< Previous| PARTNER CONTENT | 20 JANUARY 2023 Owned by Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC) and developed and managed by LEAD Development, Jubail Island will be home to a collection of six residential village estates Jubail Island and LEAD Development have been recognised by Abu Dhabi City Municipality for achieving a significant health and safety milestone by completing seven million safe working hours without lost time injury (LTI). LEAD Development was commended for the Construction of Villas project in its Jubail Island Development, for maintaining health and safety standards by adhering to the authority’s strict regulations and creating a safe environment for all workers. The award was presented by Abu Dhabi City Municipality and received by Mounir Haidar, managing partner of LEAD Development and Engineer Abdulla Saeed Al Shamsi, corporate director of Jubail Island. LEAD Development works closely with Abu Dhabi Municipality to monitor the construction of Jubail Island, ensuring adherence to health and safety best practices and compliance within authority requirements. The authority reflects the overall objectives of the development project by delivering the highest safety standards. Commenting on this achievement, Mounir Haidar, managing partner of LEAD Development, said: “It is a great pleasure for us to receive this significant safety award from Abu Dhabi City Municipality, and we would like to express our gratitude to them in BRINGING ABU DHABI’S JUBAIL ISLAND TO LIFE LEAD Development recorded seven million safe working hours without lost time injury. [Images: Supplied]JANUARY 2023 21 | PARTNER CONTENT | recognising this major achievement on the project. “I would like to thank Arabian Construction Company and our workforce for their hard work and dedication. Our workforce’s wellbeing is of the utmost importance to us, so we invest a lot of resources in ensuring they are properly protected in the safest possible working environment.” He concluded: “We pride ourselves on maintaining the very highest health and safety protocols and best practices, and we look forward to striving to achieve the same for the next seven million man-hours.” Earlier this year, a contract was awarded to China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East (CSCEC) for the new townhouses which will be part of the premium community at Souk Al Jubail. The contract was worth $60 million (AED220 million) construction contract. The 150 townhouses at Souk Al Jubail will feature premium designs, ranging from 2, 3 and 4-bedrooms. Featuring flexible options to suit everyone, the residential homes will have private parking, en suite facilities in every bedroom and will be conveniently located near to gym, schools, supermarkets and entertainment venues. The townhouses are due to be completed in April 2024. Under the contract, CSCEC ME has been undertaking a range of infrastructure works, including sub-structure, superstructure, MEP works, finishing, façades and landscaping, among others during the 22-month contract. In June, a contract was also awarded to Al Dhafra Pipeline & Contracting Company (APCC) worth $10.9 million (AED40 million) for its new 66-berth Marina in Marfa Al Jubail, with completion set for mid-2023. APCC has been responsible for the construction of the quay wall and associated infrastructure along the marina’s edges and platforms. The Marina is being built as part of the grand Marina District within Marfa al Jubail. The waterfront district’s concept and schematic design are in progress with AE7, the renowned design consultant. Expected to be handed over by mid-2024. This new destination will provide residents and visitors with a luxury waterfront destination built along a stretch of shoreline, overlooking the Abu Dhabi Skyline. The district within Marfa Al Jubail, set to launch October 2022, will consist of 41 elegantly designed townhouses and 18 spacious apartments, located in one building block, amid some of the UAE’s most beautiful landscapes and surrounded by mangroves and wildlife. In May, construction work was completed for the main bridge linking the Jubail Island project to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan highway (E12), which will become the main entry route to Jubail Island. The bridge plays an important role in providing easy, direct access to Jubail Island as well as proximity to public parks, open spaces and cycling tracks. It will also link different villages within the island to each other as well as facilitating movement between the two sides of the island, where the Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Pura Eco Retreat and the marine activities are located, and the rest of the existing developments that lie in the island. The $2.7 billion (AED10 billion) Jubail Island is owned by Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC) and developed and managed by LEAD, will be home to a collection of six residential village estates located between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. Nestled among the breath-taking natural beauty and rich biodiversity of the mangroves, the landmark community will offer residents every convenience and amenity, seamlessly blending sustainable living, luxury and wellness in an iconic new addition to Abu Dhabi’s real estate landscape. Jubail Island megaproject in Abu Dhabi. Mounir Haidar, managing partner, LEAD Development.