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December 13, 2024 wicsummit0

Aldar has signed a strategic US $626mn deal with Dubai-based H&H Development for one of the largest commercial tower acquisitions registered in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The deal will harness the expertise of Aldar and H&H Development, bringing forward an exceptional, world-class development, said a statement.

Designed by architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, the tower is targeting LEED Platinum certification. With flexible floorplates for tenant customisation, the tower will offer a blend of multi-tenanted and single-tenanted spaces to suit diverse leasing needs. Set for completion in 2028, the tower will include commercial and retail space split across 40 floors.

H&H has a number of key projects in DIFC, including the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre and the upcoming Janu Hotel and Residences, which is adjacent to the commercial tower acquired by Aldar.

The transaction reflects Aldar’s commitment to further scaling its Grade A commercial portfolio and positions the company as the only UAE developer with commercial assets in both ADGM and DIFC.

The acquisition also complements Aldar’s recent expansion into Dubai’s commercial real estate market, with the acquisition of 6 Falak, the development of a Grade A office tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, and a mixed-use joint venture with Expo City Dubai.

Aldar Group CEO, Talal Al Dhiyebi, said: “Expanding into Dubai’s DIFC marks a significant milestone in our growth, providing Aldar with key exposure to the emirate’s financial centre. This acquisition not only diversifies our commercial portfolio but also responds to the sustained demand for high-quality office spaces, driven by a favourable macroeconomic backdrop and the UAE’s position as a global business hub. As we continue to expand in Dubai, this tower will serve as a flagship asset, delivering flexible, premium commercial spaces that meet the evolving needs of multinational and regional businesses.”

Shahab Lutfi, Chairman of H&H Development, commented: “This underscores H&H Development’s commitment to bringing together the best architects, designers, and operators, which will further enhance the DIFC skyline and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global business hub, with Grade A commercial spaces that set an international benchmark for premium quality.”

The post Aldar and H&H join forces for premium DIFC tower appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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December 12, 2024 wicsummit0

Nokia announced the opening of ‘NextGen Lab’ providing an interactive environment for local businesses and partners to experience and explore Nokia’s latest technologies. The Lab is in Riyadh district, Laysen Valley, and aims to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure ambitions as outlined in its Vision 2030 strategy.

With the growing interest and initiatives on OPEN RAN, increased demand for private networks and smart city solutions, as well as the rapid deployment of 5G & 5G-SA in Saudi and in MEA, there is a need for adoption of advanced mobile network technologies in the region. Therefore, in collaboration with leading technology partners such as Dell Technologies the Lab will demonstrate Open RAN, enabling flexible and interoperable networks that meet the demands of an increasingly connected society.

The Lab will explore innovative technologies such as O-RAN and Cloud RAN through Nokia’s anyRAN approach and Nokia’s commitment to open, flexible networks that drive industry collaboration. This includes multi-vendor interoperability and advanced carrier aggregation to achieve high-speed connectivity.

The Lab will also focus on developing and testing smart city applications that empower industries to explore new business models, optimise operations, and enhance security. It will also explore solutions that support Saudi Arabia’s environmental targets by researching energy-efficient solutions designed to reduce carbon emissions and optimise power consumption.

Ali Jitawi, Market Unit Head of Mobile Networks at Nokia, Saudi Arabia said, “Saudi Arabia is a technology innovation hub in the MEA region, with ambitious digital transformation initiatives under Vision 2030, making it an ideal testing ground for next-generation solutions. The launch of the Nokia NextGen Lab in Riyadh therefore reflects our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision for a connected, digitally advanced society. By providing hands-on access to next-generation technologies, we’re empowering local industries to unlock the benefits of modern connectivity. This lab represents our dedication to driving digital growth and supporting the Kingdom’s leadership in the regional digital transformation journey.”

Although based in Saudi Arabia, Nokia’s NextGen Lab is open to Nokia’s partners from across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, providing enterprises and governments with access to cutting-edge connectivity solutions.

The post Nokia launches NextGen Lab in Riyadh to support Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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December 12, 2024 wicsummit0

The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is changing rapidly. While innovation is robust, point solution advancements have not dramatically improved overall design processes. As a result, AEC companies continue adopting new disconnected software tools while being frustrated at failures to design faster and collaborate more effectively.

Meanwhile, building information modelling (BIM) has been touted for decades as the mechanism to improve design collaboration, improve take-off calculations and reduce onsite construction issues—all challenges faced by AEC companies. Unfortunately, all BIM software data exists in silos, and designers continue to operate in the context of stale data, which limits design productivity improvements.

