Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) announced the issuance of a package of administrative decisions to implement Law No. (3) of 2015 (as amended by Law 2 of 2025) related to the regulation of the emirate’s real estate sector.

The decisions enhance the effective implementation of the law, further strengthening transparency and governance within the emirate’s real estate market. These are aimed at establishing a more flexible and clearly defined legislative framework that aligns with international best practices. In addition, the decisions respond to the sector’s rapid growth ensuring the law is applied in accordance with well-defined regulatory requirements, DMT noted.

The package comprises 4 administrative decisions addressing key stages across the development, regulation and management cycle of real estate development projects in the emirate. The decisions include: regulating the mechanism and controls for disbursement from real estate project escrow accounts prior to 20% project completion; regulating property ownership rights and the management of jointly owned properties and common facilities; approving the bylaws governing owners’ committees; defining compensation ratios, refund periods, and procedures for purchasers of cancelled units which are resold in accordance with Article (3/17) of Law No. (3) of 2015 (as amended by Law 2 of 2025) concerning the Regulation of the Real Estate Sector in Abu Dhabi.

These decisions form part of Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position as an international investment hub in the real estate sector, by developing a flexible legislative environment that supports real estate developers, protects investors’ rights, and is in line with future growth requirements. This approach ensures effective market governance and safeguards investors’ interests in parallel, reinforcing the markets’ competitiveness at both the regional and international levels.

The decisions enhance the legal and contractual relationships among the various stakeholders in the real estate market by providing a comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures a balanced alignment of interests between developers, investors, and owners. It defines the roles and responsibilities of developers, property management companies, and owners’ committees, contributing to the establishment of an integrated and collaborative relationship among the parties that supports the sustainability of real estate projects – particularly with respect to the management of common facilities and the role of Owners’ Committees.

In addition, the decisions enable real estate developers to implement projects, while protecting buyers’ rights and safeguarding their funds. The decisions further introduce a flexible and efficient mechanism aimed at reducing disputes between developers and unit purchasers, enhancing the efficiency and diversity of the real estate market.

Decision No. (24) of 2025 on the mechanism and controls for disbursements from real estate project escrow accounts prior to achieving 20% project completion, focuses on regulating withdrawals from escrow accounts before the completion threshold stipulated under the Real Estate Sector Regulation Law. This is achieved by introducing clear controls linked to the submission of bank guarantees and approved cost estimates, with the aim of safeguarding purchasers’ funds and preventing any unregulated use of monies deposited in project escrow accounts.

While Decision No. (25) of 2025 addresses the regulation of jointly owned property by establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the management of real estate assets, common parts and shared facilities. The decision defines the respective roles and responsibilities of owners, developers, and property management companies.

Rashed Al Omaira, DG of ADREC said, “The issuance of this package of executive and regulatory decisions represents an important step in advancing the mechanisms for implementing Law No. (3) of 2015 (as amended by Law 2 of 2025) governing the real estate sector through the adoption of flexible executive tools that can be adapted to market dynamics.”

“These decisions enhance the efficiency of sector regulation and reinforce the principles of transparency and governance, supporting investor confidence and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading real estate destination,” he stated.

He added, “They establish a clear executive framework ensuring balanced contractual relationships, strengthening the protection of all parties’ rights, and supporting the speed and efficiency of procedures applied across the market.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Muzinich & Co has opened an office in ADGM marking the next step in its investment journey in the Middle East. The office will be led by Filomena Cocco, Managing Director, Global Business Development.

Justin Muzinich, CEO, Muzinich & Co commented, “Our presence in the ADGM reflects our belief in the region’s long-term future. As a privately-owned firm, we are committed to building lasting partnerships and see a natural alignment with the UAE’s vision for growth. We are proud to be part of the ADGM’s continued development and the broader evolution of the region.”

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer, ADGM said, “We are pleased to welcome Muzinich & Co. to ADGM. Their decision to establish a presence here reflects the depth, maturity and global connectivity of ADGM’s financial ecosystem, underpinned by a robust regulatory framework and a strong community of global financial institutions. Muzinich’s expansion also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international hub for capital and long‑term investment, offering global firms a stable and well‑connected platform to serve regional and international markets.”