| SUSTAINABILITY | 22 JANUARY 2023 Matthias Kasprowicz, the CEO of Tecon SES and Milos Sekulic, head of Digitalization & Smart Infrastructure discusses the bene ts of decarbonisation and aligning with COP28, as well as how businesses could plan their ESG initiatives while generating economic value Briefly explain about Tecon and its service offerings in the Middle East market. Tecon SES is the engineering powerhouse of our mother company AlBatha, a locally owned family business with 28 companies in six sectors and around 8000 employees. We are proud to be a forward-thinking company that strives to deliver excellence and expertise across all business segments, mainly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Our company culture stands on ethical behaviour, customer- centricity and a legacy of excellence that dates back to the 1970s for Tecon SES and early 1950s for AlBatha. Our mission is to become the leading solution provider in the regional engineering field and the employer of choice in the industry, while our business model is to provide holistic and innovative solutions to our customers as a one-stop shop. The company’s diversification of offerings allows it to cater to several sectors, including commercial construction, oil and gas, industrial and marine. Since 1975, Tecon SES’ reputation for service, safety and quality in the engineering field has grown immensely – making it one of the region’s largest and most respected specialised engineering solution providers. Our service starts early in a project value chain with geo-measurements and geo-fabrics, followed by earthing and lightning solutions, life safety, security, BMS and lighting solutions. Then, in our Business Unit, ‘Digitalisation and Smart Infrastructure’ IoT, industry 4.0 solutions with instrumentation and automation capabilities and the energy and water side of ESG are at home. Finally, we are one of the leading suppliers of refrigerant gases and oil and gas-related chemicals. What are your thoughts on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities undertaken by companies, and explain its importance in the wider community? Our planet is dying, and climate emergencies require immediate action. The global climate challenges amplify ESG activities; however, ESG is a reporting tool and not a magic catalogue of measures that will make our planet a living space in the future. ESG includes measurements of a carbon-neutral company environment and is often referred to in the context of efforts undertaken to be a better company in an environmental context. Policymakers, boards, and executives include ESG as a higher priority as part of the company vision and strategy to address these challenges. The importance of ESG is reflected in bringing awareness to the current climate issues, and businesses are encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly practices. Organisations across industries have been recognising the importance of ESG as a pillar for company value creation in five fundamental ways, providing top- line growth, cost reduction, regulatory compliances, productivity uplift, investment, and asset optimisation. In addition, contributing from a corporate side to the decarbonisation of the planet also means improving your profitability and cost-position of the company. Matthias Kasprowicz, CEO of Tecon (left) and Milos Sekulic, head of Digitalization & Smart Infrastructure. VALUE IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY JANUARY 2023 23 | SUSTAINABILITY | ESG activities are essential for the broader community since they influence the lifestyle of community residents by facilitating sustainability, improving the economic infrastructure, conserving the natural ecology, and residents’ prosperity. Furthermore, considering that ESG considers equity as a pillar, it improves social standards, human rights, labour standards and health and safety; therefore, companies that adopt best ESG practices become more attractive to employees. How is Tecon strategising to align with COP28? Tecon considers COP28 the most important event in 2023 hosted by the UAE, whose national strategy already distinguishes itself as a global climate leader. COP28 will trigger faster, more urgent climate actions followed by the new policies and regulations applicable to all industries and monitored by the government in milestones while expanding climate change awareness in society. The summit will enable better access to capital, which is also vital for the energy transition. Furthermore, the deployment of renewable energy will be accelerated, the economy will be shaped with clean energy, and comprehensive movements will boost transparent ESG reporting mandatories for all companies to comply. Tecon considers establishing, adapting, and implementing the ESG strategy a significant challenge; therefore, we are prepared to provide benefits by offering advanced energy efficiency solutions and ESG consultancy services. Furthermore, Tecon’s company objective is in line with carbon-neutral targets; hence we aim to have a key role in the region as a technology enabler and ESG consulting partner that will drive emission reduction and strategic guidance towards net-zero. Tecon has already started to create a task force within leading companies in the private sector to join forces for meaningful and high-impact collaboration towards COP28. How is Tecon supporting decarbonisation and sustainability initiatives and offering its services to audit buildings and factories? Tecon strongly believes that technology is the key to achieving decarbonisation ambitions; therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of leveraging existing technology that should drive sustainability initiatives as the first step. However, embracing the culture of innovation remains critical for acceleration. To support our customers on the sustainability journey, Tecon provides cutting-edge engineering solutions that have a substantial role in decarbonisation while representing an avenue to overcome operational challenges and simultaneously enhance profitability. Considering that energy efficiency in residential and non-residential buildings is crucial for GHG (greenhouse gas) emission reduction due to the instant growth rate, Tecon is providing energy audit services to address the existing energy efficiency gaps and identify potential energy savings. An energy audit represents an important step in determining energy consumption patterns and flows by analysing the building asset and utility data, operation condition, building behaviour, occupancy, and operating schedule. The output of the energy audit provides the estimated energy-saving potential where our experts propose several options focusing on the area of improvements of the existing solution in addition to suggesting future modifications and re- design in several stages, depending on the customer investment preferences. How are you providing economic value to building owners by implementing energy-efficient solutions? Considering that energy efficiency solutions represent a capital expense to the building owners, it requires an appropriate evaluation of the economic prospects; therefore, understanding the investment requires a business case that