Consider this question: what if your AEC business could say goodbye to the common industry experience of using dozens of unintegrated applications that slow projects and raise costs? For many, the answer is you can. Many AEC companies can boost productivity by adopting a single multidisciplinary design tool to design capital assets and infrastructure. Read on to learn the ultra-collaborative benefits of letting multiple teams use one design solution with continuously up-to-date data.

Accelerate capital asset and BIM design processes using a single multidisciplinary tool

Capital asset development produces large volumes of data that’s stored across multiple systems and databases. Furthermore, AEC design teams typically use disjointed design tools and apps that work in silos. Moving data between these applications can be time-consuming and involves many spreadsheets and other ad hoc documents, affecting quality and the bottom line.

What’s the business impact? Project leaders struggle to visualise their data, manage it and gain insights for decision-making. With so many design tools and systems used simultaneously, potential issues may not be identified until the construction stage, resulting in additional costs, unpredictable design change processes and delays.

The good news is that you can reduce these challenges using a single integrated, multi-discipline product design solution that enables data to flow seamlessly between applications. Your data will always be accessible and up to date, and you’ll eliminate the error-prone manual processes involved in moving data between applications.

Integrate your engineering teams to design faster and reduce costs

With the tremendous capital project investments in the AEC industries, businesses must quickly improve inefficient design processes and workflows.

By adopting a single, multidisciplinary design tool, your company can:

  • Accelerate BIM execution goals by combining multiple disciplines (e.g. electrical, piping, HVAC, steel structures, structural, etc.) into a collaborative, integrated engineering environment with robust enterprise data management capabilities.
  • Develop and visualise all possible design configurations while managing change requests during the various development process phases
  • Improve quality and reduce costs with simplified validation and verification processes that improve design integrity and sustainability
  • Reduce the total cost of design software ownership through ‘value-based licensing’ which provides designers faster access to the full range of design functionality without having to acquire more licenses

A construction industry leader uses multidisciplinary design software for improved efficiency and profitability

The Obermeyer Corporate Group (Obermeyer) is an independent engineering consultancy that offers technical and integrated planning for nearly all fields of construction planning, including buildings, transportation infrastructure, energy and environment.

The company needed to unify its IT environment and establish a consistent and integrated planning process, including its BIM process. In this Obermeyer case study, you’ll learn how they:

  • Supported standardisation and optimisation of processes and best practices
  • Fully leveraged 3D planning as part of the BIM process
  • Achieved consistency across processes
  • Realised shorter planning cycles while delivering higher-quality construction plans
  • Improved profitability and operational efficiency

Embrace collaborative design to quickly create and document capital assets

To design next-generation capital assets while meeting BIM goals, AEC businesses need multidisciplinary collaboration between teams from different disciplines, including architecture, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other stakeholders.

Using multidisciplinary software, teams can coordinate better to create a more integrated and efficient design. The result? In scenarios like BIM design, changes are incorporated, and multiple teams will work on the most up-to-date datasets throughout the asset lifecycle. Teams can also detect issues early on, estimate required changes and implement them efficiently.

To learn more about using a multidisciplinary approach for better AEC and BIM project outcomes, watch the recent webinar by Siemens: Unravelling the AEC & BIM spider web: The case for integrated solutions.

The post Unleash BIM’s potential appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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December 12, 2024 wicsummit0

Highlighting their vision for future mobility, the Road Transport and Authority (RTA) emphasised the importance of public-private cooperation in achieving 25% smart and driverless transportation in Dubai by 2030. The importance of collaboration between different entities, including private and public partnerships, to create a business model and ecosystem for innovative mobility was discussed.

Under Dubai’s Self-Driving strategy, 25% of all transportation trips in Dubai will be smart and driverless by 2030. This transformation is expected to deliver far-reaching benefits, including improved quality of life and happiness, a 12% increase in safety, a 12% reduction in emissions, and a 20% increase in mobility efficiency, to name a few.

The discussions showcased Dubai’s vision of future mobility, featuring multiple modes of transport, including robot taxis, driverless metro, self-driving buses, and marine services. Emerging technologies such as the Hyperloop, vertical take-off and landing solutions, peer-to-peer shared mobility systems, AI-driven guidance tools, and sustainable options like electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles were also discussed.

