Emirates Projects Magazine Issue 102

COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS AND URBAN HABITAT POLYCENTRIC CITIES THE FUTURE OF VERTICAL URBANISM P24

AL FARWANIYA PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS LLC REEM MALL: STYLISH, UNIQUE, FUN P32

AL AJMI ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

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WELCOME TO NEXT LEVEL LIVING

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EXPERIENCE, EXPERTISE AND SERVICE COMBINE FOR UNPARALLELED RESULTS P45

L E A D I N G

TONINO LAMBORGHINI RESIDENCES DUBAI PROVIDES THE IDEAL HOME TO THOSE WHO EXPECT EXCELLENCE IN EVERY FACET OF LIFE P28

E M I R AT E S

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EDITOR’S PAGE 05 FOLLOW US ON

MANAGING DIRECTOR Eddie Rayner e.rayner@tpg.media

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Rod Millington r.millington@tpg.media

ADVERTISING PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Laura Wojciechowski laura@tpg.media BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Jane Muff jane@tpg.media MEDIA CONSULTANTS Nazia Anjum nazia@tpg.media Ritu Dodhi ritu@tpg.media Vandana Nerurkar vandana@tpg.media

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Dorothy Brigoli dorothy@tpg.media DESIGN MANAGER Daniel Murad dan@tpg.media DESIGNER Chalitha Fernando chalitha@tpg.media

ACCOUNTS accounts@tpg.media

SWITCHBOARD: +971 4 349 4925 www.tpg.media www.emiratesprojectsmagazine.com This magazine is published by TPG Publishing LLC. All material is the copyright of TPG Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. This magazine is the property of TPG Publishing LLC. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form whole or part without written permission of the Managing Director of TPG Publishing LLC. While every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequence arising from it. In the case of company or product reviews or comments, these have been based upon the true and honest opinion of the Editor at the time of going to press.

THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC California-based Tesla opened its first luxury electric vehicle dealership in the Middle East in Dubai in the summer of 2017 to mixed reviews. However, to date it has proven to be a successful move, with sales being extremely healthy. Moreover, Teslas now make up part of the fleet of Dubai taxis, with its electric cabs making 64,186 trips with a customer satisfaction rate of 97% in the first six months.

The electric vehicle share of global car sales is predicted to rise from 1% in 2017 to 2.5% by 2020, according to the Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Thematic Investing Report, which forecast that by 2050 they will make up 90% of sales.

The UAE government is targeting up to a 15% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020, as well as ensuring that 20% of its own fleet will be electric vehicles. What’s more, it is envisaged that Dubai will spend millions of dirhams on incentives to have 42,000 electric vehicles on its streets by 2030.

More or less all of the big car makers see enormous potential in the region, particularly in the UAE, and plan new launches of electric vehicles over the next few years. General Motors, for instance expects to boost sales in the MENA region with the launch of its Chevrolet electric vehicle. It sold its first Bolt electric vehicle in the region in August this year. Dubai Police also operates a small fleet of Bolt electric vehicles.

A total of 12 different electric vehicles brands are currently in General Motor’s global portfolio and at least 20 others will

be introduced by 2023, two of which will be introduced by mid-2019. In the UAE, it is also looking to become a partner in Dubai’s Green Mobility Initiative, which targets a 10% share of electric vehicles in government fleets by 2030.

Furthermore, the Chinese car maker Haval has serious expansion plans for the UAE and is set to double its sales by homing in on the demand for SUVs, whilst Swedish manufacturer Volvo is set to roll out its first fleet of electric vehicles by 2021. Ford will also introduce four hybrid vehicles over the next three to four years, whilst German car makers BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen are gearing up to production, too.

Fuel cell cars diverge from battery vehicles in that they produce electricity rather than using stored electricity to run the motor, more often than not using compressed hydrogen.The majority of these vehicles are classified as zero-emission, as they discharge only water and heat.

Quiet, cheap to run, and smooth to drive, there is no doubt that electric vehicles will be taking over the roads almost completely in the years to come, as the world continues to fight potential environmental disaster.

Rod Millington Editor

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06 CONTENTS

COVER STORY

WELCOME TO NEXT LEVEL LIVING

P28

FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE

AL FARWANIYA DEVELOPMENT LLC

ZEBIAN INDUSTRIES LLC P38 Founded in 1977, Zebian Aluminium & Glass Industries is a leading subcontractor, offering complete building envelope solutions for façades, glazing, roofing and wall cladding. It is continually evolving and expanding, diversifying its portfolio.

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P32

For many years, the traditional concept of a mall was a place to do a little shopping and grab a snack.

In the past decade, however, this notion has been shaken right to its core. Malls have morphed into unique hybrids of retail hubs, community centres, family hang-outs and dining destinations. Abu Dhabi’s Reem Mall is set to take this concept to whole new level.

Boasting more than 2 million square feet of retail, leisure, dining and entertainment choices, including the world’s largest snow play park and unique digitalisation concepts, it will introduce a neverbefore-seen customer offering to the UAE. With 450 stores, including 100 food and beverage outlets, the AED 4.4 billion project will have an extraordinary selection of both local and international brands, products, and services.

Positioned right in the heart of ‘new Abu Dhabi’, Reem Mall is set to redefine the regional mall concept. So how will they do it? From the outset, Reem Mall developers set themselves the challenge of creating a mall unlike anything that Abu Dhabi has ever seen before. And, from the introduction of a food hall concept to Snow Park Abu Dhabi, this mall will surprise and excite every step of the way.

AL AJMI ENGINEERING P45 Al Ajmi Engineering Consultants (AEC) is looking to the future with genuine and understandable confidence. For this is a company that has maintained its presence in the local and global marketplace throughout all the different market cycles.

BHNS ENGINEERING P48 BHNS is an engineering firm that goes beyond a typical consulting role, becoming a partner to its clients by aligning with their individual goals and processes. Indeed, offering outstanding professional services and the highest quality workmanship, it is inspired by excellence.

CONTENTS 07 FOLLOW US ON

GET TO KNOW P08 In this issue of Emirates Projects we get to know Sneha Divias, one of the region’s most respected architects and the founder of the Sneha Divias Atelier, a boutique interior architecture practise based in Dubai. "I attended courses at Delft University of Technology and Istanbul Technical University. After graduating, I worked as an architect for a couple of years until I decided to take an interior design course at New York University to complement my craft.

This allowed me to work on architecture and interiors in an integrated and holistic way."

REGIONAL NEWS P12 Bentley Systems Incorporated, a leading global provider of comprehensive software solutions for advancing infrastructure, has announced one infrastructure project in Oman as finalists in Bentley’s Year in Infrastructure 2018 Awards program.The annual awards program honors the extraordinary work of Bentley software users advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure throughout the world. Twelve independent jury panels of distinguished industry experts selected the 57 finalists from 420 nominations.

WORLDWIDE NEWS P10 A consortium comprising PORR, Gulermak and Energopol-Szczecin has signed a 150m contract for the construction of the winouj cie tunnel in Poland.The 3.2km project includes a 1.44km TBM-excavation in the slurry shield procedure and the breakout diameter of the tunnel will be 13.5 metres. A two-way roadway will be constructed with traffic lanes with a width of 3.5 metres and evacuation niches will be built using ground freezing. The consortium will implement the project as a design and build contract.

LOCAL NEWS P14 The Waterfront Market and Lulu Group have signed an agreement to open an anchor outlet in January 2019. The Lulu Hypermarket will be spread across 55,000 square feet of retail space within the Waterfront Market and provide customers and the Deira community with a wide range of competitive and quality home products. The Waterfront Market, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ithra Dubai, is a world-class purpose-built facility spread over 120,000 square metres.

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08 02 GET TO KNOW - SNEHA DIVIAS ATELIER

GETTING TO KNOW...

SNEHA DIVIAS ATELIER SNEHA DIVIAS - FOUNDER OF SNEHA DIVIAS ATELIER

IN THIS ISSUE OF EMIRATES PROJECTS WE GET TO KNOW SNEHA DIVIAS, ONE OF THE REGION’S MOST RESPECTED ARCHITECTS AND THE FOUNDER OF THE SNEHA DIVIAS ATELIER, A BOUTIQUE INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE PRACTISE BASED IN DUBAI.

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Emirates Projects Magazine: What attracted you to the world of design and how did you initially get into it?

Sneha Divias: My parents emigrated from Mozambique to Portugal in 1974 and my father started his own business in real estate and property development. Growing up, I saw buildings from drawings to site, while Portugal had its construction boom and I would spend my summer break between my father’s office surrounded by plans and construction details, and travelling to exotic places with my parents. In addition, my mother, born in India, is highly creative and artistic so there was a general interest for art and design. Hence the world of architecture and design were my obvious choice for studies.

I attended courses at Delft University of Technology and Istanbul Technical University. After graduating, I worked as an architect for a couple of years until I decided to take an interior design course at New York University to complement my craft.

This allowed me to work on architecture and interiors in an integrated and holistic way.

EP: Can you provide a little background on the Atelier?

SD: Specialising in commercial, hospitality and residential projects, the Atelier is a boutique practice in the true sense of the term, focusing only on a certain number of projects at a time, taking each and every space to the next level through creativity and method. With an off-beat and forwardlooking sensibility we create transformative

experiences. This is our identity. I think the strongest aspect of my projects is the quiet elegance and understated style where the essence lies in the details.

If people ever looked at all of the Atelier’s projects, side-by-side, they would see the seamless transition of dissimilar materials, minimalist luxury and freedom of creation.

The Atelier dismisses pre-determined paradigms to follow an intuitive balance.

GET TO KNOW - SNEHA DIVIAS ATELIER 09 03 EP: Which services does the company offer, where does it offer them?

SD: The Atelier’s services focus on interior architecture, interior architecture and furniture design with a global reach.

Our involvement starts at the inception of a project, maintaining a direct approach throughout the project’s duration with a tailor-made service that caters to the specific needs of the client.

We believe that architecture should provide a seamless experience, from outside to inside. The starting point is to gain an understanding of a client’s needs and the way in which a room, or sequence of spaces, will be used. We have created interiors that span the spectrum from private houses to offices; from art galleries to restaurants. Our ongoing projects are located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Muscat, Los Angeles, Porto and London.

Recently we have completed the executive offices for the new Dubai Holding headquarters, a villa on the Palm (which has been recognised with a design award) and OliOli, which is an educational play space with interactive galleries for children. These projects are important as they represent the diversity in which we apply our design skills, and each of them has a level of research and innovation that sets them apart from all other projects.

Having a boutique proposal is truly about bespoke concepts and unique strategies.

Every project is a joint effort. It’s the combination of perfect team work between designers, architects, engineers, suppliers, project managers and the client itself.

While we maintain conceptual ownership, the result and final outcome is a combined effort of all the players that follow our comprehensively detailed design packages.

EP: Can you give details of one project you are particularly proud of?

SD: OliOli, the children’s educational playspace, was an interesting challenge as it is unique and touches an unexplored area of neuroscience related to children’s development and creativity.

EP: What is the practice working on at the present time?

SD: We have an interesting pipeline and it’s all about creating experiences and a medium to bring brands and concepts to life. We have recently finished the styling of the show apartment and sales center for Banyan Tree Residences in Dubai, the renovation of one of the leading salons in the UAE, Orchid Beauty Boutique in Sharjah, and we are working on an upcoming concept store project in Jumeirah. In parallel, on the residential front we are working on villas in Muscat, Dubai Hills and Saadiyat.

The practice aims to have more jointventures with new and established talent in order to bring clients notable designs that are a result of collaborations between interior architects, artists and organisations like Tashkeel, which promotes local talent.

EP: Is sustainability particularly important to the Atelier ethos and if so how do you go about implementing it?

SD: At the beginning of the year, the Atelier made an impactful decision to implement the concept of sustainability into all of its projects, and at a larger scale. ‘Larger scale’ refers to not just the incorporation of repurposed materials, but the creation and development of innovative sustainable products.

Nowadays, we exist in a world that can only be measured by signs of economic

growth; this includes factors like an expanding population and shrinking reserve of natural resources. This makes it necessary that the design scene embraces sustainability. Undoubtedly, there’s great competition in today’s luxury design industry. This makes the shift towards a ‘greener’ approach seem contradictory to the goal of providing clients with premiumquality designs, but we are committed to proving that wrong.

Brands show concern that there isn’t a demand for such products yet. This stops them from consciously denouncing commercial manufacturing products. The reality is that the architecture and design industry, especially that of the MENA region, is rapidly developing projects and yet faces challenges to lower costs. However, clients and customers aren’t the same as they used to be a decade ago because they are more aware of environmental issues.

As a result, they now care and prioritise the incorporation of sustainable factors in their design, making it easier for brands to develop ‘greener’ luxury.

The Atelier’s legacy is going to be of one that involves radiating timeless elegance, and combining it with sustainability. That would be the central aspect our client-base observes when they look at each project,

which is ironic, considering that the practice isn’t a fan of patterns. With each project the Atelier completes, we place a greater emphasis on motivating brands and customers to make the right choice.

EP: Where do you get your inspiration from?

SD:Traveling has always been my greatest form of inspiration. Other than that I draft my inspiration from simple things that we are surrounded by, such as buildings, people, markets, nature - there is so much to take in from both the urban and natural world. I also keep a little sketchbook with me at all times to jot down sketches and ideas whenever I see or read something interesting, and sometimes it is as simple as walking down the road and noticing a unusual form or volume that inspires me.

EP: What do you think makes the practice stand out from its competitors?

SD: Having an architectural background and being intuitively creative, I’d say my strengths are my ability to combine technical expertise with innovative solutions and pursuing original details in every project. I do not shy away from the unknown.

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10 WORLDWIDE NEWS

PORR TEAM WINS 150MILLION CONTRACT FOR ROAD TUNNEL IN POLAND A consortium comprising PORR, Gulermak and Energopol-Szczecin has signed a 150million contract for the construction of the winouj cie tunnel in Poland.

The 3.2km project includes a 1.44km TBM-excavation in the slurry shield procedure and the breakout diameter of the tunnel will be 13.5 metres.

A two-way roadway will be constructed with traffic lanes with a width of 3.5 metres and evacuation niches will be built using ground freezing.

The consortium will implement the project as a design and build contract.

