< Previous10 CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 2021 STAT OF THE MONTH WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM DUBAI REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS EXCEED $27.23 BILLION WITH THE OPENING OF EXPO 2020 DUBAI Dubai’s real estate sector has been witnessing good times, as monthly sales transactions and their values this year have seen phenomenal results. Since December 2013, it has been the highest value of real estate sold in a single month, crossing the $27.23bn mark (AED100bn). According to Property Finder, 2021 has witnessed 23.6% more sales transactions and the value has been 45.2% more when compared to the entire year of 2020. 2021 marks a total of 43,299 sales transactions worth $28.4bn (AED104.3bn). In the first nine months of 2021, the value of real estate sales transactions was 45.15% more than 2020 as a whole and is already the highest yearly sales figure since 2017. In September 2021, 56% of all transactions represented ready properties and 44% were for off-plan properties. The off-plan market transacted 2,530 properties worth a total of $1.39bn (AED5.1bn). The number accounts for the highest value of off-plan sales transactions that Dubai real estate market has witnessed in over eight years. Meanwhile, the secondary market registered 3,232 transactions worth $3.02bn (AED11.1bn), Property Finder stated. Commenting on the property market movement, Lynnette Sacchetto, Director of Research and Data at Property Finder said: “To date, we have over AED104bn in sales transaction value which is the highest value since 2017 and mortgage transactions are at an all-time high year-to-date, breaking all records, and the year hasn’t ended yet.” Sacchetto continued: “Many end users who have been in the market to purchase have been priced out of the segments they have been looking in, therefore we have seen recent trends where end users have decided to renovate, upgrade, and extend their current properties instead. “This has caused a shortage in the market of quality contractors with most booked until mid-2022.” According to Sacchetto, another interesting trend has been in the villa/ townhouse segment, where “many buyers are being priced out of the bedroom types they are looking for, therefore having to move to the next level below in bedrooms”. The median price for secondary apartments has increased by 41% over the past year and has increased by 20% for secondary villas and townhouses. The median price for off-plan apartments has increased by more than 15% while villas and townhouses in the off-plan segment have increased by over 10%. 2021 marks a total of 43,299 sales transaction in the real estate sector worth $284bn (AED104.3bn) [Image: Suppleid] In 2021, 23.6% more sales transactions were recorded in Dubai’s real estate market and their value increased by 45.2% compared to 2020, according to the latest figures by Property Finder18TH IRF WORLD MEETING & EXHIBITION 7-10 NOVEMBER 2021 | DUBAI | www.irf2021.global 4 DAYSCONFERENCE TRACKS SESSIONSSPEAKERSATTENDEES 60122501500 DELIVERING SOLUTIONS TO THE WORLD’S MOBILITY CHALLENGES REGISTER TODAY FOR THE WORLD’S PREMIER ROADS EVENT, VISIT www.irf2021.global PLATINUM SPONSORSDIAMOND SPONSORSSTRATEGIC PARTNERS GOLD SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS MEDIA PARTNERSFIRE & SAFETY 12 CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 2021WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Eric Widström, Chief Executive Of cer, Terraco Group shares with Construction Week’s Editor Ranju Warrier the effective measures the rm has adopted to ensure re safety across its projects In the Middle East, fire incidents in under construction buildings, structures undergoing renovation, and completed projects are not uncommon. It is critical for the construction industry in the Middle East to prioritise fire safety, as a result, stakeholders need to work together to develop the most efficient fire safety strategy for the lifespan of the building. Market participants need to ensure enhanced safety through collaboration in the initial stages of design and construction. The incorporation of the right products in a building’s façade system has become crucial to improve fire safety. One such firm that is collaborating with stakeholders to make building facades fire-resistant is Terraco. The company’s environmentally friendly Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS) have been designed to deliver enhanced thermal insulation properties and long-term energy-saving benefits for low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings. In an interview with Construction Week, Eric Widström, CEO of Terraco Group says: “In the Middle East, we offer three primary EIFS systems which incorporate three different insulation options, including Expanded Polystyrene boards, Mineral Wool boards, and Phenolic boards.” All three EIFS systems have been certified in the UAE. As part of this certification process, Terraco has undertaken a series of large-scale fire tests, which have been third party accredited by Intertek. Widström explains: “All projects that Terraco is asked to engage in and provide EIFS specifications and architectural submissions for in the UAE are firstly assessed by our teams in relation to compliance with the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice. The most appropriate EIFS system for each project is discussed first with the design team before project-specific specifications and architectural submissions are developed and presented.” Collaboration is crucial For the safety of a building or a project under construction, it is crucial for fire and safety consultants to collaborate