INTERVIEW: Neil Robson, director and co-founder of Belle Harvey Interiors on green fit-outs and interiors – PG 37
issue 2.9
September 2015
ENVIRONMENT
Four design philosophies Qatar needs for a greener future
TECHNOLOGY
Does the construction sector really need P6 software?
PLUS
Eight reasons you may still be unemployed
providing qatar’s migrant workers
A Home away from home Retail Price: QR15 / AED15
contents SEPTEMBER 2015
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Qatar has been under international scrutiny for its treatment of blue-collar migrant workers, particularly providing qatar’s migrant workers terms of their A Home away in living conditions. The from home country has answered these criticisms by announcing a number of worker accommodation projects meeting international standards. However, despite these efforts, supply remains a challenge, writes Syed Ameen Kader. INTERVIEW: NEIL ROBSON, DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF BELLE HARVEY INTERIORS ON GREEN FIT-OUTS AND INTERIORS – PG 37
issue 2.9
September 2015
ENVIRONMENT
Four design philosophies Qatar needs for a greener future
TECHNOLOGY
Does the construction sector really need P6 software?
PLUS
Eight reasons you may still be unemployed
Retail Price: QR15 / AED15
Regulars
20.
A labourer walks inside the new labour city in the Sanaya Industrial Area in Doha. In QCN’s cover story, we discuss some of Qatar’s recent worker accommodation projects, aimed at providing better living conditions to its bluecollar workers. (Image Arabian Eye/Reuters)
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From the Editor - 6 Construction News - 8 Guest Column - 18 Legal - 40 Careers - 42 Qatar Tenders - 44
37.
Environment Four sustainable design philosophies Qatar needs today
Technology Demonstrating extensions of time: Do We Need P6?
Industry Insights Green fit-outs do not appear to be high on the list of priorities in Qatar
Sustainability has been one of the key priorities of the Qatar government. Walid Daniel Dib of WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff suggests some smart design philosophies, adopting which can earn the country a holistic approach towards a greener future.
Primavera P6 is being increasingly used in construction markets across the world, often as a necessary requirement to fulfil contractual obligations. But how justified is the obsession with P6, questions Tom Kapapa of Quantum Global Solutions.
With Qatar’s focus on sustainable construction, the drive for green interiors and fit-outs is ostensibly low. To find out more about the scope of sustainable fit-outs and interiors in Qatar, QCN approached Neil Robson, director of Belle Harvey Interiors. QCN | September 2015
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editor’s letter
Blue-collar labourers in Qatar deserve decent living conditions regardless of the cost they come at.
September 2015 | QCN
In Qatar construction, there’s never a dull moment. As editors, we face an ongoing challenge of shortlisting key news stories every month. Every month, there is just so much happening. For September, Qatar has announced it will commence construction of Al Bayt stadium – the 60,000-seat venue planned for the 2022 World Cup. While the initial enabling works, such as ground-levelling, have been completed, planned facilitation works include the development of accommodation for labourers allocated for this project. Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and Aspire Zone Foundation, responsible for the construction of this stadium, have appointed Al Khor and Dakira Schemes Services Company for designing and b u i l d i n g t h e a c c o m m o d at i o n f o r approximately 2700 workers. The news comes as no surprise. Since its winning bid for the FIFA tournament, Qatar has been the focus of international scrutiny for the treatment of its migrant workers. Answering the criticism, in March 2013, the Supreme Committee released its Workers’ Charter, with which all contractors and subcontractors must comply. Standards set in this charter are communicated from the tendering stage, later turning into contractual obligations for contractors on FIFA-linked projects. The document defines details such as the accommodation’s minimum area per person, safety requirements including fire alarm systems and emergency exits, quality of construction, and the kind of facilities provided to workers. While the projects directly linked to the World Cup are strictly adhering to international standards for workers, a number of companies mostly involved in government projects are also embracing the move. This emerging trend explains the launch of massive accommodation projects by companies such as Barwa Real Estate and Daruna Development.
The former has recently opened its workers’ city, called Bar wa Al Baraha, for take-up by contractors and subcontractors. In our cover story on page 20, Syed Ameen Kader takes a closer look at accommodation projects, exploring the issues of q u a l i t y a n d q u a l i t y. W h i l e s o m e companies are upgrading their worker accommodations, enforcement of better standards at ground level is imperative to bring about the change. The exposure of Qatar’s migrant workers on a global level has also spiked interest of some real estate companies here. Traditionally operating in the medium- to high-end residential market, developers are now increasingly showing interest in building accommodations for workers for tenancy. While this brings another niche opportunity for property businesses to tap into, the wider issue remains humanitarian in nature. Migrant workers make the backbone of all construction and infrastructure projects. For their contribution and, more importantly, for the sake of morality, these bluecollar labourers deserve decent living conditions regardless of the cost they come at. More in this issue, we cover the topic of sustainability from diverse angles. On page 28, Walid Daniel Bid writes about four design philosophies that can lead towards a sustainable future for Qatar. On page 37, we feature an interview with Neil Robson, director of Belle Harvey Interiors, who explains what green fitouts are, and their potential for Qatar – a country where the drive for sustainable interiors is generally low at the moment. Enjoy reading QCN.
Farwa Zahra Editor
Construction
News
Growth of construction
chemicals in Qatar reflects improving building standards Qatar is expected to have a compound annual growth rate of 13 percent in its construction chemicals segment. Among factors such as increasing number of projects and rising government spending, a key reason behind this forecast remains a preference for quality construction, writes Farwa Zahra.
Broadly divided into three categories – construction system chemicals, admixture system chemicals and underground construction system chemicals – use of construction chemicals with primary building materials can significantly improve the quality of Qatar’s ongoing infrastructure projects such as airports, subways, tunnels, dams, highways, bridges, railway networks, and power plants, etcetera.