Filomena Cocco, Managing Director, Global Business Development remarked, “We have been consistently impressed by the vision and entrepreneurial spirit of investors in the region. There is a strong willingness to think ahead and back innovation particularly in areas such as AI where vision and long-term ambition are key.”

Muzinich has been active in the region for several years, building relationships across the Gulf Cooperation Council. The ADGM office formalises this presence and reflects its established approach of working alongside local partners and developing its network within a region’s financial ecosystem. The new office positions Muzinich to support investors increasing allocations to fixed income and private credit.

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Nesma Infrastructure & Technology has announced that it has secured a new contract from Saudi Energy for the construction of a 132/33 kV substation in the central region of Saudi Arabia.

The project work involves modernisation of the existing substation mainly designed to enhance network reliability and support the growing power demand in the region.

As per the contract worth US $34.6mn, Nesma will provide engineering, procurement and construction services as well commissioning of the new substation.

The entirety of the work will be completed within a  2 year period, it added.

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Following seasonal rainfall in the UAE, LEAD Development showcased its advanced water management system at Jubail Island. The system is said to demonstrate how thoughtfully designed infrastructure can transform natural conditions into long-term environmental and community value.

The island’s integrated water system, designed as part of LEAD’s commitment to sustainable and future-ready development, works closely with its natural environment. Instead of relying solely on traditional drainage networks, the system captures rainwater through strategically placed retention ponds throughout the landscape.

These ponds, thoughtfully incorporated into parks and public spaces, collect runoff during heavy rain. This helps minimise surface flooding and reduces strain on conventional drainage systems. Over time, the stored water gradually seeps into the ground, aiding groundwater recharge and supporting the growth of native vegetation across the island, the firm said.

This approach reflects a broader shift in Abu Dhabi’s development strategy. Infrastructure is increasingly being designed to enhance environmental resilience, while improving quality of life. At Jubail Island, this vision translates into a nature-led lifestyle. Residents are closely connected to their surroundings and experience the environment as a living ecosystem, it added.

Beyond its role in flood management, the system offers tangible environmental advantages. By reducing dependence on treated water for irrigation and supporting the island’s mangrove habitats, it promotes resource efficiency and ecological conservation. Additionally, the integration of water features into public spaces enhances the visual appeal and overall experience of the community.

The water system is said to be a crucial component of Jubail Island’s comprehensive sustainability framework. This framework encompasses low-density planning, the preservation of natural habitats, and wellness-oriented design principles. These elements collectively establish a harmonious and resilient living environment.

As climate-conscious development gains prominence in the real estate sector, Jubail Island emerges as a remarkable example of how infrastructure can be re-imagined to provide immediate functionality, while ensuring long-term sustainability. This aligns with LEAD Development’s vision of constructing communities that are designed to thrive for generations.

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Acciona said that it has conducted a test of a next-generation reverse osmosis (RO) configuration as part of the European innovation project LIFE INDESAL.

The pilot system underwent nearly 2-years of demonstration at the Leading Experimental Accelerator in Desalination (LEAD) facility, situated at the San Pedro del Pinatar desalination plant in Spain. The trials demonstrated stable and efficient performance, producing high-quality permeate water with total dissolved solids (TDS) levels below 200 mg/L, according to the company.

The project’s results indicate that the new configuration significantly reduces the energy consumption of RO processes compared to conventional systems. This improvement is primarily attributed to the implementation of low-pressure multistage RO, which utilises shorter pressure vessels to enhance flux distribution.

Additionally, this configuration allows for more customised membrane-cleaning strategies to address fouling issues, thereby optimising plant performance while maintaining high water quality, as stated by the company. As water scarcity emerges as an increasingly urgent global challenge, improving the efficiency and sustainability of desalination technologies has become a crucial priority for many water-stressed regions worldwide.

Beyond energy savings, the project delved into innovative methods to enhance the circularity of desalination plants by utilising brine streams generated during the process. During the demonstration phase, the system harnessed renewable energy from brine, producing 0.1kWh per cubic metre of brine through reverse electrodialysis. Additionally, it produced chemical reagents on-site from the same stream using electrodialysis with bipolar membranes.

