Big Project ME July 2021

Licensed by Dubai Development Authority

182 July 2021

MEConstructionNews.com

THE BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION

Ahead of the Curve

BIG PROJECT ME SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY TO ABDUL AZIZ MOHAMED BIN SHAFAR OF ASGC GROUP TO FIND OUT HOW THE CONSTRUCTION GIANT IS STAYING ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION AND THE PANDEMIC

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CONTENTS

July 2021

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16

18

20

28

44

ANALYSIS

FEATURES

INSIGHT

08

20

38

Comments

40

Tenders

44

Progress report

The briefing

Industry experts discuss Bricsys’s rapid expansion in the region and how they carried out work on Route 2020

12

The big picture

Providing a wrap-up of the biggest local, regional and international construction news stories

16

Market report

18

Analysis

Savills Middle East takes an in-depth look at the Greater Cairo residential market

In profile Abdul Aziz Mohamed Bin Shafar

Gavin Davids speaks to Abdul Aziz Mohamed Bin Shafar vice president and executive director for ASGC Group, about how the construction giant has emerged stronger from the pandemic

28

Project profile Culture Capital

Big Project ME gets an update on progress at the Assima Mall and Tower project in Kuwait City

The industry’s brightest minds share their thoughts on a variety of topics and issues impacting the construction industry

Big Project ME, in association with ProTenders, provides the biggest tenders for the month of July 2021

The Residences, Dorchestor Collection to be completed in H2 2021

Miriam Al-Alawi of Turner & Townsend, explores how the UAE’s construction industry can help fight climate change

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

2

WELCOME

Introduction

Youth will lead the way

A

s an avid football fan, I’ve been paying close attention to Euro 2020, watching as traditional powerhouses have slipped and stumbled, while teams from the so-called lesser nations have managed to bloody some noses and leave a lasting impression on the competition.

However, two teams in particular have caught my eye, and while they are members of the established elite, both have had to deal with major slumps in their fortunes in recent years and have had to fight their way back to the top – I speak of course of Italy and England. Both these teams are steeped in football tradition and at previous tournaments, it seems that this legacy has been too much to bear.

However, at this year’s Euros, it’s been so refreshing to see a new generation come in, unburdened by the past and with new ideas and a vision of how to play the game.

The upshot of this boldness and courage is that these young teams have been the most impressive of the tournament thus far.

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

This attitude is something that is being mirrored in the construction industry nowa-days, as old traditions seem to be dying off, and new ways of thinking are starting to take hold. This was certainly apparent to me during my cover interview with Abdul Aziz Mohamed Bin Shafar of the ASGC Group.

Not only is the company heavily investing in technology and utilising that knowledge to diversify its offerings, but it is also committed to backing youth, bringing in new graduates and professionals from other industries to shake up its processes and methodologies and give a traditional powerhouse a bright and forward-looking outlook.

This mantra of change was also repeated across all our panel discussions at the Construction Intel Summit – KSA. The consistent message was that the Kingdom’s leadership is leaning heavily on technology and its massive youthful population to drive through the change that is needed on the ground. Much like with the football teams of Italy and England, it is the young that will lead the way.

Gavin Davids

HEAD OF EDITORIAL & CONTENT gavin.davids@cpitrademedia.com @MECN_Gavin MEConstructionNews me-construction-news

del Mo ent m M BI nage a M

Quantity Takeoff

Bui Life lding cyc le

e nt Sit me e nag Ma

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Qu a Sa lity & fet y

Te n & B der id

5D BIM Simulation

OPERAT E

ling du he Sc

PL AN

Facility a M nagement

Est ima tin g

IL D Procurement

t jec ent o r P em nag a M

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182 July 2021

MEConstructionNews.com

THE BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION

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Editorial

Ahead of the Curve

BIG PROJECT ME SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY TO ABDUL AZIZ MOHAMED BIN SHAFAR OF ASGC GROUP TO FIND OUT HOW THE CONSTRUCTION GIANT IS STAYING ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION AND THE PANDEMIC

HEAD OF EDITORIAL & CONTENT Gavin Davids gavin.davids@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5480

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Design ON THE COVER

Big Project ME speaks exclusively to Abdul Aziz Mohamed Bin Shafar, vice president and executive director of ASGC Group MEConstructionNews.com @meconstructionn MEConstructionNews me-construction-news

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Web Development The publisher of this magazine has made every effort to ensure the content is accurate on the date of publication. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the publisher and editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content are published in good faith. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher in writing. Publication licensed by Dubai Development Authority to CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC. Printed by Al Salam Printing Press LLC. CPI Trade Media. PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE. +971 4 375 5470 cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

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ONLINE

MOST POPULAR

READERS’ COMMENTS

FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

MASAR: BRINGING A SMART DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE TO THE FUTURE OF MAKKAH

Voltas commissions first solar project in Dubai for SirajPower

INFRASTRUCTURE

Egypt and Saudi Arabia to begin work on electrical interconnection project

INTERVIEW: GHD creating a legacy CONSTRUCTION

ENEC records 100mn safe man-hours safety milestone at Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant

CONSULTANT

AECOM names new lead for Civil Infrastructure business in the Middle East & Africa

MACHINERY

Middle East markets contribute to Doosan order wins July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

FEATURE: Sharjah Sustainable City: Green living

Many of us have had our misgivings about the level of development around the Makkah area over the years. Indeed, the sight of tower cranes standing over the city has become so familiar that perhaps we haven’t been asking ourselves whether the need for Saudi Arabia to both cater to pilgrims but also capitalise on its importance has been approached in the most responsible way – or not. As this article notes, Makkah is undergoing accelerated development in line with the leadership’s ambitious plans to advance “the national economy, improve infrastructure and public services, and meet the growing requirements in various economic and commercial sectors to increase the number of Umrah pilgrims to 30 million by 2030 as envisaged in the Saudi Vision 2030 plan”. The Masar project is an example of meeting all these aims the right way. Some may argue that an urban front landmark and gateway to the Holy Mosque is not needed but implementing smart building and development processes is the by far the best way forward. And hopefully this is a sign that Saudi Arabia is willing to adopt global best practice as it becomes an internationally facing country.

Name withheld by request

8

THE BRIEFING

Technology

Disrupting the Status Quo with BricsCAD MIDDLE EAST

Rahul Kejriwal, head of Bricsys, explains the reasons behind the CAD software company’s rapid expansion in the AECO market to Big Project ME July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

How would you define what Bricsys is?

Bricsys is a global provider of engineering design and collaboration software. Our core brands include the BricsCAD® CAD platform and the Bricsys 24/7® collaboration solution. The company was founded in Belgium in 2002 and has since expanded globally with regional offices across all major geographies.

In late 2018, Bricsys was acquired

by Hexagon AB, an established global leader in industrial information technology for over five decades.

How has that acquisition impacted Bricsys’ operations?

Bricsys continues to operate as an independent entity within Hexagon’s PPM

division while closely collaborating with other major Hexagon divisional companies like Leica Geosystems and MSC Software.

Hexagon is a builder of acquired businesses and has continued to support Bricsys’ scale-up. In the two or so years since the Hexagon acquisition, Bricsys has experienced rapid growth with topline revenues and team size more than doubling.

What would you say differentiates BricsCAD from other CAD products in the market?

BricsCAD is a modern and innovative CAD platform for the AECO industry.

We are unique in our ‘one platform, one file format’ approach that delivers 2D and 3D CAD, BIM, and Mechanical

Third-party developers Since launching the BricsCAS Runtime Extension in 2007, over 400 third-party application developers’ products have been been added to the online marketplace.

2018

The year Bricsys was acquired by Hexagon AB

9

functionalities all on a single platform, and all in industry standard .dwg.

This is why we are a future-proof platform. Customers can adopt BricsCAD for its powerful 2D and 3D CAD features today and decide to progress to BIM and Mechanical at their own pace.

As a technology first company, Bricsys operates at the forefront of the CAD industry. Unlike other industrystandard CAD products, BricsCAD is continuously evolving and improving, even on core 2D/3D CAD. We have added 100+ new features and workflows to BricsCAD every year since 2018, and we are the only software vendor delivering production ready Machine Learning features and functionalities in our commercial software.

Flexible licensing and fair pricing are also important to us. We offer customers full freedom in how they want to use BricsCAD - perpetual or subscription, single, volume or network – and offer follow-the-sun licensing out of the box, at no extra cost.

And finally, together with our local partners, we deliver industry leading post-sales technical and commercial support to our customers.

How would you say BricsCAD has evolved?

Bricsys was founded by Erik de Keyser in 2002, and BricsCAD V1 was released in 2005. Over the past two decades, our development teams have made incredible progress on our flagship product and our latest release is V21.

Since launching the BricsCAD Runtime Extension, or BRX API in 2007, we have added over 400 third-party application developers’ products to our online marketplace. 3D parametric solids modeling was added in 2010, at which time BricsCAD was released on the Open Design Alliance platform. Five years ago, we introduced sheet metal design tools and offered the first release of our Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow.

The story behind BricsCAD’s development is one that will continue to evolve to meet customer needs.

of the technology and not by lockingin customers in a ‘walled garden’.

Pushing the envelope BricsCAD intends to continue pushing the envelope - in performance, in features, and in usability, for its products.

Open and fair industry BricsCAD is committed to developing and creating an open and fair CAD industry.