should include tangible and intangible benefits. Tecon provides scalable solutions by dividing the project into several phases focusing on gradually replacing the existing asset that increases energy efficiency; hence, the anticipated savings can be re-invested. This provides an additional alternative to the building owner to reduce the initial investments and to depend on the accumulated savings, while Tecon provides measurement and verification services to validate on a monthly basis that projected savings are achieved. Furthermore, we always explain to our clients that our solutions provide energy efficiency and cost reduction. However, it also reduces the OPEX cost; therefore, the business case shall consider this aspect along with the extended life of new equipment. The economic value of our solutions is also reflected in the increased transaction and market property value for energy- efficient buildings while improving other value drivers such as comfort and safety. Moreover, implemented energy efficiency measures improve the image and reputation; hence the provision of additional opportunities through better access to capital and financing while attracting property buyers and investors. | WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION | 24 JANUARY 2023 Construction Week Middle East highlights key takeaways from the Women in Construction Conference 2022 that addressed issues pertaining to gender balance, digital construction, and sustainable development 24 JANUARY 2023| WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION | JANUARY 2023 25 BUILDING BRIDGES IN CONSTRUCTION WITH STRONGER VOICES JANUARY 2023 25| WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION | 26 JANUARY 2023 When thinking of a male-dominant industry, construction might be one of the firsts that comes to mind. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the number of women working in the construction industry globally edges only slightly higher compared to last year, rising to 11% from 10.9% in 2020. This number is also much lower in the Middle East, with an estimated number of 190 females out of 1,300 members of the Chartered Institute of Building in the MENA region. That being said, there is no better time than now for women to explore the construction industry. As a matter of fact, a market analysis revealed that the share of female construction experts is at an “all-time high” and has steadily increased since 2016. Although this paints a positive light on the matter, the reality of gender pay gaps, non-flexible working hours, and unequal participation on board still persists and Construction Week Middle East addresses these afformentioned issues at the latest edition of the Women in Construction Conference. This sentiment was reflected in the opening session delivered by HE Shamsa Saleh , Secretary General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and the speech conveyed by HE Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson, Sharjah Business Women Council. Building bridges: Diversity in arbitral tribunals Understanding how to promote diversity not only in the construction sector but also at the arbitral tribunal domain is key. Doing so will enable us to experience the growth of women in the legal profession. In the first panel discussion, pertinent questions on gender diversity in the law sector was answered, including its impact on the industry, and what more is needed to be done to further promote the idea. Titled ‘Building bridges: Diversity in arbitral tribunals’, the panel was moderated by Dr Bhakti More, chairperson & associate professor, School of Design & Architecture at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai and featured Aimy Roshan, local partner at White & Case; Michelle Nelson, partner at Reed Smith; and Magda Kofluk, managing associate at Stephenson Harwood. According to Roshan, there are some changes seen in the law sector, though not nearly enough to consider women as equal to their male counterparts. She said: “Recent studies conducted in 2021 shows that there is indeed a progressive change in the appointment of women arbitrators in the industry. However, women still don’t have equal representation, and when we look at those figures, we see that when dealing with male parties, women are very unlikely to be considered.” Additionally, Kofluk shines light on the lack of support given to women in the workplace, emphasising that company practices “makes it difficult for women to stay in the field”. She commented: “The problem within the construction sector is that as women get more senior, priorities become more difficult. Issues like lack of support and flexibility really makes it difficult for women to stay in the field.” PRIORITISING GENDER BALANCE IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT “IT IS A MALE DOMINANT INDUSTRY, EVEN FOR CONSTRUCTION ARBITRATION.” Aimy Roshan, local partner at White & Case The rst panel fouced on pertinent questions on gender diversity in the law sector.| WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION | JANUARY 2023 27 ACKNOWLEDGING THE ERA OF DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION FIRESIDE CHAT: Contribution of digitalisation to HSE and inclusivity The first fire side discussion outlined the digital sustainable agenda for health and safety in the region’s construction industry. It was moderated by Ranju Warrier, Editor-in-Chief, Construction Week, and featured Kavitha Prabu, regional director for IMEA at the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). Prabu has been working closely with senior leadership groups on the development of international strategies. She commented: “Understanding the need and relevance of your jobs in this region versus being tested for your competency and skills is what we feel would help make a bigger difference.” “TECHNOLOGY IS HELPING US UTILISE OUR TIME BETTER AND MINIMISE TRIAL AND ERRORS.” Nadine Atta, senior director of design, The First Group The second panel discussion moderated by Dr Bhakti More from Manipal Academy. The use and application of digital tools and technology has massively improved the process of delivering and operating the built environment, leading construction stakeholders to acknowledge the era of digital construction. The second panel, titled ‘Acknowledging