This approach has the potential to enable desalination facilities to directly generate the cleaning chemicals required for membrane maintenance within the plant. This could lead to increased operational self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on external chemical supplies, as stated by Acciona.

Although the solution is currently in the pilot stage, the configuration developed within the LIFE INDESAL project has the potential to be scaled for use in future seawater desalination plants or integrated into existing facilities through partial retrofits, according to the company.

The LIFE INDESAL project, coordinated by Acciona, has a total budget of US $3.58mn and brings together several European partners, including the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Cantabria, APRIA Systems, REDstack and REVOLVE.

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Nominations for the 2026 Digital Construction Awards are now open, the Big Project Middle East (BPME) team has confirmed. The awards program features several different groups of categories focusing on: people, companies, specialists and projects. 21 Awards are up for grabs in the 2026 edition, the BPME team highlighted.

For 2026, the BPME team noted that the awards program has grown and now features several new categories including: AI & Drone Champion of the Year; Modular Construction Champion of the Year; Precast Concrete Specialist of the Year, and several others. The nomination deadline is 15 May. Read about all the categories by clicking here.

The awards gala will take place on 24 June at a 5-star venue in Dubai, a venue will be confirmed soon, the BPME team said.

Companies across the built environment supply chain are welcome to participate by submitting nominations in categories that are of interest including: developers, consultants, contractors, technology companies and other suppliers, and facilities management firms.

“Since its inception in 2023, the Digital Construction Awards has grown steadily to become a significant regional platform to recognise innovation and the growing role of construction in the built environment from project inception through to handover and use. The inaugural event featured 12 categories and following strong participation and suggestions from players in the industry, we’ve added categories steadily to give companies and individuals a powerful platform to demonstrate excellence. We’ll be recognising excellence across 21 distinct categories in 2026 – the biggest program yet,” said Jason Saundalkar, Editorial Director, Built Environment and Heavy Industry Divisions at CPI Trade Media.

“In addition to new categories, we’ve completely changed our website and the process of nominations. With the latter, participants can now submit multiple nominations (up to 5 at a time), and have the ability to view the entire nomination form in advance. For 2026, there is a nominal fee (with a discount structure for multiple nominations) to submit nominations, however this fee is then credited towards your attendance at the awards gala, so there’s no increase in costs to attend the gala evening,” Saundalkar confirmed.

As before, an independent panel of judges will work with the BPME team to judge every nomination, and the results of the voting will enable the BPME team to create a shortlist and pick winners. The BPME team said it expects to announce the shortlist 2 weeks ahead of the gala event.

Read more about the 2026 Digital Construction Awards by clicking here.

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Dubai Precast has secured a full precast building system contract for 93 G+2 townhouses and 2 residential villas at Meydan, Dubai.

The scope of work includes design, supply, delivery and installation services for the project.

The company said it will focus on external sandwich walls, solid walls, columns, beams, stairs, hollow-core and solid slabs, as well as boundary walls.

In total, the order comprises approximately 18,500cu/m of reinforced concrete and 39,000cu/m of hollow-core slabs, it stated.

According to Dubai Precast parent firm, NSL, design works are currently under way with production set to begin soon. The installation work on the Meydan project is targeted for completion by Q4 2026.

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Dubai’s luxury property market continues to show strong momentum, with developer sales of US $2.9bn in March and a 42% YoY increase in transaction volume to 900 deals. A market analysis from the Keturah luxury brand shows that over the first 24 days of March, the US $5.44mn – US $ 13.61mn sector recorded 79 sales transactions worth US $642.6mn, including 6 off-plan villas bought for between US $11.7mn – US $13.6mn.

Data from DXBinteract reveals that 16 sales transactions in the US $13.6mn – US $27.2mn bracket amounted to US $283mn, and included 9 off-plan apartments which were sold for between Us $13.9mn – US $ 25mn.

“In the circumstances, these figures represent a powerful signal of confidence in Dubai’s premium real estate offering,” said Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand. “We’re seeing sustained demand at the top end of the market, even during a period marked by regional geopolitical tension. In addition, real estate activity historically slows during Ramadan, and it’s significant that prime property in Dubai has continued to attract serious capital.”