PORR CEO Karl-Heinz Strauss said: “The winouj cie tunnel is one of our key infrastructure projects in Poland. In cooperation with our PORR colleagues from Poland and Austria as well as the experienced experts from Gulermak and Energopol-Szczecin, we will demonstrate our construction expertise and innovative strength.”

The tunnel, which will be completed

in 2022, will provide a direct connection between Uznam and the Polish mainland, reduce the journey time to a few minutes, and improve the connection to Polish holiday areas in West Pomerania.

The Polish city of winouj cie extends over the eastern part of the island of Uznam and over the islands of Wolin and Karsibór.

Uznam houses an administration centre and service centre as well as a seaside resort with tourist and health resort facilities.

Uznam and Wolin are separated by the wina river, and traffic between the islands is currently carried out via ferry connections across the wina.

Earlier in September 2018, PORR laid the cornerstone for an educational campus at the PORR compound in Vienna Simmering, marking the expansion of the existing three-pronged training system for apprentices. The educational concept is the only one of its kind in Austria, and training sessions at the campus are set to begin in September 2019.

At the educational campus, PORR will

offer every apprentice an additional internal training course for three weeks per year, which is expected to help increase the number of apprentices from the current 4% to 5% in the short term and to 8% in the medium term.

The curriculum will cover practice and

theory, which is more difficult to convey on the construction site itself. This will include training on how to handle modern construction materials, smart machinery and an introduction into the new world of work.

SINGAPORE SUSPENDS HSR PROJECT UNTIL 2020 AS MALAYSIA CITES HIGH COSTS Singapore has agreed to suspend the construction of the Kuala LumpurSingapore High Speed Rail (HSR) Project until 31 May 2020 following a request from Malaysia due to its high costs.

In a joint statement, Malaysia and Singapore said that both countries are committed to the HSR Project and Malaysia will bear the agreed costs in suspending the HSR Project.

Also, if Malaysia does not proceed with the HSR Project by 31 May 2020, it will also bear the agreed costs incurred by Singapore in fulfilling the HSR Bilateral Agreement.

Both governments said that during the suspension period, they will continue to discuss the best way forward for the HSR Project with the aim of reducing costs.

Prior to the postponement of the project, Singapore Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan and Malaysia Minister for Economic Affairs Mohamed Azmin bin Ali exchanged legal documents in Putrajaya to modify the

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HSR Bilateral Agreement based on the new understanding.

The HSR Express Service between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is now expected to commence by 1 January 2031 instead of the original commencement date of 31 December 2026.

Following the lengthy suspension period, infrastructure companies of Singapore and Malaysia, SG HSR and MyHSR Corporation, will call off the international joint tender for the HSR Assets Company.

The governments of Malaysia and Singapore had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the HSR Project in 2016. Prime Ministers of both countries announced the project in 2013.

Officials, led by the Ministry of Transport and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) of Malaysia, and the Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority of Singapore, held extensive discussions on the project before the MoU was announced.

A consortium of WSP Engineering Malaysia, Mott MacDonald Malaysia and

Ernst & Young Advisory Services has been chosen as the joint development partner (JDP) for the HSR Project. It will provide project management support and technical advice on HSR systems and operations, and develop technical and safety standards.

The consortium will be assist the joint project team established between MyHSR and LTA with the preparation of documents for the forthcoming tenders.

Engineering firm Systra, in partnership with Meinhardt, has been awarded two reference design consultant (RDC)

contracts by MyHSR Corporation for the HSR Project.

Upon completion, the HSR Project will connect seven cities in Malaysia to Singapore and reduces travel times between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to 90 minutes.

The HSR Project will have eight stations – the termini in Bandar Malaysia and Singapore, and six intermediate stations in Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri.

WORLDWIDE NEWS 11

SALINI IMPREGILO SECURES 718.8MILLION CONTRACT FOR LINE 16 OF GRAND PARIS EXPRESS Italian construction and civil engineering company, Salini Impregilo, has won a €718.8million contract from Societé du Grand Paris (SGP) to build a section of a new metro line for Grand Paris Express, which is touted to be the biggest sustainable mobility project in Europe.

SGP is responsible for designing and implementing the Grand Paris Public Transport Network (RTGP), known as the Grand Paris Express.

The Line 16 of Grand Paris Express will serve several commutes in the northern and eastern part of metropolitan Paris.

The contract, known as Lot 2, will involve the excavation of 11.1km of tunnel and the construction of four stations at Aulnay, Sevran-Beaudottes, Sevran-Livry and Clichy Montfermeil, along with 11 related works.

The Italian company will assign 20% of the value of the contract to local subcontractors. It will also employ disadvantaged workers for 5% of the total number of hours estimated to be needed for the completion of its section of the metro line.

In March, Salini Impregilo and joint venture partner Nouvelles Générations d’Entrepreneurs won a €203million contract to extend Line 14 of the Grand Paris Express to the Orly airport.

This work marks the group’s return to France 20 years after working on the city’s Est-Ouest Liaison Express (EOLE) between 1992 and 1998.

Salini Impregilo has also contributed to the expansion of the city’s metro, working on the METEOR line (Metro Est-Ouest Rapide).

The Italian company has expertise in the sector in light of its vast experience in cities ranging from New York to Saint Petersburg. Altogether, Salini Impregilo has built more than 400km of metro lines.

The company is involved in several latest projects, including Lines 2 and 4 of the network in Lima; a line in Doha; one in Riyadh; Cityringen, which encircles Copenhagen; Line 4 in Milan, and a new line in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Salini Impregilo is also working on light rail lines in cities such as Perth and Sydney, Australia.

The Sydney project has won the 2018 ‘Project of the Year’ award from the US trade magazine, Engineering NewsRecord (ENR), for the skytrain bridge

and viaduct that it built for Sydney Metro Northwest, part of the biggest public transport project in Australia.

MULTIPLEX BEGINS WORK ON MIXED-USE PROJECT IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Being developed by Malaysian property development firm S P Setia, the project’s 62-storey western tower will feature Melbourne’s newest five-star hotel, the Shangri-La, while the 60-storey eastern tower will house over 300 luxury residential apartments.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by the representatives of S P Setia, Multiplex, Shangri-La, and the City of Melbourne.

Located in the north-east corner of Melbourne’s CBD, the two towers will be connected by a Sky Lounge on level 46 overlooking the UNESCO world heritage listed, Royal Exhibition Building and its surrounding Carlton Gardens.

Recently, Multiplex secured the $565million build contract to deliver Shangri-La Melbourne and Sapphire By The Gardens.

The project is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs during the construction and initial hotel operational period.

Multiplex said that the 500-room luxury

hotel is perfectly positioned to cater to the tourists visiting Melbourne.

S P Setia CEO of Australian operations Choong Kai Wai said: “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony represents a significant milestone for Setia and further signals our commitment to developing a pipeline of projects that are highly sought after by the Australian market.

“The secret behind Sapphire By The Garden’s success, with over 95 percent of the project sold, was the substantial underlying demand for premium, highly-liveable and world class residential apartments in Melbourne’s CBD. The market wanted a high-quality product and we’re proud to have delivered that at this site.”

Multiplex Victoria regional managing director Graham Cottam said that he anticipated this build would become one of the organisation’s, and Victoria’s, most significant construction projects over the next three years.

Cottam added: “We are thrilled to be appointed by S P Setia to deliver this world-

class mixed-use development, drawing upon our extensive experience constructing highrise buildings in the city.

“As one of Multiplex’s largest projects currently underway in Australia, it is set to generate significant employment throughout its construction and beyond.”

Shangri-La Asia CEO LIM Beng Chee said: “Melbourne is one of Australia’s top business and tourism cities and we are pleased to partner SP Setia for our expansion in the city.

“Shangri-La Hotel, Melbourne will be part of an iconic building complex within walking distance of diverse offerings including vibrant retail and dining hubs, as well as cultural and theatre attractions.

“We couldn’t have chosen a more strategic and spectacular location to site our hotel and to introduce our Asian-inspired hospitality to all visitors once the complex is completed.”

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12 REGIONAL NEWS

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT IN OMAN NAMED AS FINALIST IN BENTLEY SYSTEMS’ YEAR IN INFRASTRUCTURE 2018 AWARDS PROGRAM Bentley Systems Incorporated, a leading global provider of comprehensive software solutions for advancing infrastructure, has announced one infrastructure project in Oman as finalists in Bentley’s Year in Infrastructure 2018 Awards program.

The annual awards program honors the extraordinary work of Bentley software users advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure throughout the world. Twelve independent jury panels of distinguished industry experts selected the 57 finalists from 420 nominations submitted by more than 340 organisations.

Oman Gas Company S.A.O.C.’s Asset Performance Solution for Reliability Management project in Al-Khuwair, Muscat, Oman, has been selected as a finalist in the Going Digital Advancements in Utilities and Industrial Asset Performance category.

Oman Gas Company transmits and distributes gas to 4.4million people and most of the area’s key economic industry facilities. To ensure consistent availability of its product, the company developed a reliability and integrity program that digitized, automated, and compiled all reliability and integrity data and management tasks into one platform with Bentley’s AssetWise.

Andy Glyde, Middle East regional director for Bentley Systems, said, “We are pleased to acknowledge and celebrate this project in Oman that is named as finalists in Bentley’s Year in Infrastructure 2018 Awards program. This project is among the 57 selected this year, which represent the most outstanding going digital advancements in infrastructure by Bentley software users around the world.”

EX-MARKETING EXECUTIVE OF ONE OF UK’S TOP SHOPPING CENTRES NAMED MALL MANAGER OF OMAN’S UPCOMING INSPIRATIONAL DESTINATION Al Raid Group, which is behind some of the GCC’s world-class and high-quality shopping, commercial and residential complexes, has appointed UK-educated Moninder Brar as the Mall Manager of its Al Araimi Boulevard (ABLVD), one of Oman’s largest forthcoming shopping, entertainment, and lifestyle destinations.

Brar, is the former Marketing Executive of Westfield London, a premier shopping center in White City, London.

She played a major role in the production of Westfield’s 2014 highly successful ‘edit me’ campaign, creating an inspirational hub that reinforced Westfield’s position as a top UK fashion destination.

Shaikh Raid Abdullah Al Araimi,Vice Chairman,Al Raid Group, said: “In her new role as Mall Manager, Moninder will bring her creativity and innovative approaches to the soon-to-open ABLVD in the Sultanate. Boasting more than a decade of professional experience in branding and marketing in retail and fashion industry,Moninder’s expertise in multiple business growth and cross-selling techniques will be instrumental in the growth and development of our best-in-class project, which is an addition to our growing portfolio of world-class properties.”

Prior to ABLVD, Brar held a variety of creative roles in three different companies in London. She started her

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career in 2005 as a Front Office Manager at Arora hotels in Heathrow and in 2009 she upped her career by moving to YB International as a Business Development Manager. She joined Westfield London in 2013.

Through her no-nonsense creative and innovative approaches, she demonstrated her competencies to satisfactorily meet clients’ expectations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Commercial Law from the University of Hertfordshire that has helped paved the way for her successful career.

Commenting on her appointment, Brar said: “It is my privileged to be entrusted with such an important task of overseeing the overall operations of ABLVD, which upon its opening is seen to significantly reshape the shopping, entertainment, and lifestyle segment in Oman. I am excited to take on this new role and I am fully committed to applying all my knowledge and expertise to ensure the delivery of exceptional customer experience in keeping with Al Raid Group’s mission of creating inspirational destinations in the Sultanate and beyond.”

In related news, the company has also named ‘Alchemie Design,’ a fully-integrated digital marketing and advertising agency, as the project’s new advertising partner. The multiawarded agency will be handling ABLVD’s marketing and

advertising needs—highlighting the firm's strong reputation in improving their client's business visibility through its implementation of innovative strategies that reach out to ABLVD's target audience.

REGIONAL NEWS 13

BAHRAIN AUTHORITIES SAY MAJOR ROAD EXPANSION WORKS COMPLETED Bahrain authorities have announced that work has been completed on the expansion of the right lane from the Dry Dock to the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Causeway in the governate of Muharraq.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, the scope of work for the project included construction of an additional 1.2km-long lane for incoming traffic from the Dry Dock Interchange with Hatem Al Tayii Avenue towards the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Causeway.

A rainwater drainage network has also been constructed, it added, along with other key amenities such as pedestrian sidewalks, lighting facilities, traffic signs and sign boards. This was so as to reach the requisite safety and security standards on the road, it explained. The installation of safety barriers was also carried out, the statement confirmed.

The Ministry said that the project comes as part of a series of prompt solutions planned to ease traffic congestions in 13 locations, simultaneously, through the implementation of mega-road

development projects. This comes in response to HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, who has issued directives to develop urgent solutions to ease traffic flow across the kingdom.

“This project will contribute to create smoother and more efficient traffic flow towards the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Causeway by releasing the huge incoming traffic movement from Muharraq Governorate towards the Capital which stalls at the entrance of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Causeway and causes traffic jams which hamper the traffic movement, whilst the project aims to further smoothen the traffic flow,” said Engineer Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf, Minister of Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning.

It will also increase the intake capacity of the Dry Dock Avenue with the project by more than 22%, at the rate of 2,000 vehicles per hour, in addition to reduction of waiting time at the Interchange by 33%, he added.

WABAG WINS EPC CONTRACT TO BUILD $133MILLION JUBAIL WASTEWATER PLANT Sanitary Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion designed and built to treat incoming sanitary wastewater from Jubai Pure-play water technology Indian multinational group VA Tech WABAG says it has won the Phase 1 engineering, design and build contract to expand Marafiq’s (Power and Water Utility Company for Jubail and Yanbu) Sewage Water Treatment Plant in Jubail.

The plant will be designed using activated sludge process for carbon and nitrogen removal to treat the sewage water in accordance with the irrigation water quality standards as per Royal Commission Environmental Regulations 2015, the company said in a statement.

Marafiq plans to expand the plant up to a total capacity of 200 MLD in two phases.

Overseen by WABAG, Phase 1 will see the capacity rise to 120 MLD. The Sanitary Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWTP-9) expansion is to be designed and built to treat incoming sanitary wastewater

from Jubail and its Industrial City. The SWTP-9 Stage 6 expansion will comprise of a ‘stand-alone’ treatment works, designed and constructed for sanitary wastewater treatment.

During the signing ceremony, Marafiq President and CEO Abdullah Al-Buainain said: “Marafiq is confident in providing world-class utility facilities to the new-wave of growth for the Saudi Vision 2030 industrial ventures”.