the era of digital construction’, has shed light on how the industry is harnessing the potential of sustainable tools. These tools, including BIM and 3D painting are helping reshape the construction industry at a time when connected construction is driving the sector forward. Moderated by Dr Bhakti More, chairperson & associate professor at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, the panellists include Louise Collins, head of project development & services UAE and head of engineering and energy Middle East & Africa at JLL; and Nadine Atta, senior director of design at The First Group. In detailing JLL’s digital growth, Collins talks about how the company is leveraging data transparency to make greener buildings. She commented: “JLL currently created a digital twin for Abu Dhabi, allowing us to have platforms of levels of data to visualise the supply chain of assets. This will help us to really leverage data transparency and technology, and share that information to make buildings more energy efficient.” Similarly, Atta said: “Technology has really helped us to advance design. We are using technology to design and deliver the right products to the end user.” She concluded: “Technology is helping us utilise our time better and minimise trial and errors.”| WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION | 28 JANUARY 2023 With the launch of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategy, the country aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making it the first Middle East and North Africa nation to do so. According to the recent World Green Building Council’s ‘Beyond Buildings Report’, the macro urban environment is responsible for 75% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, with buildings alone accounting for 37%. Considering this, the industry must demonstrate a willingness to make changes in order to meet the WorldGBC’s targets for the sector. These targets include achieving at least 40% less embodied carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving 100% net-zero emissions by 2050. The panel was titled ‘UAE’s sustainability focus to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050’, and was moderated by Sophia Kee, head of Future Ready at WSP in the Middle East. The panellists include Samer Daoud, managing director at KEO Infrastructure, KEO International Consultants; Nancy Hantour, principal nuclear engineer at Atkins; and Nihal Karagoz, senior associate, Environmental Planner, at AECOM Middle East. Daoud is a qualified civil engineer who has formerly served as a senior infrastructure leader in WS Atkins and WSP Middle East. Before joining KEO, Daoud was the CEO of MECIC, a regional contracting company. Karagoz specialises in environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring, and has achieved results with an analytical and efficient engineering approach. Similarly, Hantour has over 20 years of nuclear and power experience between Canada and the UAE and joined Atkins in 2022 to support key nuclear and renewable energy projects in the Middle East. Daoud commented: “When we’re talking about CO2 and the urban transformation in the market, we’re really going into the direction where we have an objective of how these urban cities are impacted. So for us to be able to perform, we really need to look at those cities from an urban transformation perspective.” Additionally, Nihal added: “When it comes to sustainability, it is really important to understand what we need to conserve, what we need to regenerate, and identify the areas that need the most help.” The macro urban environment is responsible for 75% of annual global greenhouse emissions, reported WorldGBC. UAE’S SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS TO ACHIEVE NET-ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050 “IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE NEED TO CONSERVE AND WHAT WE NEED TO REGENERATE.” Nihal Karagoz, senior associate, environmental planner at AECOM Middle East| WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION | JANUARY 2023 29 THE WHOLE LIFE COST APPROACH FOR CAPITAL ASSETS The keynote speech, titled ‘The whole life cost approach for capital assets’, discussed the importance of investing in greener projects that do not accumulate additional costs from energy requirements. Delivered by Cynthia Corby, COO for Audit & Assurance for Deloitte Middle East, Corby oversees all key transformation work streams at Deloitte, which include technology analytics, talent, and process transformation. Corby commented: “It’s not about the cost you invest now, it’s about looking at the long-term impact of the project including energy costs for running an inefficient building.” In addition, she also talks about the need for comprehensive programmes that specifically analyse cost-related issues. “We really need a comprehensive programme to solve cost-related issues that we encounter on a daily basis,” she started. “We have debated this and thought that this really requires a transformation journey to enable collaboration and establish a road map based on the asset management principals.” Corby concluded: “Construction is one element of the life cycle - with a particular focus to increase GDP and forward direct investment.” “IT’S NOT ABOUT THE COST YOU INVEST NOW. IT’S ABOUT LOOKING AT THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF THE PROJECT INCLUDING ENERGY COSTS FOR RUNNING AN INEFFICIENT BUILDING.” Cynthia Corby, COO for audit and assurance (A&A), Deloitte Middle East FIRESIDE CHAT: Communication for collaboration - challenges and opportunities The last fireside chat focused on the importance of collaboration in the construction industry. It highlighted the challenges, as well as the opportunities of effective communication in a fast-paced world. Moderated by Ranju Warrier, Editor-in-Chief of Construction Week, the session featured Tala Alnounou, MENA head of marketing at LWKP. Alnounou talked about creating a collaborative environment while building a confident relationship between all stakeholders. She said: “When there is understanding, it becomes easier to see where someone is coming from.” Fireside chat with Waleed Khaled on modular construction in the UAE.The conference took place on 29 November at the Taj Exotica Hotel, The Palm.Next >