with architects and developers at the initial stages of a project’s development. Sharing comments on the importance of collaboration in the early stages of design and construction, Widström, notes: “It is crucial for architects and developers to collaborate with fire and safety consultants as well as industry professionals from the initial stages of design to understand fire safety obligations and regulations – which vary according to the local building code and depend on the type, height and intended use of a building. And it is also very important to incorporate the best practice recommendations and advice from quality, certified, system suppliers - such as Terraco – which draw on decades of EIFS / ETICS experience in diverse markets and conditions.” He says: “Many of the fire safety regulations in the Middle East are derivatives of European and US fire safety regulations - which have been adapted for local conditions. It is important to work with suppliers that understand these in depth and have systems which ensure compliance. “As an example, the EIFS systems we offer in UAE have been tested and certified to NFPA-285 and NFPA- 268, as required by the UAE fire code. But in addition to this, Terraco EIFS, incorporates all international best practices, and draws on our extensive experience, development work and testing in Europe, Asia, and the US. “Method statements and shop drawings, which tie into the specified system are also captured and developed by the Terraco UAE team. And Terraco UAE also has experienced site technical supervision as well as training systems in place to ensure the EIFS installation complies with the specification.” Adapting to change For an organisation that was established in 1980, Terraco has been at RESPONDING TO INDUSTRY’S “NEED FOR FIRE SAFETY” WITH TERRACO EIFS Adherence to re safety regulations and use of re-retarding / re resistant coatings is the need of the hour within the construction industry [Image: Supplied]FIRE & SAFETY NOVEMBER 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 13WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM the forefront of creating products for the construction industry that are not only environmentally friendly but also user friendly. “I am proud of our research and development teams’ ability to understand and preempt the needs of the industry before they become a requirement or are mandated,” Widström stresses, as he explains how Terraco has been catering to the changing landscape of fire regulations. He continues: “Previously, flammable bituminous coatings were often used in the region on primary substrates as a waterproofing for building facades. During the recent spate of fires in the region, it was found that these coatings propagated and contributed to building envelope fires during a fire incident.” In 2018, the UAE Fire and Safety Code requirement under section 4.5.1 Coatings on Primary Surface, sub-section 4.5.1.1 mandated that “Bitumen, bituminous products, and flammable agents as anti-corrosion or water-proofing coatings shall not be applied on primary substrates, either on metals or concrete. Bitumen has a fire point of 175° C and propagates building envelope fires”. Widström shares: “This mandate led to the need for a non-bituminous façade waterproofing solution for the construction industry. “In Terraco, we always believe in being a step ahead of the competition, and we were the first to launch a permanent, environmentally friendly, civil-defence approved solution, called Terraco Terraseal which is an alternative to a bituminous-based moisture barrier behind aluminium and glass cladding. Terraco Terraseal is a weather- resistant, moisture barrier, and vapour many other products that are used for exterior façades as well as for interior applications.” Cost of fire safety measures Buildings are becoming increasingly complex when compared to the past. With building codes mandating high levels of insulation, there are a variety of options for limited combustibility and non-combustible insulation materials. “Cost efficiencies are achieved in relation to fire safety by early engagement to ensure correct fire safety specifications are part of the tender documents thus ensuring fire safety measures are priced competitively – no client or contractor likes a late stage cost variance,” Widström explains. According to the CEO, Terraco is well-positioned to capitalize on the continuous international trend towards greater thermal efficiency in buildings, which requires ever increasing levels of insulation to walls and roofs and is critical to combating global warming. He concludes: “Ensuring that both new buildings and the existing housing stock are energy efficient is a great challenge – but it is critical never to compromise on fire safety when developing and implementing solutions. It is crucial for architects and developers to collaborate with re and safety consultants and industry professionals from the initial stages of design [Image: Supplied] Terraco has a wealth of experience with re safety testing and certi cation from across the world in relation to EIFS [Image: Supplied] permeable, permanent external coating system for façades, tested and certified for reaction to fire classification A2 according to EN 13501-1 and is also an ASTM E84 Class-A rated product with “zero” flame spread and “zero” smoke development.” “In addition to its EIFS systems, Terraco Terraseal and the recently launched Weathercoat Seal which is a moisture and air barrier waterproofing for primary surfaces, Terraco has a wide range of ASTM E84 Class A certified products on offer. This includes its Terracoat textured coatings, stone coatings, metallic finishes, bonding