The total capacity of the Sanitary Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWTP-9) expansion will be 200,000 m3/day, which will enhance Marafiq’s sustainable ambitions for the future.”

Deep Raj Saxena, CEO,VA Tech WABAG, Middle East & Africa Cluster added: “We are extremely honored to have been awarded the contract to expand SWTP-9 Stage 6 under the leadership of Marafiq.” He further said, “We are confident that we will be capable to execute the project and meet Marafiq’s expectations.”

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14 LOCAL NEWS

THE WATERFRONT MARKET & LULU GROUP SIGN AGREEMENT TO OPEN NEW LULU HYPERMARKET IN DUBAI

The Waterfront Market and Lulu Group have signed an agreement to open an anchor outlet in January 2019. The Lulu Hypermarket will be spread across 55,000 square feet of retail space within the Waterfront Market and provide customers and the Deira community with a wide range of competitive and quality home products.

The Waterfront Market, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ithra Dubai, is a world-class purpose-built facility spread over 120,000 square metres. The largest facility for fresh food markets in the region consists of dedicated sections for fish and seafood; fruit and vegetables; meat and poultry; and spice and dry goods markets in addition to an array of F&B and retail offerings. Located at the intersection of Al Khaleej Road and Abu Hail Street on the Deira Corniche overlooking the Deira Islands, the market provides the ideal location for Lulu Hypermarket to reach its loyal customers.

Commenting on the announcement,

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Issam Galadari, CEO of Ithra Dubai, said: “Our partnership with Lulu Group is a major new development which serves to position both brands as the ideal family shopping destination. Waterfront Market is keen to continue providing our growing number of shoppers with a range of choices that will complete their home shopping lists under one roof. The retail sector remains one of the most robust markets in the region and we are strategically positioned to offer product quality and variety at the best market value while improving our visitors’ shopping experience.”

The UAE’s consumer goods market consisting of fresh and packaged food, home appliances, and garments, among many others, witnessed 37% growth during Q4, 2017 and market analysts have noted that the trend will remain steady in the coming years. The value of retail sales in the Emirate of Dubai alone is projected to soar up to AED 160.7 billion by 2021 with an average growth of 5.6% from 2018 to 2021.

The robust growth in the retail sector is highly visible in the continuous expansion of major retailers in the region such as Lulu Group. The company is one of the region’s fastest growing retail chains with more than 150 stores spread across the GCC, Egypt, India, and Far East. Lulu Group has built a reputation for its wide variety of quality brands sourced throughout the world that meet the diverse retail needs of various communities in the UAE and the region.

The retail chain has a strong consumer following and is expected to increase the Waterfront Market’s footfall significantly.

Yusuff Ali M.A., Chairman and Managing Director, Lulu Group International, noted: “Lulu Group has been strategically investing in key locations globally where it can best serve its diverse markets. Our partnership with the Waterfront Market serves our loyal customers at the heart of Deira, where we have established one of our earliest shopping centres. Our new hypermarket shares its mission with the

Waterfront Market to provide discerning shoppers with quality products.”

The new hypermarket makes a wide variety of essential household products easily accessible to Waterfront Market consumers.This will prove to be a welcome addition to its distinctive fresh food offerings, making home shopping easier under one roof. The market has dedicated sections for fish and seafood, fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, and dry goods.

The hypermarket’s shoppers will be effectively served by the comfort, convenience and cleanliness that the Waterfront Market provides. This includes ample underground and outdoor parking spaces, fully air-conditioned facilities, world-class hygiene standards and maintenance, as well as essential retail outlets including a pharmacy, money exchange, banks, and a host of cafes and restaurants situated by the promenade facing the sea.

LOCAL NEWS 15

DUBAI RTA AWARDS CONTRACTS FOR LAST TWO PHASES OF EXPO ROADS PROJECT Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded two contracts worth AED630million ($171.5million) for the last two phases (5 and 6) of the Roads leading to Expo Project.

The project is aimed at ensuring smooth flow of traffic to serve visitors as well as future projects in the area.

The two phases include improvements to Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road and the intersection of Emirates Road with Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road.

RTA director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors Mattar Al Tayer said: “The Improvement of Roads Leading to Expo is one of the big projects currently undertaken by RTA to serve the needs of hosting Expo 2020 in Dubai.

“Due to the massive nature of the project, it had been split into six phases to ensure the timely completion of works, well before the opening of Expo. Contracts

for the previous four phases had already been awarded.”

Phase 5 involves the construction of 2.6km of bridges and 3km of roads. Under this phase, Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road will be widened from three to six lanes in each direction over a 3km sector. Service roads will also be constructed to improve the current traffic situation.

He said that at the intersection with Al Asayel Road, Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road will be elevated to a bridge spanning 800 metres of six lanes in each direction.

Two bridges will be constructed to link Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road with a service road extending 1km to ensure smooth flow of traffic from and to Expo.

Al Tayer said that Phase 6 covers the improvement of roads leading to Expo encompassing the construction of bridges extending 1.4km and roads of 8km.

Lanes of Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road will be

increased from four to six in each direction over a 3km sector. Similarly, the Emirates Road will be upgraded over a 5km stretch.

He said: “The existing roundabout at the junction of Emirates Road and Jebel AliLehbab Road will be upgraded to a flyover to ensure free traffic flow in all directions.

“Accordingly, Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road will be elevated to a bridge of four lanes in each direction, and 2-lane service roads will be built at both sides.

“There will be turns and ramps to facilitate the flow of traffic from the Emirates Road to Abu Dhabi and vice a versa, and from Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road to Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Road.

“Traffic will flow smoothly northward from Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road to the Emirates Road in the direction of Dubai; and southward from Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road to the Emirates Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi.”

GALLERIA HOTEL OPENS “BIRDCAGE” The Hotel Galleria by Elaf Group - a SEDCO Holding Group company and a leading provider of travel, tourism and hospitality services in the region – announced the launch of Birdcage that offers the luxury chocolate brand ‘Cacao Barry Chocolate,’ one of the finest in the world. With its new brand, Elaf Group aims to further enhance the experience for its customers by offering the world's finest product that meets the expectations of luxury chocolate lovers.

The Cacao Barry Chocolate at Birdcage is located on the sixth floor of the Galleria Hotel and serves the finest chocolate varieties prepared out of the best cocoa beans imported from the African continent. The brand is one of the finest cocoa product brands in the world since 1842 and has won many international recognitions.

Mr. Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, CEO, Elaf Group, said: “The Group remains committed to providing the finest international brands and world class services and restaurants that are managed by a group of the best chefs, experts and professionals of global standards.

The launch of the new chocolate brand reflects the Group's commitment to meeting the requirements and

expectations of customers by all standards, through providing the finest international products that suit different tastes.”

“The opening of the Cacao Barry Chocolate in the Galleria reflects the Group's commitment to providing

more options for luxury and highquality services to attract more visitors. Our guests will now have the unique opportunity to experience the Cacao Barry Chocolate brand, which will increase customer demand and

enhance the hotel's reputation as an ideal destination not only for authentic hospitality but also for chocolate lovers,” Mr. Ziyad Bin Mahfouz added.

MR. ZIYAD BIN MAHFOUZ, CEO OF ELAF GROUP

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16 LOCAL NEWS

DIERK MUTSCHLER, GLOBAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER (LEFT) AND STEPHAN DEGENHART, MANAGING DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE PARTNER FOR DREES & SOMMER MIDDLE EAST

AN INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH A leading consulting, planning, and project management enterprise, Drees & Sommer has supported private and public clients and investors for almost 50 years in all aspects of real estate and infrastructure.

The result is cost-effective and sustainable buildings, profitable real estate portfolios, people-oriented working environments, and visionary mobility concepts.

In the UAE, the firm is currently working on numerous projects, with its unique selling point in the local market being its inter-disciplinary approach. Not only does it specialise in project management, its methodology allows for a 360-degree view on real estate and construction. The company takes all factors into consideration and relies on expertise that encompasses engineering, design, facility management consulting, and digitization. Drees & Sommer ensure that every aspect of the process is thoroughly planned out ahead of time and that all risks are mitigated from day one to guarantee project success.

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Acting Responsibly, Thinking Sustainably Drees & Sommer's headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, was developed as a green certified building. It is a good example of how innovative processes and methods such as BIM and Lean Construction Management allow for buildings to be constructed economically and for established buildings to be upgraded both technically and sustainably for the future. Innovation and sustainability are in Drees & Sommer’s DNA and are part of its core values. The firm takes economic circumstances into consideration from the beginning of the project. It is important that sustainability is considered early on; Drees & Sommer ensures that it works side-by-side with its clients to do this.

Two Iconic Projects Globally, two of Drees & Sommer’s most iconic projects would include the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin and the Mercedes

Benz Museum in Stuttgart. In just five years the new centre of Berlin was constructed on what was then the largest inner city building site in Europe. Drees & Sommer coordinated a functionally, architecturally, and technically sophisticated challenging urban district, implementing the project economically and on schedule.

The Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart is an architectural highlight and provides a high-profile platform for prestigious corporate events. With its geometrically curved elements and visitor guidance in the form of a double helix, the museum fully exploits the technical potential of the concrete structure.

The Way Forwards Although the benefits presented by digitization are significant, the digital revolution encompasses so much more than software and programmes. Digitisation means digitally enhancing everything that can be improved or optimised. Digitisation

can streamline processes and shorten the duration of the planning and execution phases of a project, but it also comes with its own share of difficulties.

The main challenge faced by the digital revolution is changing the way in which people work. In order for the Middle East’s construction industry to keep pace with international markets, digitisation needs to start from the inside, processes need to be transformed step-by-step, people need to be trained and there needs to be a shift in thinking towards a more digitized future. This will pave the way for a more productive, cost-efficient, profitable, and technologically-driven regional construction industry.

LOCAL NEWS 17

30 GLORIOUS YEARS Established in 1988, HCC – Haji Commercial Co. LLC, has become a leading name synonymous with the Quality products, services, professionalism and overall customer satisfaction. In the year 2018, HCC achieved a landmark in UAE market by completing 30 glorious years in overall excellence.

A professionally managed organisation with an excellent reputation, HCC spread across UAE, Bahrain & Oman, has grown on to become a major player in the Lighting and Electrical industry as a supplier to engineering solution provider. Leading International brands have partnered with HCC, include from Europe, Middle East, far East & USA to service the following Business Groups: • Renewable Energy & Solar Solutions • Earthing & Lighting Protection Systems • LED Lighting & Retrofit Solutions • High Mast Lighting System • Sports Lighting • Emergency Lighting/Central Battery System • Lighting Control System • Electrical & Industrial Products • Building Automation System

As a progressive company and understanding the regions need to cut energy costs and reduce carbon footprint, a new business model took shape within HCC in 2017. This new EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) Contracting Company “HCT Technical Services LLC” came into existence. HCT provides the complete “Solar PV Solutions – (On Grid & Off Grid)”.

In the hands of the capable management and a hardworking team of experts in the relative field, HCC is the first choice to many of their reputed clientele in UAE. The company has diversified and expanded with consistent growth in terms of specialized products and services for 30 years and is poised to achieve continuous growth in future with a commitment to excel in service to the UAE & other GCC market.

The HCC management is very optimistic on the business opportunities under the vision and wise leadership of UAE Rulers in the many more decades to come, as UAE is marching towards the forefront of many developed countries.

AL BASEL REAL ESTATE BROKERS EARNS AED 175 MILLION IN SALES FOR DEYAAR FROM JANUARY 2016 TO JULY 2018 Al Basel Real Estate Brokers, a leading real estate brokerage firm and part of the Al Basel Group of Companies, achieved a AED 175-million sales mark for property developer Deyaar’s The Atria, Mont Rose, and Central Park projects in Dubai. Boasting robust partnerships with renowned property firms in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, the company owed its latest positive performance recorded from January 2016 up to July 2018 to the robust appetite of local, regional, and global investors for luxury, high-end real estate developments in the emirate.

According to the company’s senior executives, Al Basel earned AED 25 million for Mont Rose, a mega mixed-use development in DuBiotech, a life sciences cluster under TECOM Investments, located in Al Barsha South, Dubai. Handed over by Deyaar in May this year, the project comprises three towers, including two residential ones. Al Basel also reported earnings of AED 55 million for The Atria residential and hotel apartment tower

in Dubai's Business Bay and AED 95 million for Central Park located at Dubai International Financial Centre. The Atria is the second project completed by Deyaar in 2018, after the Mont Rose property.

The company also manages the units in these three top developments bought by investors who want to lease their property to tenants looking for a premium space in the city.

Basel Al Kasem, Founder and CEO of Al Basel Group, said: “The substantial earnings recorded from January 2016 to July 2018 were the result of favorable and excellent market condition. This latest development could potentially make 2018 one of the biggest years for us. We started strong this year and we aim to sustain the significant growth pattern by consistently expanding our real estate portfolio. We are confident that we can maintain the positive results until the end of the year, buoyed by overwhelming response of investors to our handled projects as well as the steadily rising demand for high-quality, value-

added property developments.”

Al Basel Real Estate Brokers is now managing apartments and villas of value exceeding AED 500 million on behalf of its investors. Its parent company, Al Basel

Group, is looking to sustain its growth through extensive expansion initiatives in key markets such as Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

BASEL AL KASEM, FOUNDER AND CEO OF AL BASEL GROUP

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FALCONCITY HOTELS & RESORTS SIGNS STRATEGIC AGREEMENT WITH OAKWOOD WORLDWIDE TO OPERATE 1790 HOTEL AND SERVICED APARTMENTS IN SAM POLARIS AND SAM VEGA PYRAMIDS Falconcity Hotels and Resorts, the hospitality arm of Falconcity of Wonders LLC (FCW), the developer of the ongoing Falconcity of Wonders multipurpose mega project in Dubai, announced the signing of an agreement with the leading global accommodation solutions provider Oakwood Worldwide to operate the hotel and serviced apartments in the SAM Polaris and SAM Vega Pyramids. The signing was announced on the sidelines of the ongoing Cityscape Global exhibition in Dubai.

The project is Oakwood Worldwide’s first undertaking in the UAE, which reflects FCW’s potential to attract leading players in the global hospitality industry to the UAE.The transaction was advised by Moon Hotel Management and Beaufort Global, leading investment, development and asset management firms based in Dubai.

The pyramid SAM Vega and the pyramid SAM Polaris form 2 out of 3 pyramids in

the Pyramids Park and a part of the iconic Wonders of the World project within the magnificent Falconcity of Wonders and feature 1,500 and 290 units respectively.

Both pyramids will have branded and furnished hotel and serviced apartments with associated leisure, F&B and retails offerings. Height of SAM Polaris is 94 metres with a total of 1,527 parking slots, while the 57 metres tall SAM Vega offers 490 parking slots.

H.E. Salem Almoosa, Chairman and General Manager, Falconcity of Wonders LLC, said: “Our latest cooperation with leading global accommodation solutions provider Oakwood Worldwide to operate the hotel and serviced apartments in the SAM Polaris and SAM Vega Pyramids forms part of our continuing efforts to sustain global interest in Dubai’s real estate landscape. It also reflects the confidence of international hospitality players in

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Falconcity of Wonders’ potential to become a major landmark in Dubai and the region as a whole, presenting an extraordinary investment opportunity for investors looking to own remarkable properties in one of the world’s most popular real estate destinations.”

A majority of prospective buyers are expected to acquire units of SAM Vega and

SAM Polaris for investment purposes and therefore opt into the rental pool scheme.

The partnership with Oakwood is set to take the investment ROI to another level.

Furthermore, FCW, which houses the pyramids, is strategically located along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, adding further value to the ROI.

LOCAL NEWS 19

SCHINDLER REDEFINES THE FUTURE OF URBAN MOBILITY

VIEWING FUTURE POSSIBILITIES WITH SCHINDLER AHEAD

myPORT APP

Under the theme of “Better buildings for tomorrow”, Schindler, one of the world’s leading providers of elevators, escalators, and moving walks, announced two groundbreaking mobility solutions: Schindler Ahead and myPORT at CTBUH (The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat) Middle East Conference 2018 held in Dubai.The 5-day global conference attracted local and international key stakeholders and decision makers in the industry.

Commenting on the importance of the company’s new technology, Hugo M. Ramos, Managing Director, Schindler UAE said: “As we have been leading the industry through digitization and modernisation, it is vital that Schindler takes part in CTBUH, the world’s leading resource for the development of future cities. And today we are proud to announce our new state of the art myPORT and Schindler Ahead solutions that will contribute to reshaping the landscape of urban mobility and smart cities.”

“The UAE region is one of the key markets to the Group, and therefore, we aim to be the best service provider in the industry for customers by continuing to develop highly innovative and user-friendly mobility solutions specifically tailored to the market”, he added.

Schindler Ahead offers an innovative digital solution for elevators and escalators, enabling a complete range of new digital products and services. The human-centric platform uses the Internet of Things (IoT) to bring ease in the daily maintenance of units by using insights captured from realtime data. Schindler Ahead will enhance equipment reliability and uptime, while significantly improving safety and offering a superior passenger experience.

Schindler has also developed a unique application known as myPORT, which is a smartphone-based service for personal mobility that offers a seamless four-step identity verification on entry, and userfriendly “e-banking level” security. Once inside the building, myPORT allows users to move throughout the building just by a click on their smartphones. As a result, occupants will have more freedom and convenience, and building owners will get greater access control.

Sharing his views on the latest Schindler innovations, Hugo Miguel Ramos, adds: “Schindler provides custom solutions to make the experience of the user truly one of a kind. The myPORT technology will change the dynamics of vertical transportation by ensuring a seamless journey for the passenger.

Similarly, Schindler Ahead opens a door of

HUGO M. RAMOS, MANAGING DIRECTOR,UAE

possibilities by connecting and collecting data through the Internet of Elevators and Escalators (IoEE).”

Schindler also showcased its latest smart solutions for urban mobility at CTBUH 2018 Middle East Conference, including Schindler Building Simulation; an awardwinning traffic and building simulation software that helps to define accurate building parameters and create real traffic performance scenarios, Schindler CLIMB

Lift; a fully certified vertical transportation and installation system, operating throughout construction sites, Schindler R.I.S.E; an autonomous self-climbing robot system that increases the safety, quality and speed of installation, and Transit Intelligent portOS; a fully re-engineered generation of PORT that combines the world’s leading transit intelligence system with the latest technology and timeless design.

EXPERIENCING myPORT AT THE PORT INNOVATION LAB

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20 01ASCEND ASCENDACCESS ACCESSSYSTEM SYSTEMSCAFFOLDING SCAFFOLDINGLLC LLC

WORKING AT HEIGHT DEMANDS HIGH QUALITY ASCEND ACCESS SYSTEM SCAFFOLDING HAS FOR YEARS SET THE STANDARD IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ALUMINIUM MOBILE SCAFFOLDS AND LADDERS, CREATING PRODUCTS AND PROVIDING SOLUTIONS THAT KEEP PEOPLE SAFE WHILE WORKING AT HEIGHT, FROM MAINTENANCE WORKERS THROUGH TO WINDOW CLEANERS.

At Ascend, they believe that everyone working at height should be able to completely trust the safety and reliability of the equipment they are using. That’s why every step of the product lifecycle, from design through to maintenance, is performed according to the highest safety standards. Only if a product exceeds all requirements is it good enough to be dispatched.

A Solution for Everything

ASCEND ACCESS SYSTEM SCAFFOLDING LLC P.O. BOX 182519 DUBAI UAE T: +971 4 8855001 E: SALES@ASCENDUAE.COM W: WWW.ASCENDUAE.COM

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One of the leading ladder manufacturers and suppliers in the Middle East, Ascend’s extensive range includes dual-purpose ladders, A-shape ladders, single pole ladders, foldable ladders, foldable platform ladders, warehouse ladders, and podium steps.

Meanwhile, the company’s aluminium scaffolding rental division offers sortterm and long-term hire, including narrow single width and wider double width towers. And whatever the requirement for scaffolding, the Ascend range offers simplicity, durability, and mobility, giving customers the versatility to suit to most applications.

Electromechanical companies, advertising sign making firms, maintenance contractors, oilfield contractors, ship building and ship repair operations, interior decorators, cleaners, insulation companies, and lighting suppliers are all increasingly purchasing Ascend’s safe and

versatile aluminium scaffolding solutions.

These solutions include lightweight aluminium mobile scaffolding, mobile stairway towers, foldable narrow towers, and combination towers, all providing better work place safety and increased productivity.

Eliminate the Risk Offering a fast, efficient and timely service, Ascend is rightly proud of its high standards of design and engineering, with everything being manufactured in stateof-the-art facilities under stringent quality controls. Moreover, its highly skilled and experienced workforce, including an extremely active R&D department, is always open to new and complex challenges, which goes a long way to explaining why the company wins so much of its work through repeat business and recommendation.

Add to this a large production capacity, wide distribution network, competitive prices with easy payment terms, on-time delivery, and unrivalled after sales support, and it soon become clear why Ascend is the first port of calls for discerning companies across a broad spectrum of markets and sectors.

Ascend’s main motivation has always revolved around achieving the last word in customer satisfaction, supplying products at fair prices without compromising any international safety standards.

So whatever your challenge, if you or your employees are at risk from working at height, Ascend can help to eliminate that risk by finding a solution to your specific situation. Indeed, with a very diverse portfolio of existing customers with a vast range of requirements, the company has not yet failed to provide a solution to keep operatives safe in the workplace. That is why Ascend is confident that if you choose it to assist you with your working at height systems, you will soon become a repeat customer, more likely than not using more than just one of the solutions the company offers.

SHADAB AHSAN FOUNDER & CEO, ASCEND ACCESS SYSTEM SCAFFOLDING LLC

Quality Performance, Quality Malls

MOHSEN TOMH

Founder Of Options Engineering Consultancies

M/S Aristocrate Investment, M/S Nesto, M/S Options Engineering Consultancies Option Engineering Consultancies (OEC), one of the largest and most respected architects and engineering consultants companies in the industry, is renowned for creating elegantly designed malls and hypermarkets in diverse locations across the world, adding to the quality of life for customers and consumers alike.

OEC’s has one single objective, to ensure that it delivers its projects to the highest standards and provides superior customer service throughout the project journey.

This enlightened approach has allowed it successfully work on a broad portfolio of important and sophisticated projects, including malls in Dubai, RAK and Egypt, plus commercial and industrial centres in London.

At the present time, OEC is working on a number of prestigious projects, including one of the biggest labour camps in Dubai, which is designed to accommodate a workforce of 3500. Other projects include the development and expansion of Rebon Mall (100,000ft2), Safa Mall in RAK (200,000ft2), two NESTO hypermarkets in Dubai – Al Mamzer (330,000ft2) and Al Warqa (250,000ft2) – and the development of the Commercial Centre of the West Zone in Al Mamzer (50,000ft2).

There to Meet the Challenge OEC is rightly proud of all of the projects it has undertaken, no matter what their size or complexity, because it always gives 100%, working more with the attitude of an owner rather than a consultant. However, within the

mall sector, the firm is particularly proud of the Safa Mall project, which was designed as per the client’s individual and very specific requirements, complying with the highest standards in order to meet the latest advances in technology and green building.

Safa Mall, as with other projects in this fiercely competitive sector, has particular challenges that are not always present on developments in other sectors. These include detailed safety regulations, management of stockholders, and the continuous flow of supervision. Superior quality workmanship, excellent productivity through the implementation of goodwill, proper attitude throughout the construction process, a dedication to accuracy and attention-todetail, and the ability to work 24 hours a day are also high on the list of desired attributes.

Ongoing Expansion OEC continues to grow and expand in response to customer demand, serving a wide range of clients through both the UAE and the region as a whole. The firm’s head office is in Dubai, but it also has branch offices, including those in RAK and Egypt.

A further branch office is located in London, and the firm is currently in the planning stage of opening yet another office, which will be announced in due course.

Of course, in seeking to provide its clients with the very best services, OEC is committed to the ongoing training and improvement of its staff, including keeping completely up-to-date with all of the very latest technology.

Green Building Sustainability is an area that is extremely important to OEC, with ‘green building’ referring to both a structure and the application of processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout a building’s lifecycle, from planning to design and construction and onto to operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.

This requires the close cooperation of the contractor, the architects, the engineers, and the client at all project stages. Green building practices expand and complement the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.

Moreover, sustainable engineering design must have the ability to fulfill all of the Dubai Municipality regulations and achieve the Green Building Certification of Compliance.

As a result, at OEC green building takes in ecology and planning, building vitality, energy, water, and materials and waste.

A Deep Pool of Resources OEC works to understand all parts of the building design and the intended function.

Success demands that all parts work well together, with listening, creative thinking, and interactive design being at the heart of the process.

The firm’s extensive resources allow it to tap into the expertise of its in-house experts from various fields to assist in the design process with its project partners. So when you can’t afford to compromise on quality and service, there really is no other option!

Options Engineering Consultancies P.O.BOX: 377041, Dubai, UAE | Tel: +971 4 2854383 | Fax: +971 4 2855251 | E-mail: oecuae2000@gmail.com

Dubai - RAK - Cairo - London

News brought to you by Dubai Municipality

TEMPORARY WINTER CAMPS READY; DUBAI MUNICIPALITY BEGINS ALLOCATION COST IN DUBAI BY 12% Dubai Municipality has prepared and equipped the temporary winter camps, which it set up this year in Al Aweer area, marking the beginning of the sixth season in this month. The camps will be in operation for six months ending April 2019. The Municipality has started handing over the winter camps to the citizens who applied for them in October this year.

Abdulla Al Shezawi, Director of Building Control Department at Dubai Municipality, said that the Municipality is always striving to upgrade its services to ensure that it meets their needs and requirements.

He stressed that what distinguishes this season is the increasing demand and the tremendous response compared to previous years due to the high level of services provided to the customers and the readiness to receive visitors as well as the intensive efforts to provide the ideal infrastructure for the campers.

“In addition to that we have allotted sites to enable traders to provide services to campers and to provide all necessary needs in cooperation with strategic partners to ensure that the enjoy happy times in the nature during the winter season, which is characterized by pure atmosphere and low temperature in a way that pleases everyone and encourages the public to relax in the wilderness,” added Al Shezawi.

He thanked Dubai Municipality's strategic partners for their outstanding role in preparing, equipping and securing camp sites, especially Dubai Police, RTA, the Dubai Ambulance Service and Civil Defense.

Al Shezawi said that this community initiative reflects the customs and traditions of the UAE society as one of the habits practiced by citizens in the winter on an annual basis and helps to strengthen the cohesion and consolidation of the UAE family.

He added that the camps have been allocated to government departments in Dubai, which seeks to establish temporary winter camps to delight and entertain their employees.

“Dubai Municipality is keen to provide its employees with winter camps with high standards and equipped with all the needs and requirements in order to entertain their employees, reduce work pressures and create an environment conducive to brainstorming sessions,” said Al Shezawi.

He explained the rules and conditions of using winter camps in order to ensure that there is no disturbance or accidents during the camping period, which includes the purpose of the camp to be private and temporary use only for the person who is allotted the permit and not to be rented or used by others.

“It is not allowed for any other commercial or other purposes not mentioned in the permit, and they should abide by the law, customs and traditions in force in the Emirate and also stick to the boundaries of the camp as per the permit,” said Al Shezawi.

He pointed out that the permitted area does not exceed 400 square meters per camp, and to facilitate large families, the Municipality has allowed the possibility of booking maximum two camps per person and also allowed the camps to be combined.

Al Shezawi stressed the keenness of the Municipality on the continuous development commensurate with the needs of citizens and their happiness.

He called on the customers to submit views and suggestions on the development of the temporary winter camps to be studied and evaluated and to implement them in the coming seasons.

Al Shezawi also appealed to the temporary winter camp owners to preserve the wild environment and abide by the conditions and laws of the camps and to report any negative behaviors or phenomena.

News brought to you by Dubai Municipality

DUBAI MUNICIPALITY HOLDS 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Dubai Municipality organized the 6th International Conference for Sustainable Construction Materials under the theme, “Building the Future – Construction Technology. In the presence of Khalid Sharif Al Awadhi, CEO of Dubai Municipality for Environment, Health and Safety Sector and a number of researchers and experts in the field of sustainable construction materials.

Al Awadhi, who delivered the opening speech in the conference, stressed the pivotal role played by Dubai Municipality in the use of modern digital technologies and advanced technological applications, which have reflected positively on the services of testing and issuing conformity certificates and labels for construction materials, products and systems, which has a significant impact on enhancing the performance of the construction sector in accordance with the highest standards of quality and sustainability.