September 2015 | QCN
construction news
9
According to TechSci Research report Qatar Construction Chemicals Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020, Qatar’s construction chemicals market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 13 percent by 2022. The forecast is primarily based on the country’s ongoing construction boom ahead of the World Cup. That said, TechSci Research has also stated the market’s increasing awareness about quality construction as another major reason behind the expected growth. When used with fundamental building materials, construction chemicals provide strength and prevention against damages such as weather-driven erosion, thereby lengthening the lifespan of a project. Emad Shawky, general manager, Qatar, BASF Construction Chemicals, said the nature of construction and infrastructure projects underway in Qatar also explains this growth trajectory. “Qatar’s strategic projects include roads and transportation such as the Doha Metro project, bridges such as Sharq Crossing, and water treatment and transportation facilities, etcetera. Such construction has created a growing demand for chemical-based solutions to help enhance durability and strength of structures, while reducing overall construction time and costs,” he told QCN. When asked about some key chemicals used in the local construction market, Shawky mentioned admixtures for concrete, underground construction solutions (for foundations and tunneling), waterproofing solutions and repair and grouts, among others. Qatar’s construction chemicals market is classified into three categories, namely construction system chemicals, admixture system chemicals, and underground construction system chemicals. According to TechSci Research, “During 201014, the underground construction system chemicals segment experienced the fastest growth, whereas, the construction system chemicals segment accounted for the largest revenue share in the country’s construction chemicals market.” Commenting on some emerging trends in Qatar’s construction chemicals market, Shawky said, “Apart from the increasing demand for chemical-based infrastructure solutions, we have observed a trend in the use of anti-carbonation coatings and protection.” Speaking about the finishing products in particular, he said there is a noticeable trend in the use of terrazzo flooring, created with binding chemicals. Because of their flexibility, durability and decorative potential, this flooring option is now increasingly being considered in major infrastructure and construction projects, thus driving the growth of the chemicals market. While the increasing use of chemicals reflects improving building standards in Qatar construction, the maintenance conditions for such chemicals can significantly contribute to their overall efficacy. Therefore, contractors and suppliers of these chemicals must be aware of international standards for storage. Considering the combustible nature of these materials, warehouses carrying such chemicals must be temperature-controlled, with higher fire safety precautions in place. While BASF has one of the largest shares, some other players operating in Qatar’s construction chemicals market include international and local companies such as Sika Qatar, Al Gurg Fosroc, Sodamco Qatar, Mapei and Dohabay Construction Chemicals. QCN | September 2015
Construction
News
Industry Views
In QCN’s September issue, we asked leading construction professionals about core features that make successful project management companies in Qatar. This time, we approach representatives of various contracting companies here to learn about the attributes that help contractors win project awards in Qatar’s construction sector. Here is what they had to say.
No amount of experience guarantees a contractor’s success on every project Qatar’s construction market looks very exciting to everyone. It has attracted several hundreds of contractors into this region, and still continues to attract more. The list seems never ending. But the sad reality is only a few would manage to survive and prosper. With operating margins at waferthin levels, the construction sector is one of the most competitive and high-risk industry. Put simply, there is no margin of error available. It is a brutal game played by various parties with varied interests. The disheartening fact is, no amount of experience gained by a contractor guarantees success on each and every project.
“First, the main contractor should reduce the reliance on subcontracting of the works, especially for MEP or finishing services... Second, the main contractor should be well experienced in local processes for authority approvals.” Sam Barakat, director of Rider Levett Bucknall added that to win more bids, the main contractor should also implement a robust change management system. The level of effort spent on maintaining good records and on the commercial management of changes will make the difference in the success or failure of the project.
September 2015 | QCN
Just as each and every project is unique in its own way, the results can be different too. There is no standard text book approach for this business to succeed. However, chances of success drastically improve when the following three blind spots are taken care of by contractors. 1. Do not take on projects significantly bigger than previously completed projects. That said, through joint ventures, bigger projects can be taken up in pursuit of growth. 2. Do not venture into uncharted territory. New contractors can run into trouble with unrealistic low bid estimates and lack of resources on the ground. By using a partnering
approach with reliable local companies, such slippages can be avoided. 3. Do not go by face value. Conditions of contracts are very tricky and a single clause can shut down the whole company. Contracts should be signed only after proper due diligence by adopting a selective bidding approach.
M. Vasanth Kumar is the chief executive office of Arabian MEP Contracting.
“Some success factors include a contractor’s good estimation team at biding stage; management vision for the company, and execution of the project on time and within budget, etcetera.”
“The key to our success that helps us in winning more contracts, is innovation, growth, expansion and, foremost, quality [of the works that we deliver to our clients in Qatar].”
Elie Azzi, head of human resources at MedGulf Construction, also added that some other features that work towards contractors’ success in Qatar include the quality of people recruited, diversity of business units within the company or group of companies, and the quality of work delivered.
Rashid Nasser Al Kaabi , vice chairman of Al Sraiya Holding Group, said that breaking into new horizons has always been a priority for their business. According to Al Kaabi, just like any other industry, in construction too, taking the lead is not just about accomplishing what everyone else has. To be above competitors, contractors in Qatar also need to take one step ahead of others.
Construction
News
North Korean workers Fired for violating qatar’s labour law Qatar’s Construction Development Company (CDC) has reportedly fired its North Korean labourers and supervisors for violating contract conditions.
The North Korean supervisors fired by CDC have been accused of forcing the labourers to moonlighting. (Image Gerard McGovern/Flickr)
About 108 labourers and supervisors were dismissed by CDC for working on other projects after their work hours with the company, according to Voice of America. Qatar’s labour law restricts labourers from working for more than one company. It protects employees from working for more than five consecutive hours, while the maximum number of
September’s Big NumbeR
Awards
Key recent contracts awarded in Qatar •
Hochtief ViCon has been awarded to implement, manage and execute building information modelling (BIM) on the central section of the Inner Doha Re-sewerage Implementation Strategy – IDRIS MTS02. The contract was signed with the SHP joint venture consisting of Al Sraiya Strabag Roads and Infrastructure, Hochtief Solutions ME and Petroserv. ViCon will deliver BIM implementation and management services for the entire project, supporting all construction phases.
•
Siemens has won a USD519.8 million (QAR1.9 billion) contract for Qatar General Water and Electricity Corporation (Kahramaa). Scheduled for completion in 2017, the scope of this award includes delivery of 18 turnkey substations for power generation – an important infrastructure requirement for the 2022 World Cup. The award comes as part of the ongoing Qatar Power Transmission System Expansion – Phase XII. Siemens has installed more than 110 substations since the beginning of the programme in 2005.
•
Msheireb Properties has awarded Qatar-based Traffic Tech (Gulf) a car parking management system contract for Msheireb Downtown Doha project. Covering 10,000 parking spaces and more than 200 gated entry/exits, Traffic Tech will design, fabricate, deliver, install and maintain the car park management system. Traffic Tech will also adopt full control over the valet management, taxi dispatch, parking guidance systems, as well as the parking facility management software.
USD
194 billion
The value of contract awards this year in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could reach over USD194 billion (QAR706 billion), states a report published by Ventures Onsite, titled GCC Construction Industry – Trends and Challenges for 2015. This is a little down from last year, but lower oil prices will mean building materials and transport costs will fall and that will filter down to contract values. September 2015 | QCN
work hours is limited to eight per day for six days a week. This excludes lunch breaks. Furthermore, according to Article (74), “The employer shall pay to the worker for the additional working hours the rate of not less than the basic wage plus not less than 25 percent thereof.” Supervisors fired by CDC face the allegation of forcing the labour to work on non-CDC projects. The violation of rules, according to CDC, also resulted in a worker’s death. According to The Korea Time, Qatar has about 3000 North Korean workers on various construction sites across the country. While a number of dismissed workers have already left Qatar, it is still unclear whether or not those fired by CDC were forced to work on other projects with confiscated wages. CDC is a Qatar-based company that provides turnkey development of industrial and commercial buildings, including consulting, planning, permitting, design and engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and facility management services.
Construction
News
Middle East’s audiovisual market to reach record levels by 2016
The Middle East’s audiovisual market is set to post one of the world’s fastest growth rates, increasing by 76 percent from USD1.57 billion (QAR5.7 billion) in 2012 to USD2.76 billion (QAR10 billion) in 2016, according to trade association InfoComm International. Audiovisual technology covers every industry vertical, and can include high-definition displays and projectors, lighting to sound systems, and streaming and webcasting technology. From this expected
growth, the hospitality and retail sectors are set to see the most benefit. “Middle East organisations want the highest quality audiovisual technology for their mega projects to provide the best experience for their tech-savvy customers. This provides a strong opportunity for audiovisual vendors and systems integrators to enable organisations to manage information more efficiently,” said Richard Tan, executive director, InfoComm Asia Pte Ltd.
