Join the #1 financial centre for accessing public and private capital When you join the number one global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, accessing sovereign wealth is just the beginning. Our 1,100+ start-ups and growth stage firms have raised over USD 4 bn, including accessing capital from the region’s largest cluster of institutions, family offices, private equity companies, venture capital businesses and banks. DIFC based wealth and asset managers are now overseeing over USD 720 bn in AUM from private and public markets in the region. No wonder the industry chooses DIFC as their catalyst for growth. Join the number one: difc.ae/business/make-an-enquiry Untitled-2 1Untitled-2 131/01/2025 10:4131/01/2025 10:41FEBRUARY 2025 3 THE FUTURE IS NOW (AND IT’S WEARING A HARD HAT) Scan to learn more and register for our events! Julianne Tolentino Associate Editor If you’ve been in construction long enough, you know the industry isn’t exactly famous for embracing change at lightning speed. But here we are in 2025, with AI-powered tools, drones delivering site materials, and predictive algorithms telling us where the next bottleneck will be before it even happens. This month, we dive headfi rst into the transformative power of technology in construction. From automating tasks that once required armies of people to redefi ning how projects are designed and delivered, AI and tech have now become essential at site; a teammate of some sort. Sure, they don’t share the coff ee machine gossip, but they make up for it by saving millions in cost overruns. On another note, our cover star this month is none other than Muhammad BinGhatti, Chairman of Binghatti Properties. His take on luxury real estate is turning heads—and not just for their striking architectural designs, but also for the lifestyle they create. Flip to page 34 and you’ll understand what I mean. Speaking of fl ipping through pages, inside, we’ve got an eclectic mix of stories that celebrate progress and pause to refl ect on challenges. If you’ve ever been stuck in a debate over concurrent delays (pg 24), you’ll know it’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. Lucky for you, we’ve decoded it with the help of Aytug Ozkan, Director at TBH. At Construction Week, we’re inspired by how the industry is fi nding its rhythm between the past and the future, tradition and tech. Yes, the machines are getting smarter, but it’s still human ingenuity driving these projects to life. Enjoy the issue, stay curious, and remember—while tech might be the future, your hard hat and hustle are still irreplaceable. Signing off ! Untangling concurrent delays: Concurrent delays remain a hotly debated topic in forensic delay analysis, with industry inconsistencies and complex challenges often complicating dispute resolutions PAGE 24 Budget mastery: Overcoming the complexities of construction cost management in the MENA region with Procore’s unifi ed platform PAGE 42 Tourism tides: A deep dive into the UAE’s future landscape including how tourism is transforming the UAE’s economy, real estate, and identity PAGE 28 From desert to destination: Dubai’s megaprojects are transforming its skyline, driving innovation, luxury, and global appeal in real estate, tourism, and sustainable development PAGE 44 MUST READ THIS ISSUE EDITOR’S LETTER CW_Feb2025_3_Editors Letter_13498057.indd 3CW_Feb2025_3_Editors Letter_13498057.indd 303/02/2025 12:5403/02/2025 12:544 FEBRUARY 2025 CONTENTS 14 STAT OF THE MONTH Abu Dhabi launches two new bridges, reducing traffi c delays by 80% 16 CITY FOCUS Bahrain launches the fi rst phase if its Khalifa City project 1614 COVER STORY From Dubai to the world, Chairman Muhammad BinGhatti leads Binghatti in redefining luxury real estate with ground-breaking designs and a flair for the extraordinary 34 CW_Feb2025_4-5_Contents_13495410.indd 4CW_Feb2025_4-5_Contents_13495410.indd 403/02/2025 12:5403/02/2025 12:54FEBRUARY 2025 5 18 24 42 18 DAY IN THE LIFE Kerem Cengiz, Managing Director - MENA at LWK + Partners walks us through a typical day in his life 22 NEWS Construction resumes at the Jeddah Tower, set to soar above 1,000 metres 24 OPINION Aytug Ozkan, Director at TBH explores forensic delay challenges in the industry 30 INSIGHTS Detailing why soil investigation is the hidden hero of construction success 42 COST CONSULTING Overcoming the complexities of construction cost management in the MENA region 22 30 CW_Feb2025_4-5_Contents_13495410.indd 5CW_Feb2025_4-5_Contents_13495410.indd 503/02/2025 12:5603/02/2025 12:566 FEBRUARY 2025 6 FEBRUARY 2025 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 Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Associate Editor Julianne Tolentino +971 4 444 3855; julianne.tolentino@itp.com Deputy Editor Shehzin Shaikh +971 4 