< Previous| CITY FOCUS | 10 SEPTEMBER 2023 The emirate plans to collect ‘clean data’ from hotels and attractions against 10 performance metrics including carbon offsets, land ll diversion, and more T ourism in Ras Al Khaimah has experienced a notable expansion in recent years. The emirate has strategically focused on diversifying its economy, with tourism playing a crucial role in achieving this goal. Most recently, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) recorded its highest-ever half-year arrival numbers as the emirate welcomed 600,000 visitors between January and June 2023. Reinforcing its position as a destination of the future, the results follow a series of strategic investments, partnerships and initiatives to boost tourism, setting a path for continued growth in 2023 and beyond. “2023 is shaping up to be the emirate’s best year to date, with our fi rst half results proving the effi cacy of moving fast, staying relevant and just getting things done,” said Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “It’s essential that we remain agile and RAS AL KHAIMAH CHARTS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WITH AN INNOVATIVE TOURISM STRATEGY its sights on the emirate becoming a regional leader in Sustainable Tourism by 2025. The key to achieving this goal is its Sustainable Tourism Strategy Implementation Plan – Responsible RAK, created in partnership with EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientifi c benchmarking, certifi cation, and advisory group for travel and tourism. This involves collecting ‘clean data’ from hotels and attractions against 10 performance metrics, from carbon off sets to landfi ll diversion, gender parity to Emirati employment, in order to assess where they are on their sustainability journey and establish actions to help them progress. Over 20 tourism businesses in the Responsible RAK program are expected to achieve Silver Certifi cation by the second half of 2023. Recently, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority was awarded Silver Certifi cation, making it the fi rst EarthCheck-certifi ed tourism authority in the region. RAK recorded 600,000 new visitors in H1 2023 continue to develop Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism off ering and create diverse and inspiring experiences for all. We have big ambitions and are confi dent that we will exceed our targets for 2023.” On a mission to not only protect its natural assets but also engage the growing cohort of responsible travellers, the Authority has set LEARNING FROM LEADERS OF THE KSA CONSTRUCTION SECTOR CONSTRUCTIONWEEKLIVE.COM SCAN TO VISIT WEBSITE FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES Moutaz Gadelhak Commercial Director, Construction Week Middle East T: +971 4 444 3177 M: +971 58 287 6309 E: moutaz.gadelhak@itp.com FOR EVENT ENQUIRIES Parul Rana Conference Producer T: +971 4 444 3226 M: +971 58 215 9280 E: parul.rana@itp.com Construction PartnerReal Estate Partner 5 Tuesday 5th September 2023 Crowne Plaza Riyadh Al Waha, Riyadh, KSA Silver SponsorSilver SponsorSilver SponsorSilver SponsorBronze SponsorBronze Sponsor Gold SponsorGold SponsorGold SponsorGold SponsorGold SponsorGold Sponsor Silver SponsorSilver SponsorSilver SponsorSilver SponsorSilver SponsorSilver Sponsor Bronze SponsorBronze SponsorSupporting Partner Bronze Sponsor12 SEPTEMBER 2023 | A DAY IN THE LIFE | A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER NICOLAS DIRECTOR, TBH 6:00am: I usually start the day with exercise, then I quickly read my emails to ensure that I am across any outstanding issues before the day starts. I then help get the children ready for school, have breakfast with them, and drop them off. I try my best to spend time with them in the morning to ensure they start the day positively. 8:00am: I aim to get to the office by 8am and plan out my key tasks for the day, including any preparation for meetings that I need to attend. Working within a global team, I use the morning to connect with my colleagues in our Australia and Asia business units, addressing international business requirements. 10:00am: Mid-morning, I engage with my partners and the senior team to address any live project issues, requirements, and actions, as well as prospective opportunities. I also address any operational issues within our UAE and KSA teams. From time to time, we have mid- morning team meetings and enjoy a late breakfast together. 12:30pm: Lunch is a great time to catch up with colleagues. It’s customary for our team to have lunch with new starters to ensure they feel welcomed to the team and allows us to spend time together informally. I also like to meet with key clients for lunch. It provides a relaxed environment to discuss projects and any key actions that need to be taken. 2:00pm: Early afternoon I like to focus on regional business development and marketing initiatives. During this time, I catch up on any new project announcements and make time to read Construction Week Online! I also allocate regular time to any live project submission requirements, ensuring we are on track as I don’t like rushing to meet deadlines. 4:00pm: I try to keep this time free for anything that may come up during the day. It may be spending more time on business development and marketing initiatives, or meeting with my partners and the senior team to address any pressing requirements. 