We have gone from an era of talking about the benefits of audiovisual technology, to organisations actually purchasing solutions, said Richard Tan, executive director, InfoComm Asia Pte Ltd.
Architectural opportunities for Doha Metro unveiled Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) has showcased the architectural opportunities in the works for the Doha Metro stations, during an awareness day that hosted Qatar Rail’s employees, project managers, design and build contractors as well as current and prospective suppliers. Gathering over 300 attendees for a presentation and discussion
led by the company’s procurement and architecture departments, the ‘Architectural Works for Doha Metro – Phase 1’ conference shared Qatar Rail’s procurement strategy, the packages and prequalification process, and the projects including the interior fit-out for the stations, the structure for the elevated stations as well as the landscaping plans.
Cumulative residential units across the Gulf Cooperation Council – 2014
Source: Jones Lang LaSalle, and a report published by Multiplesgroup /Alpen Capital Investment Banking’s GCC Construction Industry report.
September 2015 | QCN
Attendees at the conference learnt about Qatar Rail’s project’s procurement strategy.
Units
Riyadh
971,000
Jeddah
769,000
Dubai
440,000
Abu Dhabi
248,000
Doha
129,000
News Events Construction
16
14 – 16 September
Qatar Transport Forum 2015 Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
19 – 20 October
Qatar Contractors Forum & Awards 2015
9 – 11 November
Bridges and Highways Qatar
4 – 7 October
Health Facilities Design and Development in Qatar InterContinental Doha
Along with presentations of Qatar’s major bridges and highways, the event will also highlight technicalities involved in carrying out such projects.
11 – 13 October
Employee Health and Wellbeing Conference Doha, Qatar
13 – 14 October 2015
Qatar Transport Infrastructure 2015
Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
18 – 21 October
Facilities Innovation Forum Qatar
An estimated USD3.6 billion (QAR13 billion) is being lost each year as a result of inefficient energy management inside professionally managed buildings in the Gulf Cooperation Council. To be held at Oryx Rotana Hotel, Facilities Innovation Forum Qatar will bring together regional and international thought leaders and decisionmakers.
September 2015 | QCN
View of an ongoig construction project in Doha. (Image Al Khayyat Contracting and Trading)
The Qatar Contractors Forum & Awards 2015 will take place at InterContinental Doha. The event is aimed at providing networking opportunities with representatives of leading Qatari and international construction companies, consultants and developers through panel debates, networking sessions and interactive workshops. Speakers from these construction companies will share their knowledge, practical examples and lessons learned to overcome the key challenges of the booming construction sector when launching and delivering projects.
26 – 27 October
Future Landscape & Public Realm Qatar
InterContinental Doha – The City
With projects such as Sharq Crossing, New Orbital Highway, and the Doha Metro Elevated Red Line, project owners, consultants, and contractors are hard at work in a busy and profitable Qatari infrastructure market. At the 8th Annual Bridges and Highways Qatar Summit 2015, to be held at InterContinental Doha, project managers and other key players will speak on ways to get involved in some of the most profitable bridges and highway projects in the State of Qatar.
15 – 17 November
Sports Infrastructure Expo Qatar Qatar National Convention Centre
23 – 26 November
The Big 5: International Building & Construction Show, Dubai
Dubai World Trade Centre, United Arab Emirates.
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guest column
2022 World Cup expected to boost and change Qatar’s air-conditioning market Rising investments and emergence of mega infrastructures in Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup are linked to rapid growth and changes in the country’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) market, writes Rajat Kharbanda of 6Wresearch.
Rajat Kharbanda is a senior consultant, Electronics and Semiconductor Practice at 6Wresearch.
September 2015 | QCN
Air-conditioning systems have become core building blocks for modern infrastructure. With increasing construction activities and rising government spending towards infrastructure development, demand for air-conditioners in Qatar is expected to surge in the next six years. Ahead of 2022, the preparations for the World Cup will be complemented by growth in all sub-sectors of the real estate sector. The football tournament is anticipated to drive investments of more than USD300 billion (QAR1.09 trillion) in Qatar to build the necessary infrastructure. Construction and renovation of stadiums along with Airport City, Doha Metro, Energy City, and Msheireb Downtown Doha projects are expected to significantly boost the HVAC market in the coming years. According to 6Wresearch, Qatar’s airconditioning market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4 percent between 2015 and 2021. While the demand for centralised, ducted and packaged air-conditioners is growing at a significant pace, the window air-conditioner market is expected to go down in the forecast period. Furthermore, the centralised air-conditioning segment shares a key portion of the market pie and is expected to maintain its market dominance through the forecast period. The share of centralised air-conditioning is anticipated to cross 50 percent by 2021, owing to the nature of mega projects being built. A key factor impacting Qatar’s HVAC market would also be the government’s focus on deploying energy-efficient systems for long-term sustainability. In February this year, Qatar’s Ministry of Environment announced phasing out the sale of conventional air-conditioners, to be replaced with energy-efficient systems by
September. Replacing existing window and split air-conditioners with energy-efficient systems would mean about 30 percent cut in electricity consumption. Similarly, in 2013, Qatar set three stars as the minimum energy-efficiency rating for air-conditioners in the market, which meant up to 12 percent energy conservation compared to unclassified appliances with a lower rating standard. With green credentials already a requirement for government projects, private projects are expected to follow the lead in the near future. The repercussions of such a mandate would be massive for Qatar’s HVAC market, which is primarily import driven. Almost all companies operating here are either assembling or importing air-conditioners from Asian or other Middle Eastern countries. Some leading players in the market include Carrier, Trane, York, Daikin, Petra, Mitsubishi, SKM, Fujitsu General, LG, Gree, Samsung, and Rheem. As of now, considering the ongoing and planned infrastructure development activities, the revenue of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s air-conditioning market is expected to increase by almost 3.5 percent. While Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would continue to dominate the region through the forecast period, Qatar’s air-conditioning market is expected to have a higher CAGR over the next six years.
Qatar’s air-conditioning market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.4 percent between 2015 and 2021.
20
cover story
providing qatar’s migrant workers
a home away from home Qatar has been under international scrutiny for its treatment of blue-collar migrant workers, particularly in terms of their living conditions. The country has answered these criticisms by announcing a number of worker accommodation projects meeting international standards. However, despite these efforts, supply remains a challenge, writes Syed Ameen Kader.