444 3719; shehzin.shaikh@itp.com Commercial Editor Angitha Pradeep +971 4 444 3278; angitha.pradeep@itp.com ART Art Director Amjad Ayche amjad.ayche@itp.com Art Editor Tofiq Memon tofiq.memon@itp.com 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 Commercial Manager Om Mehta +971 58 214 3579; om.mehta@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager Ahmad Amer +966 11 512 2570; ahmad.amer@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events Eleanor Ashton eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events & Marketing Manager Kate Galaktionova Associate Events Manager Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager Maria Trishina Event Sales Executive Jan Mokoala Events Administrative Assistant Aronn Pureza Events Administrative Assistant Bobbie Rosario Events Sales Assistant Joyce Salonga events@itp.com PRODUCTION Production Manager Balasubramanian P 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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To fl ip through previous editions of Construction Week Middle East magazine, visit constructionweekonline.com/emagazines/digital-magazine PUBLISHED BY AND © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 6 FEBRUARY 2025 CW_Feb2025_6_Flannel_13495405.indd 6CW_Feb2025_6_Flannel_13495405.indd 603/02/2025 12:5703/02/2025 12:57FEBRUARY 2025 7 After wrapping up the 2024 line-up, Construction Week Middle East is gearing up for more exciting events in 2025. As we step into the fi rst quarter of the year, we are excited to host industry-leading conferences and awards once again. These include our fl agship Leaders in Construction Conference in September and our Construction Week Awards: Middle East in November. EVENTS CALENDAR For more information on our events, contact Kate Galaktionova, Events & Marketing Manager (kate.galaktionova@itp.com). For all awards-related inquiries, contact Eleanor Ashton, Head of Events (eleanor.ashton@itp.com). If you would like to be one of our partners and take advantage of our sponsorship opportunities, contact Moutaz Gadelhak, Commercial Director (moutaz.gadelhak@itp.com), or Om Mehta, Commercial Manager (om.mehta@itp.com). *Dates are subject to change at the editorial team’s discretion* EVENTS 2025 CALENDAR 1925 FEBRUARYFEBRUARY CONFERENCECONFERENCE CW_Feb2025_7_Events_13512807.indd 7CW_Feb2025_7_Events_13512807.indd 703/02/2025 12:5703/02/2025 12:57ONLINE 8 FEBRUARY 2025 Safa Siddiqui, renowned for her appearance on the hit reality show Dubai Bling, has been appointed CEO and partner of Decisive Living, a Dubai-based luxury real estate fi rm. She joins forces with Dyuti Parruck, popularly known as “Mr Golden Visa.” GEMS Education is launching its most ambitious project yet—a $100 million School of Research and Innovation (SRI) in Dubai Sports City, set to open in August 2025. The campus will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a helipad for parents and an Olympic-size swimming pool. Nakheel has unveiled its latest masterpiece, the Beach Collection at Palm Jebel Ali, a selection of bespoke luxury villas designed by six internationally acclaimed architecture fi rms. The project features 10 distinct architectural styles tailored to complement the island’s oceanfront setting. Scoring 70 out of 100, JBR remains a hub of activity with its white sandy beaches, trendy restaurants, and lively atmosphere. Globally, “Jumeirah Beach Residence” sees 33,100 searches each month, showcasing its appeal as a vibrant, beachside destination. WHAT'S TRENDING ONLINE co ns t r uc tion w e ekonline.co m Dubai Bling star joins Decisive Living as CEO GEMS unveils $100mn ‘School of the Future’ Nakheel reveals its latest masterpiece A guide to Dubai’s top neighbourhoods WHAT OUR READERS THINK... From tenders and contract wins to major updates on Saudi gigaprojects How new methods of construction are taking centre stage “Gigaproject updates? This is the spot”—Omar Khalid, Operations Manager “Sharp, snappy, and always relevant”—Rania Saeed, Architect CW_Feb2025_8-9_Trending_13506526.indd 8CW_Feb2025_8-9_Trending_13506526.indd 803/02/2025 12:5803/02/2025 12:58ONLINE FEBRUARY 2025 9 The Top Residential Launches of 2024 is a list that celebrates the most remarkable residential developments launched across the UAE this year. These projects epitomise innovation, luxury living, and sustainable design, shaping the future of urban living in one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets. Each featured development has been carefully selected for its unique qualities that set it apart in an increasingly competitive landscape. REVEALED: The top 15 residential projects launched in 2024 FEBRUARY 2025 9 ONLINE CW_Feb2025_8-9_Trending_13506526.indd 9CW_Feb2025_8-9_Trending_13506526.indd 903/02/2025 12:5803/02/2025 12:58Next >