www.glaze.ae/ MARBLE | ONYX | QUARTZ | PRECIOUS STONE | TRAVERTINE | SINTERED STONE | PORCELAIN Surface Solutions, Designed By Nature NatureCONTENTS MAY 2024 • ISSUE 811 824 18 8 STAT OF THE MONTH Over 28% of expats prefer to own property in NEOM 18 TECHNOLOGY Paul Wallett, Regional Director of Trimble Solutions ME talks about the possibility of aerial construction in outer space 28 QATAR SPECIAL REPORT Special report sheds light on Qatar’s construction sector as well as the intricate tapestry of Qatari architecture 46 EVENTS The Women in Construction conference, held in March, examined ‘soft’ skills and policies to sharing wins from the classroom to the meeting room MAY 2024 3 28 46 COVER As Qatar moves beyond the World Cup, its construction sector is embracing sustainable and innovative practices, charting a course towards the ambitious targets of Qatar National Vision 2030 4 MAY 2024 After wrapping up the 2023 event line-up, Construction Week Middle East is gearing up for more exciting events in 2024. As we step into the fi rst quarter, we are excited to host industry leading events once again. These include the Leaders in Construction Conference series across the UAE and KSA, as well as Infrastructure Summits and Annual Awards. EVENTS CALENDAR For more information on conferences, contact Priyadarshini Rampuria, Conference Producer (priyadarshini.r@itp.com). For all award-related inquiries, contact Dmitry Lazarenko, Marketing and Events Manager (dmitry.lazarenko@itp.com). If you would like to be one of our partners and take advantage of our sponsorship opportunities, contact Anup Nagpurkar, Group Commercial Director (anup.nagpurkar@itp.com) or Moutaz Gadelhak, Commercial Director (moutaz.gadelhak@itp.com). *Dates are subject to change at the editorial team’s discretion* CONFERENCECONFERENCE AWARDSAWARDS SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER JUNE NOVEMBER Leaders in Construction KSA Summit Leaders in Construction UAE Summit Construction Week KSA Awards Construction Week Middle East Awards EVENTS 2024 CALENDARMAY 2024 5 | EDITOR’S LETTER | BUILDING NEW REALITIES Julianne Tolentino Digital Editor Welcome to the latest issue. This month, we focus on Qatar and the broader Middle East’s construction and real estate landscape, exploring innovation, sustainability, and key industry insights. Our cover feature explores the dynamic expansion and innovation within Qatar’s construction and infrastructure sectors post-2022 FIFA World Cup. It also delves into the ongoing transition aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, detailing the country’s efforts to become a sustainable and economically diversi ed nation. The issue also includes an interview with Gary Dodds, Cundall’s Country Director, providing insights into Qatar’s construction scene. Additionally, we explore Qatari architecture, from its historical roots to contemporary trends. In our opinion pieces, experts address pressing issues. Following last month’s massive rains, Rider Levett Bucknall’s Nick Constantine discusses the impact of ooding on built assets, while JLL’s Steve Blandford highlights the bene ts of greener real estate practices. Meanwhile, ACCIONA’s Julio de la Rosa discusses water desalination as a solution to water scarcity, and ROSHN’s Ghada Alrumayan shares the giga- developer’s innovative approach to urban development. We also spoke with DEPA and Egis, focusing on cities, sustainability, and innovation, and reveal exclusive details from U+A’s hospitality projects in Saudi Arabia and MARCO’s project at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh. Here’s to uncovering opportunities and challenges together. PO Box 500024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates TEL +971 4 444 3000 WEB: WWW.ITP.COM Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve EDITORIAL Group Editor Kate-Lynne Wolmarans +971 4 444 3541; kate.wolmarans@itp.com Digital Editor Julianne Tolentino +971 4 444 3855; julianne.tolentino@itp.com Commercial Editor Angitha Pradeep +971 4 444 3278; angitha.pradeep@itp.com Digital Reporter Mahnoor Bari +971 4 444 3238; mahnoor.bari@itp.com ART Art Director Amjad Ayche amjad.ayche@itp.com Art Editor Tofiq Memon tofiq.memon@itp.com Contributing Designer Muhammed Nahas ADVERTISING Group Commercial Director Anup Nagpurkar +971 4 444 3573; anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Commercial Director Moutaz Gadelhak +971 4 444 3177; moutaz.gadelhak@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager Robert Cole +971 4 444 3417; robert.cole@itp.com Senior Sales Manager Ahmad Amer +966 11 512 2570; ahmad.amer@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Videographer Muhammad Kaleem Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur Social Media & Production Manager Andy Ruedas PRODUCTION Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles DISTRIBUTION Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Website www.constructionweekonline.com NOTICE: The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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Scan to learn more and register for our events!