September 2015 | QCN
cover story
21
Migrant workers walk back to their accommodation at the Ezdan 40 compound after finishing work. (Image Getty Images)
QCN | September 2015
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cover story
A
mid continuous global criticism for the way Qatar treats its migrant workers, the government’s efforts to improve their living conditions seem to be paying off, as a large number of labourers may soon have access to better housing facilities. The statebacked Barwa Real Estate company recently announced that its ambitious Labour City, known as Barwa Al Baraha, which is under construction until now, has started renting out units to interested companies and contractors. The 1.8-million square metre (sqm) project, cited as the largest in the Gulf region, is planned to house more than 50,000 workers, in decent living conditions – accommodating not more than four persons in a room – besides providing other basic health, safety and community facilities. This is in line with the government’s plan to increase the development of worker accommodation in order to match the growing labour population in the country. Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, in May, said that Qatar will build seven cities to house 258,000 migrant labourers, many of whom are working at project sites related to the 2022 World Cup. He added that all seven cities would be built by the end of 2016, housing about 25 percent of Qatar’s migrant population. However, considering the fact that Qatar’s labour population is going to increase to 2.5 million in the run up to the 2022 World Cup, these numbers may not be enough. The 2010 census indicated that there were approximately 920,000 workers accommodated in 36,000 compounds of varying sizes located throughout the country. These are generally located in relative proximity to the place of work and many of the larger compounds are found in and around the Industrial Area, Mesaieed, Ras Laffan and Al Khor. Also, there is a sizable population that does not fall into the migrant labour category but represents the middle- to low-income group, which is in need of affordable housing. Nick Witty, director of real estate, Deloitte Qatar, says the current forecasts suggest that there could be
September 2015 | QCN
Qatar currently has over a million labourers, and their number is expected grow at an annual rate of between seven and 10 percent over the next five years. (Image Arabian Eye/Corbis)
additional demand for 500,000 to one million beds in the run up to the 2022 World Cup. “Historically, the availability of housing for lower- to middle-income households has been relatively limited,” he explains. However, Witty adds, in recent years, there have been some initiatives by both private and quasi-government (supported by the government but managed privately) entities such as Ezdan Real Estate and Barwa Real Estate who have built extensive residential facilities such as the Ezdan Village compounds and Barwa City and Barwa Village. “While this has undoubtedly increased supply, there is still a steady demand for affordable housing, especially as the country continues to witness rental growth across all residential asset classes,” Witty tells QCN.
Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, in May, said that Qatar will build seven cities to house 258,000 migrant labourers, many of whom are working at project sites related to the 2022 World Cup.
cover story
According to Andy Reid, business development manager for Qatar International Safety Centre (ISC), the charters set by Qatar Foundation and Supreme Committee have definitely helped the improvement within worker accommodation. However, “currently not all accommodation camps are signed up to the charters”, he adds.
Although current supply may not be enough, increased participation of private companies into this segment is expected to ease some pressure on housing demand. In recent months, a few private real estate companies announced their plans to get into developing affordable housing for migrant workers – a segment that has long been non-lucrative to private developers. For example, Daruna Development, a Qatar-based real estate firm, earlier this year unveiled its plan to build facilities for around 12,000 workers. Joseph Lebaron, vice chairman of Daruna Development, says, “We expect the first two projects to get underway in Q4 of 2015 with completion before the end of 2016.” In March, the company also signed a QAR800 million agreement with Wasita Qatar for the management of this residential complex. This will allow Daruna to maintain the ownership of the project, while Wasita will operate and manage various operations such as housekeeping, catering, laundry and maintenance services. Daruna is also bidding for an additional 28,000-bed project for the Ministry of Municipal and Urban Planning (MMUP) that is due to issue tenders in the fourth quarter of 2015. “We are then working with semi-
23
Migrant workers playing basketball in a labour camp in the industrial area of Doha. Many of the new labour cities will have better recreation amenities. (Image Arabian Eye)
Migrant workers who often spend long hours on sites need to have better living conditions in order to improve their mental state and level of productivity. (Image Arabian Eye/Corbis)
QCN | September 2015
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cover story
government entities – one is in the 40,000-bed range and the other two are in the 28,000-bed each,” reveals Lebaron.
Building standards Besides supply, the quality and standard of many of the old labour accommodations have been an issue that social activists have raised time and again. Often, 10 or more people are found to be crammed into a room, without proper access to basic amenities – a trend that is still ostensibly in practice in some of the buildings. With the country having a limited number of inspectors to check the offenders, many contractors take advantage of the situation to cut costs by providing substandard accommodation. “There has been a lack of enforcing labourer’s housing regulations. However, the government has expanded the number of inspectors to 300 (up from 150), with plans to expand this to over 400 inspectors in the near future,” says Edd Brookes, general manager at DTZ Qatar. To deal with the quality issue, Qatar Foundation (QF) in 2013 came up with a new set of guidelines to be followed while building accommodation for migrant workers. Although, the government-backed projects such as Barwa Al Baraha are following these guidelines, there are many developers or contractors who continue to ignore them. According to Andy Reid, business development manager at Qatar International Safety Centre (ISC), the charters set by QF and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy have definitely helped the improvement within workers’ accommodation, however, “currently not all accommodation camps are signed up to the charters,” he says. To make the charter more effective, Reid suggests, it should be compulsory for all camps to follow their guidelines and therefore have a set standard in Qatar. But with the decrease in oil price, Reid fears, it means that companies could cut back on areas such as health and safety, especially within workers’ accommodation. “In my view, you can’t September 2015 | QCN
A picture of a new labour city in Doha which is built by the government and will be hosting a large number of migrant workers. (Image Arabian Eye/Reuters)
cut back on areas such as this especially within an organisation – you can’t put a price on someone’s wellbeing.” he says. However, private companies such as Daruna Development say they are trying to bring that change. It claims Daruna’s designs are the first in Qatar to be certified as compliant with QF’s Standards for Workers’ Welfare guide published in 2013. Lebaron emphasises that they want to drive the market with these changes. “We want to take the lead in taking QF, MMUP and international standards and applying them for the transformation of worker housing in Qatar. We seek to help implement the Qatar National Vision 2030, in support of the worker welfare committees across the ministries, councils, committees and agencies of the Qatar government.” Reid points out that accommodation standards are highly important for worker welfare. “Having a respectable level of standards within workers accommodation means employees can take a break between shifts. This helps improve their mental state, level of productivity, as well as contributing to less accidents within the workplace,” he explains.
“The current forecasts suggest that there could be additional demand for 500,000 to one million beds in the run up to the 2022 World Cup.” – Nick Witty, director, real estate, Deloitte, Qatar.
25%
The percentage of Qatar’s migrant population that will be housed in seven new labour cities by the end of 2016.
cover story Highlighting some of the minimum housing facilities, which are absolutely necessary in any country, Reid tells QCN, companies should provide comfort, good food, sporting and recreation facilities, and excellent hygiene services such as laundry and overall cleanliness of rooms. “In particular, within Qatar and the Middle East, air-conditioning is imperative to ensure good rest periods. Another necessity within any camp is adequate room, in particular bedrooms,” he says.
