AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION AUGUST 2025 • ISSUE 826 In par tner ship wit h Samana De v eloper s Meet Imran Farooq, the man behind Samana’s rapid rise to the top of Dubai’s off -plan game FORWARD FUTURE CW_Aug2025_00_Cover_13667029.indd 101/08/2025 14:41difc.com #VisitDIFC Explore More BEYOND ELEGANCE, BEYOND EDGE Explore a curated mix of 100+ homegrown and international fashion brands at DIFC. Untitled-9 102/08/2025 21:13AUGUST 2025 3 AUGUST, UNINTERRUPTED Scan to learn more and register for our events! Julianne Tolentino Associate Editor Ithought August would be quiet. I even planned to catch up on emails, clean out my inbox, maybe read a few tender documents without interruption. But by the time the fi rst week rolled in, so did the press releases, contract announcements, and a surprising number of meeting invites labelled urgent. So much for summer slowdown. This August, instead of the usual lull, we’re witnessing a full-blown sprint, especially in the road infrastructure space. Projects are being awarded at a pace more suited to Q4 than the dog days of summer. If this is the industry on holiday mode, I’d hate to see it caff einated. Our cover star this month fi ts right into that theme of unexpected momentum. Imran Farooq, CEO of Samana Developers, isn’t easing into anything. He’s climbed into Dubai’s top fi ve off -plan sellers, but he’s not stopping there. With plans to venture into contracting now taking shape and a remarkably agile backward integration strategy in place, Farooq is shaping a business model that challenges industry norms. Also in this issue, we dig into the region’s roadworks revival; who’s winning what, where the asphalt is going, and why contractors who had blocked out August for admin are suddenly dusting off their bidding teams. Wherever you’re reading this from; a job site, an office, or at a relaxing yacht in Mykonos, I hope this issue gives you a moment to pause, catch your breath, and maybe even enjoy the fact that August, for once, refused to sit still. Signing off ! Project Launches Unveiling the most anticipated, innovative, and creative project launches, ranging from ultra- luxury residential developments to waterfront communities PAGE 20 Designing the Future City Why integrated, sustainable urban development is the blueprint for tomorrow PAGE 40 Inside the world of Squid Game Beyond the gripping plot, Squid Game stands out for its architectural brilliance and immersive set design, bringing the show’s deeper themes to life PAGE 36 Digital Urbanism What French city, Pau, can teach the Middle East about truly smart urban spaces PAGE 42 MUST READ THIS ISSUE EDITOR’S LETTER CW_Aug2025_3_Editors Letter_13655309.indd 328/07/2025 19:174 AUGUST 2025 CONTENTS 14 STAT OF THE MONTH The region is reshaping the global sports landscape through major investments, tech innovation, and youth-focused strategies 18 DAY IN THE LIFE Leila Sobek, Founder and Director of BMA Studio walks us through a typical day in her life 1814 COVER STORY Meet Imran Farooq, the man behind Samana Developers’ rapid rise to the top of Dubai’s off-plan game 26 28 CW_Aug2025_4-5_Contents_13655310.indd 431/07/2025 16:54AUGUST 2025 5 34 40 46 34 CONSTRUCTION SAFETY Unpacking how evolving safety regulations are reshaping Saudi Arabia’s construction landscape 36 DESIGN Beyond the gripping plot, Squid Game stands out for its architectural brilliance and immersive set design 40 OPINION Why integrated, sustainable urban development is the blueprint for tomorrow 46 URBANISATION What French city, Pau, can teach the Middle East about truly smart urban spaces 48 REAL ESTATE Why savvy investors are ocking to Ras Al Khaimah for their next big purchase 36 48 CW_Aug2025_4-5_Contents_13655310.indd 531/07/2025 16:556 AUGUST 2025 6 AUGUST 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 Features Writer Pranati Yekula +971 4 444 3238; pranati.yekula@itp.com Project Editor Heather Cichowski Associate Project Editor Beatriz Valero 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 Commercial Manager Aanchal Sharma +971 52 796 3674; aanchal.sharma@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events Eleanor Ashton eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events Manager Beverly Stanforth Events Manager Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager Maria Trishina Event Sales Executive Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant Joyce Salonga Events Administrative Assistant Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Senior Production & Distribution Manager Balasubramanian P 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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CW_Aug2025_6_Flannel_13655311.indd 628/07/2025 19:17WHERE CONSTRUCTION’S FINEST TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT November 20 | JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai • Health & Safety Initiative of the Year • Engineer of the Year • Infrastructure Project of the Year • Contractor of the Year • Residential Project of the Year • Project Manager of the Year • Sustainability Initiative of the Year • Supplier of the Year • Inspiring Woman of the Year • Developer of the Year • Architecture Firm of the Year • Rising Star of the Year SCAN TO NOMINATE NOMINATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 31 FOR COMMERCIAL ENQUIRIES moutaz.gadelhak@itp.com FOR TICKETING ENQUIRIES events@constructionweekonline.com Untitled-10 102/08/2025 21:15ONLINE 8 AUGUST 2025 The long-awaited Zayed National Museum, a landmark cultural institution in Saadiyat Cultural District, is set to open its doors to the public in December 2025. The museum is poised to become one of the UAE’s most iconic and architecturally signifi cant developments. New Murabba awarded the design contract to UK-based Arup, for the iconic 45,000-seat stadium being developed as part of the World Cup 2034 preparations. The ‘smart, sustainable and bold’ infrastructure landmark is being built within the mega $50bn New Murabba development. Qatar Foundation has secured a signifi cant legal victory as an International Chamber of Commerce’s arbitration tribunal has ruled in its favour in a hospital construction dispute, awarding it approximately $275mn (QAR1bn) in compensation, with an award on costs to follow. KAFD earned a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest continuous pedestrian skywalk network, a 15.46-kilometre climate-controlled marvel that redefi nes urban connectivity and walkability. The network seamlessly connects 95 buildings across 42 elevated skywalks. WHAT’S TRENDING ONLINE co ns t ruc tionwe ekonline.com Zayed National Museum to open in Dec 2025 New Murabba awards design contract to Arup Qatar Foundation secures $275 million payout Saudi’s KAFD earns Guinness World Record 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_Aug2025_8-9_Online_13655312.indd 828/07/2025 19:18ONLINE AUGUST 2025 9 If contractors are the backbone of construction, suppliers are the muscle, powering projects with materials, equipment, and seamless logistics. A strong supply chain is the lifeline of on- time, on-budget delivery, ensuring quicker closeouts, tighter security, and smarter project tracking. From steel and concrete to glass, timber, and cutting-edge tech, suppliers provide the essential ingredients that bring blueprints to life. We spotlights key businesses, materials providers, and service specialists that elevate the industry. TOP CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIERS Here are the leading construction suppliers you should know about in 2025 AUGUST 2025 9 ONLINE CW_Aug2025_8-9_Online_13655312.indd 902/08/2025 20:53Next >