CBRE’s Nachiket Pandya shares his views on co-living
ON TOPIC
Ramboll’s Yasmin Al-Khatib on waste management
IN PRACTICE
Women in Construction: Compass’ Claire Tromp
ON SITE DECEMBER 2019
065
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST
Alison Watson talks to MEC about the student-focused construction curriculum
Design Engineer Construct!
Licensed by Dubai Development Authority
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Contents | 01
20
December 2019 Issue 065
Cover Story
Design Engineer Construct!
Jason Saundalkar speaks to Class Of Your Own CEO Alison Watson about the student-focused construction curriculum, its launch in Dubai, and the importance of inspiring young people
34
Feature
Aligning with National Vision Ramboll’s Yassmin Al-Khatib discusses sustainability, recycling and waste management in the GCC, being brought onto projects at the right time, and barriers to success
Site Visit
28 meconstructionnews.com
Retail Vision
Middle East Consultant profiles Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ Mall of Oman, which will be the sultanate’s largest retail destination and a key part of its economic vision once it launches in March 2021 December 2019
02 | Contents
46
Analysis
Dubai Q3 Snapshot
JLL weighs in on the supply and performance of Dubai’s residential, office and hotel sectors in Q3
12 Profile
Claire Tromp
Jason Saundalkar talks to Compass Project Consulting’s Claire Tromp about her influences, career and gender diversity in the regional construction industry Event Report
ME BIM Summit 2019
MEC covers the fourth edition of the ME BIM Summit, which discussed the impacts of intelligent modelling and how technology is transforming the way industry thinks about work-sites
52 Event Report
Women in Construction Networking Evening
Angitha Pradeep covers the second Women in Construction Networking Evening, which took place on November 19 at the Sofitel JBR in Dubai December 2019
40 meconstructionnews.com
04 | Welcome
Group MANAGING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5471 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713
Editorial EDITOR JASON SAUNDALKAR jason.s@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5475 SUB EDITOR AELRED DOYLE aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com
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New look, New plans, New Year! Welcome to the new and improved Middle East Consultant, dear readers! About two months ago we decided that we wanted to comprehensively change the look, and feel, of your favourite construction monthly. The ambition was driven by the fact that we wanted to give you, our loyal readers, more of what you’ve said you like in a package that’s accessible, crisp and thoroughly modern. The result of that desire, along with hours and hours of discussion with our invaluable design and management teams, is what you now hold in your hands. I do hope you like it. If you’re wondering why we chose the December 2019 issue to roll out this new look, rather than unveil it as the first issue of 2020, it’s quite simple really. The biggest event of the year for the magazine is the Middle East Consultant Awards, scheduled to take place at the Ritz-Carlton JBR on December 10 – we thought the gala was the perfect platform from which to launch our new look and celebrate with the companies and individuals crowned victorious during the night’s proceedings. We also think that closing 2019 with our hotly anticipated awards ceremony and the new redesign puts us in the perfect position December 2019
to hit 2020 running. The year promises to be one for the history books with Expo 2020 Dubai opening in the second half of the year, but even beyond that, we’re also stepping up our focus on the industry and its issues. In 2020 we’ll continue to focus on hot topics such as BIM, diversity and inclusion, and value engineering; but we’ve also got plans for new summits, networking events and much more. Needless to say, we’re super excited at the prospect of planning and rolling these out. Of course, you’ll hear about these in the coming months (watch this space), but until then I invite you to have a thorough read through this issue and, as always, please share your likes and dislikes with me via email on jason.s@cpitrademedia.com. After all, we produce this title and all of our events to highlight issues and promote change – from that standpoint, it’s business as usual. With that, I’d like to wish you all a happy, safe and prosperous 2020 from all of us here at CPI Trade Media.
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Etihad Towers | Abu Dhabi | UAE
06 | On Topic
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FEATURED
CONSTRUCTION
DUBAI MUNICIPALITY, DUBAI
Guardian Glass helps Sabic’s Home of Innovation achieve zero net energy balance
SILICON OASIS LAUNCH LAB TO DEVELOP GEOSPATIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
I can’t think of a greater gift from this phase of development in the UAE than proving that we can all build the infrastructure
CONSULTANT
that holds our cities and
Turner & Townsend readies UAE’s largest IKEA for December opening
communities together in the most sustainable way possible. The construction industry in the UAE has
Experts: The company behind Al Wasl Plaza’s dazzling steelwork
always relied on bringing over the best brains of the construction industry
CONSTRUCTION
from across the world.
Riviera Group announces opening of La Riviera Apartments
The legacy of this can be seen in the iconic buildings that push up into the skylines of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Initiatives like this (Dubai Municipality,
Dubai Silicon Oasis launch lab to develop geospatial
CONSULTANT
H+A Global wins design contract for Wellness Village in Jeddah
infrastructure) and the work being done in institutions like Masdar and the universities are proof that the future will be about establishing the country as a centre for innovation for the entire
CONSTRUCTION
L&T Construction wins multiple EPC contracts from JUIDCO
December 2019
Project profile: Mall of Oman, a nation’s destination
global industry. Name withheld by request
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01
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | Abu Dhabi | UAE
8 | On Topic
New Development
Emaar Properties announces new master development Emaar Properties has described its newest master-planned development The Valley as “groundbreaking”. Located on the outskirts of Dubai’s Dubai-Al Ain Road, it will feature “a lush green ribbon of breathtaking landscape, connecting residents with never-before-seen vast open spaces and mega-amenities, inspiring the name: The Valley”. “Designed for those who desire a balanced lifestyle, the various activity offerings inspire limitless exploration and boundless dreaming at the doorstep of its residents. The master development will feature expertly designed townhouses in addition to worldclass amenities nurturing a strong sense of community and family-friendly living, with retail, entertainment, recreational, educational and health facilities,” the master developer said in its statement. The Valley is said to offer a compelling investment opportunity for those within the mid-income residential market and will feature the conveniences of the city, allowing families and first-time buyers to own a piece of future living. “It supports the growth of Dubai, extending the map to offer a sanctuary equipped with world-class amenities located five minutes away from the Sevens Stadium, eight minutes from Dubai Outlet Mall and 25 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport,” added Emaar.
Expo 2020
01
Austria breaks ground on Dubai 2020 pavilion
01 The pavilion will feature a shaded courtyard in addition to an Innovation Lab that will host lectures, temporary exhibitions and more.
Austria has broken ground on its pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Commissionergeneral Beatrix Karl; Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, executive director, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau; and other officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony. As part of the Opportunity District, the Austria pavilion will introduce an unusual concept, officials said – 38 interlocking cones blending on a 2,400sqm pavilion to form a harmonious structure. The cones are 6-15m high, cut off at the top and plastered with clay. Using the world’s oldest building material and an intelligent ventilation concept with wind towers, the pavilion will naturally provide a comfortable atmosphere.
02
02 The Valley will feature 43.5sqm of lush open spaces, 61,000sqm of retail area and a 20,000sqm sports village.
December 2019
meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 9
03
Senior officials also said that as part of Austria’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, extensive activities are being planned to deepen bilateral relations between Austria and the UAE, as well as the whole region. Karl said: “The highlight of our Expo 2020 participation will be Austria Day on November 12. On this day, Austria will present itself to the international Expo audience with actively cultivated customs as well as interdisciplinary art and cultural accents.” In its pavilion, Austria will display resourceful initiatives and inspiring solutions from the country in a dedicated exhibition area at the Opportunity District, she stated. “The two countries share almost the same size in terms of population and area, and the UAE is Austria’s most important economic partner in the Near and Middle East.” Al Ali added: “We look forward to seeing Austria’s innovative and exciting construction efforts come to life as we continue our journey together towards a once-in-a-lifetime celebration in less than a year’s time.” meconstructionnews.com
03 The store will span some 30,000sqm and will feature a 500-seat food court, over 40 dining and eating options and over 2,300 parking spaces.
Project Completion
UAE’s largest IKEA readies for December opening
M&S and Lulu Hypermarket, as well as over 120 other stores. The firm was appointed to support the delivery by Al Futtaim Group Real Estate, and is providing planning and project controls for IKEA’s 30,000sqm store. The retail offer will be complemented by a 500-seat food court, over 40 dining and eating options, a Stay and Play offering, a family entertainment Kids Club and over 2,300 parking spaces, Turner & Townsend said in a statement, adding that it is working with Brewer Smith Brewer Group (BSBG), which is overseeing design and delivery of the Festival Plaza project. With IKEA openings in Europe, Asia and the Middle East under its belt, Turner & Townsend explained that it is drawing on its previous experience and understanding of the brand, including IKEA’s prioritisation of environmental sustainability in store design. Hudson Fountain, director at Turner & Townsend, said: “IKEA is a much-loved global brand that is known for its commitment to sustainable working practices and environmental stewardship. Our expertise working with the company across global regions ensures we can play our part in delivering high-quality retail space that meets these credentials. The new store will act as a major anchor for the wider Festival Plaza project, acting as an exemplar project for the development of high-quality mixed-use neighbourhoods across Dubai and the region as a whole.” Solar panels will enable the store to receive 20% of its power from solar energy, while efficient AC units and lights with motion-based control will help save energy that could power more than 400 homes yearly. IKEA also recycles 90% of its dry operational waste annually. Its target is to use only renewable or recycled materials for its products by 2030.
Turner & Townsend says Dubai’s second IKEA outlet, the largest in the UAE, is on track for its December opening. IKEA will be opening in a retail destination that includes other flagship tenants such as December 2019
10 | On Topic
Project Handover
Select Group begins handover of Studio One development Select Group has begun the handover of its premium urban development in Dubai Marina. Studio One was developed at a cost of $136m near Bluewaters Island, and offers 400 units spread across 31 floors. “Studio One is a development that appeals to a wide segment of society, including valuedriven young professionals aiming to buy their first home or savvy investors targeting high
04
rental returns. The combination of its prime urban location within Dubai Marina, premium build quality, superior finishes and attractive price point make this the ideal investment for customers,” said Rahail Aslam, founder and CEO of Select Group. According to a statement from the developer, the homes feature full-length windows and highly efficient layouts. The development includes two levels of dedicated underground parking, a swimming pool and ground-level retail.