Land factors Qatar has historically seen low supply of affordable housing and the problem is getting more critical with the surge in the labour population due to Qatar’s winning bid for the 2022 World Cup. This resulted in steady growth in demand for affordable housing, but the market has not had an equal level of new supply for the supply pool. One of the major factors that kept real estate companies away from developing affordable housing is the high cost of land. There is a traditional practice of trading land as a commodity in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. This means that the ultimate owners would not necessarily have any intention of developing it. “As a result, land is often too expensive to develop into low-cost accommodation as the developer will not be able to secure the returns he requires and as such the focus is on higher end, higher quality products which commands higher rents and in turn higher investment returns,” explains Witty. In order to mitigate this problem, he suggests the government could look at releasing further tranches of land in certain areas solely for the development of workers’ accommodation and either entering into public-private partnership (PPP) style arrangements with private sector developers/investors or promoting further development through the quasigovernment developers such as Barwa Real Estate. Brookes says that trend is already happening as in the past, private developers generally went for higher- and middle-income residential schemes. “However, there is now an increasing
contribution by the private sector to provide labour accommodation which meets government standards. This includes a maximum of four labourers to a room, a minimum or four sqm per labourer and on-site health facilities for all accommodations featuring over 100 labourers,” he adds. Although Qatar property market has already started seeing this trend, the existing players still face challenges in acquiring land parcel for developing affordable housing projects. Daruna’s Lebaron says, “We are certain we will fill our worker communities as fast as we can build them. The challenge has been finding unencumbered land parcels that are large enough and situated in the right areas.” MMUP is taking an ambitious programme to launch facilities across Qatar. “We applaud that effort. There is still need though, for more land allocation,” he adds. With the introduction of the likes
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Joseph Lebaron, vice chairman of Daruna Development, says, “We are certain we will fill our worker communities as fast as we can build them. The challenge has been finding unencumbered land parcels that are large enough and situated in the right areas.”
Labourers walking inside the new Labour City in the Sanaya Industrial Area in Doha , during a government-guided tour, May 3, 2015. (Image Arabian Eye/ Reuters)
QCN | September 2015
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cover story
2.5
million
The expected number of migrant workers to be living in Qatar in the run up to the 2022 World Cup.
Daruna claims its designs are the first in Qatar to be certified as compliant with QF’s Standards for Workers’ Welfare guide published in 2013.
of Barwa Baraha and Daruna, the quality and standard of workers’ accommodation has witnessed considerable improvements in recent years and this trend looks set to continue in the future as demand for additional housing mounts. Brookes tells QCN that Qatar is certainly leading the way for
maintaining high labour standards within the Middle East. “But these changes take time to implement. Perhaps increased powers to fine and shut down labour accommodation that does not meet the minimum standards would help,” he suggests. Sharing his personal experience, Reid says, since his arrival in 2005, there has been a significant improvement in the treatment workers receive. “There has been more emphasis on health and safety of the workers ensuring they are provided with a safe and secure environment to work in. Even though there has been significant improvement over the years, there is still a long way to go,” he adds. Increasing international media scrutiny has definitely helped to bring
Qatar’s labour issues to the centre of attention. Lebaron says that as a company, Daruna Development “welcomes that scrutiny; we want that scrutiny because we think we have a great story to tell, we think we are part of the solution to a problem that the international community has identified and that the Qatar government has itself identified.” “The MMUP, QF and other standards that are now becoming the norm in Qatar will increase the price of accommodation. The increase, however, is a small price to pay for the added value of increased worker productivity, compliance with Qatari and international standards and mitigation of reputational risk,” Reid concludes.
Migrant workers’ accommodation scenario
2016
Workers Population
2022 2010 920,000
Government constructing seven labour cities to accommodate 258,000 workers + Daruna to add accommodation for 12,000 workers
2.5 million
Housing supply
2010
36,000 compounds
Source: Deloitte and other publicly available government data.
September 2015 | QCN
growth in demand by
2022
50,000 to 1 million beds
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environment
Four sustainable design philosophies Qatar needs today for a greener future Sustainability has been one of the key priorities of Qatar government. Walid Daniel Dib suggests some smart design philosophies, adopting which can earn the country a holistic approach towards a greener future. What will the future of an urban Qatar look like? According to the father Emir, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Qatar National Vision 2030 focuses on four pillars: social, economic, human, and most importantly, environmental development. From implementing environmentallyfriendly development measures to focusing on a more comprehensive legal system, Qatar’s vision can broaden to include the following sustainable design philosophies in its mega projects.
1. Testing the waters When controlling water levels and flows in construction, design companies rely heavily on cast iron and steel in their building infrastructures. Corrosion, wear resistance and laying lengths put aside, these old-school pipes are a poor choice in comparison to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes due to their environmental penalties: exposure to direct sunlight leads to brittle pipes. This means that the purchase and maintenance cost of these pipes heavily September 2015 | QCN
outweighs the possible strength benefits of metal pipes. There is no denying that, at times, ductile iron pipes are needed. According to a study done by Richard W. Bonds, Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association’s research and technical director, ductile iron has 24 times the tensile strength of HDPE pipes. But this also comes at a cost, since hefty metallic pipes need lifting cranes, transportation costs, and more expensive installation measures, meaning a higher carbon footprint and energy cost.
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The number of Qatar’s highrise buildings over 100 metres in height.
2. Sustainable stadiums With the 2022 World Cup looming just around the corner, a majority of Qatar’s spectacular-looking stadiums have been bid for and awarded. These stadiums were conceptualised early on in Germany specifically to be built in a fashion that allows them to be dismantled easily, with their kinetic architecture. From what we all hear so far, there is no denying that environmental efficiency has been a main driving factor in how stadiums in Qatar are
There is no denying that environmental efficiency has been a main driving factor in how Qatar’s stadiums are being built.
environment
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Considering electricity is one of the key contributors towards hydrocarbons consumption in Qatar, curtailing it is on the government’s top agenda. With hot summer conditions and intense sunlight during the daytime, Qatar should consider incorporating built-in solar panels along the roofs of all developments.
currently under construction should strive for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold or Platinum certification as a standard. Furthermore, to reduce air-conditioning costs, these buildings should implement high-performance insulated glass with low heat gain coefficients. Other eco-friendly methods to control indoor temperature include the use of floor underlayments and indoor green walls. To resolve the problem of parking and traffic congestion, also linked to increased carbon emissions, the upcoming buildings in West Bay should be designed with ease of public transportation access.
Perhaps the most innovative sustainable key the New Doha Port should consider is environmentally-friendly bulkheads and seawalls.
being built for the 2022 World Cup. Given Qatar’s climate and intense sunlight during the day, a possible use of the large swaths of surface area along the roof could come in the form of built-in solar panels. NRG solar panels have been tried and tested by the Jets’ and Giants’ stadiums in the United States, lighting up the stadium with the teams’ home colours and saving up to USD43,000 (QAR156,520) in 2012 alone.
4. Port sustainability Doha’s New Port project is set to open in 2016, with “the safety of all personnel working on site, and the protection of the environment, is at the forefront of every decision made”, according to the New Port’s official website. A port tethering the usage of land, air, and water is not an issue to be dealt with lightly. This means that monitoring soils, sediments and maritime life in the vicinity is a priority for every green port. Perhaps the most innovative sustainable key the New Doha Port should consider is environmentally-friendly bulkheads and seawalls. Relying on bulkheads will negate the disruption of water and tidal flows in nearby aquatic habitats, reducing the port’s impact on the local fauna and flora.