agents, adhesives and EXPO EXCLUSIVE 14 CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 2021WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Adrian Malinowski, Commissioner General and Lukasz Alwast, CDO of Science Now talk exclusively to Mina Vucic about the journey of the Polish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai EXPOTALKS: POLAND SHOWCASES “CREATIVITY INSPIRED BY NATURE” Poland at Expo 2020 Dubai is offering its visitors “creativity inspired by nature” through the best of technology and design innovations. In our most recent episode of ExpoTalks, Construction Week uncovered exclusive details about the pavilion straight from the its site. We sat down with Adrian Malinowski, Commissioner General of the Poland Pavilion as well as Lukasz Alwast, CDO of Science Now, responsible for the creation of the pavilion’s immersive experiences. “First thing you are going to feel when you enter the pavilion is hospitability,” said Malinowski, as Poland is all set to showcase its design, art, and technological achievements at Expo 2020 Dubai, with the team working intensively over the last year . Commenting on the theme of the pavilion the Commissioner General added: “Everything you are going to see in the pavilion as well as in the exhibition is revolving around nature and its connection to our nation. We are going to be traveling Adrian Malinowski, Commissioner General of Poland Pavilion, and Lukaz Akwast, CDO of Science Now [Image: ITP Images | Adel Rashid] Poland showcases design, art, and technological achievements at Expo 2020 Dubai [Image: ITP Images | Adel Rashid] EXPO EXCLUSIVE NOVEMBER 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 15WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM throughout our whole journey of how ingenious and entrepreneurial creative Polish people can be.” The pavilion represents its “creativity inspired by nature” through a tree-like wooden sculpture with white free- moving details which act as birds. The reference comes from the large- scale migration of birds from Poland to the Arab world. It explores the nation’s diverse global connections, as well as its role as a leading producer of goods The space additionally hosts weekly exhibitions, dedicated to Polish regions and institutions, featuring the diversity of Poland’s natural environment, culture, tourist attractions, and science. Talking about the immersive experience, Alwast said: “For us it was very important that the experience is absolutely seamless. Expos are somewhere between a sophisticated amusement park and a modern art gallery, and we want that feeling to resonate from the Polish Pavilion itself. “We start at the first chapter, where we immerse with sound, flora and fauna. Then you step into the cosy and intimate wooden space which is the main hall.” Speaking exclusively about the Polish Table, the pavilion’s exceptional piece of art located in the main hall, Alwast added: “We worked on the Polish Table for over a year and involved over 60 artists and creators to manufacture it and that’s where the first interaction with technology happens.” Dubai aims to become the city of the future with the lowest carbon footprint by 2040, and the Polish Pavilion reflected this theme by raising the standards in terms of sustainable construction. “Just take a look around, whatever you see is pretty much sustainable. Wood is primarily the resource that has the lowest carbon footprint in the world. It is renewable, it can be repurposed, reshaped, and reused. This was something that was always the general concept for us. “What is worth adding is that we are also promoting Polish companies, which are deriving from the sustainability sector. Numerous firms that are working Poland showcases the Polish Table at Expo 2020 Dubai [Image: ITP Images | Adel Rashid] Poland used wood as the main material for the construction of the Polish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai [Image: ITP Images | Adel Rashid] with solar panels and scientific solutions that bring sustainability to life.” Focusing on the post-Expo 2020 era, Construction Week gained insights from Malinowski on Poland’s participation in District 2020, the legacy of Expo. The Commissioner General said: “There are still a number of options regarding the decision which is going to be made by the Polish government, all of it is still an ongoing process. “The pavilion should stay in its form whether it is going to be repurposed, reused, by one of the Polish entities on its own terms, or whether it is going to be passed on onto the organisers as part of the District 2020,” the Commissioner General conlcluded. COVER STORY WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM16 CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 2021 PUTTING QATAR’S “UNDISCOVERED” TOURISM PROJECTS ON THE WORLD MAp INTERVIEW AND WORDS BY RANJU WARRIER | PHOTOGRAPHS BY QATAR TOURISM Berthold Trenkel, COO of Qatar Tourism gives exclusive insights into the existing and future tourism construction developments and what it means for the nation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in the first-ever interview with Construction Week, with additional inputs from CundallFOLLOW CONSTRUCTION WEEK @CWMIDDLEEAST COVER STORY WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COMNOVEMBER 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 17COVER STORY 18 CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 2021WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Qatar, formerly a pearl-diving enclave, has dramatically transformed over the years into a metropolis of iconic structures. The nation’s shifting landscape is the outcome of rapid construction