05
04 The project features a mix of studio, oneand two-bedroom apartments and a number of amenities.
Collaboration
Fenwick Elliott joins forces with Hammad & Al-Mehdar Fenwick Elliott has signed an alliance with Saudi-based Hammad & Al-Mehdar, it has been announced. The move is part of Fenwich Elliott’s plans for growth across the Middle East, a statement from the law firm said. It added that the collaboration between the two legal entities will allow clients access to a higher level of local and focused construction, engineering and energy law advice, to meet the increasingly complex nature of projects across the Kingdom. Operating out of Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar, the alliance will focus specifically on construction and energy law matters in the Kingdom, providing the market with international and regional expertise from the two firms. Toby Randle, the partner heading up the alliance on behalf of Fenwick Elliott, said:
December 2019
meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 11
05 The new alliance follows Fenwick Elliott’s establishment in 2015 of its international headquarters in Dubai.
New Development
“Vision 2030 presents a huge opportunity for Fenwick Elliott to play an active role in supporting one of the largest and most ambitious plans of exemplary construction, infrastructure and energy projects ever undertaken on the global stage. We have formed a formidable team within the Saudi construction and energy market – a combination of high-profile international construction and energy lawyers, working alongside one of the largest and oldest legal institutions in Saudi.” Both Fenwick Elliott and Hammad & Al-Mehdar have been established for 35 years, share the same values, service levels and market focus, and have a drive for development and further growth in the Kingdom, he added. Dr Adli Hammad, founding partner – Hammad & Al-Mehdar, said: “We have exciting times ahead of us. The alliance with Fenwick Elliott plays an important part in the strategic direction of Hammad & Al-Mehdar, of collaborating with best-in-class legal specialists in specific market segments. This new alliance will leverage Fenwick Elliott’s international credentials with our local expertise to deliver unparalleled value in the Saudi construction and energy market. “Our clients will enjoy access to top-level experts to tackle their complex legal issues, allowing them to continue focusing on their core business while having the peace of mind that their legal issues are handled by best-inclass lawyers.” October of this year saw the first in a series of thought leadership events jointly hosted by Fenwick Elliott and Hammad & Al Mehdar, focusing on dispute resolution and delay event analysis.
Azizi Developments has launched a new residential project in Dubai Studio City. Mirage will have a built-up area of 38,163sqm and is to be designed with the young generation in mind. The project will comprise some 253 studios, 155 one-bedroom and 366 twobedroom apartments. It will feature chic and tastefully architected development that gives emphasis to vertical features and curved forms that resemble the buttresses of early European structures, all while embodying a modern and sleek design, said the developer in a statement. “Mirage is our response to a rising demand for housing that reflects the aspirations of young millennials, a demographic that is of an increasing importance and holds the
meconstructionnews.com
Azizi announces Mirage residential project in Dubai Studio City
key to the growth of our economy. Dubai represents an ideal environment for this particular segment, with it being a promising city that allows young professionals to pursue an enhanced lifestyle. Empowered, financially confident and socially stable millennials are realising that owning a property, rather than renting one, enables them to invest in a lucrative asset while incurring lower monthly accommodation costs,” said Farhad Azizi, CEO of Azizi Developments. The developer stated that Mirage is built for free-spirited thrill-seekers and is being embedded in one of the most youthful areas in the emirate, adjacent to Dubai Sports City and Motor City. “We are pleased to cater to this shift in awareness and understanding by not just tailoring our products to their liking, but by also helping them overcome their fear of commitment through affordable and flexible payment plan options,” added Azizi.
06 The project will feature a built-up area of 38,163sqm and will feature three different apartment types.
06
December 2019
12 | On Topic
Dubai Q3 Snapshot JLL weighs in on the supply and performance of Dubai’s residential, office and hotel sectors in Q3
Following the various initiatives announced over the past year to boost demand, the Dubai government has taken steps to also limit future supply, with the Q3 2019 announcement of a new Real Estate Planning Committee. Developers are also launching fewer new projects, with activity at this year’s Cityscape Global focusing on the sale of existing inventory. Despite these trends, the market is still expected to see a high level of delivery in the short term, with potential residential completions in 2019 (36,000 units) likely to be the highest in the last 10 years. The growth of flexible offices and e-commerce continues to disrupt the office and retail sectors, with the latter also creating opportunities for further logistics facilities in Dubai. All sectors except residential, which has reached the bottom, currently remain in the late downturn stage of their cycle, with further declines in rents and sale prices likely over the next 12 months. December 2019
meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 13
meconstructionnews.com
December 2019
14 | On Topic
Dubai residential supply, 2017-2021 (thousand units) Current supply
Dubai apartment rent and sale prices
Future supply
300
-10%
-10%
Rent Y-o-Y
Sales Y-o-Y
Dubai office supply, 2017-2021 (million sqm of GLA) Current supply
Future supply
400 350
250
300
12-month outlook
200
250 Dubai villa rent and sale prices
150
100
-6%
-4%
Rent Y-o-Y
Sales Y-o-Y
50
200 150 100
Residential Supply & Performance
More than 6,500 units were completed in Q3, bringing completions for 2019 to around 23,000 and total residential stock to 542,000. Some of the major completions in Q3 included Sparkle Towers in Dubai Marina, Sidra Villas in Dubai Hills Estate and BLVD Crescent in Downtown Dubai. An additional 33,000 units are expected to enter the market by the end of the year. We remain cautious on the timely delivery of all these projects. The first initiative addressing future supply in Dubai was launched in Q3, with the announcement of a new Real Estate Planning Committee. The aim of this committee is to introduce measures to improve the balance between residential supply and demand. The committee will also develop a comprehensive strategic vision for all major real estate projects in Dubai for the next ten years. Developers are responding to the need for lower levels of future supply, with the number of projects launched in 2019 to date (7,800 units) the lowest for the past three years. The Dubai residential market is at the bottom of the cycle, December 2019
with marginal declines of around 1% in both apartment and villa rents and sale prices, while apartment sale prices increased slightly (by 1%) over the quarter. This brings the total decline over the past 12 months to between 9% (for villa sale prices) and 6% (for villa rents). During Q3, Dubai Land Department (DLD) announced the launch of the first official house price index for Dubai. The index will be called Mo’asher and will publish data related to sale prices and rents in Dubai. It is due to be launched by the end of October. DLD is now responsible for registering all rental contracts in Dubai, taking over from Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). While DLD will regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants, along with rental contracts, RERA will be responsible for regulation and overseeing real estate development escrow accounts, and accrediting financial institutions qualified to manage these accounts. RERA also remains responsible for regulating the development, brokerage and management of real estate projects in Dubai.
2021
2020
2019
2018
12-month outlook
2017
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
50
Office Supply & Performance
Around 80,000sqm of GLA was added in Q3 2019 with the completion of The Offices 4 and 5 in Trade Centre District and the Mastercard building in Dubai Media City. These completions bring total office stock to around 8.7m sqm of GLA. Assuming no further delays, an additional 410,000sqm of quality office space is expected to enter the market by end 2019. Notable projects include ICD Brookfield Place in DIFC and Amesco Tower in JLT. Demand for office space remained weak in Q3 2019, on the back of slow business activity. The majority of demand is for small units (less than 1,000sqm), with a preference for CAT A fit-out rather than shell and core space. A number of new initiatives have been launched to boost demand. These include the One Free Zone Passport and further moves to allow free zone companies to extend their operations to mainland Dubai. DIFC, DWTC, DAFZA and DMCC are among the free zones to have signed agreements with the Department of Economic Development to offer dual licences. meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 15
Dubai office vacancy rate
23%
27%
2018
2019
Dubai hotel supply, 2017-2021 (thousand rooms) Current supply
Dubai hotel occupancy
Future supply
35
70%
71%
2018
2019
30 12-month outlook
12-month outlook
25 20
Dubai office rents (AED sqm/annum)
Dubai hotel ADR (USD)
15
1700
1600
Q3 2018
Q3 2019
10
105
113
2018
2019
Vacancies in the central business district (CBD) remained stable over the quarter at 13%. Average grade A rents declined by 6% in Q3 to $385, a 13% decline over the past year. With more quality office supply expected to enter the market, further downward pressure on rents and occupancies is expected over the next 12 months. The market remains favourable to tenants, and landlords continue to offer good renewal terms to retain existing tenants in the face of increased competition from new best-inclass supply entering the market. Landlords are also offering lower rent, extended rentfree periods, fit-out contributions and other concessions to attract new tenants. With increased interest in co-working and co-living spaces, developers are offering more flexible workspaces to attract both established corporates and SMEs. District 2020 is one example of a project seeking to accommodate the increased demand for co-working and coliving spaces.
meconstructionnews.com
2021
2020
2019
2018
12-month outlook
2017
5
Hotel Supply & Performance
Around 800 keys were added during Q3 2019, bringing the total number of hotel and serviced apartment keys in Dubai to around 124,000. Major projects completed during the quarter included Radisson Blu in Sufouh Gardens and Waldorf Astoria in DIFC. An additional 14,000 keys are expected to enter the market by the end of the year, with major projects including The Address Fountain View in Downtown and Artesia in Damac Hills. While developers are bringing some strategic projects forward to complete ahead of Expo 2020 next October, we remain cautious on the ability of many projects to complete on schedule. Since the relaxation of regulations on short-term rentals in Dubai, holiday homes have been increasing in popularity. Seeing this opportunity, IBC Group recently announced plans to acquire 10,000 properties to furnish and manage as holiday homes in Dubai. Emaar has also entered this market with its own digital platform, Ease by Emaar, which will
12-month outlook
allow owners within its developments to list their properties for short-term rental. The hotel market in Dubai continued to record decreases in performance in the YT August 2019. Average daily rates (ADRs) fell 13% to $148, compared to the same period last year. Similarly, revenue per available room (RevPAR) fell 15% to $108, and occupancy levels decreased to 73% in YT August 2019. ADRs and RevPAR are currently at their lowest levels since 2006. Multiple initiatives have been launched by the government throughout the year to support the hotel market by increasing the attractiveness of Dubai as a tourist destination. Although further declines in performance are expected over the next 12 months, the hotel market can be expected to recover on the back of strong visitor arrival growth associated with Expo 2020.
December 2019
16 | On Topic
01
Nachiket Pandya “The co-living concept is past its introduction stage and is gaining popularity among young professionals, entrepreneurs and millennials” As urbanism evolves, new concepts make their way into cities, with an innovative zeal feeding the needs and demands of inhabitants. Co-living is one such concept which is finding its way into cities globally. Co-living thrives on a single principle at its heart – shared spaces. With a growing urban population comes inherent risks such as loneliness, expensive living spaces and a lack of comfort. Co-living counters these elements by offering communal living, likeminded neighbours and social events, all while managing to preserve the privacy most of us so greatly value. Millennials are a major demographic draw for co-living developments globally. This trend can be partly attributed to the everrising problem of affordability in key cities. With the growing world population and the concentration within urban areas, housing affordability is posing a major challenge. Furthermore, millennials are valuing experience over and above material goods and ownership, which plays a crucial role in shaping their housing demands. Real Estate
01 Nachiket Pandya is Analyst – Strategic Advisory at CBRE MENAT.
December 2019
Globally, co-living spaces are popping up in major American and European cities, with the majority in cosmopolitan cities like London and New York. From a commercial real estate sense, co-living developments are build-to-
rent structures or purpose-built spaces with a strategy of leasing the space over the life of the asset. This model is similar to student accommodation or staff accommodation, markets which have seen high investments in recent years. Co-living developments offer furnished apartments with ready infrastructure, offering tenants a ‘plug-and-play’ option. Furthermore, they offer communal areas within the development with high-speed WiFi, app support, shared kitchens, gyms, bars, restaurants, rooftop terraces, swimming pools and hot desks. These features are additionally complemented by social events, curated parties and themed gatherings, with the single aim of creating a sense of community and belonging for tenants. Flexibility
Generally, co-living spaces offer stay options for long and short periods, with the flexibility of signing up for spaces digitally on app-based platforms and integrated payment systems. This not only gives the tenants flexibility for a commitment-free stay, but also a hasslefree, single payment option which includes fees for useful features such as WiFi, utilities, TV subscriptions, gyms and hot desks. Flexibility is valued highly among millennials, and this is being captured prudently by co-living operators. meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 17
Co-living developments are increasingly upgrading and streamlining their digital platforms, providing users with seamless digital integration – ideal for a world which has learned to order food, call house cleaning and hitch rides with a few swipes of a phone. Developer and Operator
Currently, there are two major business models within the co-living industry: the develop-and-operate model, where the developer constructs and operates the space; and the operator model, where the operator simply operates existing spaces. There are also examples in the market of joint ventures between property development companies and operator companies. Overall, the co-living concept is past its introduction stage and is gaining popularity among young professionals, entrepreneurs and millennials, who are gravitating towards the communal experience while pursuing careers away from home. This trend is also largely driven during times of increased mobility, where employees are more flexible in terms of their geographic presence. This then ultimately leads people moving into new cities (for a certain period of time) to opt for a residence with more of a communal feel, for the purpose of promoting interaction and collaboration.
increasingly choose to provide co-living units for rent in strategic locations of Dubai or as part of vibrant mixed-use developments. Several co-living projects have recently been launched in Dubai, to great success. Most notably, Emaar’s first co-living project, The Collective, sold 400 units in one day. Since this successful launch, Emaar and other developers have announced new co-living projects in different parts of the city. These projects are different from traditional co-living spaces in other parts of the world, in that units are sold rather than offered for rent. Globally, co-living spaces are run under the build-to-rent model and operated to provide a curated experience. While the build-to-sell model is quite
Dubai
With Dubai being one of the top real estate markets within the GCC, it comes as no surprise that the emirate is experimenting with the concept of co-living. As a global city with a third of its population between the age of 25 and 34, Dubai presents the ideal scenario for the development of co-living spaces. However, as with any city, Dubai has its own set of conditions if co-living is to thrive here. While companies and government entities across the region recognise the market gap and the need for this product offering, there is a cultural bridge which also needs to be met. At present, this notion is often confused with the offering of serviced apartments, yet the main difference lies around the community aspect. We expect that, regulations permitting, developers may meconstructionnews.com
With Expo 2020 right around the corner, an influx of people from across the globe is expected – people from different nationalities who will interact and conduct business, creating potential opportunities within a collaborative environment”
attractive for investors who would like to buy units then place them on the rental market, this may not be the case with the entrepreneurs, recent graduates, etc who make up the traditional target market, as it may limit the plug-and-play nature of the infrastructure, as well as the desired flexibility. Additionally, the target market may not have the purchasing power or the willingness to purchase a residential unit, and tends to be more attracted to a lease model for reasons of convenience, flexibility and affordability. As Dubai continues to explore and implement new initiatives to grow its knowledge and technology sectors, an increasing number of techies, entrepreneurs and millennials are expected to choose to call the emirate their home. This is actually the precise target market which co-living caters to: mobile nomads seeking community living at affordable prices within a hassle-free lease arrangement. The co-living concept in Dubai is still at a nascent stage, though, and one can expect the introduction of co-living operators who will bring the built-to-rent operating model to the Middle East. We also must not forget the impact that the forthcoming Expo 2020 will have: with the Expo right around the corner, an influx of people from across the globe is expected – people from different nationalities who will interact and conduct business, creating potential opportunities within a collaborative environment. This will potentially bolster the market for co-living spaces based on the build-to-rent operator models, which offer highly collaborative communities and a truly global experience. It should be remembered, though, that co-living is but one example of real estate transforming in line with wider macroeconomic factors, trends and consumer needs. In line with ever-changing technology and generational preferences, it is imperative that real estate landlords and developers across all sectors seek ways to respond to consumer needs. Co-living has been successful in doing just that, and is poised to become one of the key real estate drivers not only in the Middle East but across the world. December 2019
18 | On Topic
01
Cameron Martin “Increased public scrutiny drives the necessity to preserve the surrounding environment that we live in” The UAE has a comprehensive environmental legal and regulatory framework consisting of 12 federal laws, eight decrees and local law orders, and 26 international and regional conventions and agreements. Each focuses on ensuring environmental requirements are adhered to, both nationally and internationally. Failure of a project owner to adhere to each aspect of these can result in project delay, issuing of Notices of Violation (NOV) and, in the worst-case scenario, financial penalties. Increased scrutiny caused by greater general public awareness, Corporate Social Responsibility and annual sustainability reporting are additional drivers when it comes to the necessity to preserve the surrounding environment that we live in. In an attempt to provide a more userfriendly document to assist developers in the UAE, DM-ED recently issued ‘Guidance on the Environmental Clearance (EC) Requirements for Development and Infrastructure Projects in the Emirate of Dubai’. This defines what developers are required to undertake for each project development. Categorisation of Projects
01 Cameron Martin is principal environmental consultant at Patrick Parsons.
December 2019
Historically, there has been a perception of ambiguity around the requirement of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). However, specific clarification for this has now been given in the recently issued guidance document: “The commencement of any construction activity, any changes or modification in its process or component, or any planned expansion of an existing project
is required to undertake one of two types of EIA studies.” These studies are in the form of either an EIA Report (EIAR) or an EIA Summary (EIAS), and differ based on location, size and sensitivity, as well as the nature and magnitude of the potential environmental impacts. DM-ED has provided both a mandatory list of project types that require the above EIAR and EIAS and an exempted miscellaneous list. Identifying or justifying where a project sits within these classifications requires the experience of a competent DM-ED registered consultant, one that can identify projectspecific solutions, ensuring that all parties involved are compliant. Project Owner Responsibilities
There are 15 key responsibilities outlined within the guidance document that all project owners need to be aware of prior to the commencement of a proposed development or expansion. Outside of the standard ‘known’ requirements of project owners, there are actually three key considerations that need to be factored into each project lifecycle going forward. These are: 1. To ensure that any installed/permanent environmental monitoring stations, and subsequent reporting requirements issued by DM-ED during the approval process and implementation stage, remain intact throughout the project construction and operation. This long-term monitoring commitment to assessing the environmental impacts is required of project owners. meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 19
2. To maintain records of results of a project for five years after the Environmental Clearance (approval) issuance date. These records need to be available to DM-ED officers and engineers as and when required. This aspect of accurate and reliable data storage is an area that Patrick Parsons has extensive experience in, increasing reassurance for both the client and ultimately the DM-ED. 3. To conduct or appoint the main contractor or an environmental consultant to perform periodic comprehensive environmental audits of the project, predominantly during the construction phase, but subsequently to ascertain compliance with the overarching environmental clearance for the project. These legacy requirements for the EIA assessment are often overlooked, but they need to be factored into a project at the earliest opportunity. Shortcuts or failures to follow the process will create delays to the required approval process, and the project.
Project-specific concerns
As with every project, unforeseen issues will arise while implementing the EIA. Within the guidance document we’ve identified red flags clients and project owner should consider. 1. “Polluter pays: The party responsible for producing pollution is responsible for paying for the damages done to the natural environment or community.” Understanding who is responsible is complex and requires large-scale site assessments to identify the source of a spill event or historical contamination. Once identified, the next step is to remediate the contaminant of concern and prevent further impacts to identified receptor(s). 2. “If the revised EIA document is not received within one year from the date of issuance of the comments, the EIA study shall no longer be considered valid, and a new study shall be required.” Tracking compliance on large-scale, active project sites is key, especially as projects
evolve in scale and complexity. It’s crucial to keep track of the existing EIAs and update them as needed, to avoid having to start the process again. 3. “Appoint a DM-registered environmental consultant to carry out the EIA study for the entire components of the project or master plan, as opposed to separate studies on each project component.” This project-wide environmental approval requirement has become more and more apparent in recent years. This is due to the scale of developments, the requirement of allencompassing approval, and most importantly the programme of delivery. Our goal is to apply our expertise to these new regulations, in order to ensure efficiencies in delivery and reduce the risk to the end client, so that developers are legally compliant. This is where our experience comes into play, because we can offer expert insight into what the changes mean and how clients need to adapt and plan for them.
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December 2019
20 | In Practice
Design Engineer Construct! Jason Saundalkar speaks to Class Of Your Own CEO Alison Watson about the student-focused construction curriculum, its launch in Dubai, and the importance of inspiring young people
01 Alison Watson MBE is the founder and CEO of Class Of Your Own.
December 2019
I’ve been working on Middle East Consultant for nearly three years, and there’s one industry issue that almost every executive I’ve interviewed has highlighted. It’s that the construction industry has a skills gap, and that hiring in the future for certain roles and disciplines could be quite a challenge, as the demand for structures and infrastructure skyrockets. PWC’s Global Construction 2030 report forecasts that the volume of construction output will grow by 85% to $15.5tn worldwide by 2030, and that China, the US and India will lead the way and account for 57% of global growth. Multiple drivers will contribute to this, which means the issues mentioned earlier must be tackled as soon as possible. This is where the Design Engineer Construct! (DEC) learning programme comes into play. DEC is an accredited curriculum for secondary school age students and was developed to create and inspire the next generation of built environment professionals. The programme was developed by UK nonprofit Class Of Your Own (COYO), founded meconstructionnews.com
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December 2019
22 | In Practice
02 The Drummond Community High School Team presents their winning project at Bentley Systems’ Year in Infrastructure 2019. 03 Alison Watson sitting inside a VHO pod with Virgin Hyperloop One’s Harj Dhaliwal, MD Middle East and India. 04 Fairgreen International School in Sustainable City is the first school in Dubai to roll out Design Engineer Construct!