Bricsys is a founding member of the ODA, the industry’s leading provider of .dwg compatibility technology. The ODA’s Drawings API, formerly known as Teigha, is used by hundreds of companies in thousands of engineering and design applications. Bricsys is recognized as the largest contributor of source code to the ODA’s continuous efforts to improve this shared platform.

As a company we are committed to an open and fair CAD industry.

Any software package should win market share based on the strengths

Why is BricsCAD a compatible and trusted alternative for existing CAD users?

The .dwg file format is the industry standard for CAD drawings globally, and BricsCAD uses .dwg as its native file format, by leveraging our partnership with the Open Design Alliance. BricsCAD was developed to ensure our customer’s existing LISP routines, menu files, macros, template files and more can move easily from other CAD products to BricsCAD. Bricsys is the leading .dwg compatible CAD alternative to the industry incumbent product. What’s more, we offer a customer-first approach by providing greater speed and productivity at a lower cost of ownership, with more flexible licensing options and outstanding support.

For these reasons and more, many of the world’s largest companies including STRABAG, Nippon Steel, Mitsubishi Electric and Stageco rely on BricsCAD for their core workflows.

What is in store for the company over the next five years? .We are technologists at heart and will continue pushing the envelope – in performance, in features and in usability.

We want to delight and surprise customers with our products, something that seems to have been lost in our industry.

What role did Bricsys play in the development of the Open Design Alliance (ODA)?

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

10

THE BRIEFING

Route to the Future MIDDLE EAST

Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in the UAE, discusses the work carried out on Route 2020 and shares how the technology deployed on the extension will shape Dubai’s future

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

T

hales, the French multinational giant specialising in the design and build of electrical systems, has worked with the Dubai Metro since it was first announced in 2004, and its ground transportation solutions have been deployed on the Metro since its inauguration.

Therefore, when Dubai was announced as the host of Expo 2020, it came as no surprise that Thales was entrusted by the Alstom-lead consortium Expolink and the RTA to design and build the 15km extension of the metro line and upgrade the system of the existing line.

Thales will provide state-of-the-art driverless train signalling technology, as well as integrated supervision,

telecommunications, passengers’ services, security and automated fare collection systems, all of which have been designed to optimise energy consumption, smooth passenger flows and improve IT connectivity.

In order to learn more about how Thales is working to help ensure that Expo 2020 Dubai will be a celebration of the UAE’s Vision 2021, Big Project ME spoke to Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in the UAE, to learn more about its work on Route 2020.

How will the systems and technology deployed on Route 2020 improve efficiencies and performance?

We’re preparing for millions of visitors, which is no small feat! Dubai’s

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Seamless transport Bernard Roux says that Thales has been working with Alstom and the RTA to improve urban mobility and provide seamless transport to the millions of Expo 2020 visitors.

15km Length of the extension of Dubai Metro

comfortable, efficient and fully automated metro system is expected to seamlessly transport the crowds to the Expo site. Thales has been working with Alstom and the RTA to improve urban mobility to provide the latest enhancements to solutions which already in service and have equipped 50 new trains provided by Expolink consortium with a range of solutions, such as signalling technology, integrated supervision, telecommunications, passengers’ services, security and automated fare collection systems.

The upgraded technology will optimise energy consumption, ensure smooth passenger flow and improve the overall connectivity, efficiency and performance of the metro.

Thales’s ground transportation solutions have been in service on the Dubai metro for the last ten years. What were some of the biggest challenges encountered during this process?

The 75km long red and green metro lines have served more than one billion riders over the last decade.

These lines have become a dependable pulse for commuters, running like clockwork, arriving on time over 99% of the time. The in-train and stationwide connectivity, along with the high levels of safety provided, have been appreciated by passengers, and commended around the world.

So, going in, we knew that one of the biggest challenges would be to complete the project without disrupting to the metro’s 20-hour-a-day operation on the existing line. Given the significance of the project, we have all been working round the clock to successfully complete the project.

How will the technology and systems deployed on Route 2020 contribute towards the overall experience of Expo 2020?

With the vast number of visitors expected, it is vital that everything around the Expo 2020 site runs seamlessly to provide a provide a positive, easy experience for everyone. The innovative technology being deployed to ensure the smooth running of this critical infrastructure

is a major milestone in the urban transport system of this futuristic city.

Expo 2020 Dubai aspires to deliver one of the most sustainable World Expos ever, and the state-of-the-art solutions being provided by Thales on Route 2020 will play a large part towards this goal through automation and improved efficiency and energy consumption, whilst also helping to provide a smooth overall visitor experience.

What are some of the USPs of the technologies?

The metro system is the foundation of the public transportation system, and the driverless metro in Dubai has been integral to internal connectivity.

What ensures that the metro system runs seamlessly and efficiently is the SelTrac™ system, a fully automated solution with driverless train (UTO) and central train management capabilities that allows trains to run closely to each other in a safe manner.

The trains are automatically controlled by the Operation Control Centre and route adjustments can be made quickly to meet changes in demand.

Before the start of regular operations, trains are automatically positioned for service. The services can be prescheduled in the schedule, or by operator command, and when needed,

the trains can even be sent for a wash!

This is all is done automatically with little to no human intervention.

How will they contribute to Dubai’s Smart City ambitions beyond the Expo?

Dubai’s Smart City ambition is simple and direct, to make Dubai the happiest city on Earth. Ordinarily, this would be a tall order to achieve. However, with the right partners and services, it can be made much easier. Leveraging on key emerging technologies and harnessing data science capabilities is one of the key factors in creating a better quality of life.

With the Route 2020 up and running, Dubai will be significant steps closer in making life for residents seamless and efficient.

The overarching vision of the nation resonates deeply with our own vision, as we aim to continue to contribute to the development of in industry, innovation and education in the UAE. As such, we strive to ensure that the technologies we support Dubai with are pre-emptive of the new generation of technologies.

Dubai was the first city in the region to implement a driverless metro system in the Middle East, and even today, we are committed to ensure that it is the ‘smartest’ city.

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

12

THE BIG PICTURE

01 UNITED STATES

03 UNITED KINGDOM

US scientists develop rapid self-healing concrete prototypes

WorldGBC annual report highlights positive movement towards net-zero

Scientists at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, USA have developed self-healing concrete prototypes.

During their research, the scientists found that adding the carbonic anhydrase (CA)enzyme to concrete powder before the material was mixed and poured, created a reaction with the CO2 in the air to produce calcium carbonate crystals. This would then fill in tiny cracks that may appear in the concrete. Following extensive tests, the scientists concluded that this new concrete mixture could repair its own mini cracks within a period of 24 hours.

02 UNITED STATES

Bentley Systems launches new education program Bentley Systems has launched a new education program which encourages the development of future infrastructure professionals for careers in engineering, design, and architecture.

The programme was designed to create world-class talent that could rise to the challenge of improving quality of life and positively changing the world.

It will initially be available in the UK, Australia, Singapore, Ireland, and Lithuania, with plans to expand to the US, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and India by mid-summer.

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has announced the latest version of its annual Advancing Net Zero Status Report highlighting steps taken by industry stakeholders around the globe in the move towards net zero.

The report showcases examples of GBCs, businesses and governments scaling action towards achieving WorldGBC’s vision for a decarbonised built environment and serves as a net zero ‘myth busting’ resource to improve the understanding of net zero.

04 SERBIA

06 EGYPT

Emirates Stallion Group completes $71m Serbian resort

Egypt and Saudi Arabia begin work on electrical interconnection project

Emirates Stallions Group, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company, and a major engineering and construction group, has said that it has completed construction work on Viceroy Kopaonik, a $71 million resort located in the mountainous region of Kopaonik in Serbia.

Built for Viceroy Hotels and Resorts, the resort is located close to one of Serbia’s largest national parks.

Emirates Stallions Group added that it had provided development consulting services for the project through its unit, Royal Development Company.

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

05 TURKEY

RMJM Milano to design Sanko HQ in Istanbul RMJM Milano has announced that it has won a competition to design the new Sanko Headquarters, one of Turkey’s oldest group of companies, in Istanbul.

In a statement, the firm said that its design was selected amongst other prestigious firms for its sustainable and innovative features. The studio said that it used creative and innovative ways to implement sustainability in every design and project they create.

It was thus crucial to utilise the local resources in the best sustainable and innovative way possible, it added.

In coordination with Saudi Arabia, Egypt will soon launch its electrical interconnection project, a major scheme that will increase grid capacity to 2,000 megawatts.

The Egyptian Minister of Electricity, Mohammed Shaker, said that Egypt and Saudi Arabia had signed a co-operation agreement in 2012 to establish the electrical interconnection project.

The project is set to be the main axis in the Arab electrical linkage, which aims to create an infrastructure for electricity trade.

01 02

THE BIG PICTURE

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08 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Voltas commissions first solar project in Dubai 07 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

ADNOC awards $510m EPC contract to Saipem The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has awarded a $510m engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to Saipem. The deal outlines an increase in capacity for ADNOC’s Shah sour gas plant by 13% to 1.45-billion cubic feet per day by 2023.

The investment supports its objective of enabling gas self-sufficiency for the UAE and underpins growth in gas production, in line with its 2030 strategy. More than 50% of the award value will flow back into the UAE’s economy under ADNOC’s In-Country Value (ICV) programme.

Voltas has announced that it has successfully commissioned its first solar project in Dubai at the Misterlight Electrical Installation Items Trading warehouse within the National Industries Park.

The project was implemented in co-ordination with SirajPower, which is responsible for the financing, operation and maintenance of the facility. The newly installed rooftop solar project will generate clean and green electricity, catering to 85% to 90% of the power required by the facility, while reducing 100 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions per year for Misterlight.