“Going forward, progress will be very visible to the untrained eye” 6 MAY 2024 | QUOTE OF THE MONTH | “WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED IS OUTSTANDING” In a remarkable achievement, Al Habtoor Group announced that it has reached a pivotal milestone in the construction of the much-anticipated Al Habtoor Tower at the iconic Al Habtoor City—the completion of the piling phase. This achievement marks a signifi cant leap in the construction journey of what is set to be one of the world’s largest and most innovative sustainable landmark residential buildings. Located in the prime area of Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Habtoor Tower is advancing rapidly with over 23% of the overall construction now complete. This progress highlights Al Habtoor Group’s commitment to delivering unrivalled luxury and innovation, building on decades of experience and the successful development of iconic projects such as Burj Al Arab, Dubai International Airport Terminals, and the Armed Forces Offi cers Club in Abu Dhabi. Despite the project’s ambitious scale, encompassing a built-up area of 326,768.9m2 over 87 fl oors, the construction has notably advanced ahead of schedule. In record time, the Group has completed all infrastructure work and foundation work, in addition to a large area of the seven podiums, equivalent to 50,000m2 of construction work—a feat that traditionally would require at least two and a half years. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group, stated, “I am proud to announce this major milestone in the construction of the Al Habtoor Tower. As Al Habtoor Group, we always deliver on time, bringing together the best teams to work in unity towards delivering this project. Our commitment to the highest quality, delivered in the fastest time, remains our top priority.” Al Habtoor continued, “What we have achieved is outstanding. Going forward, progress will be very visible to the untrained eye, with the plan to reach up to at least 35 fl oors by the end of this year.” The Al Habtoor Tower is not merely a testament to Al Habtoor Group’s innovative construction techniques but also to its dedication to environmental sustainability. The project has adopted unique construction methods, including the use of the highest steel grade and highest concrete grade for the fi rst time in the UAE, signifi cantly reducing carbon emissions. The construction process also features a TOP & DOWN construction approach, saving a year in construction time and enabling the execution of 350,000m2 of the built-up area in just 1,000 days. The completion of the Al Habtoor Tower within the ambitious timeline of 36 months will be yet another milestone in the developer’s illustrious journey, reinforcing its status as a trusted developer in the Middle East. Al Habtoor Group’s Founding Chairman on the developer’s most recent milestone for its much-anticipated Al Habtoor Tower in Dubai The tower is now 23% completeJoin the global leader: difc.ae/make-enquiry Join the #1 financial centre to access more wealth When you join the number one global financial centre in the region, you can access the highest concentration of wealth in any Middle Eastern city. Nearly 70,000 millionaires live in Dubai. USD 3trn of private wealth is within an hour’s flight and USD 8trn available across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. No wonder more than 340 hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private banking and asset management firms have chosen DIFC, the leading global financial centre in Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, as a catalyst for growth.NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS 241 % OF RESPONDENTS WHO WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR % OF RESPONDENTS PREPARED TO PAY > PREMIUM MARKET PRICE % OF RESPONDENTS LIVING IN KSA FOR OVER 10 YEARS 56% 76% 32% % OF RESPONDENTS WITH A BUDGET < $1MN 41% % OF RESPONDENTS LIKELY TO MAKE A PURCHASE AT ANY GIGAPROJECT 72% % OF RESPONDENTS PREPARED TO PAY < PREMIUM MARKET PRICE 25% 8 MAY 2024 | STAT OF THE MONTH | OVER 28% OF EXPATS PREFER TO OWN PROPERTY IN NEOM Arecent report indicates that nearly one-third of expatriates residing in Saudi Arabia express a preference for owning property in NEOM, a groundbreaking development project in the Tabuk region. According to fi ndings from the inaugural edition of Knight Frank’s Destination Saudi report, 29% of surveyed expats expressed interest in purchasing a residence within the gigaprojects. Among those intrigued by NEOM, specifi c areas garner notable attention: 42% express interest in THE LINE, 19% in Sindalah Island, and 10% in Sharma Valley. Furthermore, the report revealed that 87% of expats surveyed by Knight Frank are willing to invest under $933,000 (SAR3.5 million) in property, with nearly a third (32%) indicating a budget of under $200,000 (SAR750,000). “Saudi Arabia’s gigaprojects represent some of the most ambitious construction ever undertaken and it stands to reason that these new city-sized developments continue to captivate prospective buyers,” said Faisal Durrani, Knight Frank’s Head of Research for the MENA market. He continued, “NEOM has consistently ranked as the most preferred location for Saudis eyeing up future home purchases in the kingdom’s gigaprojects, and it appears that expats too have been wooed by the planned ultra-futuristic off erings at the Belgium-sized $500 billion super-city.” According to Knight Frank, the average expat budget for a home in a gigaproject stands at $720,000 (SAR2.7 million), nearly 58.8% higher than for elsewhere in the kingdom. Expats aged 35 and under would be willing to allocate $1.1 million (SAR4.3 million), more than twice any potential allocation from 45 to 55-year-olds ($400,000 or SAR1.5 million). Findings in Knight Frank’s Destination Saudi report revealed that 87% of expats are willing to invest under $933,000The Biggest and the Only Wood and Woodworking Industry-focused Event in the Kingdom The Arena Exhibition Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 12 - 14 May 2024 Register Now www.woodshowglobal/saudi | info@woodshowglobal.comNext >