Khaled Al Awadhi, Director, Transportation Systems Department, Roads and Transport Authority said, “The success pillars for Dubai’s innovative mobility projects include leadership and vision, team building, knowledge and capabilities, innovation, infrastructure support, and a supportive economy. Collaboration between public institutions and technology providers is crucial in creating an innovation ecosystem. The private sector plays a vital role in testing, certification, and research and development for autonomous transport solutions in Dubai.”

Other key discussions centred around the automotive industry’s move towards greater efficiency and sustainability. Trends such as electrification, climate-neutral solutions, connected mobility, autonomous driving, and Mobility-as-a-Service are driving the next wave of advancements, laying the groundwork for a revolutionary shift by 2030.

The post Collaboration is key to accelerating future mobility in the UAE says RTA appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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December 12, 2024 wicsummit0

Saudi oil giant Aramco has announced the signing of a Joint Development and Cost Sharing Agreement (JDCSA) with TotalEnergies and Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) to assess the development of a sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production unit in the Kingdom. The collaboration will draw on the expertise of the three partners to develop a SAF production unit, able to convert local residues from the circular economy, such as used cooking oil and animal fats, into suitable fuels for the aviation sector.

The deal was signed in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, while on an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.

On the strategic collaboration, Aramco President & CEO, Amin H. Nasser said, “With demand for air travel forecast to grow, it’s becoming imperative to address aviation emissions through lower-carbon alternatives such as sustainable aviation fuels.”

“This is where major global energy companies like Aramco and TotalEnergies can play a part, by collaborating to help meet this need. Addressing transport emissions requires a wide range of approaches and Aramco is pursuing a number of potential innovative solutions, as we seek opportunities to make an impact. We already have a well-established partnership with TotalEnergies and this new collaboration demonstrates our intent to explore ways to leverage our combined strengths, in this case with a view to establishing a sustainable aviation fuels plant in the Kingdom with SIRC. As Saudi Arabia’s tourism and aviation sectors expand, this could potentially benefit both domestic and international airlines.”

Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies added, “We are delighted to be partnering with Aramco and SIRC to study the production of sustainable aviation fuels in the kingdom. By leveraging our collective expertise, we can take a further step towards the decarbonisation of air transport together.”

“SAF is at the heart of our company’s transition strategy, as we strive to meet the aviation industry’s demand to reduce its carbon footprint. Saudi Arabia is emblematic of our multi-energy strategy aimed at supporting the energy transition of oil and gas producing countries. This SAF production project contributes to the country’s Green Initiative and Vision 2030’s objectives,” he concluded.

The post Energy specialists sign sustainable fuels agreement appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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December 11, 2024 wicsummit0

Gensler has published its 2025 Design Forecast Report and identified design trends that will impact the real estate and built environment in 2025, emphasising a new age of city centre design that is human-centered to include adaptable spaces.

With forward-thinking research and strategic advice, the trend report empowers clients and industry partners to tackle today’s critical challenges and create a positive impact in their communities, said a statement from the firm.

“This year’s Design Forecast demonstrates how bold, visionary design can address global challenges and make a tangible impact. We are at a transformative moment in our industry, one that demands groundbreaking ideas and innovative solutions to enhance the human experience. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about design’s potential to shape a sustainable future that inspires and positively impacts people in meaningful ways,” said Tim Martin and Tariq Sheikh, Co-Regional Managing Directors and Principals at Gensler Middle East.

The report highlights five key trends shaping the future of cities, the global surge in sustainable design, and what is driving the built environment across the Middle East in 2025:

  • Experience-driven lifestyle districts reignite global cities – Mixed use lifestyle and entertainment districts will take centre stage in 2025 as the new anchors for cities looking to drive community engagement and bring people together around visceral shared experiences. Hospitality, retail, sports, and residential spaces make up the mix of these experience-driven areas, the rise of which is also driving demand for safe streets and reliable transit options
  • Demand for sustainable design supercharges innovation and value – The sustainable surge is also driving demand for game-changing innovations in construction processes and the materials industry. Adaptive reuse of old buildings, energy-efficient designs, weather-scenario planning, and other green techniques are anticipating local climate challenges, while reducing waste and carbon emissions. Solutions such low- or no-carbon interior finishes and furnishings, and zero-carbon cement are leading the materials revolution