Al Gaddah says Keturah Reserve is an example of the new generation of luxury Dubai developments built to withstand disruption, and maintain long-term investor confidence.

“The current situation in the region is exactly the kind of short-term volatility we and other developers in Dubai are prepared for. More and more projects are designed to hold their value in uncertain times,” he says.

He adds, “One strategy is to keep supply low and focus on real health and wellbeing benefits. This is the kind of approach which gives developments natural strength during uncertain periods, and positions them well when conditions improve.”

The developer sales in March were topped by a US $114.9mn luxury apartment on the Jumeirah Peninsula, while transactions above US $27.2mn also included 4 plots at Umm Suqeim First, which fetched between US $34mn – US $41.4mn.

In the US $2.7mn – US $5.4mn range, 150 sales worth US $544mn included 2 off-plan villas each for over US $5.2mn, and 3 off-plan apartments between US $4.9mn – US $5.2mn.

The highest volume of activity came in the US $1.4mn – US $2.7mn sector, which saw 650 sales transactions valued at US $1.2bn, including 7 off-plan apartments each selling for over US $2.4mn.

“When you study the data, as we have been doing since the start of the conflict, you see a continued flow of capital into high-value off-plan properties. This reflects a buyer profile that is typically long-term in outlook and less influenced by short-term factors. These people are highly selective and strategic, and their continued activity at this time reinforces Dubai’s position as a global destination for premium real estate investment,” added Al Gaddah.

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Chestertons recently appointed John Stevens as its new CEO. This step in the firm’s growth across the region signals a decisive move to align leadership with a rapidly evolving market and the requirements of modern investors, the firm said.

With over 3-decades of experience across the Middle East and Asia, Stevens steps into the role of Chestertons’ CEO to guide the next chapter of the firm’s 220-year global legacy, said a statement from Chestertons.

Through his career, Stevens has built a reputation for unlocking the potential of high-performing real estate companies and property portfolios, combining strong entrepreneurial instincts with disciplined financial oversight.

Bringing more than 30 years of international real estate experience across the Middle East and Asia, Stevens takes on the position with a clear vision for the next chapter of Chestertons’ MENA journey. His appointment marks a renewed emphasis on integrated service lines and commercial data-driven strategy as regional markets continue to mature.

In his role, he will prioritise deeper client partnerships and smarter deployment of technology to deliver clearer advice, stronger execution and more consistent outcomes for clients across the MENA region.

This approach will also support the continued growth of Chestertons’ brokerage and valuation capabilities, while expanding professional services such as asset management, building consultancy, project management and hospitality advisory to provide a seamless, end-to-end experience for clients throughout the property lifecycle.

Founded in 1805, Chestertons is one of the world’s longest-standing real estate advisory firms, with a presence in the UAE dating back to 2008. Building on this legacy, the firm now enters a new phase with Stevens at the helm, combining global heritage with deep regional expertise and a forward-looking client-centric approach, the statement noted.

“Having worked in the GCC for many years, I have seen the market move through different cycles and each time the region has shown remarkable resilience and come back stronger. That strength and adaptability are key reasons the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to attract investors from around the world, and these attributes have shaped Chestertons over 220 years,” said Stevens.

“At moments like this, our role is to arm our clients with the competitive edge that comes from integrated expertise, and the insight needed to make high-stakes decisions with total confidence. Looking ahead, my focus is on ensuring our regional platform is the most responsive, data-led and value-focused partner delivering meaningful outcomes for investors across the region,” he added.

Salah Mussa, Chairman of Chestertons MENA noted, “The regional real estate landscape continues to evolve, with investors placing greater value on trusted advice, strong governance, and data-led insight. John brings the regional perspective, judgement, and industry expertise needed to guide the firm forward while continuing to champion the long-term success of our clients across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.”

“Looking ahead, Chestertons will continue to grow its footprint and service offering in step with the needs of local markets. John’s regional experience and focus on delivering excellence in every client interaction position the firm to build on its legacy with clarity and purpose across Mena,” he added.

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Source: MEConstructionNews