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by land surveyor Alison Watson (MBE) and architect Dan Gibson in May 2009. “DEC has been in the UK for 10 years; I actually gave up my job as a land surveyor back in 2008 to commit to changing education. I think construction education for so long has been focused on training crafts, and that’s fine – there’s a place for everyone in the construction industry, that’s the beauty of it. But there was nothing for students who were looking towards more science or mathematics orientated career progression,” says Watson, who is the CEO. She explains the catalyst for the development of the programme: “I was
meeting lots of children when I was working on a building and topographical surveying programme for the UK’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. I saw myself as a young girl in a lot of those children, because they didn’t know what a land surveyor did or what an architect did. So even though they had this amazing school built across the road, they didn’t really understand the people that were behind it. The more I explored this, the more it seemed like people don’t realise that there is someone behind every house, road, airport, swimming pool, etc.” “The whole motivation behind Design Engineer Construct! was to highlight these technical professional careers – the people that you don’t see, such as designers, architects, landscapers, the civil engineers, structural engineers, quantity surveyors, cost consultants and so on. It was about positioning the industry as a place for high aspiration, high achievement and ambition, but we were looking at incorporating technology since 3D gaming is so popular among children.” Watson says working on BSF got her thinking about a different approach, one that placed talent recruitment at its core. “I said we should be giving children access to technology that we use, because whether you’re talking about digital modelling, laser scanning, etc, there are many aspects of technology that we use in construction. So instead of doing site visits, I thought: let’s get children designing their own buildings. They can build their own structures using BIM software and they can be super-accurate, and they can look at lifecycle, costs, etc. The ambition was to have children designing, engineering, constructing and looking at maintenance operations all through a digital model. It’s not about being capable with software, because kids and software are a natural fit anyway. It’s about the learning behind it.” She elaborates: “If I question a child’s design and ask how energy-efficient it is, using the software the child can say: I’ve done this analysis and these are my recommendations, and if I orientate my building by another degree, I might get more solar gain. So let’s try that in the software. They’re able to meconstructionnews.com
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produce a realistic building using the same principles we use, so they could demonstrate to professionals that their building will either work or fail. And if it fails, that’s a great learning opportunity, because there’s a great school of thought – fail once, fail twice, fail better every time, so you constantly improve.” Summarising the programme, Watson notes that young people always ask why they learn what they’re being taught in schools and says that encouraging their curiosity, creativity and innovation is important. “Giving them a medium to apply their knowledge of STEM/STEAM subjects is absolutely paramount. The vast, exciting, incredible industry that is the built environment offers all the above and more.” The Design Engineer Construct! programme must be integrated into schools, which means teachers must also be trained and qualified to give learners the opportunity to develop the skills to successfully engage in the technical and professional aspects of the construction industry. Leading the development of DEC, Watson worked with several companies from the construction industry, as well as educational institutions including Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Westminster. meconstructionnews.com
It was about positioning the industry as a place for high aspiration, high achievement and ambition, but we were looking at incorporating technology since 3D gaming is so popular among children”
“I know nothing about architecture, building services, etc, so I gathered together a group of people from the built environment and academia to create the progamme. Education has its own language and protocols, so I’d no more expect a teacher to come into industry and speak our language any more than I speak theirs. Therefore it was important to look at national curriculum, STEM or STEAM subjects and where does this fit for teachers. Because one of the issues when you’re writing new curriculum is, obviously, somebody has to teach it, so you have to take into account how that’s done.” Watson emphasises that the programme had to be based on project-based learning, since the industry learns on every project, and that there was also a desire to make the subject cross-curriculum. “DEC does not fit in a box, it’s math, science and so much more. I wrote this programme from the standpoint of: If I was to recruit the optimal young person with the skills I need, what would that person look like? I’d want a young person to be able to come into a room with confidence, be friendly, shake hands and look somebody in the eyes when speaking to them. The person would have to have all those meta skills, and those are skills December 2019
05 | In Practice 24
December 2019
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05 Watson, a land surveyor, and architect Dan Gibson founded COYO in May 2009.
for life. Even from a good parenting point of view, children need manners in this industry, since it’s a professional environment, so parents bring an awful lot to this programme.” Success Stories
DEC has already had multiple success stories in terms of students employed as a result of successfully completing the programme in educational institutions. Watson highlights Lauren Cunningham in the UK, a student of St. Ambrose Barlow RC High School in Salford, Greater Manchester, as one such young engineer. She was an apprentice engineering technician with WSP from August 2016 to August 2018, and has been an undergraduate engineer with the firm since September 2018. “Lauren decided at 16 that she didn’t want to stay on for A-Levels, she wanted to work. I think this was driven because she had a lot of interactions through the Adopt a School programme, and Laing O’Rourke were terrific when they started with this school. Lauren was introduced to digital engineers, civil engineers, etc. She was first considering finance or law – she certainly wasn’t interested in engineering. She was persuaded by a wonderful teacher, Daniel McDonough, to try a little STEM club, which was Design Engineer Construct! Lauren was hooked immediately and went on to her Level 2 programme, and I think she was an A-star student.” She continues, “Lauren designed an equine centre because she rides horses – that’s the power of the programme, you can design something that’s inspired by your hobby and that’s exactly what Lauren did. She came up with an impressive design and then she went on to WSP. She’d done her EngTech by the time she was 18 and was a runner-up for the Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) Jean Venables award. She was a QUEST scholar for ICE and she’s just applied again, and I’m crossing my fingers for her because a scholarship with the Institute of Civil Engineers helps pay through university. meconstructionnews.com
The other nice thing with the ICE award is you get a sum of money to do something in the field of civil engineering, or it supports you for learning, etc.” Watson explains that Cunningham’s ambition is to help children outside the UK get interested in the built environment via the DEC programme. “I’m hoping to bring her to Dubai as a role model for young women. If you think of the stereotype that we’re trying to get away from, and if you think of the antithesis of that, she’s that person. I’m very proud of that.” DEC in Dubai
The programme has been successfully integrated into some 77 schools, and earlier this year launched in Dubai with Fairgreen International School. More recently, the GEMS Al Barsha National School for Girls (NSG) also integrated the DEC programme into its curriculum. Watson reckons Dubai is the perfect place for DEC. “There’s a big opportunity for Dubai. I come back to Dubai every couple of months and there’s another building or another piece of infrastructure. The city already has a great metro system, Virgin Hyperloop One has an office here, you’ve got an amazing port in Jebel Ali and some of the technology being used in the port and logistics sectors is phenomenal. If you look at Dubai as a microcosm of advanced technologies in the digital built environment, everything is here for the children.” “You’ve also got Expo 2020 Dubai on the horizon. Expo is about children, youth, mobility, opportunity, sustainability and the DEC programme does all that too, so you can almost say that DEC is tailor-made for Dubai.” Now that the programme has seen uptake in Dubai, Watson is calling for construction professionals to volunteer their time. She’s keen to see professionals engaging with both the students and teachers involved in the DEC programme. “We need volunteers in abundance, and I’d love to see more facilities management professionals get involved. I’m going to big up David Lacey from IWFM, Duncan Denley from desert INK and Omnia Abada from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority. They’ve all been great, and we know there are other
people out there, and we really, really need their time.” Watson is also on the look-out for Design Engineer Construct! ambassadors and for firms to “adopt” schools. “With the support of my friends in the industry back in the UK, I met several companies including Mott MacDonald and said: You’re doing so much for schools with STEM ambassadors, but my worry is that schools and students will have that day or that afternoon where they’ll be so inspired. But tomorrow’s another day, and they’ll have lost that moment. With that, would you look at adopting one school or maybe a school in every region wherever you have an office?” “The whole point is to develop a long-term relationship with that school. I said that they must look at that relationship as developing their own talent pipeline. Mott MacDonald have really demonstrated that commitment now, because they recruit directly from DEC schools and they recruit children at the age of 16 as well.” Partnering with Industry
In recent years, Class Of Your Own has partnered with a number of industry staples to enhance its DEC programme. “I knew it was time to do something else because of the level of expertise, even in secondary school. By the time children are 16 years old, they already have a body of knowledge that is quite impressive. I wanted to concentrate on something different, because a building can change a community but infrastructure can change the world.” Watson says COYO worked closely with Bentley Systems, Topcon Positioning Systems and Virgin Hyperloop One to develop a new curriculum focused on future infrastructure. “If you’re 16 years old and you’ve completed your level two programme in DEC, you can choose to do something that’s the size of half an A-Level, for example. I wanted students to focus on an infrastructure project, and if you think of infrastructure, from transportation to social infrastructure, etc, it’s really important to ignite the imagination.” This partnership with industry led to the creation of a challenge that tasked four DEC December 2019
26 | In Practice
06 The Drummond Community High School Team won the 2019 Future Infrastructure Challenge: DEC Hyperloop.
schools to design a Hyperloop station in their own town, and then for the finale adapt it for a site in Singapore. Students presented to judges from around the world, including Harj Dhaliwal, MD for the Middle East and India at Virgin Hyperloop One. The team chosen to represent the UK’s young engineering talent was then flown to Singapore to present at Bentley’s ‘Year in Infrastructure 2019’ and meet real-life engineers working on projects around the world. The Drummond Community High School Team was the winner. Going forward, Watson states that COYO will work with the newly formed Digital Construction Works organisation, a joint venture between Bentley Systems and Topcon Positioning Systems. On the back of relationships with other global firms such as ARUP, Balfour Beatty and Mott MacDonald, she reckons a lot more can be accomplished.
“We’ve been working with amazing people, including White Frog, for the better part of seven years now. It’s funny because people say we’d love to help you train teachers, but training teachers isn’t just about teaching them software. We don’t want to produce software specialists with DEC, we want children who really understand what they’re doing. Software is a tool and anybody can teach a tool, but we want the learning to go on, which is why we work with White Frog. They have a great personality, they’re agile, but above all else they’re really human about it. They care an awful lot, like we do.” Watson concludes, “The biggest ask of the industry is to first care about your audience, because in a few years you’re going to be recruiting them. I think once the industry starts to care a little more about the next generation, that’s when positive change will happen. We’re all parents and we all care about children, so I say to industry: imagine that your child is in that class, and imagine that you are teaching your own child and helping them access the industry. You’re certainly going to be in it to win it, so please help us by getting involved.”