09 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

HKA appoints new director and quantum expert Igor Corelj has joined HKA’s Middle East expert team as director, the firm announced.

Corelj has been based in the Middle East since 2009, during which he has led large multidisciplinary teams with great success.

He has also worked across the supply chain, giving him thorough insight into the diversity of contractual arrangements and issues arising out of them. His proficiencies include on-site contracting experience, commercial management of large infrastructure projects at the head office level and consultancy services.

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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THE BIG PICTURE

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10 EGYPT

12 SAUDI ARABIA

Mitsubishi Power signs long-term service agreements for Egypt’s power sector

Losberger De Boer delivers Jeddah Superdome

Mitsubishi Power has signed three simultaneous 16-year long-term service agreement (LTSA) in Egypt covering six M701F gas turbines, with two each delivered to Cairo North GTCC, Sidi Krir and El Atf power stations. The subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group said the plants operate natural-gasfired gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) generators with a rated output of 750mW. Mitsubishi Power said it has been mandated to ensure stable, highavailability operation of the facilities.

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

11 IRAQ

Iraqi authorities award contract for Nasiryah Airport A contract for the development of a civilian airport in Iraq has been awarded to a Chinese group by Iraqi authorities.

The new Nasiriyah Airport will replace the existing military base in the capital of the southern Dhi Qar governorate.

The as yet unnamed Chinese group’s scope of work includes the construction of a cargo building, as well as roads linking the airport to the city’s town centre. Once complete, the Nasiriyah Airport will be able to handle 750,000 passengers per annum. The airport is expected to be complete within a three-year period.

Losberger De Boer, the supplier of temporary and permanent buildings for events, public, commercial and industrial applications, said that it has delivered the record-breaking Jeddah Superdome venue in Saudi Arabia on time, having handed over the dome’s frame three days ahead of schedule and completing the project despite disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement said that Jeddah Superdome has claimed the Guinness World Records™ titles for the world’s largest geodesic dome and largest dome with continuous roof.

THE BIG PICTURE

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14 SAUDI ARABIA

13 SAUDI ARABIA

TRSDC appoints ARCHIRODON to design and build crucial bridge The Red Sea Development Company has announced the appointment of ARCHIRODON, the EPC global group, to design and build a 1.2km bridge that will be part of the 3.3km crossing to the megadevelopment’s main hub island of Shurayah.

ARCHIRODON will provide engineering, procurement and construction support to complete the building of Shurayrah bridge. It will stretch a total of 1.2km across the Red Sea, with two small 36m sections at each end of the crossing to allow for movement of marine mammals.

GE Renewable Energy unit wins major contract for Saudi IWP plant GE Renewable Energy has announced that its Grid Solutions unit has won a major contract from Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Company to build a turnkey substation that will power the Yanbu-4 independent water producer (IWP) plant.

This is the first integrated, seawater reverse osmosis project in the Kingdom that uses clean energy. Scheduled to be operational in 2023, Yanbu-4 will have a capacity of 450,000 cubic meters per day of fresh water to be supplied to households in Makkah and Madinah.

15 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

AFET launches Energy Management and Sustainability division Al-Futtaim Engineering & Technologies (AFET) has announced the launch of its new Energy Management and Sustainability division as a dedicated business unit, aiming to supply its client-base with new and holistic energy reduction solutions using its proprietary technologies as well as its Certified Energy Team.

The Al-Futtaim Group company said that with launch of the new division earlier this year, it is following the group’s direction of “perpetuating various energysaving initiatives” and making progress in sustainability and energy management.

17 OMAN

Oman moves forward with Port of Khasab development 16 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

AECOM names new lead for Civil Infrastructure businesses in MEA

AECOM has promoted Asif Shafi to lead its Civil Infrastructure business in the Middle East & Africa, which comprises water, transportation and environment.

He will focus on the delivery of existing major projects and drive growth by ensuring clients receive the best of the firm’s technical expertise and innovation.

Shafi has led AECOM’s successful pursuit of several major programs in the region, including the NEOM backbone infrastructure design and NEOM Bay Phase 1 PMC.

Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has said that it is pressing ahead with plans for the development of the Port of Khasab.

In a statement, the ministry said that the plans build on tenders issued earlier to manage, operate and develop Khasab Port, including aspects related to supplying vessels with fuel, operating piers, connecting the port with global terminals and granting lands for investment in the logistics and light industries’ fields.

18 CHINA

Dubai’s RTA signs MoU with China’s Zhong Tang Sky Railway Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with the Chinese group Zhong Tang Sky Railway, a leading company in the development of suspended railways, to explore the development of a futuristic suspended transportation network.

The MoU comes as part of Dubai’s endeavours to find and develop innovative solutions for a futuristic suspended transport network, aimed at increasing the mobility of people, providing affordable mobility solutions, as well as encouraging community members to use them.

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

16

MARKET REPORT

Industry outlook

Greater Cairo Residential Market Outlook

EGYPT

Savills Report finds that Egypt’s economy is expanding despite a global slowdown, resulting in a shift towards highquality, fully-finished apartments in Greater Cairo’s residential property market

I

t is estimated that the current residential stock in Greater Cairo stands at approximately 7.1 Mn units2, with the bulk of the current stock concentrated across the Central Cairo micro-market. Apartments amount to roughly 93.2% of this supply in Central Cairo,

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

while mixed-use developments account for 4.2%. Being the former city centre, most of the stock in Central Cairo takes the form of old, often, deteriorating buildings.

The Egyptian New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA), along with other governmental authorities, have ensured the availability of land to various private developers to execute new masterplan projects, signalling an increase in supply in the market. This has led to the development of various large mixeduse developments across both West Cairo and New Cairo, leading to a strong increase in the supply of Grade A residential developments.

The majority of Grade A units within West Cairo and New Cairo, which are currently estimated to be 69,400 units, is composed of new apartments spread over a number of prominent developments, such as Mivida by Emaar, Palm Hills New Cairo, and SODIC East-town, among others. In line with the supply, the demand for residential units has remained strong across Greater Cairo as well.

A large portion of the demand has been found to be generated by the domestic population, making a growing population a key factor in the growth of the residential

sector. Whole buildings and stand-alone villa developments of good quality are also sought-after primarily by affluent and larger families. Apartments on the other hand, which are available through a mix of both private and public sector projects, are usually popular among young families and small investors, tracing back to ticket price, affordability, high quality finishing, and their accommodation of community facilities.

Residential Demand is expected to continue to increase in the coming years driven by population growth, which is forecast to increase at a CAGR of 1.4%, as well as the slight decrease of the average household size from 3.56 in 2020 to 3.46 in 2025.

The overall demand is expected to remain strong and resilient despite the impacts of COVID-19. In addition, demand is likely to remain concentrated across the mid-tohigh end segment, making them a preferred investment choice for the top income category of the population, mainly for their good-quality services. Nevertheless, the market will still witness a surplus, as large inventory is being rolled out across multiple neighbourhoods and segments of the market.

MARKET REPORT

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105

5%

100

2022

2021

2019

Population in millions

10%

2023

110

2020

15%

2018

Annual % change

POPULATION, GDP AND INFLATION TREND POPULATION REAL GDP CPI INFLATION

Residential Demand is expected to continue to increase in the coming years driven by population growth, which is forecast to increase at a CAGR of 1.4%” KEY RESIDENTIAL HUBS IN GREATER CAIRO SATURATED, ESTABLISHED AREA WITH LIMITED UPCOMING SUPPLY EXISTING AREAS WITH UPCOMING SUPPLY EMERGING AREAS WITH LARGE QUANTUM OF UPCOMING SUPPLY

EL SHEROUK

CENTRAL CAIRO NEW CAIRO WEST CAIRO

NEW ADMINISTRATIVE CAPITAL

WEST CAIRO EXTENSION

8,000,000

7,500,000

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

7,000,000

2020

Source: Savills

Total stock (residential units)

RESIDENTIAL SUPPLY COMPLETED NEW SUPPLY

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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ANALYSIS

Climate change

Rising Optimism

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Turner & Townsend’s Miriam Al-Alawi explores how the UAE is currently tackling climate change, the likely steps it will take to become more sustainable, and how the construction industry can contribute July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

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riven by increasing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, which is causing an increase in global temperatures, climate change has in recent years, topped the global agendas (even alongside the pandemic).

In tackling this global issue, the UAE government has shown regional leadership in its climate change strategies, commitments, and actions. The UAE was the first Middle Eastern country to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement, and have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 23.5% compared to business as usual, by the year 2030 (one of the most ambitious pledges in the MENA region). In addition, in 2017 the UAE adopted the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050, which

set a framework for the management of greenhouse gas emissions, climate change adaptation, and private sector-driven, innovative, economic diversification.

The world is already one degree warmer than it was 100 years ago and on current trends, it is set to be two degrees warmer by 2050 and even higher by 2100.

In the UAE, the past six years have been the hottest years on record, with temperatures expected to continue to rise. Even a country used to intense heat and scarce water supply, the worst effects of climate change could, without action, have significant impact across its ecosystems, biodiversity, and across its national and local economy.

Most of the UAE’s population inhabit coastal areas; thus, the country’s infrastructure is also located within these coastal zones. The damage to the coastline

Mangrove protection The UAE is investing significant funds to protect and replant mangroves ecosystems along its coastlines.