3. Maintaining our castles in the sky To date, Qatar boasts 36 high-rise buildings over 100 metres in height, the vast majority of which are situated in Doha’s West Bay. While many of these towers are an architectural beauty, many buildings in West Bay face a logistical nightmare when it comes to parking, not to mention absurd electrical costs for both lighting and air-conditioning. It should be a given that the employees and tenants of today have high expectations for their workplace. This means that, for a more sustainable West Bay, high-rises
Walid Daniel Dib is a civil engineer working with WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff in Qatar.
QCN | September 2015
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technology
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Demonstrating extensions of time: Do We Need P6? Primavera P6 is being increasingly used in construction markets across the world, often as a necessary requirement to fulfil contractual obligations. But how justified is the obsession with P6, questions Tom Kapapa of Quantum Global Solutions.
T
he construction market in Qatar is progressing at an unprecedented pace – delivery period for projects are tight owing to the fixed deadlines of the 2022 World Cup and the 2019 World Athletics Championship. The projects being constructed are intense and provide complex civil engineering challenges unseen in this region before. In this context, it is not surprising that issues of delay and extension of time (EOT) claims are affecting most projects. Advanced engineering software such as Primavera P6 are often used to demonstrate EOT, but do we really need them? Before answering this, a recap on the advent of P6 usage is worth considering. In the Middle East, over the past five years or so, we have witnessed the rise of P6, mainly brought about by the obsolescence of P3. Of late, we have also seen construction contracts specifying P6 for planning and monitoring of the works. Based on my observations dealing with EOT claims, P6 specification has had a negative impact more often than not on the usage of P6.
Risks of P6 specification When P6 is turned into a requirement in construction contracts, the projects and stakeholders run the following risks: 1. With too many details incorporated in P6, unmanageable programmes are developed QCN | September 2015
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technology
The perception that by having more details in a programme, projects can be better planned and controlled does not hold true.
for the construction phase of the project with thousands of activities. 2. The project team becomes more focused on the technical aspect of developing and updating the programme instead of analysing the practical issues and how to effectively plan the work ahead of them. 3. Numerous functionality issues of the programme come up, such as complex logic network, to the extent that it is not possible to complete all the required activity data and relationships. The errors produced by this become significant as the programme is updated and requires constant review to reset any missing or incorrect data and relationships, as they become apparent during the update process. Due to the number of activities, managing this process becomes a major exercise, which in some cases is not undertaken at all. 4. The primary factor when developing the project programme becomes meeting the contract specification/requirements, and not necessarily producing a practical workable programme. Furthermore, there are examples of technically correct programmes, which meet the contract specification but have fundamental construction-related errors unidentified. 5. These monster programmes become unreadable in a sense that the project team, other than the planners involved, cannot understand the programme. Therefore, the programme cannot be used for day-to-day management of the project. 6. When a programme of this magnitude is produced, it results in a reliance on the programme itself. September 2015 | QCN
Often the planners do not interpret the programme and rely on the calculations and settings within P6 to churn out answers. They become part of the P6 process, and remove the human element from the programme management aspect of the project. This over-reliance on P6 often makes the thought of modifying the programme daunting for planners due to the complexity of the logic network and resource data. Eventually, the programme often ends up being used for reporting facts and figures rather than assisting the construction of the project. However, this is not to say that P6 is not a satisfactory piece of software for developing, monitoring and controlling projects. In fact, P6 has some of the best features that can be very useful for engineers. However, it is the use of P6 that is becoming unsatisfactory. Despite the complexities involved, P6 can be used effectively to monitor and manage projects. There is no doubt that a project programme is an important contract document. However, just because we have a piece of software (such as P6) that can handle tens of thousands of activities with their associated data, does not mean we have to produce programmes that contain tens of
It is common to face delays in the construction of large-scale projects. In Qatar, software such as P6 are increasingly being used to create extension of time documents in the event of delays. (Image Arabian Eye/ Corbis)
P6 has its place in construction management, but it is up to the project management team to use it sensibly and practically.
technology
33
Because of P6’s advanced features, project information incorporated in this software are often limited to planners who are tech savvy to use complex construction software.
thousands of activities if it is not necessary to do so. However, very often it is loaded with unnecessary data.
Demonstrating EOT through P6 The perception that by having more details in a programme, projects can be better planned and controlled does not hold true. In fact, a programme with too many details can often result in an unmanageable project. From the perspective of delay analysis and EOT submissions, it seems that P6 is often more of a hindrance than a solution. Common sense should prevail more often when dealing with these issues. I have observed that the limitations of P6 programmes have become more and more apparent due to the recent trend among contractors producing very high activity count programmes whether to meet specifications set or for their own record. Fundamentally, there are two types of delay analysis for EOT submission: the dynamic and the static. 1. The Dynamic EOT submission needs planning software to demonstrate the impact of delay events on a given project. This software and be P6, P3, Microsoft, Asta and TILOS, etcetera. 2. The Static EOT submission can be produced with or without advanced planning software. For example, activities can be produced in a bar chart format in many standard software packages, such as Microsoft Excel.
In the quest of fulfilling the contract requirement for using P6 or other such programmes, engineers sometimes become part of the P6 process, ignoring the fact that human element is crucial for the overall management of the project. (Image Arabian Eye/Corbis)
QCN | September 2015
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technology
In the Middle East, over the past five years or so, we have witnessed the rise of P6, mainly brought about by the obsolescence of P3.
If used with limited date linked to lesser number of construction activities, P6 can be a useful tool in achieving both contractual obligations and engineering demands. (Arabian Eye/ Corbis)
To me, it seems that type two is often better, easily understandable and favoured option, whereas type one has its limitations because the heart of the Dynamic EOT submissions is the delay event narratives containing the statements of cause and effect based on the contemporaneous records of the project. P6 is usually the planning software used on the project producing the contemporaneous baselines and updated programmes. Since the chosen software for the project is P6, there is a perception that without P6, demonstration of any EOT entitlement is not possible. There is increasing reliance on software as opposed to common sense. If half of the project work scope has been suspended for two years, do we need P6 to prove this delay? Due to the generally high number of activities seen in the P6 project programmes, it becomes difficult to produce an easily understandable representation of delay events and their impact on the project. The document produced when using typical P6 programmes has hundreds of pages of print outs, which are often not even looked at. The P6 graphical format and functionality is not ideally suited for incorporation into documents. The layout is very specific to P6 and it takes considerable effort to produce a presentable and easily readable layout for integrating into a document. In some cases, it becomes necessary to use additional software to improve the layout. In other cases, it is better just to re-do the layout in simpler file formats, such as Excel. In some cases, it becomes necessary to reproduce the programme in a more understandable format by reducing a significant number of activities. This could also be done in P6, where less data is much easier to comprehend. Therefore, even with the dynamic analysis using P6, data can be made more understandable and usable in an EOT document, fulfilling both contract requirements and wishes of the engineer. This clearly supports my argument. P6 is only a tool – a tool to be used to assist the development of the EOT submission. It is not a magic wand that can be used to demonstrate EOT simply September 2015 | QCN
by submitting a programme showing delayed activities. The key of any worthy EOT submission is to present the EOT request in a clear and concise manner, based on the factual evidence available from the contemporaneous project records. To achieve this, I feel, based on all said complications and limitations, it is not essential to use P6. However, this requires breaking down the barriers with planning technicians, which is not an easy task. It is also worth noting that in the old days, there was no such thing as P6 or P3, and yet EOT issues were resolved. Unfortunately, there is an over-reliance on technology which ironically should be a good thing. P6 may also soon be superseded, but the principles of delays and extension of time remain the same. Finally, P6 has its place in construction management, but it is up to the project management team to use it sensibly and practically to ensure we get the benefit of its functionality to help achieve our project objectives.