The whole motivation behind Design Engineer Construct! was to highlight these technical professional careers – the people that you don’t see, such as designers, architects, landscapers, the civil engineers, structural engineers, quantity surveyors, cost consultants and so on”
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Project: The Green Planet, Dubai | Solution: Custom Metal Radial Bulkheads & R-H 200 Ceilings
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28 | In Practice
Aligning with National Vision
Ramboll’s Yassmin Al-Khatib discusses sustainability, recycling and waste management in the GCC, being brought onto projects at the right time, and barriers to success December 2019
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30 | In Practice
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01 Yassmin Al-Khatib is an associate at Ramboll Middle East & Africa. 02 The firm’s portfolio includes consulting services for the recycling of construction and demolition waste in 14 cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
December 2019
Over the last few years, authorities across the GCC have stepped up their focus on sustainable development, recycling and waste management. In fact, ambitious goals relating to these areas are now objectives in several mandates, including Vision 2021, Abu Dhabi Environment Vision 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030. As a result, the market has begun to change. “We are seeing more clients that want to enforce objectives from national agendas such as Abu Dhabi Environment Vision 2030 – they want to see those targets achieved. Concerning waste management and the environment, we
see an increased focus on reducing waste generation and achieving recycling targets. To realise these goals, priority targets are set out, which are trickling down to the industries that initiate projects. I can see from recent projects we’ve been involved in that many are linked in one way or another to the national plans,” says Yassmin Al-Khatib, associate at Ramboll Middle East & Africa. Speaking about the UAE specifically, AlKhatib confirms that the national vision and targets have existed for some time, and that projects influenced by these agendas have been delivered. “We are at the point now where we can conduct studies and assess what is being achieved. We’ve received project inquiries, specifically from public sector clients, that are focused on tracking and monitoring KPIs. Many clients want to see how they’ve progressed over the years and ensure that they are on track with their plans.” Discussing the waste management landscape in the region, Al-Khatib notes that there is cause for concern and a lot of pressure on governments to make changes immediately. “We need to address waste management issues across the board, including public awareness. The UAE’s vision concerning waste management is clear, and every effort to improve waste management and recycling is an effort to address this issue. We, as consultants, are working closely with our clients to help deliver this change.” According to the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change & Environment website, the impact of population and economic growth is evident in increased waste generation and chemical usage rates. Per capita municipal solid waste generation has reached about 2.1kg/day, falling to around 1.8kg/day, one of the highest figures in the world. Asked whether national goals and targets are aligned across the UAE, AlKhatib comments, “Generally speaking, the objectives and goals are aligned across the emirates. Some cities are ahead and have developed their own guidelines and policies, while others are not there yet. We see this in the smaller emirates, such as Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. When there are gaps, we refer meconstructionnews.com
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to guidance documents from Abu Dhabi or Dubai. They do not differ very much from each other.” Drivers of Change
Asked who can help make positive change, Al-Khatib says everyone has an essential role in waste management, as waste generation is related to production and consumption patterns. She also notes that public awareness about the environment and sustainability is driving change. “Through awareness programmes, people realise the direct impact they have on waste generation and how they can influence change. An example of this is the UAE’s pledge
Working with architects and developers, we develop designs and strategies for projects and ensure that authority requirements are incorporated into the designs at each stage”
to confront plastic pollution dumped at sea – we’ve already seen grocery stores pledge to phase out the use of plastic. When change is happening in front of you, you start to get involved and realise that everyone’s efforts make a difference. People are more aware of the issues around waste than before, and I think social media has played a significant role in this. Today, many of us are aware of our consumption and what we typically generate on day-to-day basis, and are actively trying to reduce and recycle waste.” Weighing in on the commercial sector, she adds, “For commercial businesses in Abu Dhabi, the government has rolled out penalties for firms that exceed a certain
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04 | In Practice 32
amount of waste per year (about 250 tons). When the tariff system was enforced, we quickly saw that businesses were interested in learning more about how to reduce their waste generation.” Al-Khatib says public interest in the environment has also influenced schools and universities. “Institutions in the UAE have encouraged people to recycle through incentivisation. An example of this is a recycling programme launched across the UAE where students can dispose of plastic bottles and metal cans in a vending machine and have the chance to win a prize or even credits towards their programme.” Areas of Focus
Speaking about Ramboll’s client base and the type of work the firm carries out in relation to waste management, Al-Khatib says her organisation has public and private sector clients and offers a variety of services, from planning all the way to execution. “We work with public sector clients in areas focused on strategy and planning, as well as developers, architects and contractors. With public sector clients, we support clients on a range of strategic environmental topics, to develop strategies and ensure they are implemented. For example, when preparing a waste strategy we work with our client and stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the strategy, the infrastructure required, and so that the legal framework is in place to support the strategy.” “Working with architects and developers, we develop designs and strategies for projects and ensure that authority requirements are incorporated into designs at each stage. An example is the source segregation of waste into three streams in building design, which supports the UAE’s vision to divert more than 75% of waste from landfills.” December 2019
When change is happening in front of you, you start to get involved and realise that everyone’s efforts make a difference. People are more aware of the issues around waste than before, and I think social media has played a significant role in this”
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Asked to elaborate on the firm’s work with contractors on construction sites, she says Ramboll ensures that the right plans and permits are in place during the construction phase of a project. “We are involved in site supervision works, data collection and site survey work. Recently, we completed a waste characterisation study at a landfill that helped our client understand the types of materials in the waste stream. This information is useful in the planning of waste strategies. Having access to our international experts of more than 15,000 employees is our advantage – we can offer a broad range of services and can quickly put a team together, considering the project and our client’s needs.”
Liquidity remains a challenge across the GCC, with an impact on project budgets. Asked whether limited budgets and the assumption that it costs more to be efficient/sustainable when developing projects has had an impact, Al-Khatib says, “Yes, in some cases it does cost more to be efficient, and it is a challenge we face on projects when convincing clients on high investment costs. Take recycling versus disposal as an example of this – with landfill diversion as a sustainable goal, it does cost more to separate and treat waste than it does to directly dispose of it. We must inform our clients up front on initial and long-term costs of sustainable solutions and compare this with the overall long-term benefits.” meconstructionnews.com
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03 Al-Khatib says her favourite aspect of Ramboll is its people, due to the family culture at work.
stakeholders and then plan a high level of communication through project meetings and workshops throughout the project.” The Right Time to Engage
Discussing the biggest barriers to waste management, sustainability and recycling, she comments, “Concerning strategy and planning, we expect budget is the biggest barrier. From my experience, it’s also stakeholder engagement and buy-in. We actually spend a lot of time working with stakeholders to ensure their opinions and concerns are considered and addressed within the strategy.” She adds, “A key factor for the success of strategies is collaboration and consultations with key stakeholders. This is important for the stakeholders’ acceptance and successful implementation of the strategy. During the initial stages of the project, we identify the meconstructionnews.com
Early engagement is a topic frequently discussed within the industry, as it has a pivotal role in the outcome of a project. However, Al-Khatib highlights that it’s important to be brought in at the right time, versus as early as possible. “We’ve had clients bring us in too early, when they were not actually ready. Clients know what they want, but sometimes the infrastructure, legal and policy framework are not ready yet. There is a right time to bring us in, and from experience I see that there is a right balance of this on most of the opportunities we are involved in.” “There have been cases where we’ve seen that we can deliver, but we’ve faced challenges where the policies, regulations and development of mechanisms to meet the objectives were not in place, and would actually take a few years to come into practice. It is crucial at the feasibility stage to communicate these challenges with clients, and decisions on the way forward agreed at an early stage.” She concludes, “It is our responsibility to inform our clients of the challenges we might face and allow them to assess how they would like to approach this. Many of the national strategies require a substantial investment, such as technologies, and sometimes clients do not know the cost up front. At the financial feasibility stage, once the budget is set, we start to assess whether the project can be implemented in the short term or long term and can align with the client’s budget planning. I have enjoyed working with the government sector, as you’re part of a team that influences positive change in the industry.” December 2019
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On Site | 35
Retail Vision Middle East Consultant profiles Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ Mall of Oman, which will be the sultanate’s largest retail destination and a key part of its economic vision once it launches in March 2021 As Oman’s real estate market continues to feel the effect of its increasingly youthful population, retailers in the sultanate are beginning to actively tailor their offerings to meet the needs and aspirations of the country’s youth. According to a recent report by JLL, developers in Oman are intent on modernising the retail sector to drive footfall and spend, as supply increasingly moves towards large malls with unique concepts and diverse leisure and entertainment offerings. “A number of factors are driving Oman’s retail sector, in particular the opportunities presented by evolved demands of the youth population. That, coupled with growth levers, is expected to boost demand in the long run, despite the sector’s performance being challenged,” says Dana Williamson, head of Retail, Offices and Business Space for MENA at JLL. meconstructionnews.com
December 2019
36 | On Site
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“In line with the regional move towards more experience-led retail offerings, there is an opportunity for developers to introduce new entertainment concepts and strategies to increase footfall and spend, and to specifically cater to the young target audience in the sultanate,” she adds. This approach towards retail development is amply evident in the construction of Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ Mall of Oman, which is set to be the biggest of its kind in the country. With 145,000sqm of retail space, a variety of dining outlets and a vast range of lifestyle experiences, including cinemas, a family entertainment centre and the largest indoor snow park in the sultanate, the Dubai-based developer expects December 2019
We are currently on target to achieve LEED Gold status for construction, with an extensive photovoltaic solar scheme under development for the car park shades”
the project to form a key component of Oman’s Vision 2040. “The tourism and retail sectors are integral to Oman’s economy and are poised to drive economic growth and contribute to diversification in the country,” said Ghaith Shocair, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls, in an August statement announcing a construction update for the mall. “These objectives are aligned with Vision 2040, and we are privileged to be able to contribute to this vision as long-term partners and investors. By developing Mall of Oman, we continue to contribute to the growth of the local tourism industry and enable job creation for residents both during and post-construction. A development project of this size and scope is beneficial to Oman’s citizens and residents, and will positively contribute to economic and social development in the sultanate.” With the mall set to open in March 2021, work on the project is proceeding apace, with the developer recently confirming the delivery of new roads and flyovers connecting the mall to Interchange No 6 on the Muscat Expressway, as well as the completion of the Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC) Primary Substation, which will allow the nine distribution substations in the mall to be progressively energised, thus allowing the completion of the central cooling plant. The extensive roads upgrade to Interchange No 6 will ease access to the mall, along with four new bridges and an underpass, the developer adds. The interchange has been expanded to include a new lane to each of the four quadrants, so as to serve more commuters. In addition, extensive retaining walls and utility divisions have been completed to facilitate the works, while the new access will add to the convenience of visiting the mall and lead to 5,200 dedicated parking bays. More than a kilometre of the 12-metrehigh retaining walls is now in place, as is initial road directional signage for Mall of Oman, the developer says, pointing out that the project is approximately 70% complete today, following the achievement of these two main milestones in July 2019. “An active schedule of work streams is in place to keep us on track for the March meconstructionnews.com
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2021 opening. Specifically, work is underway to complete the mall roof, which includes skylights and waterproofing, while energisation of the number nine substation is also ongoing,” the developer tells Middle East Consultant in an exclusive progress update. “At the same time, the team is commissioning the central cooling plant and completing delivery of the secondary chilled water for wild air. The stone flooring is also being laid, ceilings are being installed in the mall corridors, and the south car park posttensioning concrete works are underway.” As it will be the largest mall in the country, with the widest retail, F&B and entertainment offerings, Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ expectation is that its strategic location, easy accessibility and diverse offerings will see the Mall of Oman established as a focal meeting point for Muscat’s residents, while also serving
as an anchor attraction for regional and international tourists. The most distinctive aspect of the project is the construction of the large snow park, which will anchor the mall at its east end and will include extensive snowmaking systems. These systems are there to create and maintain temperatures of -2° Celsius in the snow park, which will house attractions including penguins and a roller glider suspended above the park. Tendering a project of this scale and technicality in the market required a robust tender list, so as to make sure that the main contractors had the resources and expertise to deliver on the developer’s vision. “In order to meet the challenge, the selected contractor is a joint venture between CCC (Consolidated Contractors Company) and Shapoorji Pallonji – a partnership that we believe will deliver the optimal outcome for the Mall and its visitors.”
01 Mall of Oman will contribute to the growth of the local tourism industry and positively impact the sultanate’s social development. 02 The mall’s strategic location and easy accessibility will allow it to establish itself as a focal meeting point for Muscat’s residents. 03 70% of construction has been completed so far.