6:00pm: I normally head home around this time and take the children to their after-school activities. Then we get them ready for dinner and bedtime. I like to spend time with the children discussing their day. 8:00pm: After the children are asleep, I’ll help my wife prepare our dinner. We normally go for a long walk after dinner to catch up and talk. I find it a very relaxing way to end the day. Alternatively, we will catch up with our friends. At times I will need to continue working, but I try my best to avoid this as I prefer addressing work matters after a good night’s sleep. www.glaze.ae/ MARBLE | GRANITE | QUARTZITE | ONYX | TRAVERTINE | PRECIOUS STONE | PORCELAIN14 SEPTEMBER 2023 | REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT | EYWA R.evolution reveals its Banyan-tree-inspired residential project in the UAE European luxury real estate developer, R.evolution, has launched its fi rst residential project in the UAE, Eywa. LEED Platinum, WELL Platinum, and HealthTechPro certifi ed, Eywa features a selection of 48 exclusive residences, with sizes ranging from 3,064 to 16,256 square feet and two penthouse apartments located over 19 stories. Inspired by the Banyan tree and the Southern Sky Column, Eywa’s architecture is distinctive from fi rst glance, showcasing circular open columns, an organic weave of branches, and an enticing interlace of roots. The project is rooted in the compelling concept of ‘wild luxury’ and wellbeing, with design features that enable inhabitants to build a deeper, truer connection with their selves and their surroundings. Providing seamless connectivity throughout the city, Eywa enjoys a prime location in close proximity to the city’s fi nest restaurants, shopping centres, and attractions, giving it a unique competitive advantage. The development is scheduled to be completed by 2026, and will serve as a gateway to extraordinary lifestyle experiences in the heart of Dubai. The project is designed by Open AD and Brewer Smith Brewer GroupEywa is set to be completed by 2026SEPTEMBER 2023 15 | REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT | Eywa’s interiors and exteriors are inspired by the Banyan tree16 SEPTEMBER 2023 | OPINION | MUSEUM METAMORPHOSIS: TECHNOLOGY TAKES CENTRE STAGE ACCIONA Cultura’s Director of Strategy, Alex Manresa, discusses why he believes modern-day museums ‘need to be spectacular’ Over the last thirty years, cultural institutions have realised they have to move with the times, both in terms of the content displayed and the way they present it, if they want to appeal to younger generations. “Culture” is hard to defi ne. UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals consider it a basic necessity: no one disputes that culture and its consequences - knowledge and talent - are the main source of richness for any country. This is the view of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategic plan, which believes it is “indispensable to our quality of life” and considers Saudi culture a productive sector that could benefi t the country. In short, culture is a foundation for social and economic progress, something that must be protected. It is thanks to this need to protect that cultural institutions have become true guardians of countries’ diff erent legacies, both tangible and intangible. But how have cultural institutions in general, and museums in particular, evolved over the last thirty years to reach their audiences and, above all, remain relevant to younger, hyper-connected and highly digitised generations? The changes have mainly come through technology but in two The Sustainability Pavillion, Expo 2020 DubaiSEPTEMBER 2023 17 | OPINION | The National Museum, Oman “Culture is a foundation for social and economic progress, something that must be protected” diff erent ways. Technology has disrupted the way we run museums, and the museums themselves have also been changing with technology. Over the last thirty years, they’ve become increasingly interactive, with exhibitions aimed at making them more participatory and welcoming, where there’s always room for fun and surprises. SPEARHEADING CHANGE As a company specialising in creating museums, ACCIONA Cultura - which was founded in the nineties following the Seville Expo ‘92 in Spain - has witnessed fi rst-hand (and spearheaded) these changes, both in the way projects are designed and implemented, and in the way they’ve become increasingly interactive with an even more diverse audience. It’s hard to imagine now, but at the ‘92 Expo, practically everything was hand-drawn or sketched paper plans, and orders for something as complex as a World Expo were done by fax. Since then, we have signed more than 2,000 projects in 44 countries on fi ve continents. These include nine World Expos, including Dubai 2020; major national museums such as those in Qatar, Oman and the Zayed Museum in the United Arab Emirates; and iconic projects such as the Real Madrid Experience. These are projects where there’s more and more focus on the public and visitors, where they’re the centre of these spaces and encouraged to participate. HARNESSING THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY Technology has also played an increasingly important role, both in what visitors don’t see - such as managing these spaces - and in the exhibition resources. Some examples of technologies that have radically changed the way exhibition content is presented include fl at and touch screens, LED technology in lights and video projectors, and the huge increase in digital media storage capacity. Connecting with new generations of museum-goers should be a balance between harnessing the many possibilities off ered by new technologies, and using content that captures the attention of the youngest visitors. This doesn’t mean that museums have to become more like entertainment venues. Museums can’t and shouldn’t compete with