23.5% The UAE has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 23.5%, by 2030

ANALYSIS

and offshore infrastructure is a significant cause of concern (with sea levels expected to rise by one metre by 2100 in a business-as-usual scenario). Furthermore, increased demand for space cooling, resulting in higher utility bills, sets further pressures on the local economy.

In recognising the threats of climate change, and in line with its action plan, the UAE has implemented several initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions, and improve the sustainability of the country including: • Increasing the share of cleaner energy in the power mix by building more solar farms. Currently, three of the biggest solar farms are under construction in the UAE, including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and Al Dhafra Solar Park in Abu Dhabi • Expanding capacity for carbon capture and storage. ADNOC announced in 2020, that it would be expanding its CCUS programme by over 500% in the next 10 years, capturing five million tonnes of CO2 per year • Promoting sustainable agriculture to tackle future food scarcity.

Over $272m in incentives will be implemented to create a global AgTech centre in the UAE • Implementing environmentally friendly waste systems • Providing significant investment towards the conservation and planting of mangroves • Embracing green and sustainable construction practices • Transforming up to 60% of Dubai into nature reserves as per the Dubai 2040 Masterplan The UAE’s investments in clean energy are part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on oil and gas and diversify the economy. The investments are critical steps towards decarbonising some of the UAE’s highly energy-intensive industries including manufacturing and construction.

Interestingly, the UAE is also investing significant sums in protecting and replanting mangroves. While mangroves are suffering degradation and decline worldwide, the UAE may be the only country where mangrove areas are growing significantly. Mangroves not

Climate disruption Climate change will be a major disruptor for the regional construction industry, says Mariam Al-Alawi.

2050

The world is set to be two degrees warmer by 2050

only prevent coastal erosion but also help to stabilise coastline ecosystems.

Mangrove forests also release oxygen and moisture into the environment, whilst also reducing CO2 levels by three to five times more than conventional forests.

These salt-tolerant trees contribute to climate change mitigation by trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the root system and sediments, acting as a carbon capture or carbon sink.

For the regional construction industry, climate change will be a major disruptor - both in terms of the physical effects, and the policies/investments brought in to reduce emissions. On the physical effects, the construction

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industry should be prepared for more ‘unworkable’ hot days in the summer, higher energy usage in buildings to run AC, and more severe weather events.

Regional climate related policies could range from encouraging more energy efficient buildings, changing the material typology used in industry (e.g., low emissions cement), introducing more innovative methods of construction such as offsite manufacturing and modular construction, right through to the development of multi-billion-dollar solar power projects. UAE construction businesses will also need to continue to work to minimise their environmental impact, through initiatives such as reducing water waste and mitigating risks associated by surface run off.

I believe that strategic investment in climate change-related projects and infrastructure could be the key catalyst to drive the Middle East’s next construction boom, push economic growth through diversification, increase job outlook, and reduce reliance on hydrocarbons.

Deep-rooted changes are required to get the construction sector to pull its weight in climate change. Still, the UAE Government will be the driving force for change by implementing more low carbon and carbon neutral regulations.

The construction sector will have to adopt new practices and implement supply chains, that will be optimised to make it possible to source energyefficient and sustainable materials.

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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IN PROFILE

ASGC Group

One Step Ahead

BIG PROJECT ME SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY TO ABDUL AZIZ MOHAMED BIN SHAFAR, THE VICE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASGC GROUP, TO FIND OUT HOW STRATEGIC THINKING AND ADVANCED PLANNING HAS ALLOWED THE CONSTRUCTION GIANT TO EMERGE STRONGER FROM THE PANDEMIC

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

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MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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IN PROFILE

s we enter into the second half of 2021, the mood around Dubai’s real estate and construction landscape is decidedly more buoyant than it was at the start of the year. Over the last few months, there has been a noticeable gain in momentum as the emirate looks to emerge from a slump sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to a combination of stimulus packages, visa reforms and strong demand from end-users and investors, developers, analysts, and industry experts predict that the market has bottomed out and that the residential market offers good opportunities to investors ahead of Expo 2020.

This positive sentiment is reflected in the awarding of several contracts for the launch of highprofile residential projects.

With Expo 2020 on the horizon and pavilions being completed, the upswing in market sentiment bodes well for the economic future of

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

The market is correcting and coming back to normal growth.

We are seeing opportunities for ASGC in the oil and gas sector, as well as in infrastructure projects, and we are exploring these opportunities” Correction mode Abdul Aziz Mohamed Bin Shafar says that the local construction market is in a ‘correction mode’ post the pandemic, with strong recovery expected.

29,159

Total area, in sqm, of the Sustainability pavilion

Dubai and the UAE, says Abdul Aziz Mohamed Bin Shafar, the vice president and executive director of ASGC, the Dubai-based main contractor.

Speaking exclusively to Big Project ME, Abdul Aziz says that the market is in correction mode post the pandemic, and that he hopes to see a strong market recovery in the second half of 2021, led by Expo 2020 Dubai.

“As you know, the year 2021 has basically been a recovery year from 2020, due to the pandemic.

“There was already a slowdown in the UAE construction market – generally speaking – but the pandemic has exacerbated the situation.

“We are now in a correction mode – the market is correcting and coming back to normal growth. We are seeing opportunities for ASGC in the oil and gas sector, as well as in infrastructure projects, and we are exploring these opportunities in more depth,” he adds, pointing out that the UAE government is investing heavily in the infrastructure of the country, which will be beneficial to the entire supply chain of the construction industry, including the contractors.

Furthermore, he adds that there is an increased emphasis on the development of individual villas and townhouses in the residential real

IN PROFILE

estate sector, due to the high demand from global investors and people preferring to live the UAE, having seen how the country has effectively managed the pandemic crisis.

“They believe that this is a safe place to live, to have a house and to stay. In addition, the new normal of working from home has really supported the high demand for these types of projects.”

Despite the challenges, Abdul Aziz says that ASGC enjoyed a strong start to 2021, with the contractor successfully handing over a number of projects over to clients. These projects include the Opportunity Pavilion, as well as several other country pavilions ahead of the Expo,

Opportunity awaits ASGC believes that the Expo 2020 Dubai will bring a wave of new opportunities to the construction and real estate sector.

8,784

Total build-up area, in sqm, of the Opportunity pavilion

and the 25hours Hotel in DWTC, which was also completed this year.

Furthermore, ASGC has been awarded a new project by Emaar – The Creek Edge in Dubai Creek Harbour, while, the group also saw its recently launched subsidiary, iBuild Construction, awarded its first project by DAEP, for the development of Cargo Terminal Cooling Rooms at Dubai International Airport.

Abdul Aziz attributes this success to the fact that ASGC’s leadership believes in the maxim that says, ‘in every challenge there is an opportunity’.

He pinpoints the company’s strategic leadership, effective business decisions, early implementation of technology, and its highly skilled

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and agile workforce as being key to it thriving in challenging times.

“ASGC has a really strategic leadership, and they led the early action during the pandemic crisis.

We knew that we would reach a point where there would be a real slowdown in terms of projects, and as such, we put the worst-case scenarios (in place),” he explains, adding that the company’s investment in technology has helped it become more efficient and streamlined, which helped it ride out the early shocks of the pandemic.

“From the beginning, we implemented the latest technology in construction to minimise any impacts – that really gave us an advantage over other companies. In fact, I would say MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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IN PROFILE

that we were at a healthy level pre the pandemic, and now, we’re still in a better position than our competitors.”

This early adoption of technology has also assisted ASGC in reducing the risks of cost overrun, project delays, financial losses, and occupational health and safety, Abdul Aziz says.

Over the past year, technologies like drones, business intelligence tools such as Power BI, Mixed Reality tools, virtual meeting tools, and others have assisted the company in optimising operations and continuing efficient business operations, he continues.

“We have always liked to explore new technologies. As we see it, there is no difference between one contractor and another, except for the type of people working for them,

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

and the kind of technology they adopt. Our early adoption of virtual reality, augmented reality, drones, BIM and other technologies really helped us to advance and stay one step ahead of other contractors.

“This really helped to minimise the cost overruns, while allowing us to have a better view of the project progress. We like to invest in these technologies because we feel that this is the future, and we don’t to just be another ordinary contractor.”

While ASGC is clearly a market leader in adopting construction technology, that does not mean that the rest of the industry is lagging.

Abdul Aziz asserts that with clients and government bodies now mandating the use of BIM, the

Early adaptors ASGC’s early adoption of technology helped it ride out the impact of the pandemic.

A busy year The 25hours hotel in DWTC was one of many projects delivered by ASGC in H1 of 2021.

434

Number of rooms in the 25hours Dubai hotel

industry has no choice but to adapt and evolve quickly, if it wants to thrive.

“I feel that the industry is rapidly adopting technology. You now have authorities and clients that are really demanding, while your competitors are already ahead of you, so by default, you need to follow the market trend.

He points out that over the past few years, the construction industry has been rapidly adopting technology, with the most notable achievement being the construction of 3D printed houses in multiple places around the world, adding that ASGC has been investigating 3D printing, along with blockchain, IoT and Artificial Intelligence, amongst other technologies as it strive to keep ahead of the pack.

IN PROFILE

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We’re currently investigating how to be a lightweight construction company outside the UAE –in terms of managing projects. We’re also concentrating more on the oil and gas sector and on the infrastructure sector” The construction group has also been focused on the implementation of robotics and digital twins; he adds.

The pandemic has accelerated this increased need for adoption, he adds, with the growing culture of innovation leading directly to the founding of a range of technology start ups in the construction and real estate sector. Furthermore, leading construction companies in the country are invested in the development of these technologies, either via these start-ups, or by themselves, he says.

