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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.
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