the stimulation and instant gratifi cation of video games, but they must consider new social realities, new methods of communication, and new concerns, interests and sensitivities. In short, modern-day museums must be fun, diverse, and participative and include a certain element of surprise. They need to be spectacular. Alex Manresa, Director of Strategy, ACCIONA Cultura18 SEPTEMBER 2023 | PROJECT PROFILE | REDEFINING COMMUNITY LIVING IN THE HEART OF UAE Bloom Holding’s latest project in Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, blends Mediterranean charm with Middle Eastern elegance, offering an innovative, integrated residential experience With its latest project, Bloom Living, UAE-based real estate developer Bloom Holding is taking the lead in the changing dynamics of the country’s real estate market. Nestled within Zayed City, this community blends the Mediterranean’s charm with the Middle East’s sophisticated elegance. A stone’s throw away from the Abu Dhabi International Airport, the design of Bloom Living paints an evocative picture, combining Spanish architecture, lush green landscapes, and cobblestone pathways to evoke a sense of serenity. Sprawling across 2.2 million square metres, this gated community is more than just homes; it’s a tapestry of culture, design, and innovation. Once completed, the all-inclusive, fully integrated development will off er a diverse range of over 4,500 units, including villas, townhouses, and apartments, which are expected to cater to a wide demographic. Designated as an investment hotbed, Bloom Living, according to its developer, is an experience. The kaleidoscope of ethnicities, cultures, and age groups will fuel a living environment ripe for connection, integration, and genuine human interaction. INTEGRATED LIVING Central to this community is a large lake, around which residents can walk, run, and cycle on designated trails. In terms of other amenities, the community features multi- purpose amphitheatres and Sunset and Sunrise Plazas with spectacular views, which can be utilised for gatherings and leisure activities. Meanwhile, fi tness and health enthusiasts are catered to with impeccable accessibility to various facilities, including places of worship and two international schools, to foster an active lifestyle. According to the developer, the real essence of Bloom Living is its commitment to integrated living. Within the confi nes of the development, occupants will have the advantage of SEPTEMBER 2023 19 | PROJECT PROFILE | “We believe that Bloom Living serves as a representation of the modern Abu Dhabi – a cosmopolitan, multicultural and aspirational hub” seamlessly integrated green spaces catering to nature enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the central clubhouse further augments the community’s appeal, facilitating access to swimming facilities, sports amenities, recreational zones, and a dedicated wellness centre. Anchoring Bloom Living is a strategically positioned Town Center furnished with essential retail provisions, including a supermarket and a diverse range of F&B outlets. MILESTONE TO KNOW Having launched the fi rst three phases of this all-inclusive, fully integrated community, Bloom Holding’s initial phase, Cordoba, is expected to be completed by Q4 2024. It will be followed by its second phase Toledo in Q2 2025 and, subsequently, phase three, Casares, in Q1 2026. Cordoba’s units include two- and three- bedroom townhouses, ranging from 150m2 to 170m2, while detached villas vary from three to six bedrooms, with sizes between 250m2 and 515m2. Toledo’s units comprise two- and three- bedroom townhouses spanning from 120m2 to 171m2. Detached villas in this segment off er three to fi ve bedrooms, ranging from 254m2. to 428m2. Likewise, Casares features two- and three-bedroom townhouses, each measuring between 120m2 to 171m2, with unit prices starting at $440,000 (AED 1.6 million). Cordoba and Toledo’s phases have sold out completely, and 90% of the units in Casares have been reserved. Additionally, enabling works for Cordoba have been completed, with a primary contractor appointed and 25% of its units fi nalised. For Toledo, the main contractor has been assigned to ensure the construction follows the planned handover schedule. These milestones underscore the developer’s commitment to creating communities that embody all dimensions of purposeful living. Commenting on the project, Carlos Wakim, CEO of Bloom Holding, said: “With Bloom Living, we aim to off er a community that goes far beyond providing a nice place to live. Our multi-generational destination has everything one could possibly need to lead a fulfi lling and meaningful life. Moreover, Bloom Living has been cleverly designed so that all the facilities, amenities and services are within walking distance for every resident. “Bloom Living is a lifestyle destination designed to create a true sense of community with an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. With retail, residential and recreational spaces seamlessly integrated, we provide residents with everything they need at their doorstep. “We believe that Bloom Living serves as a representation of the modern Abu Dhabi – a cosmopolitan, multicultural and aspirational hub in which people of all backgrounds can fl ourish. We fi rmly believe that fully integrated communities are the future, with Bloom Living as a shining example of tomorrow’s community living.” Carlos Wakim, CEO of Bloom HoldingBloom Holdings’ latest project is located within Zayed City in Abu Dhabi Bloom Holding has launched the rst three phases of its integrated community project, Bloom LivingNext >