Looking forward to the next half of the year and beyond,

Abdul Aziz says that ASGC expects to see a brighter and more robust 2022, in line with market reports that expect the UAE’s construction industry to grow by an annual average of 3.8% between 2022-2025.

He reveals that the company is expanding its business operations into the infrastructure sector, which is line with the Dubai Master Plan 2040, while its new subsidiary, iBuild Construction will work to deliver construction projects by implementing leading technological advancements.

Beyond the Dubai, he states that ASGC will be diversifying into regions such as Egypt, Northern Africa, MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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IN PROFILE

the UK, and the other emirates of the UAE over the next few years.

“We’re currently investigating how to be a lightweight construction company outside the UAE –in terms of managing projects. We’re also concentrating more on the oil and gas sector and on the infrastructure sector since it is normally a never-ending investment by the government.”

However, despite the focus on expansion and acquiring new business streams, Abdul Aziz insists that the pandemic has brought about a significant internal change

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

Government investment The UAE’s infrastructure sector will receive neverending investment by the government.

700m Total length of the steel walkway

to the company’s philosophy, with the focus now about its people rather than the business.

“Our philosophy before the pandemic was to put the customer first, the employee next, and the stakeholders after that. Now, after the pandemic, we say that it is the employee first, the customer second, and our stakeholders next,” he says, stressing that a happy workforce leads to a healthy work environment and an improvement in the productivity of the entire organisation. We learnt from the pandemic to be more efficient,

to stay lean and to cut costs – if our customers were demanding before the crisis, they are now going to be even more demanding when it comes to being cost effective. But we must put the health of our people, their workmanship and their proficiency first.

“We need to create an environment of working that is happy and friendly,” he warns, insisting that the lessons learnt during the pandemic should continue to be applied, and not forgotten, even as companies adapt to the new normal and continue to thrive and recover.

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July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

PROJECT PROFILE

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Assima Mall & Tower PROJECT NAME: Assima Mall and Tower Project PROJECT DEVELOPER: Salhia Real Estate Company PROJECT COST: $410 million PROJECT CONSULTANT: Pace PROJECT CONTRACTOR: Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading Co (ACTC) TOTAL BUILT-UP AREA: 380,000sqm TOWER HEIGHT: 54 storeys

Culture Capital BIG PROJECT ME INTERVIEWS TAREK SHUAIB, CEO OF PACE, ABOUT THE DELIVERY OF THE ASSIMA PROJECT, A NEW WORLD-CLASS LIFESTYLE DESTINATION BEING BUILT IN KUWAIT, THAT IS NEARING COMPLETION MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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PROJECT PROFILE

hile shopping malls in Kuwait now reign as pre-eminent cultural destinations, the entire retail sector is witnessing a major transformation in an effort to cater to an increasingly selective clientele that now demands a world-class lifestyle experience – not just a venue.

Within this vein, Kuwaiti real estate giant, Salhia Real Estate Company, is collaborating with mega retail project expert, Pace, to deliver an ambitious, mixed-use development: The Assima Mall and Tower. The project, currently under construction, is already carving out a unique place for itself on the national landscape, well before works are completed.

In an exclusive interview with Pace CEO, Architect Tarek H. Shuaib, Big Project ME gets to dig deeper and find out more about the Assima Mall and Tower project: How will the Assima Mall and Tower compare to others in the region? What are its unique selling points and qualities?

Assima is one of the few genuinely mixed-

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

The project will sprawl across green lands, in compliance with the principles of sustainable development and natural ventilation, with technologies being used to ensure energy consumption” World-class venue The Assima Mall and Tower project will deliver a world-class lifestyle experience to Kuwait’s residents.

2021

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year

use developments in Kuwait, and the only one located in the heart of the city. It is set to become a world-class destination for high-end shopping, entertainment, and leisure. The development will feature three distinctive components: a shopping mall, a commercial tower and a five-star residence hotel.

The project takes its name from the Arabic word for ‘capital city’ – in an effort to reflect its small city persona, bringing all the conveniences of a mini-city in the heart of downtown Kuwait, while offering a variety of other key services, as well as a number of lifestyle and leisure facilities.

Salhia Real Estate Company are one of our long-term partners and they

share a common belief that the mallsof-tomorrow must be experiential and customer-focused. That is why unique entertainment-oriented offerings have been created at Assima in order to engage visitors at every possible touch point. Moreover, the project will actively boost the commercial value of Kuwait’s capital city and heighten its allure as a vibrant business and commercial hub.

What is Pace’s Role in the Assima project?

Having delivered a multitude of successful retail and mixed-use projects across the region, as a Kuwait-based regional multidisciplinary firm, Pace has been brought on board by Salhia Real Estate to develop and tailor the existing designs of the project with innovative concepts that fit the needs of the Kuwaiti market. We have a reputation within the industry as a firm that designs for speed and opulence.

We are also overseeing construction works and ensuring top-class quality delivery to the highest of international standards of excellence. As partners of development, we are always keen on playing an active role in the ongoing efforts develop the region’s retail and entertainment sectors, as well as promote both foreign and domestic tourism.

Upon its completion, Assima will become the latest in our portfolio of first-class mixed-use developments that are now considered prime destinations

PROJECT PROFILE

for leisure, tourism and entertainment, for both locals and international visitors.

What are the highlights of the Assima project and what are some of its main components?

The site for the Assima project is characterised by high street visibility and full prominent frontages at the junction of two main traffic arteries. A key component in this prime development is the Assima Mall, which offers visitors a high-end multi-faceted lifestyle experience with large commercial and recreational spaces distributed over five floors. This includes urban parks, rooftop cafes,

restaurants, a large-scale hypermarket, cinemas, entertainment, as well as various F&B and retail experiences.

It will also house the Marriot Executive Hotel and Apartments, comprised of 11 floors located above the retail podium, with 164 suites with their services of restaurants, multi-purpose halls, and an on-site health club.

On the other hand, the Assima Tower boasts 54 floors of office spaces, with spectacular panoramic views of the city.

What can you tell us about the architecture and design elements of the mall?

Maximum visibility The site of the project was carefully chosen to ensure high visibility at the junction of two main traffic arteries.

96.3% Percentage of total completed structural works

31

We have succeeded in developing innovative and original architectural concepts, blending elements of Kuwaiti heritage with the contemporary design expected of a modern metropolis such as Kuwait City. The mall boasts other architectural elements, such as a threestorey tall waterfall flowing between cafés and fine dining restaurants, as well as panoramic high-speed lifts overlooking the entire mall, in addition to high-rise floors that give visitors a sense of luxury and indulgence.

The mall’s walkways are also designed to flow smoothly into the twirling internal corridors, MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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PROJECT PROFILE

96.3% for the project overall), works currently underway include the deluxe interior works and finishes for the facades, along with other technical installations and utilities development.

We have always been ahead of the curve when it comes to adopting innovation and advanced technologies, as we continue to push the boundaries in design and architecture. Driven by our vision, we have worked hard to establish ourselves as active leaders in the region for the implementation and promotion of new design technologies and construction methodologies, offering new opportunities for innovation.

A key part of our efforts is the rollout and implementation of a digital transformation plan which is currently being activated across all our design projects. Our design and construction technologies employed include Business Information Modelling (BIM), Project Information Management (PIM), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) protocols, in addition to fast-track construction solutions.

I am proud to say that through our improved potencies and capabilities, we were able to guarantee quality and value for clients, with educed environmental impact and better operational and management costs.

harmonious with the play of light and surrounding nature.

Sustainability is a core driving notion behind the development of this project. The project will sprawl across green lands, in compliance with the principles of sustainable development and natural ventilation, with technologies being used to ensure energy consumption.

This includes the use of ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) roofing for natural lighting, Therma-insulation for all opaque envelopes, and doubleglazed curtain walls/windows with air cavity for energy savings and optimisation of indoor air quality.

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

Highest standards The latest construction technologies have been deployed to deliver the project to the highest international standards.

11

Floors dedicated to the Marriot Executive Hotel and Apartments

What is the current rate of progress so far, and what construction technology was used to design and build the project?

In terms of progress, we are pleased to have reached significant milestones with the Assima project, with construction works for the mall nearing completion.

Given revised project timelines because of the pandemic, the mall is so far on track for completion by the end of 2021.

The latest construction technologies were employed on the project to ensure its delivery to the highest international standards. With structural works fully completed for the mall, and at 83% completion for the Tower (that is

Who is the contractor on the project and why were they chosen?

Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading Co (ACTC) are the main contractor for the Assima project. ACTC is one of Kuwait’s premier contractors and has succeeded in delivering many of Kuwait’s landmark buildings.

Specialising in high-rise construction, ACTC was selected based on the long and successful relationship it has with both Pace and Salhia Real Estate, the developer and owner of Assima project.

What were some of the challenges encountered during the construction process and how were they resolved?

There were multiple challenges overcome on this project. A key element of success for this project has also been one of its main obstacles – that is its location.

PROJECT PROFILE

What was the strength of the workforce on the project and how did construction progress during the pandemic?

The project workforce peaked at 2300 operatives. We adhered to all pandemic control measures, including various curfews and lockdowns.

Inevitably this affected the planned labour deployment. However, working closely with Ahmadiah, we managed to succeed in adopting flexible shift patterns that optimised the available labour resource, and thereby minimized the impact upon the programme.

Assima has the second tallest tower in Kuwait, which is topped with a crown structure.