He pointed out that this year, the conference focused on ways to look ahead in terms of finding alternatives and smart technologies in the development of construction materials, products and systems.

Al Awadhi said the conference will support in enhancing the ways of benefiting from scientific and knowledge expertise and development opportunities that will be presented in this distinguished scientific gathering, which will help in the process of inventing creative and sustainable solutions that support the efforts to address

environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

He said Dubai Municipality has implemented several initiatives, projects and laws related to sustainability, including in many areas such as sustainable urban planning, environment, waste water treatment, solid waste management, thermal insulation, energy conservation, green building and its evaluation system (Al Saafaat), in order to reach the ultimate goal of making Dubai a sustainable green city.

Al Awadhi also opened the exhibition, which was held alongside the conference. The exhibition was participated by a number of establishments and companies in the field of sustainable construction materials. It exhibits a number of sustainable construction products that are environment friendly. The exhibition also highlighted the results of studies and research carried out by the Dubai Central Laboratory such as study on the use of nanotechnology in dyes and study on the design of 3D concrete mixtures using locally available materials.

On the second day, the conference program included a field visit to Expo 2020 site, where participants were briefed on the progress of the important global event, especially the construction work, as well as a field visit to the Sustainable City site to learn about the most important techniques used there.

24 COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS AND URBAN HABITAT

THE FUTURE OF VERTICAL URBANISM VERY FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD RIVAL DUBAI FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TALL BUILDINGS, AND AS ITS POPULATION CONTINUES TO EXPAND EXPONENTIALLY THE NEED FOR FURTHER HIGH-RISE TOWERS WILL EXPAND WITH IT.

COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS AND URBAN HABITAT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603 USA T: +1 (312) 2835631 E: MEMBERSHIP@CTBUH.ORG W: WWW.CTBUH.ORG W: WWW.REGIONS.CTBUH.ORG

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With more than 175 buildings over 150 metres, and 43 more under construction, the city has the world’s third-largest number of such structures. Indeed, when the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) International Conference last came to Dubai 10 years ago, the population was only 1.6 million - it is now 2.6 million.Very nearly 60% of the 150-metre-plus buildings now standing had not been completed in 2008, and considering the global recession that ensued after 2008, Dubai’s resilience is all the more remarkable.

It’s not just individual buildings that has shot up though, it’s entire districts, with the ‘centres’ of this polycentric city springing up from out of the desert, and even from the sea. The major property developers in Dubai are creating new mixed-use districts with waterways, ski slopes, and shopping malls with areas rivalling entire cities. Connected by an extensive road system and the growing Metro network, these are typically anchored by one or more signature tall buildings. Even the Burj Khalifa had not been completed when CTBUH last came to Dubai.

The 2018 conference incorporated speaking and poster presentations, programme rooms, exhibitors, and panel discussions, all focused on the overall conference theme: Polycentric Cities: The Future of Vertical Urbanism.

Amongst the many speakers were luminaries such as Andy Dean, Head of Façades at WSP; James von Klemperer,

President and Design Principal at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates; Julian Chen, Senior Architect at Henning Larsen Architects; Dmitri Jajich, Director at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP; Elena Cortona, Head of Digital Transformation at Schindler; and Christopher Bowler, Director - Sales & Marketing at Otis Elevator Company.

COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS AND URBAN HABITAT 25

MARTIN BAERSCHMIDT, FOUNDING PARTNER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EDGE

STEVE WATTS, CTBUH CHAIRMAN

In addition, the first day of the conference was dedicated to half-day off-site workshops on specific themes, such as Advanced Construction Techniques, Smart Design Tools, High-Rise Water Use, and Tall Building Damping.

The fourth day was dedicated to off-site programmes involving buildings, urban spaces, infrastructure hubs, and key developments throughout Dubai. In each programme, delegates heard from colleagues on a specific theme related to the programme location through on-site presentations, followed by extensive tours of the sites led by professionals involved in the projects.

Paolo Testolini, Regional Leader – Master-planning at Woods Bagot, commented: “Dubai is well poised to be a global example of how smart city infrastructure can be delivered within a modern city. Across the city, we see Dubai embracing the concept of polycentricism a de-centralised urban approach that combines work, life and play, which in turn has created more efficient and compact communities. However, there is still a need for more diverse and innovative masterplanning, which are key elements to realise smart cities.

“With a design ethos that embraces innovation and places people at the heart of all designs, Woods Bagot’s talented team works hand-in-hand with governments and developers to help shape the skyline of a future city. I’m honoured to have participated at CTBUH, alongside global leaders in smart city technology, and look forward to witnessing first-hand the

continued growth of this fast-evolving nation.”

Delegates had the opportunity to experience the vibrant city of Abu Dhabi on days five and six of the conference, where they engaged in a rich two-day programme that explored the city’s premier developments, infrastructure hubs, and cultural sites.

Martin Baerschmidt, B.Arch, ARBV, Founding Partner and Managing Director at EDGE encapsulated everyone’s thoughts when he said: "CTBUH is a world-class event. It had everything, local talent and international ‘rock stars’. It was great to meet everyone again after attending CTBUH in Sydney and Melbourne last year.”

Cities within a City The age of the traditional city, fanning out in waves of diminishing density from a single core central business district, may be coming to an end. As we approach the new normality of cities housing 10 million or more inhabitants, those best positioned for the future are evolving along polycentric, multi-nodal lines, with a number of central business districts, ideally all offering something a little different. When designed around transit nodes and well-planned infrastructure, embracing high density, public space and civic functions, this fusion of ‘several cities within a city’ perhaps offers the best opportunity for a sustainable future for the many millions of people who will move into cities over the coming decades.

The concept of polycentric cities is not new; London was polycentric almost from

PAOLO TESTOLINI, REGIONAL LEADER - MASTER PLANNIING AT WOODS BAGOT

its origin, whilst New York developed its Downtown and Midtown in different phases of development. However, even these two metropolises are seeing new urban clusters shift their centres of gravity, as are other major cities such as Hong Kong.

The physical manifestation of this is often an undulating skyline, with density rising to a series of apexes across the city. And nowhere illustrates this trend better than Dubai. In fact, it could be argued that Dubai, a city that has largely risen in just three short decades, is a natural result of this de-centralised urban approach, comprised as it is of evocative-sounding districts: Downtown Dubai; Business Bay; Dubai Marina; Festival City; Palm Jumeirah; and quite a few others. New ‘centres’ are still being added, including Midtown; Emirates Business Park; Meydan One; and Dubai Creek Harbour, anchored by the underconstruction Dubai Creek Tower.

The same is true of many Middle Eastern cities, and most certainly Abu Dhabi, where the drive toward polycentrism has been accompanied by a profound and concerted effort to forge a unique urban and architectural identity. Growing rapidly from what was a comparatively small desert settlement in the 1960s, the city now incorporates a number of new districts anchored by skyscrapers that respond to the cultural and environmental conditions of the region, such as the seminal Al Bahar Towers and World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, a new urban community, Masdar City, has become a real-time testing ground for net-zero technology at the neighbourhood scale and the incorporation

of autonomous vehicles for personal transit.

Just as important as the centres themselves is the infrastructure that connects them. To enable the creation of new urban centres that match the socioeconomic intensity of well-established metropolitan hubs, we must formulate practical means of transportation that maximise geographical access and provide extensive city services, not just in the horizontal direction, but vertically. Such systems will progress the concept of transit-oriented development along a course of natural evolution, to polycentric city-building.

This takes in sky bridges, smart technologies, urban and building transit, and much more besides. Moreover, it has long been argued that net-zero-energy skyscrapers are possible and the conversation is now moving beyond the theoretical, as several more commitments have been made to construct such buildings. A number have already been designed and constructed to Passivhaus standards.

Fossil fuel sources are rapidly depleting and we need to do away with the usage of this non-renewable energy source. We have to look into alternative renewable energy sources because the energy crisis is a global concern and the single biggest challenge we have is to provide adequate energy for the fast growing population of our planet. That is why polycentric cities, and the technology and innovation that comes with them, are not only desirable, but necessary for the future of civilisation.

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UAP 124 DUBAI CHAPTER

A Chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines

UAP 124 hosted another sold-out event, #PALAFOXinDUBAI, on October 24, 2018 at Vox Cinema Dubai The event welcomed over 150 global architect members and guest from 136 companies.

Architect Felino Palafox Jr. brought with him 3 key topics and presentations for UAP 124 that night. The first presentation focuses on lessons learned from Dubai development.

Secondly, the Rise of Pampanga Megalopolis and lastly is being globally competitive in today’s market.

Arch. Felino Palafox Jr. arrived in Dubai as an architect/urban planner with a designation of Senior Planner for the Town Planning Department of the Dubai Municipality in 1976. He was the first Filipino and Southeast Asian architect-urban planners in Dubai. Manila was probably 100 years ahead of Dubai in terms of infrastructure, paved roads, transportation and airports when Palafox was invited by Sultan Khalifa Al Habtoor, to be one of the urban planners who will help the Ruler

of Dubai to plan, design and develop Dubai from the 3rd world to the first. Today, with its good governance for the last 41 years, Dubai is now a global gateway city and a polycentric metropolis.

Palafox shared insights of his 1st year in Dubai and shared the attendees a specific thought he got from Sultan Khalifa that struck him most. He said “… as these were the specific instructions of the late founder of “Modern Dubai,” His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai. “Design Dubai as if there is no oil. Plan a city for 2 million people (In 1977 the population was 270,000). Create a garden city out of the desert. Travel around the world and take the best practices that we can adopt. Make Dubai a pacesetter city in the Middle East and North Africa in 15years; bring Dubai from the third to the first world.”

“Keep these things in your mind: for every project you do, it should be pro deo patria et terra ‘For God, country and planet earth’. Every line you draw, if you do a good job, think of the beneficiaries. If you do a lousy job, think of the sufferers.”

- Arch. Felino Palafox Jr.

To take Dubai well into the 21st century in less than 15 years, cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, San Francisco, Zurich, and Geneva, among other model cities that became “first world cities” in less than 15 years, were studied. In 1977, Dubai was already building seaports, dry docks, airports, tall buildings, industrial parks, landscaped gardens in the desert, tree-lined boulevards, etc. In less than eight years, Dubai’s port became one of the most significant in the world. Successful cities have five ingredients he said. These are visionary leadership, strong political will, good planning, good design, and good governance. Dubai now presents its own useful lessons, gained by transforming from an “instant city” to a polycentric metropolis.

Palafox concluded that the potential rise of the Pampanga Megalopolis is limitless. It also has the opportunity to become one of the most livable, sustainable, and resilient places to live in the Philippines. Being the front door and gateway to Asia makes Pampanga possibly the next biggest financial and economic center in the country.

On the evening, the attendees soak deeper to the world of Palafox when he sat down for a one on one conversation with Arch. Christian Romulo Vasquez, the president of UAP 124 Dubai Chapter. From personal questions, to work ethics, to politics. He reminded every global Filipino architects in Dubai to give back to our country. The country needs us.

The acquired knowledge and experience in building Dubai can be shared to our fellow architects back home.

What Filipinos can learn from Dubai?

The current Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has made Dubai a global gateway city-with strong leadership and innovation.

Foresight, or long-term and visionary approach to development, is needed to

successfully adapt from one resource to another, and support sustainable growth.

This is one of the characteristics of Dubai that the Philippine government and the Filipino people can learn from and emulate, along with strong political will, good governance, good planning, and good design.

Palafox also presented the Rise of the Pampanga Megalopolis The province of Pampanga, known as the business and financial core of the Central and Northern Luzon regions of the Philippines, has been dubbed as the premier Philippine gateway to the Asia Pacific. With 218,100 hectares of land area, and 23 cities and municipalities, the rising Pampanga megalopolis is three times the size of Singapore and twice that of Hong Kong. With its Clark International Airport, it is also referred to as the gateway to Central and Northern Luzon. Along with the establishment of the Subic-Clark Alliance Development and the Manila-Clark Railway, Pampanga has the potential to become the Gateway of Asia.

He said to maximize Pampanga’s natural and manmade resources, the province will be categorised into four metropolitan clusters. These four clusters will compose the Pampanga Megalopolis.

A megalopolis is a cluster of metropolitan cities, and the province is envisioned to have the following clusters: 1.

Agropolis – This is where the farm and the city form the center for food production, as well as agri-industrial businesses and research.

2. Ecopolis – This cluster is the center for environmental tourism, education, and natural heritage.

3. Aquapolis – The center for waterfront development and marine food production.

4.

Aerotropolis – Coined by Dr. John Kasarda, this refers to an airport- driven city that serves as the center for business, logistics, technology, innovation and education.

Palafox highly commended the current leadership of the UAP 124 Dubai Chapter for focusing on global competitiveness of its members and may the other organization follow suit.

He further asked the membership that he willing to join the league of Global Filipino Architects in Dubai by being an honorary member of UAP 124 Dubai.

Next Level Living All of humanity may be created equal, but not all possess the same level of ambition and dedication to excellence.

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This iconic development is located in the premium Meydan district, and supports The Smart Dubai initiative and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to promote efficient and safe services for the community.

To those who dream big, embrace challenges and make the most of every opportunity, an extraordinary life awaits – a community that not only rewards success, but also inspires personal and professional progress.

Making its debut in this world-class city, Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai masterfully synthesizes provocative design, smart technology, and intelligently engineered comfort in urban living.

The unique and innovative 4.6 million square-foot iconic development of nearly 8,000 premium freehold apartments are being offered to residents, with over 1500 spacious apartments being delivered by 2020.

Designed precisely to offer superior lifestyle choices set in calm and serene oasis-like surroundings, but within easy reach of the city's hotspots,

Nestled between the royal palace grounds and the private homes of the Dubai elites lies a tranquil, leafy enclave in Nad Al Sheba. This picturesque area a short drive from the centre of Dubai has garnered international attention as the home of the annual World Cup horse races.

Just a five-minute trip from Meydan One and Mohammed Bin Rashid City – a flourishing precinct poised to become the city’s new centre – it also positions residents within fifteen minutes of downtown Dubai and the airport.

Exceptional connectivity and an enviable location place a world of opportunities right within its residents’ grasp. A sprawling palette of services and amenities, integrated with “smart” systems of technology, make exceptional efficiency a part of daily living. Its distinctive architecture, modern landscaping and bold interiors deliver a powerful statement of style

both at home in the residences as well as across the entire community.

Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai provides the ideal home to those who expect excellence in every facet of life.

Welcome to the perfect harmony between lifestyle, nature and technology.

Welcome to next level living.

Get in Touch

800-66677

info@orientalpearls.ae www.orientalpearls.ae

30 02 JUNG MIDDLE EAST

A UNIQUE APPROACH TO THE MARKET ACROSS THE REGION, THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HAS SEEN CONTINUOUS GROWTH PATTERNS, WITH COUNTRIES SUCH AS THE UAE AND SAUDI ARABIA LEADING THE PACK DUE TO THEIR GOVERNMENTS’ DETERMINATION TO PREPARE FOR UPCOMING MEGA EVENTS, INCLUDING DUBAI’S EXPO 2020, AND SAUDI ARABIA’S NEW STRATEGY TO ENCOURAGE OPENNESS AND INCREASE ALL FORMS OF TOURISM, ESPECIALLY RELIGIOUS TOURISM.

JUNG MIDDLE EAST P.O. BOX 346074 DUBAI UAE T: +971 4 3687275 E: INFO@JUNG.AE W: WWW.JUNG.AE

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First opening its doors for business in 1912 in Germany, JUNG has been focused on progress, quality and design from the very beginning, and in the Middle East is committed to products and solutions that are catered to last, sustain, and promise a high return on investment.

Quality and Operational Savings From a quality perspective, JUNG offers one of the highest standards of production and reliability on the market, with materials that are manufactured to last. An excellent case-in-point concerning the longevity of its products is Al Khozama Hotel in Riyadh, where JUNG has had its timeless range of ‘LS990 duro-plastic White’ installed since the 1980s. During that time the hotel has undergone several refurbishments and overhauls, but the JUNG wiring accessories have remained untouched, underlining their long-lasting nature and timeless design.

Moreover, JUNG’s GRMS systems in both refurbished and new hotels offer operational savings that provide a quicker return on investment. This is achieved through superior power saving schemes

and products that allow the property to keep standards of comfort, in terms of cooling and lighting, while reducing the electricity consumption bill.

Award-Winning Homage to JUNG’s Past The LS 1912 toggle switch replaced the rotary switch at the end of the 1910s. Not

FITABU REPUBLIK HYATT, DHABI

only was the plain switch easier to operate, but for the first time it had an aesthetic element. So in addition to providing a highly quality, attractive option by adding the LS1912 toggle switch to its portfolio, JUNG is paying homage to its founding year and presenting this modular switch range to an international public for the first time.

JUNG MIDDLE EAST 31 03 What’s more, as a result, this new switch design has been awarded first place in the Innovative Architecture awards, in the ‘Iconic’ category. Based on the JUNG switches of the early years, the rocker switch LS 1912 gives the mechanics of the switch a completely new feel. The switchgear is designed so that the cover sits flush with the frame. Only the rocker lever stands out from the unit as a style element. Furthermore, JUNG has transferred its many years of experience in metal processing to the fine selection of materials – from aluminium to stainless steel and brass to shiny chrome.

innovation and integration of cutting-edge technologies within its promise for design and quality. And with the rise of smart assistants and the Internet of Things movement, the brand is on an ongoing search to meet the latest requirements and to push back the envelope even further.This is highlighted by the new integration of Amazon’s Alexa into its smart home automation platform.

Another strongpoint is the company’s ability to match all the wiring devices and smart switches, ensuring that they offer the same finish and come from the same range.

The option to unanimously integrate all these devices in the same look and feel is greatly appreciated by designers and is a distinctive offering of JUNG. Additionally, JUNG is home for a collection of internationally verified

automation standards. This adds to the flexibility with which any solution can be catered to the specific requirements posed by the project at hand.

Ultimately, what truly distinguishes JUNG is a set of features not to be found in other offerings on the market; an ability to push back boundaries and expand previously conceived ideas.

Exceptional Results At the present time, JUNG is working on a number of important and prestigious projects throughout the region. The most exciting market sector currently is undoubtedly hospitality, where JUNG is partnering with some of the most celebrated and influential operators in the industry.

Having a portfolio of more than 25 completed hotels per year, JUNG is seeing many luxurious and high-end properties opening and adopting its premium solutions.

And whatever the project, JUNG’s mission is to be the most progressive and advanced company in its sector, delivering exceptional service and providing the highest level of customer satisfaction.This is made possible by a dedicated team of professionals, driven to consistently accomplish exceptional results. As an industry leader, JUNG excels at understanding and surpassing client expectations. Maintaining the traditions on which it was founded, the company continues its standards of excellence through advancements in technology, superior customer service, and meticulous attention-to-detail.

W HOTEL, BARCELONA, SPAIN

SHANGRI-LA, SINGAPORE

W HOTEL, BARCELONA, SPAIN

Rethinking Light Plug & Light is an out-and-out innovation in the field of lighting control. It is the first light socket that, in combination with suitable light units, ensures reliable light in interiors that is easy to regulate. The corresponding LED light units dock onto the light socket via a magnet and the light is immediately flicker-free and dimmable – from bright to dark to warm dim, which is equivalent to a light bulb. Once fitted, each light unit can be swiveled continuously by 360° and can be easily replaced, even when in use. This is under the motto of ‘Rethinking Light with JUNG’, as this innovation places light in regular backboxes of electrical sockets and switches, and adds significantly to design flexibility.

The continuous trend demonstrated by JUNG throughout the years is the push for

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32 AL FARWANIYA PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS LLC

REEM MALL: STYLISH, UNIQUE, FUN FOR MANY YEARS, THE TRADITIONAL CONCEPT OF A MALL WAS A PLACE TO DO A LITTLE SHOPPING AND GRAB A SNACK.

AL FARWANIYA PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS LLC P.O. BOX 109240 ABU DHABI UAE T: +971 2 4430443 E: LEASING@REEMMALL.AE W: WWW.REEMMALL.AE

32 WWW.TPG.MEDIA

In the past decade, however, this notion has been shaken right to its core. Malls have morphed into unique hybrids of retail hubs, community centres, family hang-outs and dining destinations.

Abu Dhabi’s Reem Mall is set to take this concept to whole new level.

Boasting more than 2 million square feet of retail, leisure, dining and entertainment choices, including the region's largest snow play park and unique digitalisation concepts, it will introduce a never-before-seen customer offering to the UAE. With 450 stores, including 100 food and beverage outlets, the AED 4.4 billion project will have an extraordinary selection of both local and international brands, products, and services.

Positioned right in the heart of ‘new Abu Dhabi’, Reem Mall is set to redefine the regional mall concept.

So how will they do it?

Indeed, the snow play park is set to take center stage at Reem Mall.

Following on from the great success of Ski Dubai and Cairo’s Ski Egypt, Snow Park Abu Dhabi will be entirely dedicated to snow play and snow activities and rides. It has been designed with the family in mind, offering everything from sledging and tobogganing through to VIP suites and an ice café. Moreover, this

unique venue has been specially themed and animated and will include space for a range of additional amenities, shows, and events.

Entering a winter wonderland is just one of the many entertainment options at Reem Mall. Magic Planet and VOX Cinemas have also come together to offer the very best in cinema and family entertainment.

Challenging the Norm From the outset, Reem Mall developers set themselves the challenge of creating a mall unlike anything that Abu Dhabi has ever seen before. And, from the introduction of a food hall concept to Snow Park Abu Dhabi, this mall will surprise and excite every step of the way.

THE DESIGN OF REEM MALL FEATURES BEST IN CLASS NATURAL FINISHING MATERIALS

AL FARWANIYA PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS LLC 33 But beyond outstanding retail and entertainment options, what makes Reem Mall truly unique is its commitment to new technologies.

The development aims to become the world's first fully enabled offline to online mall – a pioneering destination that will transform the entire shopping experience, connecting consumers with retailers and fine-tuning the interaction between them.

The catalyst for this transformation is Reem Mall’s visionary digital programme, focusing on collaboration, convenience, and personalisation. Reem Mall will deploy

cutting-edge solutions in order to tie-in e-commerce with bricks and mortar, as well as other capabilities that will enhance the overall shopping experience. There is genuine excitement and immense enthusiasm within the development team, who are committed to ensuring that Reem Mall plays its part as a principal entity in driving the digitalisation of shopping malls on the international stage.

Big Names Almost all of the most popular and famous brands in the UAE will be present

under one roof at Reem Mall, with a blend of international, regional and local products and services. A number of significant partnerships, for instance, have been formed with major retail and hospitality icons, including Majid Al Futtaim, Landmark Group, Azadea Group, Dubai Holding, and Carrefour, to name but a few.

Visitors can expect a world-class retail experience with brands such as Virgin Megastore, Home Centre, Centrepoint, Stradivarius, Adidas, Ecco, Steve Madden, Bershka, Eataly, Paul, and many others. And as construction continues, many more

partnerships will be formed, which will be announced in due course.

A welcoming environment Reem Mall is being developed by Al Farwaniya Property Developments, in tandem with its partners, Agility, United Projects for Aviation Services Company, and National Real Estate Company.

The design of Reem Mall was conceived holistically, integrating the building’s design with the rich natural environment that envelops Abu Dhabi, and its architecture and interior design will astonish visitors.

A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT PARTNERSHIPS HAVE BEEN FORMED WITH MAJOR RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY ICONS, INCLUDING MAJID AL FUTTAIM, LANDMARK GROUP, AZADEA GROUP, DUBAI HOLDING, AND CARREFOUR

SNOW PARK ABU DHABI BY MAJID AL FUTTAIM WILL BE ENTIRELY DEDICATED TO SNOW PLAY AND SNOW ACTIVITIES AND RIDES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

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Retail Design & Delivery

Project & Construction Management

Facilities Management Services

FUNTASTIC company was specially structured to assist developers and clients to manage spectrum of development design and engineering works required for retail projects/shopping malls, mixed-use development, hospitality and leisure & entertainment projects.

Particularly known for their of works with value adding contributions to numerous shopping malls and retail projects in the region, the company’s ethos of “WE DELIVER” is embodied in every bit of their works, particularly in managing tenancy shop designs and fit-out implementations.

With extensive experience in retail design and delivering shopping malls and fit-outs, the firm has completed well over 2000+shop fit-outs in major malls like Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Marina Mall, Mall of Emirates, Deerfields Mall, City Walk 1&2, and The Beach JBR. FUNTASTIC is also currently engaged by Reem Mall – Al Farwaniya Property Developers as their project retail design and delivery consultant.

FUNTASTIC’S standard of Retail Design & Delivery (RDD) services is often used as a standard best practice in the business, and its objective synonymous with that of the developers’ as well as the tenants – to ensure that the work is completed correctly and in a timely manner.

FUNTASTIC is led by a highly experienced management team of: Sonny Tan (M . Director), Mel Lidster (S. Director-Projects) ans Sunder Renganathan (Director-Technical).

Managing Director, Mr.Sonny Tan: +971 50 3954845

Dubai: +971 4 276 5948

Abu Dhabi: +971 2 5010 888

Web: www.mbiuae.com

AL FARWANIYA PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS LLC 35 All of the various elements have been brought together in order to create a unique environment that will impart a sense of having come across a mall that is not only dazzling in its choice and diversity, but genuinely theatrical, too.

As well as skilfully designed, Reem Mall is a highly sustainable development.

The walls, roof, and glazing, for instance, have been meticulously studied and designed with high-efficient insulation and high performance materials, together with high efficiency air-conditioning and lighting systems.

Water consumption has been a further primary consideration. To cut down the consumption of potable water in the building, efficient water irrigation systems and appliances have been incorporated into the design, including wastewater recycling.

Equally robust sustainability measures have been applied to the construction phase. A minimum of 70% of the waste generated on-site will be recycled, and 20% of materials will be acquired from sources within 500 km of the site, reducing the travelling distance and related air pollution.

The sustainability efforts have earnt Reem mall the Estidama 2 Pearl Design Rating awarded by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC). It is a recognition of Reem Mall’s mission to not only follow but exceed the minimum mandatory sustainable design requirements set out by UPC.

The progress to date has been truly remarkable.

By November 2018, following the laying of the foundation stone earlier in the year, 16 tower cranes had been erected and over 200,000 m3 of reinforced concrete has been cast in place (that is around 32,000 concrete

truck deliveries). Once completed, the project will encompass 350,000 m3 of reinforced cement concrete, 75,000 tons of rebar, 10,000 tons of structural steel, and 75,000 m2 of pre-cast hollowcore concrete panels, for a total built-up area of over 650,000 m2.

Coming soon The main construction of Reem Mall started in late 2017, with the mall expected to open in late 2020.

SNOW PARK ABU DHABI BY MAJID AL FUTTAIM

REEM MALL IS A HIGHLY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EARNING ESTIDAMA 2 PEARL DESIGN RATING AWARDED BY THE ABU DHABI URBAN PLANNING COUNCIL (UPC)

THE DEVELOPMENT AIMS TO BECOME THE WORLD'S FIRST FULLY ENABLED OFFLINE TO ONLINE MALL - A PIONEERING DESTINATION THAT WILL TRANSFORM THE ENTIRE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

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A Global Player in the Major Infrastructure Sector

REEM MALL

Proud to be partners of such ambitious project.

ITINERA S.p.A. Activity of Direction and Coordination: ASTM S.p.A. Registered office: Via Balustra, 15 - 15057 Tortona (AL) - Italy Administrative and operational headquarters: ex S.S. 10 per Alessandria, 6/A - 15057 Tortona (AL) - Italy Phone: (+39) 0131 8691 | Fax: (+39) 0131 869279 E-mail: itinera@itinera-spa.it | www.itinera-spa.it

AL FARWANIYA PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS LLC 37 Safety is at the very heart of Reem Mall construction.

With this in mind, Al Farwaniya has implemented a number of health and safety initiatives including a unique awards programme that showcases the importance of safe building practices to contractors, consultants, company employees, and site workers.

From the outset of the project, Al Farwaniya has also been working with a specialist health and safety consultant, 4See. Working together with main works contractor, Itinera Ghantoot JV, it has implemented a number of unique initiatives, such as a 24-hour medical clinic, a 2000 worker cool room to provide relief from weather conditions, and a dedicated facility on-site for ongoing safety training for workers, sub-contractors, and staff. Diligent camp inspections and regular worker

welfare box distribution underline the importance that is placed on the wellbeing and safety of all employees active on the project.