  • Deeply discounted buildings drive a conversion boom: As the cost of capital comes down, 2025 will usher in a new financial environment that will inspire developers to seek out creative conversions of all types. Specifically the Middle East region is expected to see conversion from hospitality to healthcare, sports to retail, office to residential and more
  • The workplace of the future has arrived: In 2025, tenants will continue to search for workplace experiences that motivate employees and meet their professional aspirations. Class A buildings close to transit and within the 20-minute lifestyle mix. In Abu Dhabi, Gensler’s design for a cybersecurity firm applies urban design principles to create a multi-functional workspace
  • Luxury housing meets growing demand: Attainable market-rate housing becomes the number one priority for cities around the world in 2025 as new financial incentives and lowering interest rates converge with changes to zoning laws and building codes to create an attractive market for housing developments of all types
  • Mixed-income developments gaining traction, with affordable housing projects balancing rapid urban expansion in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. These initiatives aim to address the needs of a growing middle class, while supporting government ambitions to improve homeownership rates. The integration of smart city concepts, cultural heritage preservation, and green infrastructure is redefining housing in the Kingdom, aligning with its aspirations for a more sustainable urban future

As cities worldwide face evolving challenges, Gensler’s 2025 Design Forecast offers a blueprint for building adaptable, sustainable environments that put people at the center. By advancing adaptive reuse, setting new standards in sustainable materials, and mixed housing solutions, the global teams are re-imagining how design can shape the vibrant, flexible communities of tomorrow, the statement outlined.

The post Gensler identifies key development trends in 2025 Design Forecast Report appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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December 11, 2024 wicsummit0

Gulf Warehousing Company has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, GWC Energy Services, has signed a deal with Saudi Offshore Fabrication Company (OFC) to develop 100,000sqm of ‘Grade A’ logistics facilities at Ras Al Khair Industrial Port.

Under this agreement, GWC Energy Services will develop OFC’s storage and logistics facilities, leveraging its expertise in logistics and energy supply chain solutions to ensure the facilities are optimised to best serve clients’ needs.

After signing the deal with Engineer Fahhad Alharbi, Chief Executive Officer of OFC, Matthew Kearns, Deputy CEO of GWC commented, “This collaboration represents a significant step in our expansion strategy and reinforces our commitment to strengthening our footprint in the Saudi market. Recently, GWC has also signed a head of Terms with GFH Financial Group (GFH) to develop 200,000sqm of Grade A logistics facilities across key locations in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Combining the expertise of GWC Energy Services with the capabilities of OFC will drive operational excellence and efficiency.”

“This collaboration also underscores our dedication to strengthening our regional presence through strategic partnerships with leading companies, further cementing our position as a leading logistics and supply chain solutions provider across the region,” he added.

 Established in 2022, OFC emerged as the first Saudi company specialising in manufacturing offshore rigs and providing comprehensive offshore logistics support to drilling contractors, offshore platforms, and subsea pipeline projects for Saudi Aramco and other key players in the Gulf region, said a statement.

Funded by Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures and the Saudi Social Development Bank, OFC is strategically positioned at Ras Al-Khair Port, close to the world’s largest offshore field, Safaniyah, and the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services, the largest full-service marine yard in the Middle East, it concluded.

The post GWC to develop Ras Al Khair logistics hub appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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December 11, 2024 wicsummit0

Musanadah has announced a partnership with CoolPlanet, an energy efficiency and decarbonisation solutions firm in Ireland, with a signing ceremony at the Irish Embassy in Riyadh. The collaboration marks a step in Musanadah’s mission to support the Kingdom’s Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 economic diversification program, together with its commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2060.

Musanadah Energy and Sustainability Services and will combine its local market expertise and extensive relationships with CoolPlanet’s international engineering prowess to deliver innovative and comprehensive energy and sustainability services to both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. These services are designed to help clients significantly reduce their carbon footprint, optimise energy usage, and unlock energy savings through advanced data-driven solutions, said a statement.

Musanadah certified by Saudi Energy Efficiency Centre as an energy services company (ESCO), has been granted both a level 2 energy services companies license and level 3 industrial energy audit license. This development underscores its technical capability to manage end-to-end decarbonisation and energy optimisation solutions on a range of assets in the built environment, including mega-projects, oil and gas plants, and industrial facilities.

From detailed assessments and advanced engineering analysis to complex engineering project delivery, Musanadah empowers its clients to make informed data-driven decisions. This is followed by ongoing, real-time monitoring, ensuring measurable results in terms of energy savings and carbon reduction.

“We are thrilled to partner with CoolPlanet to deliver world-class energy and sustainability services,” commented Rami Alturki, President & CEO of Alturki Holding, Musanadah’s parent company. “This partnership aligns with our dedication to drive impactful change, support the Kingdom’s environmental targets, and deliver tangible results for our clients.”