During the course of the project, the design of the crown evolved significantly, which was a notable challenge for our designers” The project site is located in the city centre, and as such that area is quite congested. Temporary site accommodation and material storage are remotely, yet centrally located.

Therefore, we were able to manage transportation in less time.

Also, the recent COVID-19 pandemic introduced a whole new set of unprecedented challenges, including lockdowns, curfews, commercial and transportation restrictions, and closures. However, our HSE department at Pace has been working extra hard to help navigate construction works

33

more effectively in the safest and most efficient manner there is, while adhering to all rules and regulations set by the Ministry of Health and observing all precautionary and preventative measures and social distancing guidelines.

Pandemic control measures, including closed borders, posed a major threat to the delivery schedule. However, with smart procurement that entailed ordering materials earlier than planned, whilst obtaining other materials from alternative sources, the construction team succeeded in minimising some of the pandemic’s negative impact on delivery.

Design challenge The project went through significant evolutions of design during the construction process.

2,300 Number of operatives on the project

Given the standing of the project, what was the design process like, and did it change as the construction of the project evolved?

Assima has the second tallest tower in Kuwait, which is topped with a crown structure. During the course of the project, the design of the crown evolved significantly, which was a notable challenge for our designers.

Moreover, numerous design changes to accommodate tenant’s requirements were executed. Fortunately, as a result of the close cooperation and streamlined channels of communication between Salhia, Pace, and ACTC, all design changes were successfully accomplished within programme.

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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EVENT REVIEW

Construction Intel Summit KSA

Construction Intel Summit KSA

Big Project ME provides a summary of the inaugural Construction Intel Summit KSA, a three-day live webinar series held from June 21-23 GOLD SPONSOR

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ASSOCIATED PARTNER

ENDORSED BY

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July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

EVENT REVIEW

D

espite the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to move forwards on its path to recovery in 2021, with an ICAEW report finding that business conditions are improving, supporting strengthening demand and the outlook for recovery.

As per the report, the nonoil GDP for the Kingdom is expected to expand by 2.8% this year and will continue to

rebound as restrictions lift and an aggressive investment strategy is implemented. Furthermore, the country’s hydrocarbon sector is expected to benefit from higher oil production in H2 2021.

A key driver for the success of Vision 2030 – the ambitious reform plan to diversify the Saudi economy – will be domestic investment spending, with the authorities unveiling a broad investment programme (Shareek) that is valued at $3.1 tillion by 2030. This programme will be led

by domestic entities, including the Public Investment Fund (which is set to inject $40 billion annually in 2021 – 2022 to foster private-sector growth), ARAMCO and SABIC. With the country now five years on from the announcement of Vision 2030, Big Project ME held the first-ever Construction Intel Summit – KSA, a threeday live webinar event that brought together some of the sharpest minds working in and around the Kingdom to discuss how the country is

35

working towards achieving its targets and what more needs to be done to get there.

Focusing on three key areas for the economy, the selected experts also highlighted the significance of the economic reforms being passed by the Saudi government and debated how these would help ensure the successful delivery of megaprojects and schemes.

All sessions of the Construction Intel Summit KSA can be found online at https:// constructionintelsummit.com/ksa/

Day One Recap: The Future of Transportation in the Kingdom The first day of the Construction Intel Summit focused on how the Kingdom is developing its transport infrastructure, in line with the current realities and challenges facing the country. The panel of experts was led by David Kinniburgh, general manager – UAE for GHD. He was joined Said Mneimne, senior vice president – Hill International; Jacques Khoriaty, chief commercial officer, Strategy and Growth Middle East for Egis; Roger Cruickshank, senior director and Atkins Acuity lead, Middle East for Atkins Acuity; and Paul Wallet, regional director, India and the Middle East, Trimble.

“The panel at The Future of Transportation in the Kingdom covered a wide variety of topics from integrated transport and land use planning, essential connectivity, future mobility, the future of freight, the digitalization of assets, procurement, sustainability and importantly the ultimate customer and user experience,” says David Kinniburgh.

“Highlighting the importance of all parts of the asset ecosystem, including external stakeholders, owners,

operators, financiers, designers, constructors, maintainers and the user, the panel discussed and emphasised the importance of ‘planning, planning, planning’, and the importance of setting developments up for success from the beginning.

“This was emphasised by the members of the panel with exposure to the full asset lifecycle, with a declared desire for digital and data-based decision-making, and the establishment of highly accurate asset data from concept through

to final handover, the ultimate goal being digital twins,” he adds.

Reflecting on the rapid pace of development in the GCC region over the last 30 years, the panel also discussed the importance of selecting the right delivery model for projects, and the emergence of the PPP model into the market. The panellists stated that there is very strong interested from global developers, investors, and operators ready to take on the challenge of developing the future transport network in the Kingdom.

“A balance of risk and reward is essential, demand risk being highlighted as a potential issue.

However, the longer the duration of the PPP the higher the appetite from the private sector.

The future is very bright for a highly sustainable and digital transport sector, with a focus on striking the balance between People, Planet and Profit.

“Our experts emphasised that the Kingdom has an opportunity to be a world leader in sustainable and emerging transportation solutions.”

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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EVENT REVIEW

Day Two Recap: Building A Destination

Day Two of the Construction Intel Summit KSA focused on the megaprojects being developed by the Kingdom to fuel its transition into a tourism destination for the world. Several megaprojects have been launched across the country, with each catering to different sectors of society.

The panel of experts, led by David Clifton, vice president – Business Development, UAE and the Northern Gulf for Hill International, discussed how to best build and develop them.

Rounding out the panel was David Watkins, chief of Project Delivery for AMAALA; Christopher Fannin, senior principal and managing director for InSite; Bradley Caruk, project director, Creative, Theming and Show Design, KSA for Atkins; and Simon Trafford, director and KSA country manager for Turner & Townsend.

“The panel bought together leading partners in the current giga project development team.

From client to consultant, the desire and urgency to address the most pressing problems is clear,” says David Clifton.

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

The industry is committed to the success of Vision 2030 and the opportunities it presents for the economy”

“The industry is committed to the success of Vision 2030 and the opportunities it presents for the economy. Insight into real world lessons learnt that are critical to the timely expedition of these schemes shows that the country is attracting a significant number of world and regional experts to assist with the development and delivery models and strategies that have or are being

developed for the Kingdom.”

The panel was not naive to the challenges and issues that are ahead.

“Be it through procurement models, contracting formats, historical payment challenges or the fact that as global recovery kicks in, inflation across all commodities and manpower will have a difficult effect on the schemes and require significant risk management just to mitigate,” he adds.

“In all, the insight provided to the current status of the giga projects, the opportunities and challenges were described in an open and transparent way that showed the audience a broad picture from inside the Kingdom’s major projectbased Vision 2030 goals.”

Following the panel discussion, James Frampton, business development director – Middle East for SoftwareONE| MTWO Construction Cloud, gave a keynote presentation about how platform technology can help developers manage all stakeholders.

EVENT REVIEW

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Day Three Recap: Powering the Vision

The third and final day of the inaugural Construction Intel Summit KSA saw a panel of experts discussing how Saudi Arabia aims to generate 50% of its energy needs using renewables by 2030. The session, headed by Sachin Kerur, head of Middle East Region for Reed Smith, focused on the huge potential for growth in the sustainable renewable energy sector, while also touching upon the growth of industries, services, and the localisation of technologies, as well as the development of human resources.

Joining Kerur on the panel were Catherine Cone, associate director and head of Environment at AECOM; Norman McComb, associate environmental director at AESG; Ralf Steinhauer, director at RSP; and Sam Mitchelle, market leader – Energy and Resources at GHD. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) 2030 vision is ambitious and a great driving force for the diversification

away from oil and commitment to renewable energy. Given KSA’s plans to build several Giga projects and new cities, there is a huge opportunity to ramp up the renewables sector in the region and implement some new and innovative approaches to energy production,” Sachin Kerur says.

“One thing we can learn from other markets that have

The regulatory framework and supporting policy need to be fully integrated with the renewable sector”

been through the transition is that the regulatory framework and supporting policy need to be fully integrated with the renewable sector and ensure clearly defined processes are established for energy producers.

“Obviously, there needs to be a number of economic and commercial incentives for energy producers and consumers that will create a macro-level shift. However, there needs to be buy in from the people on a granular level.

We need to change behaviour around energy consumption and savings. This means ensuring people are more conscious of the ways in which they consume energy and can save energy,” he adds.

“Forums such as the Constriction Intel Summit are crucial to stoking the hydrogenfuelled fire when it comes to maintain momentum around renewable energy and working through some of the challenges, which KSA may face in the future,” Kerur concludes.

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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COMMENT

Industry insight

KARTHIK VENKATASUBRAMANIAN ORACLE CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING

Curb risk and improve decisionmaking with predictive AI

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utomation efforts have accelerated by many engineering and construction (E&C) organizations as they feel the squeeze of growing risk, strained supply chains, and narrowing margins continue to increase. Traditionally organisations have focused on achieving operational improvements through the use of technology to refine processes and procedures, but putting the data collected from digitisation to good use can sometimes be an afterthought.

AI holds enormous potential to help E&C organisations optimise their decision-making and to drive project success by proactively unlocking new predictive insights from project data.

Vast amounts of data are being generated by the construction industry as digitisation is embraced, and with it, there is a significant opportunity for teams to learn from and use this data to create better estimates, plan smarter, and reduce risk.