Expect the Unexpected Abu Dhabi is one of the wealthiest cities in the world and is fast becoming a front runner for culture and the arts. So it’s no surprise that so many visitors come to the city looking for the next big thing. Reem Mall will play an important part in ensuring that this trend continues, providing a destination where visitors can find some of the best new designs and products on the planet.

Reem Mall isn’t ‘just’ another shopping mall; it’s also a hub for great entertainment and leisure experiences, plus much more besides. In fact, expect the unexpected; it’s all going to be happening at Reem Mall.

16 TOWER CRANES HAVE BEEN ERECTED AND OVER 200,000 M3 OF REINFORCED CONCRETE HAS BEEN CAST IN PLACE

REEM MALL DEVELOPERS SET THEMSELVES THE CHALLENGE OF CREATING A MALL UNLIKE ANYTHING THAT ABU DHABI HAS EVER SEEN BEFORE

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38 ZEBIAN INDUSTRIES LLC

A REPUTATION FOR PREMIUM QUALITY FOUNDED IN 1977, ZEBIAN ALUMINIUM & GLASS INDUSTRIES IS A LEADING SUBCONTRACTOR, OFFERING COMPLETE BUILDING ENVELOPE SOLUTIONS FOR FAÇADES, GLAZING, ROOFING AND WALL CLADDING. IT IS CONTINUALLY EVOLVING AND EXPANDING, DIVERSIFYING ITS PORTFOLIO OF SERVICES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE, TAILOR-MADE AND COMPLETE ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS TO DISCERNING CLIENTS THROUGH THE GCC AND MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA, AS WELL AS EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA.

ZEBIAN INDUSTRIES LLC P.O. BOX 5818 SHARJAH UAE T: +971 6 5124000 E: INFO@ZEBIAN.AE W: WWW.ZEBIAN.AE

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Zebian Industries has executed and completed numerous high-rise buildings, hotels and resorts, shopping malls, commercial buildings, banks, showrooms, luxury villas and many more across both the UAE and internationally. The company’s name is continuously listed by many companies in the region as a nominated contractor for their prestigious projects due to the firm’s reputation in the industry for providing premium quality products and unquestionable workmanship.

The Finest Solutions With its international network of system partners and suppliers, as well as its outstanding service on-site and expertise spanning more than 41 years, Zebian Industries can guarantee to clients the best system solution for building envelopes. Whatever the project, from façade or roof to new future-oriented and sustainable concepts, the company provide total solutions, including all accessories, featuring an exceptionally high standard of production quality.

Indeed, clients can take advantage of its expertise and technical advice from the initial concept right the way through to completion.

FITEXTENSION REPUBLIK DRAGON MALL

At the present time, this expertise is being utilised on several ongoing projects, including a Jumeirah Beach project, where Zebian Industries is using its own unitised bespoke system. Other project include, Dubai Mall Extension and Link Bridge, Paramount Tower Hotels & Residences, Boulevard Heights Towers 1 & 2, EXPO 2020 – Opportunity District, Dubai Creek Harbour Plot 18A, Sahara Mall Development and currently entering the north american market with two projects, Pier Village and Fulton Tower.

Successfully completed projects take in such major developments as Distinction,

HSBC Head Quarters, Al Mafraq Dialysis, Double Tree by Hilton, Dubai Clinc, Dubai Parks Resort & Hotel, Pearl Diving Pool, Al Maryah Central, Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum Villas, Ministry of National Defence Office – Ethopia, DAMAC Prive, Upper Crest, Measisem City Centre, Twin Tower Oyala City, Dragon Mart Extension, Porsche Showroom, Al Zahra Hospital, Fraisur Suits Hotel, Al Hikma Tower, Arjaan Rotana Hotel, H02 H03 Palm Jumeirah Dubai (Marriot & Hilton Hotels).

ARJAN ROTANA HOTEL

ZEBIAN INDUSTRIES LLC 39 Best People, Latest Technology A complete lack of bureaucracy between clients and the company’s top management ensures that Zebian Industries meets everyone’s expectation. The firm has its own internal ERP system, which helps in tracking and finding records at any given point of time before or after completion of projects, in addition to providing up-todate live project progress. The company gives power to its vast knowledge and expertise with the very latest technology and employee skill-sets, which are enhanced by special in-house training for fabrication and installation.

This significant investment and enlightened business philosophy has allowed Zebian Industries to own a state-of-the-art purpose-built factory of 57,376 ft2 in Sharjah, fully equipped with the latest technology and modern machines, and employing over 1350 personnel who come

from diverse parts of the world. The company’s annual turnover now exceeds more than AED 350 million.

Driven by Quality and Safety Zebian Industries is committed and dedicated to all aspects of quality where the objective is optimum customer satisfaction.

It believes its product range offers major advantages to its clients customers due to the breadth of the service provided.

Furthermore, in order to maintain its prominent position within the service sector, product quality can only be considered as one aspect of its commitment.

The company has developed a comprehensive business strategy in which all employees are expected to help the company attain high quality standards, incorporating: • Thorough search for the best and most consistent suppliers.

• Qualified and highly motivated staff in whom the company

invest time and effort to widen their knowledge and effectiveness.

• Investment in the best available technology and facilities.

• Rigorous quality control and inspection at all stages in the process.

• Adherence to safety regulations Zebian Industries provides unconditional support to all of its current and future clients, allowing them to capitalise on the advantages of its product range.

Considering its employees as its most valuable assest, it is the policy of Zebian Industries to inform, instruct, train, supervise employees, and ensure their safety and welfare when performing construction works. The company also adheres to the UAE and relevant international occupational health and safety regulatory requirements and statutory legislation in regards to the construction of aluminium and glazing works.

MEAISEM CITY CENTRE

AL HIKMA TOWER

Zebian Industries is aiming for the continuous improvement of the company’s safety management system through regular review of the staff ’s safety objectives. And to successfully achieve this aim, it must strive for excellence in respect to safety, quality and productivity. In connection with this , all employees are expected to provide necessary leadership to accomplish these goals and to ensure that the company continually seeks ways to improve its risk control strategies.

All employees are expected to conduct themselves responsibility, dutifully abiding by standard rules and procedures, and performing their jobs in a manner that the company has established as a right way to ensure the safety and welfare of everyone.

Six Core Values Zebian Industries focuses on a set of core values that allow it to provide an unrivalled service.

PEARL DIVING POOL

DISTINCTION

PALM TOWER

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01 REYNAERS MIDDLE EAST

REYNAERS MIDDLE EAST 41

FULFILLING AND COMPLETE BEHIND EVERY BUSINESS, THERE ARE PEOPLE, AND PEOPLE FUNCTION IN SOCIETY VIA RELATIONSHIPS. THEREFORE, SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IS BUILT ON GOOD RELATIONSHIPS. THIS ALSO REFLECTS IN REYNAERS MOTTO ‘TOGETHER FOR BETTER’.

THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN REYNAERS ALUMINUM AND ZEBIAN INDUSTRIES TRULY ADAPTS THIS MOTTO TOWARDS A FULFILLING AND COMPLETE PARTNERSHIP, EXPLAINS, MR. ALI KHALAF, MANAGING DIRECTOR, REYNAERS MIDDLE EAST.

REYNAERS MIDDLE EAST P.O. BOX 54245 MANAMA BAHRAIN T: (UAE BRANCH OFFICE) +971 4 501 5933 E: INFO.RME@REYNAERS.COM W: WWW.REYNAERS.BH

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Through its course of the partnership, Reynaers has supplied the Aluminium systems for several key projects fabrication of which undertaken by Zebain Industries. These include the likes of Hind Tower, Damac Bay's Edge Hotel, Dubai Mall Link Bridge and Extension, City Walk Clinic, and the latest milestone project 'Boulevard Heights'.

The selection of Reynaers Middle East as the main aluminium systems supplier of an upcoming world-class high-rise in Dubai like ‘Boulevard Heights’ not only speaks volumes of the strong partnership but also proves Reynaers capabilities to customise systems and innovate to suit a project’s requirements.

The Boulevard Heights in downtown Dubai is a milestone project as it will be fitted with the company’s latest product solutions, which include the CW 86-MF curtain-wall variant, and the MasterLine 8 window and doors variant.

Described as the ‘The Centre of Now’, the 50-storey state-of-the-art tower is modelled on New York and Chicago skyscrapers. The twin-tower residential development exudes luxury, elegance and contemporary chic - attributes to which Reynaers aluminium systems are a perfect match, according to Ali Khalaf, managing director of Reynaers Middle East.

Boulevard Heights is among the latest

REPUBLIK BOULEVARD HEIGHTS,FIT DOWNTOWN

ventures of leading developer Emaar Properties of the UAE. Group Consult International is the lead consultant, while the main contractor is Target Engineering Construction.

Ali Khalaf, introduced Reynaers Aluminimum as “a leading European specialist in the development and marketing of innovative and sustainable aluminium solutions for windows, doors, curtain walling, sliding systems, sunscreening and conservatories”.

“Besides offering an extensive range of standard solutions, the company also develops solutions that are tailored to the individual customer or project. Research,

product development and testing are conducted at the Reynaers Institute, the sector’s largest private innovation and testing centre, located in Duffel (Belgium)”.

“In addition, the company also provides extensive technical support and advice to fabricators, contractors and architects.

Reynaers Aluminium is the market leader in Belgium and has acquired a strong market position in the 30 countries where it has its own sites”.

In September 2017, Reynaers group had 2,144 employees through out the world. The company exports to more than 70 countries on 5 continents.

REPUBLIK ALI KHALAF, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF REYNAERS FIT MIDDLE EAST

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42 ZEBIAN INDUSTRIES LLC

PORSCHE SHOWROOM

RIVERPARK

Experience For more than four decades, the company has consistently demonstrated its ability to provide clients with certainty in terms of delivery and costs, and this reputation has enabled Zebian Industries to win and deliver numerous projects to its clients.

Integrity Zebian Industries always strives to do the right thing, conducting its business in

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accordance with the highest standards of professional behaviour and ethics. The company is transparent, honest and ethical in all its interactions with employees, clients, consumers, vendors and the public.

Innovation To ensure continuous improvement, Zebian Industries’ innovation and technology teams are focused on research, development and the deployment of

leading-edge practices and technologies that help it deliver higher quality, more efficient and cost-effective solutions.

identify their expectations and meet them to the fullest of its capabilities.

Sustainability Quality Quality is an expression of the company’s objective to provide products and services designed around its clients’ requirements, giving them an experience that makes them feel that they are important to Zebian Industries, which has the know-how to

Sustainability is the optimisation of business activities in a way that does not have harmful effects on resources, surroundings and the living ecosystem. For Zebian Industries it is a vital aspect in its quest to minimise any harmful environmental impacts that its projects may have.

ZEBIAN INDUSTRIES LLC 43 Diversity The industry is facing a number of challenges, and to meet these Zebian Industries is coming up with innovative solutions that revolve around diversity of outlook, values and experience, plus the utilisation of the latest technology, materials and products.

Expanding Through Customer Demand Zebian Industries’ client bases reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of industry and commerce, and includes such blue-chip names as Emaar, Damac, Meydan,Tamdeen, Al Sahel Contracting, Multiplex, and Dutco.

Business is good at the current time, too, with the company looking to continue to grow as it increasingly focuses on export markets. In fact, attracting ever more clients through recommendation, repeat business

and expanding into new regions, Zebian Industries has recently opened a second factory that specialises in unitized curtain wall.

Looking further into the future, Zebian Industries committed to increasing its annual turnover by 20%, with 50% of turnover coming from export business in Europe and North America.

The ever-changing needs of its clients and emerging new challenges have seen the company invest heavily in research and development to ensure continual improvements in its production processes.

The company deploys cutting-edge technology and best production practices to ensure quality, efficiency, and costeffectiveness in its operations. To Zebian Industries, quality is paramount, and it endeavours to provide its clients with the very best solutions.

SHARJAH AQUARIUM

UPPERCREST

SIDRA TOWER

AL ZAHRA HOSPITAL

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ISO 9001 | ISO 14001 | OHSAS 18001 R

AL AJMI ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS 45

CREATING DISTINGUISHED LANDMARKS AL AJMI ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS (AEC) IS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE WITH GENUINE AND UNDERSTANDABLE CONFIDENCE.

AL AJMI ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS P.O. BOX 14115 DUBAI UAE T: +971 4 2349494 E: INFO@ALAJMI.AE W: WWW.ALAJMI.AE

For this is a company that has maintained its presence in the local and global marketplace throughout all the different market cycles thanks to its enviable track record of providing professional consultancy services, excellent craftsmanship integrity, sound principles, highly qualified staff, and being at the forefront of adopting the latest designs and construction techniques.

At AEC, experience, expertise and service combine for unparalleled results.

Established in 1987 by Engineer Suhaib Al Ajmi in Abu Dhabi, AEC is an awardwinning multi-disciplinary architectural design and engineering consultancy firm that opened its Dubai branch in 1994 and expanded it with Architect Wassim Adlouni.

The firm is licensed to design and supervise the construction of buildings regardless of their magnitude. As a result, it actively undertakes all sorts of projects such as urban developments, hotels, residential apartments, villas, banks, office buildings, industrial buildings, institutional buildings, mosques, and public facilities. And whatever the project, AEC strives to finish it on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards, irrespective of size and complexity.

Timeless Designs AEC listens to its individual client’s needs and requirements and then sets out to operate in a partnership with them to achieve a successful conclusion to any task, both from a technical and financial viewpoint.

Led by the client’s vision, the company works hard to surpass expectations in all subdivisions of design. Its design philosophy is based on the belief that a functional design is one that maintains its value in addition to leaving a lasting

impression. The precise design will lead to a unique identity by creating and mixing all distinctive components of each project.

AEC is passionate about delivering robust and innovative designs, which allows it to retain its position at the forefront of all of the latest industry trends and developments. The firm’s project aesthetics objective has consistently revolved around creating suitable, definitive, and timeless designs.

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46 AL AJMI ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS A Great Team Producing Great Results At the heart of the company are the capability, enthusiasm and integrity of AEC’s people. The firm takes pride in working with its clients to achieve outstanding results, and in doing so creates a real sense of shared purpose within the business. This is what makes AEC such a great place to work.

AEC believes in investing in individuals and promoting teamwork through providing a pleasant work environment in which designers can share ideas and cooperate with one another. This working environment provides a creative setting in which effective and timely solutions are assured.