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04 Majid Al Futtaim Properties has implemented robust HSE and sustainability policies on the project, guaranteeing high standards. 05 The project team created trackers for work so that all team members could better understand the methodology and timing of works.
Majid Al Futtaim Properties took on the PM role itself, for faster decision-making and to maintain clear direction and communication across the project team. Furthermore, as in all its other projects, it developed the retail master plan and functional layout. In the later design stages, and now during construction, the company’s design studio has been working closely with the project’s international and local consultants to “apply the knowledge gained from its long-term development and management experience”. “For example, we created trackers for work based on the agreed Clause 14 Programme, which included sequence drawings so that all team members could better understand the methodology and timing of works,” the developer says. “Additionally, we’re applying BIM on a weekly basis to monitor planned versus actual progress. The use of BIM in project logistics and engineering has been very helpful in mitigating any coordination issues.” The Majid Al Futtaim Properties team invested a significant amount of time and effort in working alongside the different utility companies and authorities to make sure all design NOCs were in place before the award of the contract. Agreements were also put in place to ensure the timely delivery of infrastructure by local utility companies. These measures were among the many logistical challenges facing the project team, as the company explains. “The site is bordered by the Muscat Expressway to the south, oil & gas pipelines to the north, Bousher Road to the east and adjoining plots to the west, which make this a complex project. However, we believe that it is critical to follow a detailed logistics plan and update it constantly, to ensure we deliver meconstructionnews.com
on our timelines and to a standard that is the hallmark of Majid Al Futtaim. “To manage risk in the project, an extensive enabling works contract was awarded to divert 33kV power cables, telecoms cables and water lines, to make sure a clear site was handed over to the main contractor. The team also had to complete an extensive cut and fill exercise involving around 650m3 of rock in a short period of time, which was mechanically removed using in excess of 50 breakers at any one time. Coordinating all of this was a challenge, but one we were able to overcome given our integrated approach and focus on efficiencies,” the developer says. Alongside rock removal and cable, telecom and water line diversions, the developer had to protect oil & gas pipelines from damage during the task of widening roads. Meanwhile, before construction could begin, there was an abattoir and recreational club on the site which had to be relocated elsewhere in the city to allow for the preparation of ground works. Beyond these tasks, a major new bridge was constructed over the live Muscat Expressway, which had to be completed without closing any lanes. Extensive road diversions were also undertaken to build a further three bridges; each was opened separately, the developer explains.
We’re applying building information modelling on a weekly basis to monitor planned versus actual progress. The use of BIM in project logistics and engineering has been very helpful in mitigating any coordination issues”
Another key aspect of the project was making sure it lived up to the sustainability standards that form a part of the company’s core values. From the very beginning of the project, the entire team was briefed about the expectations and vision for Mall of Oman, with the target being for the highest possible standards across every stage of the development to be maintained. “We set out to achieve LEED Gold status – the international accredited benchmark for highly sustainable developments – across the project, and we have reached this objective for the design stage. We are also currently on target to achieve LEED Gold status for construction, with an extensive photovoltaic solar scheme under development for the car park shades.” “Overall, the project will achieve the LEED Gold status and we intend to aim for a Platinum certification also, as we achieved with our development of the City Centre Me’aisem and City Centre Mirdif malls in the UAE,” the developer says. A robust HSE policy is also in place, implemented by Majid Al Futtaim Properties itself. A full-time HSE manager has been employed on the project, working alongside the consultant’s HSE managers to guarantee that the developer’s standards and policies are implemented and maintained by all contractors. “Our team undertakes labour accommodation audits to ensure the workers’ facilities meet our strict requirements, while weekly site walks are completed by senior HSE members with full representation from Majid Al Futtaim Properties, the consultants, and contractors directly involved in the project.” As the project continues to progress towards completion, it becomes clear that Mall of Oman will show the way forward for the sultanate when it comes to delivering projects of this size and scale. However, its impact will clearly be most powerfully felt in the country’s still nascent retail sector; it is likely to set the standard for years to come, just as the developer intends. “The development will set a new benchmark of quality in the sultanate for every kind of visitor. The mall will represent so much more than simply a place to shop, it will be a place to create great moments between people.” December 2019
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ME BIM Summit 2019 Middle East Consultant covers the fourth edition of the ME BIM Summit, which discussed the far-reaching impacts of intelligent modelling and how new technology is transforming the way the industry thinks about building cities
Held at the Habtoor Grand Hotel in Dubai and organised by CPI Trade Media, the fourth edition of the ME BIM Summit saw more than 200 of the GCC’s top professionals convene to discuss the future of BIM technology and the built environment in the region. The event began with opening statements by Gavin Davids, group editor for Construction at CPI Trade Media and editor of Big Project ME, who remarked that the summit has grown to be regarded as one of the foremost BIM-focused events in the GCC construction industry. Farah Kurdi from Mott MacDonald gave the keynote and said that the power of building information modelling (BIM) and city information modelling (CIM) comes from the way they empower people. “Digital twins are quickly becoming the go-to for creating robust models of an asset at various stages of its lifecycle. However, what are the key similarities and differences between digital twins and BIM, and how can the two be used together to ease the building process and benefit the built environment? Today’s summit is the apt forum to discuss these and similar issues of equal importance to construction and BIM professionals,” said Kurdi. meconstructionnews.com
First Panel
The first panel discussion focused on how the technology can take the next logical step in its evolution and be applied to the planning and development of cities in the GCC. The panellists were Ahmed Abou Alfa from the UAE BIM Association, Andrew Milburn from Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ), Juan Tena Florez from KEO International Consultants, Omar M Baghdadi from AECOM and Surinder Yadav from Shapoorji Pallonji ME. The topic of discussion was the relationship between BIM and CIM and how a holistic, data-driven approach can be adopted for city planning. The panel, moderated by Kurdi, highlighted key themes such as the importance of data analysis to measure health, happiness and well-being in smarter cities, and how to tackle the challenges this poses. The 45-minute panel discussion began with Milburn envisioning a future where people involved with work are associated with intelligent models and technology, which we would think of as education and research today. He remarked, “For me, the power of digital technology is the way it can actually empower people, how it can democratise situations and create opportunities.” This led Baghdadi to talk about his definition of
CIM. “BIM is the origin of it, but CIM helps you look at cities from a more holistic point of view, which will eventually lead to a paradigm shift in how we look at the entire process.” However, he pointed out that the region is not there yet. Abou Alfa, asked for his interpretation of smart future cities, made a point about harvesting and analysing data. He explained that the future is a collaborative platform which gives space to people, government entities and construction industry-related experts to create and innovate digitally. “The future of CIM will be data, and data will be money. Who owns the data, will own the world!” he said.
01 The fourth edition of the ME BIM Summit returned to the Habtoor Grand Hotel in Dubai. 02 The keynote speech was given by summit chair Farah Kurdi, Built Environment Sector leader - Middle East at Mott MacDonald.
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03 Bentley Systems’ Vivek Kale gave a presentation on advancing beyond BIM. 04 Umang Patel from Mott MacDonald’s presentation focused on cybersecurity and BIM processes.
Yadav and Florez then discussed the challenges around creating smarter cities which are responsible and flexible and can handle issues as they come up. “Since everything is integrated with smart city systems, the ability to gather information, and the problems that revolve around overpopulation and pollution, you get to know about the issues, and once the problem is identified, finding solutions is not that difficult. It’s usually finding the problem which is the problem,” stated Yadav. Florez added, “Nowadays, with technology evolving rapidly, I believe that
it’s an instrument of help to the challenges we have in order to achieve better CIM, and now there are new applications since the last few years that are helping it to move faster and are also tackling challenges that we see in the market.” Here, Baghdadi made an interesting point about data and people’s right to privacy. “The main challenge moving forward is about privacy, because the biggest issue with that is how will there be a balance between the people that have the data and an individual’s right to privacy. Going forward it will be the biggest concern, as more and more people and things are getting connected.” Abou Alfa added that another challenge will be acceptance, where people need to accept the changes that are happening. “We need to change the mindset of people first, to educate them and deploy the knowledge, to make the guidelines, specifications, and to give them the understanding about what is a smart city or a responsive city and how it can lead to liveable cities,” he concluded.