Historical data provides a starting point for organizations to analyse their business. The ability to gain insights from historical data and apply them to current projects is key to creating organisational baselines and benchmarks which can help prevent the same mistakes from being repeated and ensure there is a focus on driving continuous improvements.

At the very least, it prevents the “copy from a past project and paste onto the current project” mindset, which can be common when

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

team members are under time constraints.

Until now, the focus of business intelligence (BI) technologies have generally been on lag indicators, things that have already happened on the project.

While these insights are valuable, new developments in AI can unlock a new level of project intelligence, where the focus is on lead indicators based on realtime data, driving predictive insights that can bring about better outcomes.

These AI technologies use machine learning (ML) to power active intelligence, helping organizations learn from their past data while continually assessing the present.

This use of ML enables organisations to regularly monitor developments and adjust plans using up-to-date predictive insights.

For example, such a system can learn from historical schedule data and make predictions about potential delays on current projects.

These systems become smarter over time with increasing data quality, improving in accuracy.

Active intelligence yields predictive insights that add value to nearly every aspect of construction project management, including critical areas such as schedule, cost/ budget, quality, safety, risk, and collaboration.

AI can provide an effective early warning system that surfaces potential issues like project delays, cost overruns, defects and rework, etc. long before they boil over.

Active intelligence leverages rich internal and external data sources to continuously improve prediction accuracy and precision.

When combining these along with external data, such as weather forecasts/history, supply chain disruptions, and workforce disruptions, it is possible to create a more accurate schedule and manage them proactively to reduce risk.

The Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and the rich data they can provide are additionally set to play a growing role with how active intelligence can improve quality of work, site safety, and tracking progress onsite.

There’s a lot that can be learned from the past, but the real benefit of active intelligence is in its ability to predict the future and make the decisions needed to change the course of a project before it’s too late.

Karthik Venkatasubramanian, vice president of data and analytics at Oracle Construction and Engineering.

SARA DEVITT AECOM IRELAND

Today’s digital world is driving global demand for more data storage space

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escribed by some industry commentators as the ‘new oil’, data is expected to increase 10-fold worldwide between 2017 and 2025, with 75% of the global population interacting with data every day, according to International Data Corp. Driven by the growing use of mobile technologies and cloud computing by both businesses and consumers, this relatively ‘new’ global data industry is growing, and fast.

To cope, more data storage space is needed. This has led to a boom in data centre construction, bringing about significant opportunities for further investment in this alternative but growing asset class — globally, data centre construction is set to expand by more than 8.24% to US$32.37bn between 2018-2025. In the Middle East alone, rapid digitisation of ‘smart cities’ is spurring the data centre market, which is expected to grow annually by 7% between 2018-2024.

To keep up with demand for ‘white’ or data storage space, the data centre industry is under

Globally, data centre construction is set to expand by more than 8.24% to US$32.37bn between 2018-2025”

COMMENT

pressure to bring resilient, efficient and secure infrastructure and facilities to market quickly.

In response, hyperscalers and operators are increasingly looking to complete site selection, acquisition, design and construction work as efficiently and innovatively as possible.

We believe it is possible for the industry to increase speed to market through integrated, multi-disciplinary delivery across a data centre’s journey to completion: Inception: Selecting a suitable site with appropriate power and utilities is fundamental in getting projects off the ground. An integrated approach starts from project inception with site selection, master planning, environmental screening and planning permissions. When planning experts share their in-depth knowledge and experience of navigating the complex data centre planning process with designers, we can ensure designs meet the essential requirements needed to obtain permission.

Design: Design briefs should be developed collaboratively with clients and appropriate stakeholders. Working as a single, multidisciplinary team enhances collaboration, driving faster delivery through seamless and efficient handover between disciplines.

This ensures a flexible, resilient design that fits with the client’s requirements to satisfy their end customers more efficiently.

Delivery: Working closely with the client, an integrated team of architects, engineers, environment and planning specialists share knowledge of the various customer, planning and construction requirements to achieve a better, more adaptable solution.

We applied these principles to design new-build data centre campuses on three sites in the Middle East. Our specialist Centre of Excellence data centre teams collaborated with in-country offices on the due diligence process for an initial critical load of approximately 4MW per data centre, complete with a shell and core suitable for 15MW, as well as an overall masterplan of 90MW per site.

As a result of effective engagement with local statutory authorities, all planning, building and utility permits were successfully obtained, and we were subsequently retained to provide construction supervision services to the client’s construction management team.

Sara Devitt is Regional Director, Buildings + Places at AECOM Ireland.

DR HARPREET SETH HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY DUBAI

Architects have a great role to play in influencing changes

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ince the advent of the pandemic, governments at various levels have been implementing smart city technologies to help combat its impact – using it to track the spread of infections and to support the execution of medical strategies.

In addition to demonstrating the value of smart technologies, these new applications are helping shape the future of smart cities.

The pandemic prompted governments and authorities to repurpose existing digital infrastructure in many innovative ways that were difficult to imagine previously.

Some of the key and immediate changes to the concept of smart cities post-pandemic requires accelerating digital transformation and envisioning new design approaches.

These will not only help us adapt to the new normal but also create new modes of social interactions essential for our wellbeing and make our cities more resilient.

Embracing automation: Even before the pandemic began, we had already started to see and experience automation in the form of touchless faucets and sensor-operated doors, especially in hotels, malls and airports. Now that we have been facing a pandemic for over a year, it is obvious that everybody wants to avoid touching anything unnecessarily. In terms of design upgrades, it is office buildings and even residential properties that should prioritise replacing doorknobs, light switches,

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thermostats, and other touch operated objects with motion sensors and voice controls, in order to reduce avoidable human contact.

Feeling safe with cleanliness and hygiene: Without a doubt, cleanliness and hygiene is now an integral part of feeling safe in day-to-day life. As we re-evaluate our built environment – especially public places – architects and designers are adopting new design considerations in the form of anti-bacterial surfaces and antimicrobial fabrics that will eventually become more common in new projects. Educating people and encouraging a shift in their attitude will also remain vital to ensuring their safety.

Striking the balance between live-workplay: With many still working from home and some firms allowing their employees indefinite remote working, people’s leisure and recreation needs will need to be reimagined as well. The design community is already seeing a rise in the demand for repurposed living spaces. From reducing tactile contact to integrating fitness and work into their homes, none of these are going to be possible without the aid of smart technologies. Live-work-play is the new design typology that has become more prominent over the last one year. Hence, the need for balance and taking a pause between each facet of live-workplay will continue to grow into the near future.

Although it is positive to see the roll-out of vaccines across the world, reclaiming a world as it was prior to the pandemic could be a few years away. It is therefore important to make urban resilience a top priority.

Smart city technologies can help us make our cities more habitable, resilient, and sustainable – and this is exactly what we need to create a safe and prosperous future that is responsive, not reactive.

The pandemic is also a lesson on why cities need to partner and collaborate with national governments to follow a consistent set of policies and synchronised actions. Though most cities can lean on their national governments for help during major crises, that is not always the case, even when it comes to more developed countries.

Cities must become more independent and innovative, enrolling all stakeholders in their crisis response and recovery planning – and that’s where current and new smart city technologies will play the role of a critical enabler.

Dr Harpreet Seth is head of Architecture Studies at Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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TENDERS

Middle East tenders UAE INDUSTRIAL

Jaleel Holdings Food Storage Facility TERRITORY Dubai Industrial City, UAE CLIENT Jaleel Holdings BUDGET $27 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work consist of a 2-storey food storage facility located at Dubai Industrial City, Dubai. It also includes an administration office and parking facilities.

COMPLETION 30/12/2022 MIXED-USE

Al Falah MixedUse Building TERRITORY Al Falah, UAE CLIENT East & West International Group (Das Holding) BUDGET $20 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction of a 17-storey mixed use building consists of residential apartments, offices and retail units in Al Falah, Abu Dhabi.

COMPLETION 30/12/2023

epoxy water transmission pipelines and associated works at various locations in Dubai. The project plans to install glass reinforced epoxy water transmission pipelines in Al Qudra Street and the Dubai to Al Ain highway which will increase the water-flow capacity and provide water for the development of projects in these areas. A pipeline along Emirates Road will also be implemented to increase the water flow capacity of Khawaneej 2 and additional pipelines in other parts of Dubai to increase water flow in emergencies.

The pipeline will be installed at various sites for connecting main transmission pipelines. The project includes a water distribution network, access roads, installation of large meter connections and associated facilities.

COMPLETION 30/12/2023

SAUDI ARABIA ENERGY

Renewable Energy Program (Round 3) Saad 300 MW Solar Plant TERRITORY Saad, Saudi Arabia

CLIENT Renewable Energy Project Development Office BUDGET $410 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction of 300 megawatts photovoltaic solar plant located at Saad, Saudi Arabia. The project also includes two solar power plants, installation of solar panels & transformers and laying of transmission lines.

COMPLETION 30/12/2023 INFRASTRUCTURE

Sudair 380kV Solar PV Substation TERRITORY Riyadh, Saudi Arabia CLIENT Saudi Electricity Company BUDGET $85 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction

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of a 380kV Solar PV substation in Sudair, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The scope includes construction of a 380kV gas insulated substation, 380kV gas insulated switchgear, 380kV hybrid GIS and neutral grounding reactors, 13.8kV switchgear, 13.8kV/400V-230V station service transformers, 380kV 60MVAR reactors, fire detection and safety and fire protection system, substation automation system, power cables and terminations and associated electrical, instrumentation, civil and mechanical works. It includes protection, control, communication and SAS/ SCADA systems. The substation will be interconnected to the planned 1,500-2,000MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in Sudair.