Tom Kapapa is the operations and technical director at Quantum Global Solutions.
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Qatar Transport
Infrastructure, 2015 Event Overview Qatar is a peninsula located amid the western coast of the Arabian Gulf. It shares its southern border with Saudi Arabia and a marine time border with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. Despite having a smaller land area, Qatar has achieved the unparallel position of being the richest country in the world. Since 2000, Qatar has grown faster than any other economy of the world. Its high-income developed economy is backed by the world’s largest natural gas reserves and oil reserves in excess of 193 billion barrels. The development of the hydrocarbon sector made Qatar the richest country in the world.
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However, realising that alternative form of wealth creation would eventually have to replace finite hydrocarbon resources, Qatar shifted its focus to non-hydrocarbon investments and a major programme of infrastructure investments have been launched to support this diversification. This diverse investment strategy is driven by the Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which aims to transform Qatar into an advanced country. Qatar is investing a substantial amount of investment to revamp its transport infrastructure. The most important of these projects is the Qatar Rail Development Program. These programs will play a vital role in helping the State of Qatar achieve the 2030 vision by providing support to the existing public transport infrastructure with a new world-class mode of Transport. The rail development program consists of Doha Metro, Long Distance Passenger and Freight Rail and Lusail Light Transit Rail Projects. Doha Metro project consists of four lines – Red, Green, Gold and Blue, and the construction of the entire project would be completed in two phases. The Long Distance Passenger and Freight Rail network will link Qatar’s main industrial and residential hubs through highspeed passenger rail and freight services. The network will also be connected to the common GCC rail network which would facilitate economic diversification and
growth. The Lusail Light Rail Transit aims to provide a convenient mode of transport within the Lusail City, and to Doha by connecting with Doha Metro. With more than USD200 billion worth of projects to be awarded in the next 10 years across various applications for the upcoming World Cup, Qatar remains one of the top three attractive markets for companies doing business in the GCC region. Come join us on October 13 and 14 at the Sheraton Resort and Convention Hotel, Doha, and be a part of the most prestigious event of the year where we bring together leading practitioners and experts from the rail and infrastructure industry, rail authorities from across GCC region, ministry members, GCC council members and many more. As they share their vision and experience of creating a world-class transport infrastructure.
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industry insights
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Sustainable fit-outs do not appear to be high on the list of priorities of clients in Qatar Neil Robson, director and co-founder of Belle Harvey Interiors.
With the establishment of Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC), Qatar has introduced its first green directory and is now on its way towards mandating green buildings for both public and private development. While the focus on sustainable construction is there, the drive for green interiors and fit-outs is ostensibly not on the radar as yet. To know more about sustainable fit-outs and interiors, and its scope in Qatar, QCN approached Neil Robson, director and co-founder of Belle Harvey Interiors – an interior design and fit-out company operating in the commercial market, undertaking office, retail, health and hospitality fit-out projects for international and local companies in Qatar.
Can you explain the concept of green fit-outs and interiors? How well is it taken up in Qatar? The concept of green interiors is where, as designers and contractors, we use ecologically sustainable materials across the building’s lifecycle (manufacture, installation, use and post use/ demolition). In addition, the utilisation of resource-efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings provide a quality indoor environment. For instance, a green fitout may include Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber products, low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)
building materials, separate recycling bins (for instance, for paper, plastic and biological material), bicycle storage facilities, and associated amenities and lighting solutions that maximise natural light and use electricity efficiently, by using items such as compact fluorescent globes and LEDs. In terms of its application in Qatar, while there are some major construction projects underway that have been designed to very high international accredited green standards, I feel that as a country there is much more that can be done and has not been taken up
“There is an over-reliance on specifying European and North American manufactured products by architects and designers, even though within the region, there are a number of good quality manufacturers.”
QCN | September 2015
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industry insights
“Over the coming years, more and more countries will have to adopt green building credentials and rating systems in order to combat climate changes as part of a United Nations drive.� Louis Berger: An office fit-out and interior done by Belle Harvey Interiors.
by private developers as much as the government projects.
What are some ways in which fitouts can be carried out in a more sustainable manner? There are many ways in which fit-outs can be carried out in a more sustainable manner, from using sustainable materials, making environmentallyconscious choices and employing energy-saving technologies. Planning the project carefully to maximise space, daylight and the availability of fresh air is also fundamental. It is now a legal requirement in the United Kingdom (UK) and a number of European countries to consider the environmental impact of the design and build of a building. Therefore, the government here in Qatar could do more in bringing in and enforcing similar environmental legislation for building projects, which would drive the social change needed to make a significant impact. We can also consider using Buildings Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) or SKA Rating. BREEAM is a globally recognised scheme that aims to quantify and reduce the environmental burdens
September 2015 | QCN
of buildings by rewarding designs that take positive steps to minimise their environmental impacts. SKA Rating is an environmental labelling method designed to rate and compare the environmental performance of fit-out projects for office buildings in the UK.
A lot of fit-out materials are being imported to Qatar. Is there a way for the country to reduce this reliance on foreign materials for fit-outs? Yes, this is correct. The majority of building materials are imported into the country as there is no significant manufacturing
industry insights
39
Fit-outs of some commercial and office spaces done by Belle Havey Interiors.
“When working with clients or tendering projects [in Qatar], we are rarely asked to consider sustainable products and materials.” – Neil Robson, director and co-founder, Belle Harvey Interiors.
base here. The only way that this can be reversed is if manufacturers invest here in the country and start to produce more and more products locally. There is also an over-reliance on specifying European and North American manufactured products by architects and designers, even though within the region, there are a number of good quality manufacturers covering a broad spectrum of materials. If we can start to procure more and more products from the region, this will not
only improve the regional economy, but will also reduce the amount of materials being transported by ship and air which will be better for the environment.
How informed are Qatar’s customers in making sustainable choices for fit-outs and interiors? In selecting fitouts, what are their key priorities? To be honest, when working with clients or tendering projects, we are rarely asked to consider sustainable products and materials. This does not appear to be on the high list of priorities. Only some of the state’s largest developments consider this but the average office and retail companies do not. However, the country has established the QGBC, which is a nonprofit, membership-driven organisation providing leadership and encouraging collaboration in conducting sustainable practices for green building design and development in Qatar. QGBC also aims to support the overall health and sustainability of the environment, the people, and economic security in Qatar for generations to come. The council, a member of Qatar Foundation, was formally established in 2009 by a decree signed by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and is helping Qatar on its journey to establish a post-hydrocarbon, knowledge economy and progressive society.
