properties founder Mohamed Alabbar.

At the AGM, its board of directors reflected on the company’s 2021 robust performance and resilience during a time of great economic recovery from disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm is said to have achieved property sales of $7.471bn in 2021, up 335% over the previous year, while its net profit surged 96% to hit $883mn. It noted a sales backlog of $7.791bn which will be recognised as revenue in the coming years.

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Source: ME Construction News