COMPLETION 30/12/2023 MIXED-USE

Amaala TERRITORY Mohammed Bin Salman natural reserve, Saudi Arabia CLIENT Public Investment Fund BUDGET $7 billion DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work consists of a mixed-use development located at the northwestern coast of Saudi Arabia,

INFRASTRUCTURE

Glass Reinforced Epoxy Water Transmission Pipelines (Phase 3) TERRITORY Dubai, UAE CLIENT Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) BUDGET $140 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of glass-reinforced MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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TENDERS

within Prince Mohammed Bin Salman natural reserve, Saudi Arabia.

The project includes 2500 hotel keys, 200 retail establishments and 700 residential villas and apartments and airports. The project will sit alongside Neom and The Red Sea as part of the Giga projects investment portfolio” which is part of the Saudi Vision 2030 program. The project is expected to generate 22,000 jobs across the hospitality and tourism, leisure, and retail sectors. This would support the opportunities it will create in the construction and ancillary industries.

The project is “a natural extension” of the Mediterranean Sea, which called it “the Riviera of the Middle East”. Along with Neom and The Red Sea, Amaala would help Saudi Arabia establish “a unique tourism ecosystem, supporting economic diversification”. Amaala features three distinct zones: Triple Bay which is the region’s first integrated sports and wellness community, offering a holistic wellness retreat. The Coastal Development which will host a program of exciting events from the global arts and cultural calendar, this coastline will be a gathering place for a community of influencers and connoisseurs, featuring a contemporary art museum and cultural district, to become an arts

epicenter of the Middle East. The Island - A residential hub designed around four design elements contemporary art, a riviera-lifestyle colony of artists, immersive artistic moments and sculpture. The island will offer arabic botanical gardens showcasing masterworks of art and sculpture. An artists’ village will host an active arts community supported by beachfront resorts and marinas.

COMPLETION 30/03/2029

CLIENT Oman Power & Water Procurement Company (OPWP) BUDGET $500 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction of 500-megawatt solar independent power plant (IPP) located at Manah, Oman.

COMPLETION 30/03/2025

INDUSTRIAL

OMAN COMMERCIAL

Muscat Airport City - Logistics Cluster TERRITORY Muscat Airport City, Oman CLIENT Oman Aviation Group BUDGET $100 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction of a logistic facilities on 24 hectares of land under the Muscat Airport City in Oman. The scope covers an area for air freight services, air freight buildings, an administrative building, a warehouse, loading and unloading facilities, parking facilities and associated facilities.

COMPLETION 30/12/2025

Tire Chip Storage Handling & Dosing Facility TERRITORY Oman CLIENT Oman Cement Company SAOG (OCC) BUDGET $30 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction of a warehouse for tire chip storage handling and dosing system, fire water system, fuel gas system, flare system and associated facilities.

COMPLETION 30/09/2023 ENERGY

Manah Solar l Independent Power Plant TERRITORY Manah, Oman

BAHRAIN RESIDENTIAL

East Hidd Housing Residential - Social Apartment Units (Village C1 & C2) TERRITORY East Hidd, Bahrain CLIENT Bahrain Ministry of Housing BUDGET $125 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction of 246 housing units, children's play area, park, a clubhouse, infrastructure works, landscaping works and associated facilities in Village C1 & C2 in East Hidd, Bahrain.

COMPLETION 30/12/2024 INFRASTRUCTURE

Dynamic Reactive Power Compensation Substations TERRITORY New Hidd, New Riffa and Manama, Bahrain CLIENT Bahrain Electricity & Water Authority (EWA) BUDGET $100 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction of a three 200MVar, 220kV STATCOMs, one at each of the new Hidd, new Riffa and Manama 220kV substations in Bahrain. The scope also includes an installation of reactive power compensation equipment at 12 TSE pumping stations. These systems will help to mitigate voltage instabilities and minimize the probability of having blackout and load shedding.

COMPLETION 30/03/2024

July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

TENDERS

RESIDENTIAL

located adjacent to residential area located in the eastern part of the commercial services strip in Jaber Al Ahmad City, Kuwait.

COMPLETION 30/10/2024

Danat Al Hoora TERRITORY Manama, Bahrain CLIENT Eskan Bank BUDGET $35 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work consists of a residential development located at Al Hoora, Manama, Bahrain.

The project includes 132 threebedroom units, 264 cars capacity parking facilities in 10-storey buildings and a retail area.

COMPLETION 30/12/2024

RECREATIONAL

New Messilah Beach Development

QATAR INFRASTRUCTURE

Qatar Southern Areas Road Improvement Works TERRITORY Southern Areas, Qatar CLIENT Public Works Authority (ASHGHAL) BUDGET $25 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the road improvement works, site mobilization works, earthworks, pavement works and associated facilities in various areas of southern areas, Qatar.

COMPLETION 30/12/2023 INFRASTRUCTURE

Greater Doha Road Improvement Works TERRITORY Greater Doha, Qatar CLIENT Public Works Authority (ASHGHAL) BUDGET $25 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the road improvement works, site works, earthworks, pavement works and associated facilities in various areas of Greater Doha, Qatar.

COMPLETION 30/12/2023 INFRASTRUCTURE

Qatar Palm Island Bridges TERRITORY Doha, Qatar

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CLIENT Public Works Authority (ASHGHAL) BUDGET $50 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the design, build, dismantling and construction of Palm Island Bridges in Qatar.

COMPLETION 30/12/2023

offices. The design reflects the client’s requirements by providing a fully furnished office tower with a combination of maximum floor efficiency and a breath-taking design concept.

COMPLETION 30/09/2024 EDUCATIONAL

KUWAIT CORPORATE

Boubyan Bank Headquarters TERRITORY Kuwait City, Kuwait CLIENT Boubyan Bank BUDGET $80 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work consist of a 34-storey headquarters building (4B+G+2M+31) located at Kuwait City, Kuwait. The facility includes convention halls, office cabins, reception area, parking facilities and associated facilities. The design concept of the building was inspired by Boubyan Bank’s logo. The headquarters will be home to convention halls, public area, cafeteria, meeting rooms, storage rooms, parking facilities, visitors zone, development of the landscapes and spacious

Jaber Al Ahmad Private School (J6-F) TERRITORY Jaber Al Ahmad City, Kuwait CLIENT Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) BUDGET $25 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction of a private school on a design, build, finance, operation, maintenance and transfer basis within a plot of 9,297 square meters and

TERRITORY Messilah Beach, Kuwait CLIENT Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) BUDGET $30 million DESCRIPTION The project's scope of work involves the construction of restaurant pavilions, recreation areas, a jogging track, retail spaces at the beach club have been designed to enhance direct visibility and maximize storefronts overlooking the main entrance promenade, changing rooms, located at both ends of the club, have multiple entry points that separate dry areas from wet areas, events hall has been located to be accessed directly from the promenade, landscaping works and car parking spaces in Messilah beach, Kuwait. The scope also covers four pools for leisure/recreation, kids, aqua play, and wave/surf simulation, with shading structures to protect against direct sunlight. A small water slide park has been integrated within the family pool for children of a younger age group. A large Adventure Trail, measuring approximately 18 meters high and 27 by 27 meters wide, will be the largest of its kind in Kuwait. Those who are interested in sports and physical activities can use the fitness stations, in addition to the tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, football, and table tennis courts and facilities; while children will enjoy the different playground equipment spread around the property. Other facilities include a rentable private pavilion; complete with a nauticalthemed living room, kitchenette, and private restroom, a sports rental equipment store, a retail store, changing rooms and toilets, a first aid room and praying areas.

COMPLETION 30/12/2023

MEConstructionNews.com | July 2021

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PROGRESS REPORT

Final update

The Residences, Dorchester Collection to be completed in H2 2021 Luxury development undergoing the final stages of construction

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he Residences, Dorchester Collection is undergoing the final stages of construction and is expected to be completed in H2 of this year, the architect and design firm BSBG has announced.

The firm notes that significant progress was made on the project in recent months, with several key milestones being achieved since the start of the year. The luxury development features a 5-star hotel July 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com

and 39 high-end residences overlooking the marina at Marasi Drive in the Burj Khalifa District in Dubai.

The project stands at a height of 136m and has a GFA of 61,400sqm.

According to a statement from BSBG, it was engaged midway through the concept stage as the executive architect and lead consultant for the project, working alongside concept architects Foster + Partners.

Once the detailed design was complete, BSBG was novated to contractor Roberts Constructions, under a design & build contract to see the project through to completion, the firm said.

“The landscape design is now in progress, and from our side BSBG is in the process of compiling the documents for the Building Permit BP 8 submission to Dubai Municipality.

Close to completion The project’s is in the final stages of completion and will be finished in the second half of 2021.

136 Total

height of the project in metres

Roberts Constructions achieved 10m safe man hours on 10th March 2021, which was a great achievement, and they are currently preparing to handover the basement level 2 car park, and all apartments in the residential tower over to the client for commencing their fit-out works,” stated BSBG associate Hameed Syed.

The project was designed by Foster + Partners and features two separate towers interlinked at various points by expansive open landscaped podiums, the hallmark of which are a series of ‘free-standing’ white concrete columns standing at 36m tall, stated the firm.

He added, “Externally, the façade is very close to completion, and many will have noticed that the concrete columns in the void of both the Residential and Hotel towers have been completed and the scaffoldings are now removed.”

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