Second Panel
How can digital twin technology be married to the BIM model to create robust data models that can improve the performance of physical assets and mitigate issues that may arise during the design, build and operations phase? The panellists were Alexander Kolpakov from AECOM, Arsen Safaryan from ALEC Engineering and Contracting, Arsenious Abtnago from ASGC Construction, Barry Wormald from AESG Project Development Consultants, Damir Jaksic from KEO International Consultants, Naji Atallah from Autodesk and Nour H Kassassir from Parsons. The topic of conversation was using the digital twin concept to improve knowledge sharing and the decision-making process between the digital and physical assets. The 45-minute panel discussion was moderated by Craig Garrett from Bentley Institute, and focused on two main issues: using the digital twin concept to analyse the impact of decisions and to visualise results, and combining that data gathered
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from digital twins and using it in a project’s BIM model. To begin the discussion, Garrett posed the question of whether digital twin technology is the next evolution; from CAD to BIM to digital twins? Here, Kassassir said there is a need to talk about the challenges hindering the adoption of technology, because they are fundamental issues. “First, there is a lack of understanding of the value of technology, which cascades down to the ability of the supply chain to deliver and to innovate, because right now projects are procured due to services, as opposed to outcome-based. Everybody is risk-averse, so that stifles innovation, transparency, and everybody is working in silos. When you work in silos, technology becomes a means to an end, it becomes useless.” Wormald agreed and added that the problem is not with technology but with the way it is used. “Even after 34 years, since I first worked with 3D drawings, we are still arguing if it can succeed and we still can’t get
The main challenge moving forward is about privacy, because the biggest issue with that is how will there be a balance between the people that have the data and an individual’s right to privacy”
coordinated drawings on a project; how are we going to achieve it in the next five or ten years?” Garrett stated that when it comes to digital twins, it’s not just about the design and build part. It’s not just CapEx, it’s OpEx as well. We are talking about the real asset and its operational state, and creating a twin of that. However, Safaryan pointed out that in the last four years there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of operation and maintenance data to be handed over in a model format. “The new RFPs come with a similar requirement so the demand is obviously increasing, which means on the owner/operator side, there is more realisation of digitally compiled data. However, early engagement is still a problem.” Kolpakov said the operations team would be the owner of the digital twin dynamically linked to the asset. “They would want the design and construction data so they won’t have to build the BIM model themselves. They would also like to get it in a more intelligent form, unlike now, so they can take this data point and link
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it with the BMS system, SCADA system and almost create a digital twin, and they would be the one who would operate that model.” Atallah made an interesting observation. “We are talking about a bit of clarity in the OpEx side, and we always say the value of BIM at the end of the day is for the owner, so maybe with that clarity the concept of BIM evolves into the concept of digital twins, and this is where the focus on the outcome becomes more relevant.” Jaksic and Abtnago had similar thoughts on the matter, that it’s hard for people and processes to adapt to the technological pace of change. Abtnago commented, “From a contracting point of view, all the stakeholders are not contributing to each other. As a contractor, we are the bridge between the two different phases – we are receiving the pre-construction phase outcome and we are responsible to deliver what will be utilised in the operational phase as well.” Panellists further discussed the importance of creating a modelled asset combined with data – both historical and live – to predict the behaviour of assets, and agreed with Garrett’s conclusion that digital twins are the logical building block towards building smarter cities. Third Panel
How can BIM be used to provide a digital representation of an active construction site’s physical and functional characteristics, and provide fast, up-to-date information that improves efficiency, performance and effectiveness on the project? As discussed in the previous panels, BIM technology can help monitor and improve the layout of a job-site, thereby boosting workplace efficiency and mitigating issues that may arise during the operations phase. Panellists Bahaa Ibrahim from Hard Precast Building Systems, Elena Salun from Cracknell, Joylyn Dela Cruz from Aurecon, Sheik Uduman from RSP and Dr Yasemin Nielsen from Heriot–Watt University Dubai talked about enabling better communication and collaboration with BIM technology for the final panel discussion. Nithin Thomas from Shapoorji Pallonji December 2019
BIM and other new evolving technologies can really help with site safety and productivity and efficiency, but we need to look at it from a strategic perspective. We are dreaming and researching to address industry challenges, but the industry is resistant”
ME moderated the panel, discussing the applications of BIM technology and how it can help move elements of the project offsite and into the factory, as well as how they reduce the risk of errors and clashes by having a common data environment. From a prefabrication point of view, Ibrahim started the discussion by saying that BIM as a process is really very important for the industry, in order to have the complete benefit of a prefabrication process. “It is very important to think about how to link the final product into the design stage, as well as work with other subcontractors, the main contractor and the client, since we start at the design stage. We are leading the subject by introducing the BIM model to all the stakeholders of the project, and we also advise them to start using the same and continue using it after the handover of the project,” he said. From an architectural point of view, Salun said that even though there is awareness of what technology can do, it’s not completely understood by everyone. “We talk about BIM, technology and data; however, we keep doing business as usual. Moreover, the use of data
and how we use it should be planned during earlier stages, because that’s when we can get the benefit later on, so the way we collaborate needs to change intrinsically.” Cruz had a similar view. “One of the key principles of collaboration is getting the right information from the right person at the right times, which means if we follow the mandate then information from design to construction should be accessible to everyone.” This led Uduman to point out that the problem is every region has its own workflow standard, and sometimes the software can’t meet the requirements. But when you compare the technology, it shouldn’t be compared with ‘what I have and what I want’; ideally, it should be compared with ‘what I had and what I have now’, he said. Cruz added that there are lots of technologies to aid BIM, including virtual reality to help with safety training. So one of the things we are trying to do is minimise the presence of people at work-sites, which means we are minimising risk on-site, she stated. Summarising, Nielsen said she agreed with the other panellists. “It’s all about education and awareness. BIM and other new evolving technologies can really help with site safety and productivity and efficiency, but we need to look at it from a strategic perspective. We are dreaming and researching to address industry challenges, but the industry is resistant.” “We need to increase that awareness and understanding,” she concluded.
05 Bahaa Ibrahim from Hard Precast Building Systems spoke about the digitisation of the precast concrete workflow. 06 Over 20 specialists from the industy participated across the summit’s three panel discussions.
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Claire Tromp
“I don’t think being a woman in the construction industry is a barrier, but more of a cultural acceptance” Following our special edition dedicated to women working in the GCC’s construction sector, Middle East Consultant continues to speak to women about their inspiration, thoughts and experiences. Here, we speak to Claire Tromp, director at Compass Project Consulting. What drove you to get into construction and your very first role in the industry?
To say I fell for construction would not be far from the truth. After beginning my studies in another discipline, the construction bug bit and the next thing I knew, I was graduating with honours in Construction Management. Bright-eyed and full of ambition, I immediately moved into large-scale multi-discipline projects, which allowed me to gain a diverse and broad understanding of the many facets of the construction ecosystem. They do say a good building isn’t done with a hammer and saw; it’s done with the head. With strong mentor figures throughout my career and sound guidance garnered from meconstructionnews.com
management, peers and friends, I have been able to refine my skill set while pursing a path that ultimately drives the success of a project – cost and contract management. After a few years working with largeand small-scale cost consultancies, I was presented with an opportunity to set up a boutique consultancy providing bespoke, flexible cost and contract management solutions to clients. The swift success of this consultancy then led Compass Project Management and Quantum Cost Management to merge, forming an award-winning project & cost management consultancy – Compass Project Consulting. Share a brief about your career, mentioning key achievements.
With 17 years’ working experience to date, my career has encompassed all aspects of cost engineering, estimating, quantity surveying, management and team dynamics. Having studied in South Africa, I then honed my expertise working on a variety of Middle Eastern and African projects, meaning I December 2019
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have been fortunate enough to have been exposed to a range of diverse projects across all sectors, incorporating a range of project sizes, from small private fit-out to largescale multi-billion-dirham infrastructure works. This diversity has empowered me to adapt, further enhancing my ability to apply a solution-driven mindset, improving my dexterities depending on project requirements, knowledge required and instinctive know-how. Perhaps a stand-out achievement to date has been nurturing our cost management team here at Compass. What started as literally two people mid-2017, me and a very hard-working lady quantity surveyor, has now grown to a team of 40 professionals of varying disciplines, working between our UAE and Saudi Arabia offices on projects even as far as Mexico. This has been a challenging yet supremely fulfilling task, and of course the various human dynamics and the overall sustainability of the business are daily considerations. Doing all of this while growing my own family – having given birth to twins in early 2019, adding to my already mom-toddler lifestyle – is proof that as women, we must be very proud of our capabilities! Diversity in the construction industry is important because of the value women can bring to employers and their clients. How have you made your mark in the industry working on projects specifically?
Diversity in the workplace, be it the construction industry or any other industry, is a fundamental addition to a company’s overall output. As a woman, mom and mentor in my own regard, I am proud to be thriving in the position that I have always wanted to be in, regardless of it being stereotyped as a male-oriented role. There are definite challenges to overcome, but I see these more as opportunities to demonstrate how we as women can drive projects forward, firmly but with a touch of grace for good measure. This does mean I always need to be on top of my game, going the extra mile to make sure my experiences, fairness and competences are acknowledged, December 2019
and I do enjoy these extra miles, which keep me in the winner’s circle. A definite highlight milestone in my career thus far was winning the Middle East Consultant Start-up of the Year 2018 award. Receiving this industry recognition for all the conscientious dedication provided by myself and my team was truly a humbling and immensely proud moment.
invest in yourself; take on each day with a belief mindset to ‘keep on keeping on’. These are all vital components in reaching our own goals and ultimately one’s own deifications of success, regardless of gender. The GCC construction sector is still male-dominated, but diversity is beginning to increase. If you agree, comment on what is driving this
What are some of the barriers to women
and how you see the GCC markets
entering the construction industry?
changing in the coming years. If
What was your personal experience?
you do not agree, please share your
I don’t think being a woman in the construction industry is a barrier, but more of a cultural acceptance. In my experience, the keys to success – a very subjective topic – are quite simple: apply yourself to hard yet smart work; be conscious in appreciating the work, people and actions;
thoughts/views of the market.
The GCC construction sector is still maledominated, especially at the top. However, this is not a trait exclusive to the region, and the GCC is still a few steps ahead of other regions. It is evident that there have been significant shifts in the past few years, with meconstructionnews.com
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We, as women, need to be proactive champions of and for other women. Coupled with working in construction, we are valuable contributors to society. We’re working in a job that can change people’s quality of life. Always feel proud flying your construction flag”
Once these initial plans are underway, it is paramount that companies continually monitor any potential gender pay gaps and address these fairly and equally. Besides authorities and construction firms, who else can play a part in increasing diversity and balancing pay scales?
There are many stakeholders who have a part to play in increasing diversity and balancing the pay scales. Outside of authorities and construction firms, we should start at the very beginning when seeking new talent. Companies should advocate female recruitment quotas for both internal and external recruitment. Recruiters are striving to provide suitable candidates from both genders, basing shortlisted candidates on similar experience and equal salary bands, which would complement an inclusive company’s DNA. Again, it will take time for the gender pay gap to lessen once the more male topand middle-tier pay levels start to see more female faces. As a woman in the industry, what has your experience been working in the GCC construction sector? If you have worked in markets outside the GCC, how
more and more female-led enterprises, more inclusive maternity policies, and perhaps one of the most pleasing nods to girl power being the increase in female graduates from various construction and engineering disciplines. It is always a pleasure to see women taking the reins, paving the way for the next generation of women leaders where we are given more equal opportunities to enter the market and apply our unique skill sets. GCC markets and the companies within these unique markets are now adopting diversity policies that support women’s empowerment at the workplace, which are important foundations from which to grow diversity and inclusion business goals. To sum up, even though construction in general is largely male-dominated, regardless of region, industries are now becoming more aware that it is an aptitude, a finesse and not meconstructionnews.com
the gender that attributes to decision-making and project success. Everyone has a part to play in diversity and equal pay. What would you like to see government authorities and construction firms do to increase diversity and make pay a level playing field? Government authorities and construction firms are already starting to change the cultural perception of diversity.
Construction firms need to take ownership of these initiatives by providing level playing fields and equal opportunities for work experience placements. The outcome would allow for the domino effect and a more transparent barometer where pay should be based on knowledge and ability, regardless of gender and even race.
does your experience here compare?
As mentioned before, the GCC is not too far behind the global construction industry in terms of gender and race diversity. Coming from South Africa myself, I have lived through a remarkable drive for inclusion where the way of thinking and being has come on in leaps and bounds. South Africa in particular has implemented pretty rigid inclusivity policies and laws, which are governed and monitored to drive parity in the gender and race divides. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge women in the construction sector face in GCC countries? How can these challenges be addressed?
Perhaps not a challenge, but more of a risk which women in the construction sector could face, is the misconception that the December 2019
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narrowing gender equality movement is a work in progress, one which could suffer from loss of sincerity or focus. Therefore, it is important to keep momentum in the message, and both men and women are thankful for these voices and campaigning. This is being done by business leaders, educational institutions, HR, the media and those ladies making sure their voices and causes are heard. In doing your job, what sort of discrimination (if any) have you faced, and how did you or your employer address it?