Organisations often carry out fitouts refurbishments. What are some considerations to make this process more sustainable in terms of cost and environmental impact?
When planning your fit-out, clients should ensure that sustainability and energy efficiency are the major considerations, and specify mechanical and electrical systems, furniture and fittings – basically everything. These simple things make the biggest difference, for instance planning for recycling areas and removing individual waste bins. You could save on lighting by installing daylight capture systems and motion-sensitive fittings. Purchase products that have recycled materials within them, and ensure that your timber products are all FSC certified. Considering sustainable solutions in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems is probably the most important.
The Green Building Council of Australia has launched a new rating tool to assess the interior fit-out of any building type. Do you expect such a rating system to be introduced in Qatar? There are many international accredited environmental systems around the world and some projects here are designed and constructed to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard. LEED was set up in the United States (US), and is run by the US Green Building Council. LEED is very similar to BREEAM, which was established in the UK in the 1990s. I personally believe that over the coming years, more and more countries will have to adopt green building credentials and rating systems in order to combat climate changes as part of a United Nations drive.
QCN | September 2015
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legal
Barriers to accessing dispute resolution in construction contracts
Suzannah Newboult of DLA Piper explains escalation clauses in construction contracts that slow down a party’s access to arbitration, and how to deal with such contracts.
C
In Qatar, we are now seeing additional pre-conditions to referring a dispute to arbitration. September 2015 | QCN
onstruction contracts have for a long time contained escalating dispute resolution provisions setting out a series of steps the parties must take in order to resolve a dispute prior to resorting to arbitration or going to court. Typically, these involve meetings between senior members in both organisations and referral to a third party for a decision. Often these processes are mandatory. These dispute resolution procedures serve a useful purpose. They may save the parties from having to incur the time and costs of arbitration, and the break down of the relationship between them. Even if the dispute cannot be resolved before arbitration, these processes, if used meaningfully, will help the parties to understand each other’s position and enable them to refine the true matters in dispute in order to narrow the scope of the arbitration. These steps also perform an important role in enabling the parties to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of their own cases. The last few years have seen the development of these escalation clauses in contracts in Qatar. We are now seeing additional pre-conditions to referring a dispute to arbitration, such as clauses which prevent the contractor referring a dispute to arbitration before the works are complete. The most basic of these clauses may say little more than “arbitration shall not be entered into until after the completion of the works under the contract”. These clauses often lack clarity on the word ‘completion’. Imagine a scenario where one party has purported to terminate the contract, the contractor is then never going to complete the works. In this case, do the parties have to wait until the works have been completed by a third party before they can arbitrate? What if the employer terminates the contract and decides he is not going to finish it? On the face of it, this would leave the contractor denied of a route to justice, empowering the employer to control the contractor’s right to legal recourse. This,
however, cannot be the case. The arbitration tribunal can be asked to decide whether it has the power to hear the dispute. In the scenario above, the tribunal may decide that the clause could not have been intended to deprive the contractor of the right to arbitrate and hence will hear the dispute. Conversely, if you ask the court, it may consider that the arbitration agreement will never apply to the dispute because the works will never be completed by that contractor. The court may then decide that if the agreement to arbitrate fails, the court will hear the dispute. In deciding who to ask, it is important to look beyond receiving an award or judgment on the dispute. If the arbitration tribunal proceeds to hear the dispute and issues an award, the losing party may still be able to resist the enforcement of the award by the court. If the court hears the dispute and issues a judgment, the parties may find they have a judgment, which is harder to enforce overseas. More detailed arbitration provisions deal with circumstances where it is in dispute whether the works are complete. These allow the arbitration to proceed where the works are complete, or alleged to be complete. They may also exclude the requirement that the works be complete where the dispute is over the giving of a payment certificate or non-payment of a certified amount to avoid the contractor being starved of cash flow.
Suzannah Newboult is legal director at DLA Piper.
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42
careers
eight reasons
you may still be unemployed You have done everything you thought was right – registered on online job portals, re-written your CV, and practised interview answers, etcetera. Yet, you still find yourself sitting at home and dreaming about your ideal job. Why so? You might simply be using the wrong strategy. The good news is that the Qatari job market is looking up. In fact, the recent Bayt.com Middle East Job Index survey, August 2015, shows that 68 percent of Qatar employers will be hiring in the next three months, and 64 percent of all construction employers in the Gulf region will be doing the same. Despite the scope, here are some reasons you may still be unemployed: 1. You don’t have a routine: A job search should be treated as a job in itself. Create a list of job-search activities; from researching a company, to sending introduction letters to recruiters in companies you are targeting, to followup calls, to interviews and thank you letters. Update this list systematically and make sure you follow a clear process. 2. You are unprepared: Employers have done their homework to find you and they expect you to do yours on them too. If you have done your homework right, in the interview, you will be able display your unique suitability for the position and the value you could add to the company. 3. You are not networking enough: Many jobs these days are found through networking. There is no substitute for connecting with people. Supplement your physical networking with online networking. Your peers can also offer honest appraisals about your work performance when referring you for a job. 4. Your CV is missing something: Many job seekers make the mistake of using a generic, unfocused CV to apply
September 2015 | QCN
for different positions in different industries. Your CV should be tailored to the specific job you are targeting; it should show skills, qualifications and experiences that directly come to bear on the given job. If you are targeting a number of different jobs, have different CVs for each job type. 5. You’re not sending cover letters: A CV sent without a cover letter will lack your ‘personal touch’ and will likely be lost in the fray. Cover letters, like the CV, should be tailored according to the company and industry. 6. You interview poorly: Some common interview mistakes include lack of preparation, not having answers to common interview questions, lack of enthusiasm, negative answers, as well as inappropriate questions and comments. 7. You don’t have an online profile: Good online personal branding can help you get more interviews and grow your career. Companies nowadays check the profiles of candidates online before hiring them. 8. You’re not following up: Plan your follow-up strategy and execute it well. Follow up on phone to make sure the relevant manager has received your CV, follow up again to ask for a meeting, and follow up with emails regularly until you have received some form of a response.
Qatar employment in numbers
51%
professionals say construction industry is the number one industry attracting and retaining top talent in Qatar.
68%
construction employers in the MENA are looking for academic qualifications in engineering, followed by business management.
67%
of construction companies in the MENA will be hiring in a year’s time.
66%
construction employers are looking for good communication skills in both Arabic and English, followed by team player skills (52%).
47%
of Qatari employers prefer experience in managerial skills, while 45% are looking for people with computer skills.
Source: The Bayt.com Middle East Job Index Survey, August 2015, and The Bayt.com Hiring Practices in the MENA Survey, June 2015.
Current vacancies in Qatar (Bayt.com) Organisation
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Reference
Nakheel Landscapes
QA/QC Manager
JB3300497
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JB3291848
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September 2015 | QCN
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INTERVIEW: Neil Robson, director and co-founder of Belle Harvey Interiors on green fit-outs and interiors – PG 37
issue 2.9
September 2015
ENVIRONMENT
Four design philosophies Qatar needs for a greener future
TECHNOLOGY
Does the construction sector really need P6 software?
PLUS
Eight reasons you may still be unemployed
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