and infrastructure advancement, which began slowly and steadily more than 50 years ago but has since increased exponentially. A major part of Qatar’s transformation is the development of the tourism sector. The industry is gearing up for further expansion as it readies to host the much anticipated FIFA World Cup 2022. Qatar is expected to welcome over 1.5 million visitors for the six-week-long tournament. Investment is being funnelled into the construction of tourism-related infrastructure to accommodate the expected tourist influx and create avenues for entertainment and tourism in the run- up to the event. FIFA World Cup 2022 All eyes are on Qatar as the date for the FIFA World Cup 2022 nears. Speaking to Construction Week about FIFA-related tourism making way for increased construction and development projects in Qatar, Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Qatar Tourism, says: “In preparation [of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022] Qatar Tourism is undertaking a range of initiatives to offer new and undiscovered experiences for international and domestic visitors.” “We have seen a wave of new hotels and hotel apartments, theme parks, shopping malls, and major leisure projects open and look forward to welcoming more in the lead up to and beyond the tournament,” Trenkel adds. The COO notes that these are exciting times for Qatar as it gears up to host the tournament. “We’ve been working hard over the last couple of years to broaden and diversify the tourism experiences for residents, citizens, and international travellers.” Qatar Tourism Strategy 2030 Qatar’s National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) intends to enhance the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP by 12% by 2030. The Qatar Tourism Strategy 2030, which is a significant driver of the country’s socio-economic growth, is supporting this goal. According to Trenkel, the strategy sets “an ambitious target to attract over six million international visitors by 2030”. As part of its goals to strengthen and expand Qatar’s tourism development landscape, Qatar Tourism has developed an integrated marketing approach, an aggressive international sales strategy, a digital transformation strategy, and an extensive development of end-to-end visitor experiences. “Our guests are at the heart of everything we do. We want to share Qatar with the world and welcome people to the country now that our borders have re-opened, to discover, and explore it for themselves,” Trenkel says. Decentralisation of projects Qatar Tourism has been undertaking a range of initiatives to offer exceptional experiences. Over the last 18 months, The development of the tourism sector is a key enabler of Qatar’s transformation [Image: Qatar Tourism] Qatar’s National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) intends to enhance the tourism sector’s contribution to its GDP by 12% by 2030 [Image: Qatar Tourism]COVER STORY NOVEMBER 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 19WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM the organisation has invested in new and existing tourism assets and has implemented stringent health and safety measures. Sharing insights about various ongoing projects, Trenkel says: “We commenced a large-scale project to refurbish a fleet of over 40 traditional dhow boats as we continue to improve amenities and activities for international and domestic tourism. The three-phase project includes the refurbishment of the dhows, the modernisation of marinas and jetties, and health and safety training for crew members and boat drivers.” An important project currently under construction in Qatar is the new West Bay North Beach project. When completed, the project would create a unique tourist attraction in Doha Downtown, connecting it to the surrounding districts through a network of public and commercial activities, as well as public transit, pedestrian routes, and cycling lanes stretching from the Corniche to Lusail. The project is being built over an area of 60,200m2 and spans a 1.5km stretch of coastline. It has been separated between plots to be used as private beaches for the region’s hotels, and one portion to be used as a public beach. “The project will become one of Qatar’s leading destinations for leisure, dining, and entertainment,” Trenkel notes. Lusail City is another project which is set to be Qatar’s first sustainable city. In preparation for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022, the country is developing the 38km2 city at a cost of $45bn by integrating modern concepts with Qatari traditions and rich Islamic architecture. Trenkel explains: “With many connected services listed to support the project, such as intelligent street lighting, water conservation methods, and a smart grid to manage the electrical network, it is the single largest sustainable development to be undertaken in Qatar.” The city will feature a blend of residential and commercial neighbourhoods, including four exclusive islands and 19 multi-purpose residential, mixed-use, entertainment, and commercial districts. It will also feature 22 hotels, golf courses, and an amusement park. “Qatar is starting to make headway with efforts to diversify its oil-driven economy, and tourism is playing a large role, under the auspices of Qatar National Vision 2030,” Gary Dodds, Country Director Qatar aims to create a tourism demand multiplier effect that will boost the domestic economy and strengthen ecosystems [Image: Qatar Tourism] Qatar carried out a large-scale project to refurbish a eet of over 40 traditional dhow boats as well as modernisation of marinas and jetties [Image: Qatar Tourism]Next >