In my role or even my career, there is probably only one instance where I can honestly say I was offended by discrimination. However, keeping a level head, I used the incident as an opportunity to learn, stand out and draw a line under unacceptable, outdated behaviour. In the middle of an important meeting with the client, representatives and my peers, I was questioned and belittled by a male colleague. I would perhaps have taken this with a pinch of jest had the person had any substance in what they were saying. I let them say their piece, kept my cool, and once they had concluded I stood up and stated the facts, followed by a process of corrective actions and expected outcomes. This stance not only earned the respect back of our clients and my peers, but gave me a power and credence in my conviction. After the successful end to the meeting, I did approach the concerned person and stated that in the future I was to be treated in the same professional manner as my peers. Should they have any concerns about my ability, they were encouraged to address them directly to me, without needing to show themselves up in front of an audience. Needless to say, I have not had a problem since. How does Compass approach diversity and inclusion? What do you and your partners have planned for the company going forward?
Working closely with my three partners, we can create a company and culture in which we encourage diversity; one in which we December 2019
It is always a pleasure to see women taking the reins, paving the way for the next generation of women leaders where we are given more equal opportunities to enter the market and apply our unique skill sets”
Our policies allow more flexibility in working hours, in line with our general time management policies. All staff – be they male, female, parents or not – are empowered to manage their own time, if they ensure their workload and daily requirements are met. We have found this particular approach has increased productivity and our company culture is one where the team truly enjoys coming to work. We are proud of our company’s DNA and culture, where we embrace diversity and flexibility, as an ongoing commitment to the entire workforce. How do you personally push for diversity and equal pay in the construction sector? Are you involved in any groups or councils that focus on increasing diversity and equal pay?
uphold our appreciation that our staff are our biggest asset. We are in talks to create an internship programme where we can afford young women hands-on experience across cost and project management. Through this programme we plan to give people exposure to different projects, while helping them better understand the career opportunities available within the construction sector. As a company, we have championed and guarantee gender pay equality, where every employee is salaried to match their skill set and experience. Compass also offers familyfriendly work schedules, and the entire team is empowered to manage their own time. There are no limits to how far one can progress within the Compass Project Consulting team. Even though I am a partner in the business, there are still so many ways we can evolve the company to be better than last year. Compass nurtures each employee with the opportunity to develop and grow their careers, giving them a strong springboard to pursue their full potential regardless of gender, race, age, etc.
2019 thus far has been extremely busy for me, what with doubling the company headcount as well as my own family brood, so I’ve not had the time to focus on these groups or diversity councils just yet. Having said this, I am beginning to see the light, and the company is maturing to where I will be looking to lend my support and champion these agendas more in the next 12 months. What advice would you give to a woman entering the GCC construction industry today?
The best advice I can give to any women entering the GCC construction industry today would be to believe in yourself; let this belief shine through in all that you do in your day-to-day life. Never doubt yourself – you are your biggest asset. Invest in yourself, stand out from the crowd. Never let anyone question your abilities because you are a woman – stand up and voice your concern, earn the respect you deserve. We, as women, need to be proactive champions of and for other women in this industry. Coupled with working in construction, we are valuable contributors to society. We’re working in a job that can change people’s quality of life. Always feel proud of flying your construction flag. meconstructionnews.com
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Women in Construction Networking Evening Angitha Pradeep covers the second Women in Construction Networking Evening, which took place on November 19 at the Sofitel JBR in Dubai
“The construction industry in the Middle East is very demanding and requires a lot of time and effort. People come from different backgrounds, hence there are cultural differences and women in particular face a lot of issues and challenges. However, we’ve seen a drastic change in the last decade, especially with women gaining more leadership roles in the industry,” said Rabab Husain, head of MEP at Ramboll Middle East. Husain was one of the speakers at Middle East Consultant’s second Women in Construction (WIC) Networking Evening. The event welcomed more than 100 women from across the industry and will be followed up with a second WIC Summit in 2020, according to Jason Saundalkar, editor of Middle East Consultant. Another experienced professional who has worked in different sectors for over 18 years, Helena De Flaviis, senior director at Khatib & Alami, said the construction sector has improved in terms of diversity, not only with regard to gender but in general. However, she also believes the sector still has a long way to go. meconstructionnews.com
“It is a very male-dominated industry, but I’m not convinced this is specific to the Middle East only. In terms of policies, many companies are now willing to offer more flexible working arrangements, but I have still not seen a major shift in driving change in a meaningful way. Action tends to happen in isolation, with a few companies taking the lead, but I do see a growing momentum which is encouraging and positive,” she remarked. Christopher Seymour, managing director at Mott MacDonald, echoed these thoughts. “I have seen a change in attitude, which is a positive move, and at the moment prospects are very good for female engineers in the industry. I think the realisation has come a little late, but we know that our highest performing teams are cross-gender and cross-culture, and this is a fact. So the first step is attracting women onto sites, and the challenge is to change the culture that it is a men-only profession. That is the attitude we need to rectify across contractors, consultants, etc.” From an academic point of view, Dr Bhakti More, associate professor at the School of Design and Architecture at Manipal
Academy of Higher Education, also noted that a change in culture is the way forward. “Young girls graduating from universities want to be part of the AEC industry, but culture doesn’t permit sometimes. The change is not only required from universities and industry professionals, but parents must recognise that they have capable girls and support them in their careers and provide them with the opportunity to grow.”
01 The second Women in Construction Networking Evening took place at the Sofitel JBR in Dubai. 02 Guest speakers on the night included Rabab Husain from Ramboll and Suheir Ismail from Atkins.
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03 Many attendees said that the industry has evolved but that more can be done to attract and retain women. 04 A second Women in Construction Summit is being planned for the first half of 2020.
She also said that there must be a policy of training for young women entering the industry. “Companies must take initiatives to speak at forums on diversity and inclusion policies, so that women are aware, and can take advantage and be encouraged by them.” More emphasised that work-life balance and recognising women’s achievements are integral components of retaining more women in the industry. Young Professionals on Industry
Recent graduates and young industry professionals were also in attendance on the night, and discussed their motivations with Middle East Consultant. Jyothi Padhi, a recent graduate quantity surveyor (QS) working for Faithful+Gould, talked about the importance of a supportive work culture. She explained that her main motivation is to become a chartered QS, for which she must have different experience in pre-contract and post-contract phases. She said that her firm has designed a twoyear programme, while supporting and encouraging her to finish her chartership. “I don’t think there are more women now, as compared to five years back, but the industry has become more accepting of women at construction sites. I believe that we must look at experience and not gender, but organisations have become more understanding that it might be harder for women to prove themselves, and hence they are encouraging us to be more proactive on-site,” explained Maryam Hosny, architect/ inspector at Killa Design. December 2019
I believe that we must look at experience and not gender, but organisations have become more understanding that it might be harder for women to prove themselves, and hence they are encouraging us to be more proactive on-site”
Here, it’s interesting to see that individuals who have been in the AEC industry for over 10 years have witnessed progress, while young professionals feel they need to be more dynamic and are taking steps to make a difference in the industry. Asked about his thoughts on the industry, Anil Menon, partner at CKR Consulting Engineers, said the balance between men and women brings in a sense of discipline within the organisation. He added that events such as the WIC Summit and WIC Networking event are great to discuss issues and connect people, but that there should be more representation from men as well. “I was talking to a young engineer who said that she still finds it difficult to talk to her boss, and I think that is a challenge that is experienced by young male engineers as well. However, forums like these will allow them to present their cases and gain more experience from others about how they would approach the same problem,” he said. Middle East Consultant also spoke to Suheir Ismail, geotechnical engineer at Atkins and the second speaker at the event. She explained, “The industry needs better HR policies to attract and, more importantly, retain women. They tend to get to a certain position and then quit for a number of reasons, so HR teams need to have policies in place to retain women and understand why they leave in the first place.” She added, “A while ago at Atkins, we interviewed women who were leaving and one of the reasons was about maternity leave, so based on that questionnaire we updated our maternity policies. This is why there must be policies in place for a flexible work environment, which will enable more women to be in top hierarchy positions.” De Flaviis summarised: “It’s important to stress that we should not feel ashamed or embarrassed for being a woman, regardless of the environment. We bring so much to the table, and we just need the confidence to be ourselves and to share our ideas and understanding – find that uniqueness that being a female can add to the business environment, and this can help with your own career goals as well.” meconstructionnews.com
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01 Matthew Sexton is managing director and partner at SAY Studio.
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According to Index’s Hotel Markets Report, Dubai’s Expo 2020 is expected to generate $44bn in revenue from tourism by 2020, across the GCC. The overall UAE hotel project value expected to be completed in 2019 is likely to be around $6m. STR data also shows the UAE is expecting an additional 31,517 rooms to enter the market this year. Competition is expected to be rife, but there are three fundamental focus areas for hoteliers to remain in the running for 2020. Customisation
It’s not just a design change, it’s an operational one as well and we think a technology upgrade is essential. According to the latest research study, Drivers of Change in Hospitality by InterContinental December 2019
Matthew Sexton “Hotels need to be putting their sustainable credentials front and centre to match and attract these fast-evolving consumer sentiments” Hotels Group (IHG) and Amadeus, a hyperpersonalised room could be one of the big changes out on the hospitality horizon. We think it will signal the beginning of the end for the traditional fixed-interior hotel room. Guests can already customise things like what they watch by streaming their own content through the in-room TV or connecting to the speakers via Bluetooth. But what hasn’t happened yet is rooms being designed in such a way that they become flexible, not your static single, double, twin, suite or family room. We envisage a space where gym bunnies are able to swap desks for yoga mats, parents can replace the TV for a play space, and business travellers can add in router boosters and VOIP hardware. This requires an interior designer to really look at the future functionality of the existing space and create something that can cater to the maximum possible number of scenarios, all while retaining a sense of luxury. Sustainability
There’s a growing opinion that we’ve reached a tipping point in global sentiment towards environmental action. We in the Middle East are fast catching up with the West in discerning how the choices we make as consumers affect the future health of the planet, and it is now a critical concern for younger generations. In 2020, with many visitors already applying the concept of ‘conscious travel’, we need to cater for this type of guest as they will be landing in droves and looking for the same sentiment from their service providers.
Hotels need to put their sustainable credentials front and centre to attract these fast-evolving consumer sentiments. We’ve seen clients wanting to incorporate sustainable elements in their interiors, and in order to improve efficiency are looking at elements such as mobile shade provision and choosing quality, stylish and low-impact products. Refurbishment
Regular refurbishments are essential to maintain customer loyalty, market share and rates. The majority of hotels in the UAE have crossed the seven-year operational threshold and many are in need of refurbishment. The first thing to update should be the entrance. Focus on creating a unique, dynamic, multi-use space in your lobby. The lobby is your first impression and should provide a multiuse space for several types of guest interaction. Look to design segmented space to provide intimate, casual zones for socialisation as well as comfortable and functional working areas. Like the commercial sector, biophilic design is also expected to play a crucial role in the overall guest experience. Hoteliers should look to their interior designer to explain the many benefits of biophilic design, not only for the guest’s overall experience and the association of biophilia with sustainability, but as a fast and efficient tactic to refurbish a space. Biophilic design will help guests feel connected to the outdoors and nature, and you will create a peaceful space that will inspire relaxation while socialising or working. meconstructionnews.com
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