AEC’s highly experienced engineers, designers and technical staff are always striving to facilitate client objectives in the most proficient and cost-effective manner possible without compromising on either service or quality. The integrity, individual effort and teamwork of all of the firm’s people are principal resources in its responsibility and commitment to the client.

Attracting and retaining the very best people has allowed AEC to build up an impressive portfolio of important and prestigious projects over the past three decades. Such prestigious projects, from World Renowned Hotels to Palaces, are scattered throughout Dubai in almost every locality, namely: Palm Jumeirah, Down Town Burj Khalifa Boulevard, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, TECOM, Dubiotech, Mirdiff, Al Satwa, JVC, Al Jaddaf, Al Khawaneej and Dubai Land among others

A Broad Portfolio of Expertise AEC’s range of services is all-encompassing, allowing the firm to provide the complete offering all under one roof.

Market Research & Feasibility Analysis During the initial stages of a project, AEC can provide a project background brief, macro and micro-economic study, real estate value chain dissection, site analysis, market research and assessment, financial analysis, and comparable developments screening and impact analysis. Its report would then act as the founding pillar of the project, as it would justify the project’s feasibility and define the design requirements.

Urban Planning & Development AEC holds true to its belief that its communities shall be established on the lessons of the past, acknowledgment of present objectives, and on dreams of the future. Its across-the-board services include community planning, urban design, sustainable community consulting, master planning, regional planning, environmental planning, zoning assistance, site assessment, site engineering services, site specific urban design, and revitalisation.

The firm implements a location-based integrated systems approach in its master planning and urban design strategies. This ensures that its solutions are economically viable, while being socially and environmentally responsive.

Architectural & Engineering Design AEC design high performance structures, based around the principles of sustainability, which integrate with their surrounding and coexist in tandem with them. From small private villas and high-rise buildings through to urban developments, the firm’s projects strive for equilibrium between art and technology, form and function, beauty and performance, vision and reality.

Its in-house designers and engineers collaborate together throughout the project lifecycle, thus providing a standalone service to clients.These integrated approaches among different segments of the design team ensure project execution efficiency.

As a service obligation, AEC aids its clients in achieving their goals for asset reuse and optimisation, energy efficiency, and resource conservation. The firm deliver combined architectural, design, planning, engineering, and sustainability consulting solutions for renewing all types of existing structures regardless of their project lifecycle.

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Contracts & Specifications Management Through its stringent contract documents and detailed specifications, AEC maintain and ensure the smooth execution of all projects without compromise on quality, striving for international standards through crafting tender and contract documents as per: • FIDIC - International Federation of Consulting Engineers • POMI Principles of Measurement (International) for Works of Construction as published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, London • Building and Construction CSI standardised specifications

Construction Supervision Renovation & Restoration Consultancy

ongo

Even the best planned projects depend on thorough construction supervision. For this reason, AEC believe in the significance of the consultant’s presence by providing full construction supervision.

Although the contractor is accountable for constructing in compliance to the plans and specifications, the supervision team has a duty to ensure that the construction adheres to those plans and specifications.

Furthermore, the team is responsible for overseeing that the main contractor's approach and programme are suitable and precisely executed in compliance to the agreement.

Project Management From project initiation to project closing, AEC’s engineers’ practices throughout the project lifecycle are in accordance with the Project Management Institute. This ensures that the projects handled finish on time, within budget, and to the best quality standards.

Infrastructure & Industrial Construction Consultancy AEC has entered into corporate agreements with several international engineering firms based in Europe, America, and the Middle East. It now offers broader services that encompass all major sectors of architecture and

engineering within infrastructure and industrial facility construction.

Superior Solutions to Complex Challenges

AEC goes beyond a typical consulting role and becomes a partner to clients by aligning with the goals, processes, and people at each organisation. The entire team prides itself on being problem solvers. Consequently, finding innovative B+G+2P+15+HC solutions isn’t just an optionCOMMERCIAL for the firm & -it’s what it does. AEC is unyielding in itsBUILDING RESIDENTIAL AL BARSHA SOUTH 2ND pursuit of getting it right, first time, every DUBAI time.

Delivering practical, elegant, and efficient solutions at an economic benefit to owners, clients, and end-users, AEC’s fundamental mission is to encourage a diverse culture of extraordinary talent and be recognised globally for providing superior solutions to complex challenges.

GCC GINCO GROUP OF COMPANIES 47

01 GCC GINCO GROUP OF COMPANIES

GINCO CONTRACTING CO. LLC / GCC CONTRACTING (BRANCH OF GINCO SHARJAH) - DUBAI GCC provides customers with the highest level of quality construction services, and is growing to become a leader in the industry.

We are engineering contracting firm that specialised in construction maintenance and project management. Moreover, it has unrivalled expertise across a broad range of sectors, including the construction of large-scale developments, low and highrise buildings, residential and commercial developments, as well as the retail, hospitality and leisure markets.

With a large design and build capability.

GCC Contracting is able to offer clients a complete turnkey construction service, along with value engineering, feasibility studies, and full project management. And whatever the project, GCC Contracting is committed to a fundamental set of core in order to ensure that the company e c t svalues adheres to a strict code of business ethics: • Integrity cannot be compromised: The company is honest, consistent and fair in all aspects, and its communication is transparent and forthright.

• Customer satisfaction is the cornerstone

oing

D

of its success: GCC Contracting strives to exceed customer expectations and dedicates time and effort to deliver a quality service to all clients.

• Committed to innovation: The entire team consider learning and development a continuous process.

Consequently, it incorporates stateof-the-art technology and practices to enhance efficiency in the company’s operations.

• Safety first: Employees GCC Contracting’s most important assets.

As a result, safety and their general wellbeing is a top priority.

• Great teams build great companies: To attract, develop, and retain the best talent, GCC Contracting has created an environment where individual growth is the foundation of the company’s growth.

ISO, OHSAS, and EMS certified, GCC Contracting is a dynamic and progressive company with more than 2500 employees and track record of 37 successful years in the industry, offering a full service capability that

takes in contract documentation, project management and supervision of all types of construction works.

GCC Contracting understands that the construction and engineering industry is about performance and deadlines, with

the company excelling at staying ahead of problems. From its clients to its employees, the company knows that the foundation for ongoing success derives from just two things - trust and skilled execution.

Maryam Beach Residence, Sharjah

Al Dhaheri Residence, Satwa

ISO CERTIFIED OHSAS CERTIFIED EMS CERTIFIED

SIGNATURE OF QUALITY SINCE 1981 To work with our clients and partners to deliver value by using quality construction and engineering solutions, employing the best resources and latest techniques GCC Contracting (Branch of Ginco Sharjah LLC) GCC Ginco Group of Companies P.O. Box 1809, Tower 400, 5th Floor, Al Soor Building Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 6 553 1532 G+P+8+R Residential Building Al Satwa, Dubai

@gincoAE

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ISO, OHSAS, and EMS certified

gincollc@eim.ae | www.gccginco.ae

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48 BHNS ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION BUILT INTO EVERY DESIGN BHNS IS AN ENGINEERING FIRM THAT GOES BEYOND A TYPICAL CONSULTING ROLE, BECOMING A PARTNER TO ITS CLIENTS BY ALIGNING WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL GOALS AND PROCESSES. INDEED, OFFERING OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND THE HIGHEST QUALITY WORKMANSHIP, IT IS INSPIRED BY EXCELLENCE, WITH A TEAM THAT BOASTS EXPERTISE ACROSS A BROAD PORTFOLIO OF SPECIALIST DISCIPLINES.

Committed to meeting client expectations, as well as society’s need for sustainable in well designed environments, BHNS has the capability to provide expertise in an integrated package or a standalone project.

Its business has been built on its relationships with clients, architects, fellow designers, and particularly with contractors and trade contractors. The firm’s consortium of specialised units provides clients with one-stop-shop services that cover town planning, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, traffic consultants, MEP engineering services, specialist lighting design, structural engineering, civil engineering, and retail planning.

initial ideas and shapes them into a design that blends individual lifestyle with the natural environment.

The firm initiates designer‐client interactions not commonly found in other firms, creating a working environment that supports open communication, and in doing so better defines and understands the project goals and objectives.

Architectural Design Through workshop meetings with clients, BHNS is able to assist in identifying the type of design services required to better serve the specific needs of a project. Upon completion of the

FITMIXED-USE REPUBLIK LAGOON

design phase, the firm can then move into the documentation and, ultimately, the construction phase of the project.

BHNS’s ability to incorporate universal design into all of its projects ensures living environments that are barrier-free to all users, with the firm priding itself on listening to its clients and turning their ideas into reality.

Its expertise in integrated design, innovative approaches and multidisciplinary design, as well as its in-depth understanding of the town planning, residential, hospitality, retail and commercial industry, will allow it to realise a client’s vision.

A Green Philosophy

BHNS ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS P.O. BOX 291 DUBAI UAE T: +971 4 3344777 E: INFO@BH-NS.COM W: WWW.BH-NS.COM

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Having successfully completed a large number of important and prestigious projects, including Radisson Blue Hotel, Torch Tower, Madinat Jumeirah-Fort Island, and the Tecom Building, BH.NS distinguishes itself from other firms through the emphasis it puts on ‘green’ materials and construction systems that promote proper indoor air quality and energy efficiency. With this in mind, the design team at BH.NS takes each client’s

MAJESTINE ALLURE HOTEL APARTMENT

BHNS ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS 49 Saving Money and the Planet BHNS has expertise across a wide range of disciplines, including MEP engineering services, with its designs taking in energy efficiency, cost optimisation, ease of operation and maintenance, occupant comfort, sustainability, design optimisation, customised solutions, efficient technologies, recycling, monitoring and control systems, review and quality checks, and post occupancy reviews.

It is important to understand that HVAC uses 60% or more of energy consumption and therefore efficient design will enhance the overall performance. This is achieved through: • Efficient Water Cooled Centrifugal Chillers (COP – 6.4) • Variable Secondary Pumping • Cooling Tower with variable speed drive (VSD) • Heat recovery • Demand Control Ventilation • CO based Basement Fan • Modulation

Lighting is looked upon in the same way, with efficient lighting using T5 and LEDs; an LPD of 0.8 W/ft2 against 1 W/ft2 in services and common areas, and 0.23 W/ft2 in the basement against 0.3 W/ft2; and time and occupancy-based controls in common areas always considered.

Naturally, plumbing is another area in which BHNS can help clients to make savings, whilst ensuring an environmentallyfriendly project. These include 50% water savings compared to conventional buildings; low-flow plumbing fixtures; onsite wastewater treatment; wastewater reuse for irrigation, flushing and cooling tower make-up; efficient irrigation system; and rainwater harvesting systems.

Reliable Engineering Take Many Forms Structural Engineering at BHNS has always been under close scrutiny in order to apply state-of-the-art solutions and to enforce rigorous standards of safety and quality. Under this constant attention, structural teams in the firm have

progressively improved performance and turned the impossible into the possible.

A combination of institutional tradition with the very latest techniques and technology, using both world-class standard and in-house custom developed software, ensures the client that the most appropriate structural solution in terms of cost and safety will be selected, taking into account all the particular conditions of the project.

This structural engineering know-how is regularly applied to the following types of structures: hotels, office buildings and residential high-rise towers with distinctive architectural features; villas and palaces, often with intricate architectural treatment; warehouses, supermarkets and factories; bridges, tunnels, culverts and retaining walls; and any power plant structure and industrial facility in the oil and gas sector.

integrity and clear-cut honesty. The firm does its best, most cost-effective work when its clients join it in meeting these expectations.

In its approach to the business, BHNS always strives to understand the client's perspective, finding a solution that delivers on-time and to a pre-agreed budget. What’s more, the firm gives priority to clients who work closely with it, and to those who are ready to appreciate the many benefits of greener buildings.

Put simply, BHNS delivers practical, elegant, and efficient design solutions that provide economic and environmentallyaware benefits for owners, clients, and endusers.

Create, Enhance and Sustain At BHNS, they believe that smart engineering solutions lead to a better world.

That’s why the entire team works toward the highest standards of professionalism,

DUBAI CREEK HARBOUR

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50 TROSTEN INDUSTRIES COMPANY LLC 01

TROSTEN: PROUD HVAC EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER OF INTERNATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS IN UAE Trosten Industries Company LLC., specializes in manufacturing of centralized air conditioning and kitchen ventilation equipment, with a fully- fledged, state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility of 150,000 sqft, located in Dubai Investments Park.

Products are offered with internationally recognized certifications like EUROVENT and AHRI for guaranteed performance.

At Trosten, it's all about providing quality HVAC solutions for residential, industrial and specialized applications.

With our strength in providing the right HVAC engineering solution, we offer factual benefits to our customers by saving energy, ecological returns and application of products.

Modular construction of our product range offers complete flexibility in accommodating different sizes and functions, all built-in features in our computer aided selection software conforming to the customer's requirement.

Trosten has prudently invested rich

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resources in its Research and Development arm to ensure customer satisfaction and to fulfill its commitment to meet the ever increasing market requirements In-house psychrometric testing laboratory, engineered and built by Q-Corporation, USA, is focused in new product development and assuring consistent performance of centralized heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment. Test simulations can be conducted at Trosten’s laboratory as validation of equipment’s actual performance at project specified conditions.

The most prestigious landmark installations include Dubai Creek Harbour, Mirdiff Hills Development, Lapita Parks – Dubai Parks and Resorts, ENOC stations, Al Maryah Central Shopping Mall, Neighborhood One Residences of Masdar, The Dubai Mall, JW Marriott Marquis (90 storey, twin tower), Grosvenor House, Trident Grand Residence, Mai Dubai, Oman Convention Centre, 469

Villa Complex-Hidd Al Saadiyat, Mirdiff City Centre, Oasis Centre, Meydan Racing District, Danat Al Emarat Hospital.

Currently factory is working on various projects of Expo 2020 like Thematic

Districts – 3 Pavillion & Al Wasl plaza, Royal Atlantis Hotel, Dubai Hills Mall etc.

Sales and service network spread all over GCC countries.

The design classic LS 990 in metal – aesthetics in their most elegant form.

Genuine. Brass.

F 40 IN ANTIQUE BRASS

JUNG.AE

JUNG Middle East DMCC Office 3001, Saba Tower 1. JLT, Cluster E. Dubai, United Arab Emirates. +971 4 368 7275. info@jung.ae