Norman Crowley, Chairman of CoolPlanet commented, “Today marks a pivotal moment as CoolPlanet exclusively partners with Musanadah to advance the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Saudi Green Initiative and drive meaningful action toward Net Zero by 2060. Together, we’re not only elevating sustainability standards but also paving the way for impactful, innovative solutions that will set a benchmark for environmental stewardship across Saudi Arabia and beyond.”

Distinguishing the combined Musanadah and CoolPlanet offering is the ability to provide a full suite of services under one integrated digital platform. Clients benefit from seamless monitoring and management, from the plant room to the boardroom, using multiple data points that feed into a single enterprise-level solution. The platform delivers real-time insights through a custom-built, dynamic dashboard, showing a clear glide path to achieving energy savings and financial goals, the statement explained.

In addition to the technology platform, clients will benefit from Musanadah’s support team on the ground in Saudi Arabia to guide and assist with decision-making. This combination of cutting-edge technology and hands-on support ensures clients fully realise the potential of their energy and sustainability programs.

With this collaboration, Musanadah and CoolPlanet are positioned to play a pivotal role in helping organisations across Saudi Arabia and Bahrain achieve their sustainability targets, reduce costs, and contribute to the region’s broader environmental goals.

The post Musanadah announces deal with CoolPlanet for Energy and Sustainability Services appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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December 11, 2024 wicsummit0

Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has announced that a total of 16 utility project developers have now been pre-qualified for the sixth round of solar projects coming up across the Kingdom. These will provide an overall power capacity of 3,000MW.

The projects are being implemented under the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) which is led and supervised by the Ministry of Energy. The Round 6 solar projects comprise the 1400MWac capacity Najran Solar IPP and 600MWac Darab Solar PV IPP in the Southern Province, as well as 600MWac Samtah Solar PV IPP and 400MWac Sufun Solar PV IPP in the Central Province.

The list of the pre-qualified bidders includes global players such as French utility majors EDF Renouvelables and Total Energies; Japanese heavyweights Marubeni, Sumitomo and Jera, as well as Korean groups Kepco and Korea Western Power. This is in addition to Chinese utility majors Spic Huanghe Hydropower and Jinko Power (Hong Kong) and leading Singaporean energy and urban solutions provider, Sembcorp Utilities.

The 3,000MW solar projects also saw several Saudi groups bidding, both on their own and in consortium with global firms. Among those now pre-qualified by SPPC, the major names are Nesma Renewable Energy; Al Jomaih Energy & Water and Al Gihaz Holding Company; as well as Alfanar Company in consortium with PowerChina and FAS Energy, with Saudi Electricity Company.

UAE-based Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar); Kahrabel, the regional unit of French utility major Engie (in consortium with Korean group Posco International) are also in the race.

The post 16 companies bid for KSA mega solar projects appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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December 11, 2024 wicsummit0

Parsons Corporation has been awarded a US $53mn, three-year contract by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) in Saudi Arabia for program management office (PMO) services on its Main and Ring Roads Program.

“We are proud to call the RCRC a long-standing client of ours and are honored to be working on the Main and Ring Roads Program alongside them,” said Martin Boson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Parsons’ Saudi Arabian operations. “With Riyadh being the most populated city in Saudi Arabia, the program plays a fundamental role in facilitating the smooth mobility of people and vehicles within the city in the safest and most efficient way possible.”

Under the contract, Parsons will be the PMO for all new major road development programs in Riyadh, providing overall management and control of construction activities. The program includes approximately 500km of new and improved road corridor works. Key objectives of the program are to keep the city moving during construction and also to meet the requirements associated with the growth plans for the City of Riyadh, including tackling congestion and hosting global events such as the Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034.

RCRC is responsible for delivering several megaprojects in Riyadh which are being developed by government agencies who have been tasked with realising the country’s Vision 2030 programs. Parsons has been a trusted partner in delivering critical infrastructure in Europe and the Middle East for over 65 years and currently has more than 50 active projects in Saudi Arabia, said a statement.

Parsons has been working with RCRC for over a decade on projects including the city transportation masterplan for Riyadh and has provided program and construction management services for the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport, with the Riyadh Metro as the centerpiece along with a new bus network. The Main and Ring Roads Program will provide a critical interfacing layer within this transformational, multi-modal system, it added.

The post Parsons awarded $53mn three year contract for Roads Program in Riyadh appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews