Construction Business News ME - February 2023

THE LOOP THE EVOLUTION OF SUSTAINABLE CITIES

DUBAI’S NEXT AMBITIOUS PROJECT AIMS AT CONNECTING MORE THAN 3 MILLION RESIDENTS USING A HEALTHY MODE OF TRANSPORT, TO KEY SERVICES & LOCATIONS BY WALKING AND CYCLING WITHIN MINUTES

THE LOOP

14 PROJECT SAMANA DEVELOPERS to Launch 12 New Projects Worth AED 2.5 billion in 2023

16 PROJECT SELECT GROUP awards over AED 3 billion in construction contracts for newly launched projects

18 SUSTAINABILITY BIN DASMAL GROUP inaugurates Indoor Vertical Farming container model manufacturing unit –EKTHAAR in Dubai

20 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

MOBILE APPS IN FM SECTOR creating new wave of digital transformation

22 MEGA PROJECT SEVEN announces entertainment destination in Tabuk worth over SAR 1 billion at Furas

34 INTERVIEW BUILDING CREATIVE FUTURES

Mohammad Abdullah, president of Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation

(DIDI), talks about the institute’s participation in Dubai Design Week, opportunities for students, and his vision for the future.

40 ECO-WASTE

Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles And Equipment

At World Future Energy Summit 2023

44 CUSTOMER FOCUS

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC APPROACH

Syed Abdul Majeed, General Manager at Latinem FM, to discuss the growth of the company and how their services aim at putting their customer at centre of their services

50 TRUCKS

UD TRUCKS COMPLETES ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR and Expands its Operations in MEENA

52 REPORT ASTECO REPORTS

Renewed Optimism, and Increased Investments

METAVERSE IN CONSTRUCTION

project. This was one of the main focuses in last year's GITEX, which saw record crowds flocking to the trade centre to experience the future.

Even though the construction industry hasn’t fully adopted this technology yet, it has started to show a promising future when you look at the existing metaverse in construction projects such as the Singapore business center, hospital nova, etc.

The idea of implementing the metaverse in the construction sector has been magnified extensively since the advent of Meta. There is high demand and companies are willing to pay a lot for land in the metaverse. Metaverse in construction unlocks modern ways of digitally modeling building projects through game mechanics.

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PHOTOGRAPHER

Metaverse has recently been entering each industry and making its mark and construction is no different. Metaverse is here to give construction clients an immersive experience in exploring their dream

Metaverse is a 3D evolution of the internet. There is still a lot that has to be defined in this VR world, but it has major implications for how we collaborate and work together in the construction industry.

Kasun Illankoon Managing Editor kasun@bncpublishing.net

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SAMANA DEVELOPERS TO LAUNCH 12 NEW PROJECTS WORTH AED 2.5 BILLION IN 2023

The USD 8.7 trillion ‘Dubai Economic Agenda’ is a massive inspiration for Samana which has resulted in them entering the hospitality segment with 5-star hotels projects. A further six projects are undergoing new residential design concepts and have been phased up for H1 2023. The new projects will include 2,400 new units

Samana Developers today released its 2022 performance review and revealed the blueprint for 2023. The statement said the new year ushers an exciting year for Samana Developers as it sets the target of quadrupling, 400%, growth. To materialize it, the company is currently picking up the most suitable locations and best real estate talent with four times larger team in 2023.

Across 2023, Samana Developers plans to launch 12 new projects, including 5-star hotels, worth AED 2.5 billion (USD 680 million). The projects house around 2,400 units.

Samana’s yearly review says that an exciting line-up of first six projects with new concepts have been phased up for H1 2023.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic-related construction challenges and site workforce restrictions imposed by the authorities in early 2022, Samana Developers was able to manage the construction flow and delivered the Samana Hills project worth AED110 million. The developer also launched Samana Waves, Samana Miami and Samana Santorini projects that were 100% sold out.

Imran Farooq, Chief Executive Officer of Samana Developers, said: “2022 remained bullish for Samana

Developers as it set a new trend in the market. I believe innovation and out-of-box approach in real estate are key factors to success in modern Dubai’s real estate market. For example, Samana Developers was the first developer in Dubai which created and set the trend of private swimming pools in residential projects – in nonhotel projects with title deeds. We are proud of it. Today, this trend has been replicated by at least two dozen developers. We will be coming up with new design ideas in our 12 new projects in 2023.”

Samana Holiday Homes

In November 2022, Samana Developers launched Samana Holidays which boosted the investment returns of Samana homeowners from 8 per cent to 15 per cent. Samana initially targeted 500 units and convert them into holiday homes (serviced apartments) for short-term rentals to allow tourists, visitors and holidaymakers to reside. The converted units are expected to generate over AED 38 million in revenue in five months. Moreover, Samana Developers fasttracked the construction works of

AED 130 million Samana Park Views, along Samana Waves and Samana Golf Avenue projects. The Samana Park Views project was launched in September 2021. As of today, four out of its eight slabs have been completed. The superstructure will be completed by end of February 2023 and the project will be delivered in Q2 2024.

“Dubai’s AED 32 trillion (USD 8.7 trillion) Economic Agenda, recently launched by UAE Vice President, ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is a new inspiration for us and for everone. It will play a pivotal role for cross-sector growth, especially the real estate, over the planned next 10 years 2033. We are inspired by it.”, Imran Farooq concluded.

“I BELIEVE INNOVATION AND OUTOF-BOX APPROACH IN REAL ESTATE ARE KEY FACTORS TO SUCCESS IN MODERN DUBAI’S REAL ESTATE MARKET.”

Imran Farooq, Chief Executive Officer, Samana Developers

SELECT GROUP

AWARDS OVER AED 3 BILLION IN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FOR NEWLY LAUNCHED PROJECTS

Select Group an award-winning real estate development and investment firm specialising in a selection of verticals including real estate development, investments, hospitality, and retail has awarded China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East)

LLC, Engineering Contracting Company

LLC (ECC Group), iBUILD Construction LLC and Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM) with construction contracts worth over AED 3 billion, equivalent to over 10 million square feet of development.

Following a record year in development launches and sales, Dubai-based developer Select Group has successfully awarded construction contracts for each of its recently launched projects to ensure its timely commitment to delivering premium products that surpass stakeholder expectations.

iBUILD Construction LLC has been awarded the responsibility of delivering one of Select Group’s most prestigious developments, Six Senses Residence The Palm, Dubai, one of the last available plots on the West Crescent of Palm Jumeriah. iBUILD, a part of Innovo Holding, is renowned for delivering through

its management and construction teams iconic projects such as Marsa Al Arab, Coca Cola Arena, Etihad Museum and other landmarks.

Spread over 1.2 million square feet, the Six Senses Residences development comprises Penthouses, Duplex Sky Villas, nine Signature Beachfront Villas, Six Senses Hotel, and Six Senses Place, a 60,000 sq. ft. premium wellness and leisure facility.

With construction well underway, excavation works completed and shoring in progress, the Six Senses Residences The Palm, Dubai project is on track for its scheduled completion in 2024.

Sameh Fam, Managing Director of iBUILD Construction (Innovo Group) stated: “We are excited to work on such iconic project with a key developer Select Group. We are proud to be the main contractor for the Six Senses Residences The Palm, Dubai project and are committed to delivering operational excellence, playing the role in creating a more sustainable community that will have a myriad of positive impacts. It is a privilege to add this landmark development to our portfolio of hospitality projects and we are looking forward to strengthening our cooperation with Select Group.”

Rahail Aslam, the CEO and founder of Select Group, commented: “Ultraluxurious projects such as Six Senses Residences The Palm, Dubai bring great minds together. Having sourced the bestin-class partners, such as architects and interior designers, to bring this project to fruition, we’re thrilled to be working with iBUILD Construction LLC and look forward to surpassing buyers’ and investors’ expectations.

With four out of six towers completely sold out during the launch stage, the Peninsula Master Development in Business Bay marked a significant milestone for Select Group in 2022.

The developer has awarded contracts for the individual towers of this waterfront community, with works well underway and the completion of the master community scheduled for 2026.

Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM) will be at the forefront of delivering Peninsula Five, The Signature Collection, and the flagship of the development, Jumeirah

Living Business Bay, a branded residence design by Killa Design, the mastermind designer behind Museum of the Future.

Early this year, China Estate was awarded the Peninsula One and Peninsula Two developments, while most recently, ECC Group was successful in their bid to lead the development of Peninsula Three.

“After a successful year of sales for the Peninsula project, our key focus pivots to ensuring that we deliver on our promise both from a product perspective and timeline while adhering to our premium standards and applicable policies.

Based on their track record and the shared commitment to delivering excellence, we are thrilled to partner with Al Basti & Muktha LLC (ABM), ECC Group and China State Construction Engineering Corporation, as well as

sub-consultants and sub-contractors, to bring this landmark development to life,” Rahail Aslam said.

“AFTER A SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF SALES FOR THE PENINSULA PROJECT, OUR KEY FOCUS PIVOTS TO ENSURING THAT WE DELIVER ON OUR PROMISE BOTH FROM A PRODUCT PERSPECTIVE AND TIMELINE WHILE ADHERING TO OUR PREMIUM STANDARDS AND APPLICABLE POLICIES”

CBNME SUSTAINABILITY

BIN DASMAL GROUP

INAUGURATES

Bin Dasmal Group recently inaugurated EKTHAAR, its indoor vertical farming container model manufacturing unit in DIP, Dubai, on December 8, 2022, in accordance with the latest international green building standards and regulations. Bin Dasmal Contracting has taken up the new business vertical of BDG – EKTHAAR.

The creation of EKTHAAR represents the beginning of our commitment to address the need of the hour challenges of climate change and regional food shortages. Utilizing the group’s strengths of strong access to MEP and civil projects, the group are making a positive difference by implementing the 3R concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle and by implementing sustainable greenhouses, indoor vertical farms (IVF), and containerbased vertical farms to responsibly contribute to the agricultural sector.

“Ekthaar envisions, in the longer term, solving broader problems, such as regional food shortages, by locally growing and harvesting fresh produce with greater nutrition and easy accessibility in unused space, available anywhere, while simultaneously protecting the environment for future generations. We do so by growing more with less soil and water,” said Sahul Hameed, General manager at Bin Dasmal Contracting

EKTHAAR offers fresh produce all through the year by using only 5% of the actual soil and water while being able to save 25-30% of the total construction cost by reusing construction waste materials, resulting in a commercially viable solution for tackling the region’s food security issues.

In principle, “EKTHAAR” can reduce the supply chain as the indoor vertical farming container model can be built in any neighborhood and can be easily managed with fewer man hours. Micro-

climate facilitation and maintaining the perfect amount of nutrition inside the container result in faster crop cycles and year-round growth. Unpredictable weather problems and seasonality can be avoided altogether in the indoor vertical farming container model. The use of recirculated water in the container model also ensures conservation of water.

Nutrient-rich cold water is supplied to the root zone of the plant in a controlled environment by maintaining temperature, humidity, and lux by using LED grow lights.

The water temperature, pH, electric conductivity, and dissolved oxygen are continuously monitored at desired levels with minimal human intervention. The EKTHAAR grow facility can cater fresh residue-free leafy greens, lettuces, and microgreens throughout the year. As the system uses a closed-loop fertigation protocol, 95% of nutrients and 95% of water savings are achieved.

Salient points for EKTHAAR are as below:

> Consistent environments make for consistent harvests and yields.

> Dynamic lighting: efficient and powerful LED lights; power modes to optimize lights for fast growth and efficiency

> Precise environmental control Visibility and insight into farming operations through software

> Adaptive air

> Protective insulation keeps extreme weather out while preserving the carefully calibrated interior climate.

> Advanced insulation: temperature, humidity, circulation, and CO2 regulation

> Agriculture in a controlled environment protects against temperature fluctuations, pests, and plant disease.

“EKTHAAR’s primary objective is in line with the UN’s sustainable development goal “Zero Hunger,” which aims to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition, thereby doubling agricultural productivity, ensuring sustainable food production systems, and implementing resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production to maintain ecosystems that strengthen the overall capacity for adapting to climate change by 2030,” said Sahul.

The IVF container model manufacturing units—Ekthaar, BDG’s new business vertical—will produce some of the Group’s sustainable construction IVF brand manufacturing models and provide integrated services along with its BDC wing and support to customers in U.A.E. Most of the prominent clients, consultants, and contractors were present to support the sustainable initiative.

INDOOR VERTICAL FARMING CONTAINER MODEL MANUFACTURING UNIT – EKTHAAR IN DUBAI

MOBILE APPS IN FM SECTOR

CREATING NEW WAVE OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

With the proliferation of facilities management (FM) services, technology has taken the centre stage, transforming practices in the industry. Digital transformation has become a necessity as the industry seeks to meet the ever-evolving requirements of the people. The evolution of technology in the FM sector has created a new paradigm with two aspects to this disruption. The first is automation of the business processes and the other is introduction of a variety of data systems.

But the question that lingers is how the sector streamlines people, processes, and technology for its uninterrupted functioning.

Though the term digital transformation is quite common currently, to leverage its potential it must be endowed with practicality. In the FM sector, the backbone of digital transformation is ensuring better connections and collaborations with the team. As the sector gets more competitive and dynamic, it requires a new environment which ensures enhanced service quality, productivity, and performance.

Surprisingly, this can be attained with the help of simple mobile applications. For ServeU, one of the UAE’s leading FM solutions providers and a subsidiary of Union Properties, this has been a key reason for its smooth functioning.

Recently, ServeU launched two business-to-business (B2B) mobile applications for clients with residential and commercial properties with an aim to enhance customer interaction and satisfaction, especially during emergency situations. The apps enable seamless interactions with the corporates, allows them to make quick service requests and even reschedule booked services. The apps, which are specifically designed and developed on Microsoft’s backend system in Dynamic 365 Field Service, ensure a digitalised FM ecosystem. ServeU believes in the potential of mobile applications beyond the convenience it offers, as it can act as a key catalyst for digital transformation in the FM sector. Digital transformation has become

a critical element in every market and organisations that are reluctant to adapt to changes may end up in turmoil in the years to come. In the competitive market, offering excellent services is one of the key drivers for customer retention and increased profitability. In addition, the companies in the FM sector often come under excessive pressure to achieve operational

efficiency, add value to their business, and reduce costs. By using mobile apps with clear and easily accessible workflows, FM managers can ensure that their service teams are guided through the service tasks, ensuring consistency, reducing customer criticisms, and improving effectiveness. Moreover, mobile apps can be highly helpful in figuring out better, faster, and easier

ways to carry out various tasks. It enables players in the FM sector to easily adapt to market changes and customer requirements, as well as to stay on top of a frequently evolving industry.

Globally, mobile apps for FM services have already transformed facilities management, ushering in a new wave of digital transformation in the sector. Numerous organisations have started integrating mobile devices with wider FM software, as it has the potential to reap enormous benefits by aiding fast, costeffective, and more precise decisions. Furthermore, considering the customer demand which keeps on evolving, FM service providers must be able to respond to these changes in order to retain their position in the market. The new generation of FM mobile applications allows companies to adapt

to these changes through a wide variety of choices from innovative designs to intuitive layouts, and much more. Since mobile technology shows no sign of losing prominence any time soon, the FM sector can widely harness the capabilities of cutting-edge mobile apps.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION HAS BECOME A CRITICAL ELEMENT IN EVERY MARKET AND ORGANISATIONS THAT ARE RELUCTANT TO ADAPT TO CHANGES MAY END UP IN TURMOIL IN THE YEARS TO COME.

Gary REader

ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION IN TABUK WORTH OVER SAR 1 BILLION AT FURAS

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced the beginning of construction of its entertainment destination in Tabuk at the Municipal Investment Forum (Furas), organised by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MoMRA). With a development value of more than SAR 1 billion, SEVEN’s entertainment destination in Tabuk will transform the entertainment landscape in the region with a wide range of attractions and experiences.

Designed by world-renowned architects, Gensler, SEVEN’s entertainment destination in Tabuk is set on

over 72,500 square metres of built-up area and on a land area of 40,000 square metres. Located on King Faisal Road, the entertainment destination is designed as a village nestled between gardens and recreational spaces, creating an extension of this environment within. The entertainment destination welcomes guests under a coloured glass canopy inspired by local arts and traditions. An innovative hydroponic tower, inspired by, and paying homage to, the agricultural contribution of the city to the Kingdom, creates an iconic attraction in the heart of the entertainment destination.

During a signing ceremony at the Municipal Investment Forum, SEVEN awarded the development contract to build

the entertainment destination to AL BAWANI CO. LTD., a leading Saudi-owned and managed company.

Abdullah AlDawood, Chairman, SEVEN, said: “We are excited to be bringing our exciting new entertainment experiences to the people of Tabuk. We have appreciated the city’s rich culture and heritage in the development of our entertainment destination, infusing it with Tabuk’s unique features and ensuring that our destination will cater to the needs of all in Tabuk. Our entertainment destination gates will support the local economy, create job opportunities for the city’s people, and enrich the lives of those living in and visiting Tabuk.”

Fakher AlShawaf, Group CEO, Albawani Holding, said: “We are thrilled to be part of SEVEN’s entertainment project in Tabuk. Our commitment to SEVEN is to deliver worldclass entertainment facilities. The entertainment sector is growing rapidly in the Kingdom, and we aspire to

support it to become a social and economic catalyst.”

Visitors will be offered a wide range of exciting attractions including a 4,000 square metre highly immersive family entertainment centre, a second junior family entertainment centre for the little ones, as well as a Discovery Adventures centre; an indoor attraction that provides a unique edutainment experience that integrates Discovery content developed in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery.

SEVEN’s entertainment destination in Tabuk will also feature an e-karting experience under Mattel’s Hot Wheels brand for both adults and children to enjoy, a 12hole indoor adventure golf course integrating the latest technology to tailor individual experiences, a 10-lane futuristic bowling experience and a 10-screen cinema. There will also be a multi-purpose event space hosting a variety of events and a wide variety of local and international retail, food and beverage outlets.

SEVEN is investing more than SAR 50 billion to build 21 entertainment destinations which will provide unique and innovative world-class entertainment experiences and global partnerships from within the sector. SEVEN recently announced the beginning of construction of its entertainment destination in the Al Hamra district of Riyadh as well as the location of the upcoming projects in 14 cities across the Kingdom: Riyadh, Kharj, Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, Dammam, Khobar, Al Ahsa, Madinah, Yanbu, Abha, Jazan, Buraidah, and Tabuk. Saudi Entertainment Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of PIF, is mandated to invest in, develop, and operate entertainment destinations and create a sustainable entertainment sector that caters to the needs of all in Saudi Arabia, in accordance with the highest and latest international standards.

SEVEN ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION IN TABUK

“WE ARE THRILLED TO BE PART OF SEVEN’S ENTERTAINMENT PROJECT IN TABUK. OUR COMMITMENT TO SEVEN IS TO DELIVER WORLD-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES.”

CBNME ARCHITECTURE

AT THE HEART OF SUSTAINABLE PUTTING PEOPLE DESIGN PRACTICES

BY ELIE MRAD, CHIEF ARCHITECTURAL OFFICER, ARADA

We put people and communities first at Arada. The way we look at it, people lie at the heart of our approach towards architectural design. We conceive spaces keeping dynamic experiences in mind.

Our communities are designed to enhance quality of life by facilitating active lifestyles and greener, cooler, more walkable spaces. We’ve incorporated earthy palettes, brought forth lush green views, accommodated ample facilities, and turned to technological advancements to minimize wastage. Our ethos brings people closer and creates a sense of spatial belonging while remaining mindful of ecological elements. Landscaping is a top priority for our design vision, something that visitors immediately notice when visiting our communities at Aljada and Masaar. Our homes respond to the power of nature and have strong relationship with natural light, natural ventilation and natural materials.

In creating inspirational urban lifestyles, we aspire to set benchmarks for healthier, more socially and environmentally responsible behaviors. We bring the outdoors inward and our indoors outward to bring you closer to nature.

Sustainable practices in architecture are impactful. We use clean, recycled water from efficient sewage treatment plants to hydrate our parks and extensive greenery

at our developments across Sharjah. We also grow our own trees at our nursery, focusing on indigenous breeds including the ghaf, acacia and sidr – we know that trees have ample benefits from providing shade and lowering temperatures, to reducing carbon, and releasing phytoncides.

Over 50,000 trees from Arada’s nursery are being cultivated for our awardwinning forested master-development Masaar, which features seven gated communities containing four thousand homes with views of scenic landscapes. This master-community is designed to benefit from passive cooling thanks to a massive green spine that we have planned with abundant woods and tracks shaded by foliage. We have designed 13 kilometers of uninterrupted looped professional cycling tracks and jogging trails that run through the woodland landscape, with nine active parks and acres of green spaces for walks, picnics and meditation.

There’s also a green spine in the works at Arada’s Central Business District in Aljada, designed to filter airways between alleys to create a natural cooling environment among buildings at podium level. Our design for this modern business district involves lush green walkable public areas to encourage activity, calming views to reduce fatigue, and panoramic windows to maximize natural light and save on power. There are spaces for leisure, collaboration and yoga, trees planted within lobbies, and a distance of just 9 meters between buildings for added shade.

CBNME ARCHITECTURE

Elie Mrad, Chief Architectural Officer,

Flexible and wide, open floorplans enhance collaboration and benefit from floor-to-ceiling windows allowing more natural light. Each office also benefits from smart technology that is part of Aljada’s overall smart city programme, with next-gen solutions for waste and traffic management and smart lighting. We have designed this 4.3 million square foot business park to comfortably accommodate 20,000 employees, catering to their needs and wellness, while supporting better work-life balance with eco-friendly conveniences and facilities. There’s a free electric public transportation system, an e-scooter and bicycle rental system and car charging stations.

Smart city elements and public transport make Aljada all the more sustainable. For example, the introduction of a ‘sustainable lane’ at this community will offer a free electric bus service. We’ve focused on smart tech to heighten sustainability and the circular economy including a Tesla battery wall, solar PV panels and air source heat pumps.

Our push towards sustainability is not limited to our architecture; this focus extends to our social initiatives as well. The Manbat initiative is the result of our partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) to support Emirati farmers, encourage regional produce, and boost the agricultural sector towards selfsufficiency. We display preservative-free farm-to-table produce at our regular farmers’ markets and have just opened our first ever shop at Aljada. The retail design encourages consumer interest in the stories behind the products, while the new physical location also houses an on-site hydroponic farm and encourages educational tours.

All of our communities and public spaces are designed in an expansive, experiential manner to engage students, adults and families, and inspire them with ideas and experiences. Year-round attractions and events make use of our community spaces and foster interactive community spirit along with reducing time and fuel costs for residents.

Sharjah’s heritage, particularly the historic Al Khan district, has inspired

Arada

some of the building design at Aljada – walkable structures situated in close proximity for a shaded, interconnected feel as per Emirati architectural style. Nest buildings and the spaces between them have been shaped according to the wind flow to create shaded and cooled spaces. This heightens student activity and wellbeing. The 380,000 square foot cluster of 12 buildings has ample facilities designed to inspire university students. Equipped with smart technology, there is an art studio, music hall, library, running track, amphitheatre, central dining hall, and gender-specific swimming pools, gyms and study areas for their privacy and comfort.

By designing homes and facilities for university students, younger couples and growing families, we’re designing for the future. The longevity of our vision is in itself a sustainable goal and an ongoing journey.

Rooftop greenery at Aljada is another green feature for passive cooling. The fitness center at Sarab is partially underground and concealed by foliage. These design elements help to minimize energy usage and reduce the effect of

summer heatwaves. Mosques built into the community feature courtyards and walkable entrances with shaded greenery for a serene spiritual space alongside nature.

Our mixed-use neighborhoods are lively, vibrant and environmentally conscious, with accessible eco-friendly areas to connect residents with nature and the green outdoors. Immersive and engaging public spaces provide facilities

for sports, leisure and recreation within the community. There are numerous outdoor and indoor sports facilities at all of our master-communities that encourage play, fitness and fun at multiple levels.

All this, in essence, is living architecture that puts people first and allows them to truly thrive alongside nature for a conscientious present leading to a far more sustainable future.

THE EVOLUTION

THE OF SUSTAINABLE CITIES LOOP

Dubai’s next ambitious project aims at connecting more than 3 million residents using a healthy mode of transport, to key services & locations by walking and cycling within minutes

THE LOOP is planned to connect more than 3 million residents using a healthy mode of transport, to key services & locations by walking and cycling within minutes. It will provide an enjoyable climate controlled all-year environment, to make walking & cycling the primary mode of transport for Dubai’s residents, in line with its new 20-minute city initiative. The aim is to make cycling & walking the primary mode of transport for daily commutes for more than 80% of Dubai’s residents by 2040.

The project is masterminded by URB, a global leader in developing sustainable cities. Kasun Illankoon spoke to the CEO of URB, Baharash Bagherian, to discuss this innovative and sustainable project.

Tell us about URB and what does it focus on?

URB is a highly experienced developer of Net Zero Sustainable Cities. Our mission is to accelerate the world’ transition towards sustainable developments. We also offer our

expertise through urban planning, landscape & architectural consultancy. We also invest in urban-tech start-ups through our incubator program.

Rising population, urbanisation and impacts of climate change are increasing the need for cities to be sustainable, resilient, and smart. Thus, the creation of net zero sustainable cities is no longer a choice, it has become a necessity. This requires planners & developers with experience as well as technical know-how in designing and delivering such projects, which the market currently lacks.

Today we are also at the very early stages in the evolution of sustainable cities, thus the features of a sustainable city is rapidly evolving as urban challenges grow, lifestyle habits change, socio-economic challenges expand and new technologies emerge. The increase rate of climate change is also fuelling new thinking in the planning of the next generation of sustainable cities, for which URB are creating benchmark models for others to follow.

“THE INCREASING CHALLENGES OF RAPID URBAN EXPANSION AND CLIMATE CHANGE, TOGETHER WITH THE NEED OF PROVIDING A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, ARE ALSO FUELING NEW THINKING IN URBAN MOBILITY TO IMPROVE WALKABILITY & CYCLING IN DUBAI.”

There is a true sense of entrepreneurial spirit in our approach to design. Each project is driven by a process of investigation, experimentation and always asking “what if?”. The outcomes of these studies coupled with our expertise in urban planning which embodies years of research, testing, and implementation of sustainable solutions, form the basis of the design. Each project thus presents an opportunity for a new way of thinking, to provide a higher quality of life whilst also protecting the environment.

Our sustainability DNA is also comprehensive and unique. It covers all aspects of sustainability to ensure our designs are holistic, resilient and smart. We implement and monitor our DNA to the highest of standards on each project, thus providing significant benefits to the social, environmental and economic sustainability of cities.

Our international experience, knowledge, and know-how of designing sustainable cities of various scales in different parts of the world is empowering our mission; to be the

global and trusted leader in developing the next generation of sustainable cities, whilst educating people that such cities are commercially viable to construct and operate.

What was the vision behind THE LOOP project?

The project is in line with Dubai’s ambition of becoming a 20 minute city, where residents are able to access daily needs & destinations within 20 minutes by foot or bicycle. Active mobility is one of the critical components for creating healthy liveable cities. In the past few years, Dubai has strived to become the world’s most liveable city and launched the 2040 urban masterplan. As such Urban mobility has become a key priority.

The increasing challenges of rapid urban expansion and climate change, together with the need of providing a high quality of life, are also fueling new thinking in urban mobility to improve walkability & cycling in Dubai. Rapid urbanization has created many problems in the way we travel inside our dense cities. Congestion, safety, air pollution, noise emissions and high levels of CO2 are some of the key challenges that many cities are struggling to cope with. Whilst some cities stagnate in mobility, THE LOOP project in Dubai will provide the world’s smartest cycling & walking infrastructure, which will promote a higher quality of life.

Cycling is a major global trend & a daily source of mobility in some parts of the world. The key challenge in Dubai is that the infrastructure & existing urban fabric is engineered primarily for the use of cars. Thus swapping cars for bikes in an existing highly-developed car-oriented city, requires a seismic shift in urban planning as well as the infrastructure required to enable that shift.

With newly built mega highways & road infrastructures already shaping the way people move around, we need bold visions that will accelerate the transition towards cycling & walking between neighborhoods. Active mobility is more manageable to implement at a neighborhood level, yet at a city-wide level where there are major highways

disconnecting communities and the primary mode of travel is on the road itself, opportunities for creative solutions that are safe, pollution-free, resilient & enjoyable to use 24/7 all year round are required.

THE LOOP will reduce car dependency by enabling urban residents to walk or cycle to essential amenities within a few minutes from their homes.

Tell us about the features of this project?

The multifunctionality of THE LOOP is one of its smartest features as it provides holistic solutions to mobility, resilience, social infrastructure & economic opportunities whilst also providing many environmental benefits. The project will feature pocket parks, wellness facilities, fitness stations & various other amenities for residents and visitors.

The technology integrated into the design is another smart feature. THE LOOP will generate electricity using one of the cleanest and most plentiful energy sources on the planet, footsteps. Human footsteps taken every day will no longer go to waste, as it will be transformed into renewable energy in THE LOOP project in Dubai. THE LOOP also generates additional renewable energy into the grid whilst also providing food security through the many vertical farms which are integrated throughout.

How will the architecture and design allow for THE LOOP to make Dubai more connected?

Beyond providing a 93km loop with running & cycling tracks that are accessible 24/7 in a climate controlled environment, THE LOOP will further connect Dubai through social spaces. The Architecture & design is integrated with various recreational & functional spaces for residents and visitors. The design is also resilient by being able to provide safe & accessible mobility in any event. The design of THE LOOP will provide integrated services across all of Dubai’s highest density districts while enhancing the use of sustainable means of urban transport, to make Dubai the most connected city.

How does the project fit into the Dubai Urban Masterplan 2040?

Mobility is one of the critical components of the 2040 masterplan as well as the recent 20-minute city initiative that was launched as part of the plan. THE LOOP looks to embrace the Dubai 2040 urban masterplan, by providing better connectivity, resilient infrastructures & shared facilities for neighborhoods. It will become the world’s largest urban sharing facility where multiple neighborhoods can share the same amenities, thus also promoting social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

THE LOOP will shift the primary mode of transport in Dubai away from cars & taxis. The aim is to make walking, running & cycling one of the primary modes of transports, whilst providing better social infrastructures & facilities for residents, to make Dubai the best place in the world for living.

The goal of the 2040 masterplan is to make Dubai the world’s most liveable city, which ultimately requires a new way of thinking in Urban Mobility.

Tell us what were the initial challenges that you faced in coming up with this innovative project?

Dubai is currently primarily built for car travel. It’s major road infrastructures & networks have disconnected communities by walking or cycling, thus we need an entrepreneurial mindset in reconnecting these neighborhoods, whilst making cycling or walking the primary mode of transport all year round to any part of the city.

Simultaneously, we also need to take a holistic approach to such infrastructures; to think them as much as spaces and utilities for people, where various leisure & community services can also be provided. These types of infrastructures should be an enjoyable mode of sustainable transport, no matter the weather conditions. Thus to achieve this, we need to re-engineer the future mobility infrastructure in Dubai to become more than sustainable transport systems

One of the biggest challenges is that there is currently a big gap in the

connections between cycling & public urban transport. The more the two are integrated, the easier it will become for Dubai’s residents to combine cycling & public transport on their daily commutes over a long distance. Safety & yearround useability are some of the critical issues, which THE LOOP also provides. THE LOOP will also be connected to existing urban mobility networks.

With the UAE announcing 2023 as the year of sustainability - what initiatives and steps have URB taken to align with UAE’s sustainable initiative? As changemakers in sustainable developments, URB has developed various initiatives to promote sustainability within the industry. This includes the launch of the world’s first incubator for sustainable cities, an R&D programme focusing entirely on developing new solutions for the next generation of sustainable cities. The incubator was as an important step in the evolution of the company’s R&D programme, which aims to be more than a research platform. It will allow URB to transfer its sustainability know-how whilst engaging with the best minds in the world, to create an innovation hub centred around sustainable cities.

We are also investing in UrbanTechnology for the next generation of sustainable cities, whilst fostering a culture of innovation in urban planning. Our aim is to discover, support and mentor the next generation of innovators. These initiatives coupled with our ongoing projects will help us with our mission to accelerate the world’s transition towards sustainable developments.

Do you plan to do more projects like this in the near future?

Yes. Sustainability & innovation in urban planning is in our DNA. We are committed to pushing the boundaries in urban planning & sustainability. As such we will continue creating benchmarks & blueprints for sustainable cities, whilst investing in Urban Tech startups to empower a greener economy in the built environment.

THE LOOP | THE EVOLUTION OF SUSTAINABLE CITIES

“AS CHANGEMAKERS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS, URB HAS DEVELOPED VARIOUS INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.”

futures CREATIVE Building

MOHAMMAD ABDULLAH, president of DUBAI INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND INNOVATION (DIDI), talks about the institute's participation in Dubai Design Week, opportunities for students, and his vision for the future.

DIDI hosted informative workshops and a series of discussions, and your students' innovative works were displayed at Dubai Design Week. What was the common thread between these activities that you wanted to share with design enthusiasts/attendees?

The ultimate message DIDI wants to convey is that design is at the heart of the future world. Our panel discussions and workshops underscored how impactdriven and human-centric design is essential in an increasingly technology-dependent world. Whether we’re talking about living in space or under the sea or we’re talking about smart sustainable cities, we must make sure that all conversations consider the impact on people and the environment. Our faculty explores this subject with students at length, and it’s a message we aim to promote with governments and other academic and private organisations.

What projects and initiatives make you the proudest at DIDI?

Faculty and students are involved in research, discussions and projects that are impressive and ground-breaking – so it’s nearly impossible for me to pick! Our Graduate Exhibition ranks high on the list. It’s the culmination of four years of hard work, learning and curiosity where students present final projects to the public. Last year, we hosted our first one at Dubai Design District. People got to see innovations and prototypes, such as gamified technology to track the development of children with ADHD, an AI and AR app for patients with Dementia and sustainable fashion concepts that show multidisciplinary thinking.

The other point of pride is Project Design Space. It has grown so much in such little time. We have partners like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Health, Expo 2020, Adidas and HP, who challenge students across the UAE and beyond to design solutions to relevant problems in their industries. It is a very fruitful and exciting way for students to learn and engage with experts.

It must be incredibly satisfying to see the students learning and graduating in life. What are your expectations from them?

I hope that our students share forward what they have learned at DIDI. I want to see them imagine and realise a sustainable and inclusive world armed with human-centric and purpose-driven design thinking fundamentals. By introducing other people

Exploring strategic partnerships and industry connections is part of an ongoing effort to keep enhancing the institute’s offerings with more handson experiences .

to this approach, we can start carving a future that leverages the best of technology for the betterment of humankind and the planet.

What is your sense of the institute right now? How do you plan to sustain the momentum that has been built and ensure the institute continues to move forward on an upward trajectory?

Our secret to success has been our commitment to caring and curiosity. We're in a great place as long as these two pillars remain valid for our faculty, staff, and students.

We also plan to grow with our student base to ensure that all students can continue learning in our intimate, interactive classroom environments. As such, we’re always looking for new professors, staff, and speakers who can bring unique perspectives that align with DIDI’s forward-looking approach. We also support our current professors in learning about and contributing to their fields and always be at the cutting edge. Exploring strategic partnerships and industry connections is part of an ongoing effort to keep enhancing the institute’s offerings with more hands-on experiences.

What kinds of opportunities will your students have once your programme is completed?

Students go on to be employed by leading companies within their specialisations, while others go on to found businesses of their own. Some students have even continued developing their DIDI projects after graduating, turning them into complete business models and products. Students can tailor their career path since we teach them technical skills and transferrable skills like design thinking, problemsolving, creativity and empathy that can serve them in every aspect of life.

DIDI takes a fresh approach to training and developing a new generation of multi-skilled, well-rounded creative thinkers and designers

What are some of the biggest challenges?

People are still becoming familiar with design as an academic or professional pursuit. Often, design is instantly associated with disciplines like fashion or graphic design. While that is part of our curriculum, it’s about much more than that – design is integral to the future world, especially as the digital and physical realms overlap. However, conversations around the future of work focus on the role design disciplines will play. Prospective students are more aware, and it is essential that parents and guardians also see the value of this field.

The other challenge is ensuring students can access internship programmes with relevant companies. A lack of structured internship programmes can impact a student’s ability to get real-world experience. It is why such programs and partnerships are built into DIDI’s curriculum but expanding that pool from the professional side is essential for student development.

What is your vision for the institute moving forward?

The demand for courageous, innovative and empathetic minds has never been greater as we head to the fifth industrial revolution and the working relationship between smart technologies and humans evolves. Our students represent that future-focussed cadre of thinkers, innovators and disruptors who will define the world of tomorrow and make an impact.

What are the strengths of DIDI's courses?

First and foremost, the expertise of our faculty. Professors at DIDI are experts in their fields and contribute with research and insights. So, students learn from active industry professionals whose knowledge bank is continuously evolving and growing.

Our curriculum is another strength, crafted with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and The New School's Parsons School of Design. It brings a new, cross-disciplinary approach to design thinking and teaching that instils flexible skills in students to take on a rapidly changing design and digital job landscape. Students must choose from at least two of four disciplines – Product Design, Multimedia Design, Fashion Design, and Strategic Design Management – which integrate design expertise, engineering know-how and business management skills into their educational journey.

What priorities are you looking forward to taking on in the New Year?

Our priority moving forward is to continue spreading the knowledge of what we offer at DIDI to students and parents. Beyond prospective students, we want to make our academic principles available

Beyond prospective students, we want to make our academic principles available to professionals in the industry through more expert and faculty-led workshops and panels.

to professionals in the industry through more expert and faculty-led workshops and panels. Exploring new partnership opportunities and connecting with the industry remains a vital part of our plans. We want to ensure our students get a dynamic learning experience at DIDI, which requires us to innovate our offerings continuously.

DIDI signed an MoU with Gulf Craft on the sidelines of Dubai Design Week. What does this partnership mean for DIDI?

Our goal to create multidisciplinary creative thinkers and designers requires students to transfer their innovative design thinking into real-world, actionable projects. Our partnership with a prestigious brand like Gulf Craft shows how we bridge learning from theoretical to practical at the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI). It awards students a one-ofa-kind opportunity to engage with industry experts and demonstrate how impact-driven design plays a vital part in business success.

IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT THE VALUE OF LOGISTICS

Patrick Gersch, Project Director at Turner & Townsend, discusses the advantages of having a sound logistics strategy for building projects

Astructured, thoughtful, and phased logistics plan integrated into the project schedule is the cornerstone for successfully delivering a programme or project. A logistics plan is crucial for identifying and mitigating productivity, programme, sequencing, interface, and constraint challenges that differ from project to project. Plans for the logistics of a construction site are essential for the secure delivery, fabrication, storage, and installation of materials and the protection of resources and assets. Lack of a logistics plan could quickly result in bottlenecks, abandoned projects, or unsafe conditions that could negatively affect a company’s licences, reputation, insurance, stocks, or even cause fatalities.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits that construction logistics plans can provide to project stakeholders…

Planning Is Key To Optimise Productivity And De-Risk Delivery: Planning a project’s phases, along with a complete inventory of materials and a specific delivery methodology, is an essential component of logistics management. Planning issues or a lack

thereof can easily result in compromised, unsafe, or unplanned shortcuts, abandoned projects, delays, or cost increases. According to the proverb, “If you don’t plan, you plan to fail.”

The level of logistics planning will range from large-scale programme management to small-scale project management. It will need to consider the site conditions, adjacencies, interfaces, environmental conditions, and difficulties associated with transporting goods from their point of origin to on-site storage and installation.

To optimise delivery as much as possible, it must consider effective planning, risk management, and delivery methodologies as:

> Proactive plans are in place that considers evolving sitespecific challenges.

> Potential cost savings and waste reduction for site teams to operate efficiently.

> Promotes teamwork-motivated workforce and allows wins to be celebrated.

> Provides the basis for safe and healthy working conditions.

Responding To Challenging Site Constraints

Controlled delivery is frequently regarded as the most secure method when materials are in-country and on-site in possession of the General Contractor or Client.

However, this scenario is only sometimes feasible due to programme, site, or environmental factors that may prevent or limit the ability to receive, store, fabricate and prepare components before lifting or installation.

Some prefabricated or modular construction technologies offer controlled solutions to these project challenges, but they might only be suitable for some project applications or correspond to customer or market preferences. Although just-in-time deliveries have many advantages, they might be less valuable.

The provision of off-site fabrication or consolidation centres is a further alternative as they enable projects to move forward without the impact of sitebased constraints, which:

> Serve as a holding area for significant components awaiting delivery to the construction site.

> Permit any pre-construction activity to occur before they are required on site.

> Have the ability to lower carbon emissions due to decreased trips and deliveries.

> Safely store unused materials to prevent their destruction and disposal in a landfill.

> Provide more sustainable delivery via off-site manufacturing and prefabrication, resulting in less material wastage.

Use Of Technology To Optimise Delivery

The creation of digital twins of projects is made possible by contemporary building materials like BIM, which can be used to identify the required materials, plan and sequence project requirements, and identify construction activities.

Furthermore, 4D sequencing technology enables detailed analysis and planning to ensure that critical preparatory works and interfaces are identified and tracked to ensure that critical pieces can be completed to maintain the project’s delivery requirements. This allows project stakeholders to create time-slice views of projects to plan, manage, and sequence critical construction activities.

The development of drones and timelapse cameras offers more resources for documenting a project’s current state at any given time. These help monitor development, evaluating claims, and giving websites an extra layer of security.

Construction logistics and supply chain integration:

The compatibility between the quality and management of the supply chain and the effective use of resources within the parameters of the construction logistics plan is crucial to a project’s success.

All parties involved in the project delivery process should clearly understand the resources, on-site logistics, and expertise needed to finish the project on schedule and within budget. Visits to suppliers, factories, and fabrication facilities offer essential knowledge about the quality of finishes and enable potential problems to be mitigated before delivery to the site, frequently when it would be too late.

In order to concentrate on an integrated delivery solution, it is crucial to conduct a thorough pre-qualification of the supply chain, take the packaging interface into account, and consider origin-to-destination challenges.

Sustainable Delivery

Delivering projects effectively, optimised, and sustainably will become the new standard with the introduction of sustainability certifications, targeting the construction of net zero and spaces that respond to healthy environments. These have the potential to offer higher premiums and reputational enhancements, which will change future growth, sales, and product success in the

market. They also provide the benefits of reduced wastage, decreased costs, and improved marketability of the products.

“IF YOU DON’T PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL.”

AL MASAOOD COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT

AT WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT 2023

Around mid-January, Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment (CV&E) participated in EcoWaste Exhibition and Forum 2023 to showcase their latest environmentally friendly trucks from global brands – UD Trucks and Renault Trucks that offer sustainable waste management solutions. The division, which is part of Al Masaood Group, is the sole distributor of UD Trucks and Renault Trucks in Abu Dhabi.

Al Masaood (CV&E) participated in EcoWASTE, which was held during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) between January 16 and 18, 2023, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The Exhibition is a the forefront of zero waste in the MENA region and is dedicated to advancing new business opportunities and practices for sustainable waste management.

“As a key player in the waste management sector, our participation in the event demonstrates our dedication to providing sustainable and environmentally friendly options that fulfil the needs and requirements of our customers,” says Mohamed El Zeftawi, General Manager at Al Masaood (CV&E). “We have partnered with leading companies worldwide to bring global products and solutions to the country, ensuring that the waste management sector has access to the best and most recent technologies.”

During their participation in the event, they showcased some of their innovative products, including environmentally friendly trucks from global brands UD Trucks and Renault Trucks that offer sustainable waste management solutions. Al Masaood CV&E, following their vision, has collaborated with world-class brands to deliver products and solutions to the UAE, guaranteeing that the waste management industry has access to the best and most innovative technology. “The

Vibha Mehta speaks to Mohamed El Zeftawi, General Manager of Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment (CV&E), on their participation in EcoWaste Exhibition and Forum 2023

participation of UD Trucks and Renault Trucks in the event is in line with our commitment to minimising the pressure on the environment by providing such solutions,” adds Mohamed.

Moreover, according to Mohamed, The UAE’s market is ever evolving with more demand for greener solutions. Thus, such extensive events form a perfect platform for exploring how waste management can be made more sustainable by embracing circular principles, exploring zero landfill options, and forging alliances for a smooth transition towards a green economy. And as part of our commitment to providing sustainable and environmentally friendly options to the UAE waste

management market, Al Masaood CV&E forged two partnerships during the event.

“We signed two major Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with TADWEER - Abu Dhabi Municipality’s Waste Management Centre, and Lavajet, the provider of environmental waste management services,” says Mohamed. Seeking these partnerships to go a long way in fostering the waste management sector in Abu Dhabi.

At the same time, Al Masaood CV&E is committed to promoting sustainability as a core pillar and incorporating it in all its value offerings and services by offering sustainable solutions and products in the waste management sector. “We have always aligned our objectives and strategies with the vision of the nation’s wise leadership to build a diverse and sustainable economy powered by knowledge and innovation. For instance, Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment (CV&E) will provide environmental-friendly alternatives to TADWEER, the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre.”

Additionally, Renault Trucks K480, which is EURO 5 Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle (EEV), will soon operate in the national capital. “We are also expanding our offerings by introducing electric trucks to help reduce carbon emissions and fast-track the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative’s goals, “Mohamed.

AL MASAOOD COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT AT WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT 2023

Mohamed El Zeftawi, General Manager of Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment (CV&E)

“WE HAVE ALWAYS ALIGNED OUR OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES WITH THE VISION OF THE NATION’S WISE LEADERSHIP TO BUILD A DIVERSE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY POWERED BY KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION.”

However, with sustainability making its way in almost all industries with significant players altering their offerings, Al Masaood (CV&E) has cemented its position in the capital – as they are the sole distributors in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for global brands like UD Trucks and Renault Trucks that offer sustainable waste management solutions. Likewise, the division provides environmentally friendly vehicles to cater to the waste management industry’s needs and flexible financial and aftersales solutions, ensuring the optimal running of the vehicles with minimum downtime.

Keeping in view the significance of providing the latest technologies and innovations to the rapidly expanding sector of the UAE. “And as I already highlighted, we are further expanding our offerings by introducing electric trucks that will go a long way in reducing carbon emissions. The division has expanded with opening its second flagship multi-brand facility in Abu Dhabi - M40 facility, which will help the business grow its capacity in both sales and aftersales.”

In addition, they also offer excellent after-sales services on a larger scale. The new workshop also has a sizable parts warehouse, significantly reducing turnaround time and elevating the overall customer experience. While UD Trucks is emerging as one of the top service providers

in the UAE’s waste management industry, it has also made its fair share of efforts to further sustainability goals by ensuring responsible procurement of raw materials, components, and equipment. The manufacturer has established a supplier code of conduct that helps them track and minimise environmental risks.

Meanwhile, Renault Trucks has been investing significantly in R&D to develop more sustainable solutions for the waste management sector – along with them working to lower greenhouse gas emissions by creating carbon-neutral transportation solutions and minimising the environmental impact of its activities.

With COP28 making its way along the country later this year, their division has taken sustainability as a core component of its business agenda to support the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative and UAE Sustainability Targets. “For this, we have collaborated with world-class businesses to bring innovative products and solutions to the UAE to help reduce carbon emissions. This is in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, declaring 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’ in the runup to United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28), which will be hosted in UAE later this year,” concludes Mohamed.

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC APPROACH

In this exclusive interview, Kasun Illankoon spoke to Syed Abdul Majeed, General Manager at Latinem FM, to discuss the growth of the company and how their services aim at putting their customer at centre of their services.

Tell us about your role as GM for Latinem FM.

Latinem FM is set up as integrated facilities management for its premium Luxury properties where we tend to offer a high level of hospitality services with a customer-centric approach.

As Latinem FM GM, I lead a team of experts from different fields to ensure that the delighted customer journey is sustained through the services which we offer to our customers.

We tend to build services understanding our customer needs and delight which drive us to be innovative in the things that we do.

I have come with over 20 years of experience in facilities management in various sectors from retail, residential, and healthcare & hospitality which have traditional Integrated facilities management approaches and I always aspire to disrupt by driving the traditional method to technologydriven facilities management which is an aspiration of the senior management that has brought me here and has been working to set up a team which will make a difference in our customer living experience, hence we launched a moto where it states: “Latinem embracing your living space”.

In Latinem we tend to differentiate what we do from the market which has driven us to create exceptional services.

I have been a lead to create a team of members who drive change in the field of facilities management where we have developed platforms like the Centre of Audit, Central Data control center which in turn drives the cost of our customers as these innovations drive optimized solutions.

What is your vision for Latinem FM and what are your goals and objectives?

Latinem’ s Vision has always been to be the preferred smart technologydriven Integrated Facilities Management service partner delivering very high standards of service excellence to our customers and to achieve this we have set a mission of driving the value culture of traditional Facilities management to technology-driven facilities management.

To achieve this, we have set up a team of experts from different fields of Integrated Facilities management and other sectors to achieve goals that are customer-centric where the services we offer adds value to our customers leading to organic growth

Digital transformation and technology drive the culture of innovation in the way we operate and offer services which in turn add value to assets. Investing in people to drive this change is a very key factor for our sustainable and consistent business growth.

Creating disruption in the market with technology-driven facilities management is a very key goal that drives the teams to think differently about what we do where AI-based energy optimization has been a great milestone.

Tell us about the services provided by Latinem FM

To perceive and define quality standards is what we strive to achieve at Latinem.

Latinem FM delivers a very comprehensive solution of MEP services to its clients with the help of an experienced team, who are involved from the design stage, through to the build and operations stages.

The aesthetics maintain the value of a property and are also an indicator of

its overall quality. To ensure we achieve this goal, we deliver exceptionally high standards of cleaning services that create a hygienic and sanitized environment, creating an ambiance where the customer experience is enhanced.

Our smart customer service stands out from other service providers in the market. Our in-house platform utilizes a unique technology, Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM), to provide greater flexibility in adapting to the customers’ needs.

Customer interaction is enhanced by allowing them to interact with the system, which is monitored by a team of professionals and technical experts who have been trained to deliver quality solutions.

A futuristic model of controlling and monitoring the assets of our customers defines the uniqueness of our Smart Customer Service.

Our approach to self-delivery and being a one-stop solution for our customers drives us to provide diversity in our service offerings. These include:

> The Center of Audit is a team of experts driving the highest level of innovative service delivery standards across the business.

> Our team is driven to differentiate themselves by adopting a culture that values the customers’ assets and the journey they experience, through the provision of optimized solutions for building operations and energy management.

Tell us how the company has grown over the past few years.

Latinem was set up in 2018 with the intent to drive technology in Integrated facilities management. We launched a very comprehensive approach to the first project where we brought in a mechanized approach rather than a traditional labor-driven approach which has enlightened our customers in the services and consistently we have been innovating in the past years looking at various sustainable and robust solutions.

In 5 years, we have organically grown 4X times where we have been offering services to our customers both looking into their facilities and serving them for their internal unit requirements.

With impeccable quality, a delivery model & cost to a value-driven approach we have been very successful in delivering value for money to our premium customers. It has grown to multiple horizons by incorporating a backward integration model of design, built & maintain where we have self-delivered multiple services to the customer and have been a one-stop solution.

We have expanded our portfolio by expanding the company’s bandwidth to residential, retail commercial & hospitality segments. By embedding technology like Centralized Building Management System (BMS), AI-optimized energy management, IOTs, and CAFM, Latinem has become a pull brand where customers enquire about the services we offer and inculcate trust in the brand.

Tell us about the FM Market in Dubai, where do you see growth and opportunities right now?

Facility Management services have matured, with the growing real estate development & tourism industry across UAE. The FM market is going through a major transformation driven by technology innovation, new business models, emerging value propositions, competitive disruption, and create new service offerings. In many parts of the world, FM services are commoditizing

and there is a need for innovation and new value propositions if suppliers are to avoid the cost trap.

Multiple dynamics revolve around facility Management and market gap analysis bringing Latinem to the forefront with the support of a dynamic team & continuous improvement approach.

With UAE’s mission of driving the net zero goal by 2050, has opened a great opportunity and challenge to the corporates to drive the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals and Integrated facility management service providers are going to be a key partner to accelerate this change which gives them to offer sustainable, innovative solutions.

Current clients are looking at IFM partners who drive this change, and we are positioning ourselves to be at the forefront to lead this drive.

Tell us about the unique value proposition that Latinem FM provides in the market.

Our Values drive provides a very stable and consistent business approach:

Customer Focus: We recognize our customers’ requirements and consistently deliver the best possible products, service, expertise, and quality at a cost-efficient solution. Our customer relationships are based on commitment, mutual trust, collaboration, and coevolution. >>>

CBNME CUSTOMER FOCUS

Committed Personnel: Taking pride in our work and operating in a creative environment that fosters development and fulfillment both as a team and as individuals. Initiative, sharing of ideas, empowerment, accountability, and responsibility form the basis for the entrepreneurial spirit. We respect and value our colleagues and reward good performance.

Responsibility: We conduct our business with uncompromising integrity, providing a safe, clean, and ethical workplace, taking care of the environment under our influence, and contributing to our community.

Continuous Improvement: We invest in developing our personnel and are committed to continuing to implement improved methods and systems.

Excellence: We are committed to our goals of providing a high level of service delivery excellence consistently through prudent and successful business practices

Tell us about the latest technology or innovation that Latinem FM has implemented in its services.

Latinem Facilities Management’s vision is to move away from traditional facilities management systems to one that is more of a technology-driven and smartintegrated facilities management service partner, with a culture that is focused on innovation in the field of facilities management.

Immersive Training & Troubleshooting Experience - Frontline workplace runs on mobile and wearable devices including smart glasses, tablets, and smartwatches.

Centralized Building Management system where all our buildings are monitored and managed centrally whereas centralized monitoring of chiller system & IOT solution which gives diversity to managers, and field engineers to remotely monitor and manage the systems.AI Based Energy management Solution and digitized operation performance dashboard, CAFM has driven multiple services or solutions have been very milestones in the driving the change.

Mechanized cleaning solutions have transformed traditional cleaning

solutions into technical cleaning solutions.

Tell us how Latinem FM is customer focused.

Latinem Facilities management built has always tended to offer solutions to its customers looking to delight them with the services and ensure consistency in what we offer. We tend to differentiate ourselves from other service providers as we focus on the living experience of our customers and touching base on their customer journey which drives the initiatives like: -

Home Health check: Every apartment or villa needs periodical maintenance which the owner/tenant is not aware of. We tend to aware customers of their asset health and do free asset health checks with the recommendation in case of any abnormalities.

Home Activation Training: Customers while moving into the area provided with familiarization of the facility and their unit assets.

24X7 customer service support to ensure services are provided round the clock with immediate response times.

Customer service Kiosk to take feedback from the customers by understanding their needs and raising awareness of the services.

Concierge service focusing on a high level of hospitality.

One-stop solution: Offering multiple services to avoid customers indulging with different service providers.

With UAE declaring 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, what steps are Latinem FM taking to be more sustainable?

Latinem accelerating the transition towards the sustainable goal of the Net zero target set by the group has been phenomenal in driving where we have been certified for ISO 50001:2018 Energy management system that has driven a cultural change.

As part of this, we are working on the implementation of AI-based analytics

to optimize utility consumption and the same savings get transferred to the customer in terms of service charge reduction for which the initial step is the implementation of the centralized BMS system.

Reduce dependability on humans and engage sustainable technology driven machines to improve productivity ,quality and cost impact.

To adopt and increase awareness with the customers we have offered the use of sustainable products like plant-based air purifiers, Green Domestic Food recyclers, Aerators, etc.

Air to water Generator system implementation looks at reducing plastic bottles and saving water.

The transition from traditional mode of commutation to e-bikes for the technician to move around the sites without leaving carbon footprints.

Renewable energy exploring in different aspects whereby we have driven from traditional water heater systems to solar based, use of solar signages & traffic lights to switch from conventional energy mediums to greener energy.

Syed Abdul Majeed, General Manager, Latinem FM

UD TRUCKS COMPLETES ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR

AND EXPANDS ITS OPERATIONS IN MEENA

UD Trucks has continued its journey of exceptional growth throughout the Middle East, East, and North Africa (MEENA) region by registering an average of 30 per cent growth for the second year. This boost for the Japanese truck manufacturer strengthens its position as a market leader in a largely European-dominated regional truck

market. UD Trucks continues to place its “Better life” Strategy for people and the planet at the core of its objective to become the Japanese Sustainability Leader by 2025.

There were positive stories for UD Trucks right across the region over the past 12 months. Sales of heavy-duty trucks in Qatar were up by 35 per cent thanks to the brand’s reputation for producing robust and modern trucks.

This also contributed to UD Trucks’ steady performance in other key segments, including the UAE’s waste management and construction sector. Saudi Arabia, UD Trucks’ largest market by volume, enjoyed a 32 per cent increase in sales, and the brand has now expanded into every segment, from construction and logistics to waste management. The brand is directly involved in many Kingdomwide projects – many of its partners are involved with the NEOM project. Further contributing to this growth and supporting its ‘Better Life’ sustainability strategy for the planet, UD Trucks has entered other vital regional segments. Irrigation vehicles were used to clean up waste oil contamination from the soil in Kuwait as part of the second soil remediation project, while the brand provided water tankers, vacuum trucks, and jet cleaners to the Babil municipality in Iraq.

In Abu Dhabi, UD Trucks will lead the waste management project after winning a large portion of the business, helping to position the company as a leader in this field. The brand added the Euro5compliant Quester model with ESCOT as well as the Croner PKE19 with automatic transmission to its fleet.

UD Is Active Across All Key Areas:

In Africa, specifically in Ethiopia & Uganda, UD Trucks delivered many trucks primarily intended for general cargo use, despite the challenging economic conditions and currency shortage. In 2023, other countries are set to be added to UD’s operations as the brand continues with its plans for expansion on the continent.

With a focus on efficiency, uptime, and customer service, UD Trucks and its partners have invested significant time and resources in developing a network of workshops across the region to meet its customer needs. UD Telematics, with a penetration of more than 40% in targeted markets, is a key USP for the brand, as it helps customers by providing information in real-time about vehicle location, speed, fuel consumption, driver behaviour and other relevant data to improve uptime and total cost of ownership. By optimizing their fleet management processes, UD Trucks helps fleet managers to increase efficiency

and reduce costs, resulting in improved customer satisfaction.

The company’s customers also benefit from the availability of comprehensive Service Agreements, ensuring greater control over costs and easier administration, thus providing complete peace of mind to fleet managers. In 2022, the company registered a 35% service contract penetration.

The company is dedicated to achieving proficiency in every aspect, not only through improvements in its fleet and the services it offers to customers but

also through investing in the needs of its employees. Some 2,135 hours of technical, soft skills and driver training for over 1,000 personnel have been conducted in the past twelve months, both in-person and online. These sessions were based on blended learning modules and physical training and were designed to facilitate competence development while reducing costs.

Positive sentiment about the brand has been reinforced by its ‘Better Life’ strategy. In line with the company’s commitment to focus on people, it launched several initiatives in 2022, including supporting the Arabian Ocean Rowing team to raise awareness of plastic pollution and environmental sustainability and its employees and partners to participate in Dubai Marathon to promote physical and mental well-being.

Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks MEENA, commented, “2022 has been an excellent year for UD Trucks in the region, a confirmation year that our customers well appreciate UD trucks, services and values. UD is clearly recognized as providing its customers with efficient, reliable, and cost-effective products and services.”

He added: “With a strong foundation, we are on track for another successful year in 2023. We will continue to work on our growth and customer satisfaction in all areas.”

UD TRUCKS COMPLETES ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR

RENEWED OPTIMISM, AND INCREASED INVESTMENTS

ASTECO REPORTS

According to the Asteco 2022 Q4 real estate report, the UAE has demonstrated an impressive level of resilience in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic in 2022. The economic recovery, aided by higher oil prices and a revival in tourism and trade, resulted in a significant increase in inward investment, which led to record transactional figures. Advanced business reforms and government initiatives, such as the Golden Visa and efforts to transition to a digital-driven economy, are set to benefit the real estate market in 2023.

2022 Highlights:

The report indicated that the UAE’s economy continues to demonstrate growth and resilience in a challenging global context and is cementing its status as a globally attractive destination for investments.

2022, which started on a high note with the successful conclusion of Expo 2020, recorded a significant number of successful and noteworthy project launches. A trend which accelerated towards the end of the year and one that is expected to continue into 2023. These launches reflect a renewed sense of optimism in the real estate market, initially buoyed by a strongly performing secondary market and further supported by a surge in off-plan transactional activity.

In addition to a general rise in demand from endusers and ‘traditional’ investors, 2022 also saw an unspecified but substantial amount of existing and new stock being converted into short-term rental homes. This could be seen as a direct consequence of the strong performance in the hospitality sector.

Abu Dhabi Residential and Office Market

The Abu Dhabi residential market recorded a delivery of approximately 8,500 residential units in 2022, spread across different areas of Abu Dhabi including Al Reem Island, Al Raha Beach and Saadiyat Island. In addition, several new projects and additional phases of previously announced developments were launched in 2022, located in Yas Island, Al Jubail Island, Al Reem Island and Saadiyat Island.

While apartment rental rates were relatively stable at the end of 2022, they recorded marginal annual increases of 1% to 2% across Abu Dhabi. However, it should be noted that lower quality buildings, particularly within Abu Dhabi City, continued to be under pressure with some having to revise their rents to compete with newer stock.

Villas and townhouses continued to achieve strong levels of demand, particularly within the well-developed villa communities located on Saadiyat and Yas Islands. Average villa rental rates increased by 4% over the year with some developments recording close to doubledigit growth.

Though office rental rates were relatively stable in 2022, there was an increase in demand for new space, particularly in Grade A buildings.

Apartment and villa sales prices recorded annual growth rates of 4% on average, with some developments in Saadiyat Island and Al Raha Beach for example, increasing by 8% to 10%, compared to the same period in 2021.

Prime villa communities continued to achieve high demand levels, with some recording close to 25% increases in sales prices since 2020. New off-plan villa projects, as well as completed villas continued to be well received with emphasis on the popular high-quality villa communities. The lack of such properties stimulated sales price growth in 2022.

Several developments that were previously put on hold are expected to restart in 2023. In addition, Asteco anticipates numerous projects, currently at various stages of planning, to be announced in 2023. Demand for good quality, well-located, and competitively priced off-plan projects will remain positive.

Dubai Residential and Office Market

In 2022, approximately, 31,000 residential units were delivered

comprising 27,000 apartments and 4,000 villas. Although slightly lower than initially forecasted at the end of 2021 (33,500 units), it not only represents a significant volume, but is also rather impressive given global economic challenges and supply-chain disruptions. Meanwhile, the commercial sector saw approximately 650,000 sq. ft. of new office space.

In 2023 we expect to see the completion of over 47,500 residential dwellings and approximately 1.35 million sq. ft. of office space.

In addition to the newly completed supply, 2022 recorded a significant number of successful and noteworthy project launches, which accelerated towards the end of the year.

Average apartment, villa and office rental rates continued their upward

RENEWED OPTIMISM, AND INCREASED INVESTMENTS | ASTECO REPORTS

WHILE APARTMENT RENTAL RATES WERE RELATIVELY STABLE AT THE END OF 2022, THEY RECORDED MARGINAL ANNUAL INCREASES OF 1% TO 2% ACROSS ABU DHABI.

HP Aengaar CEO at Asteco

trajectory in Q4 2022 with quarterly increases of 6%, 5% and 7%, respectively. Annual rental growth in the villa market remained substantial at 23%, while average apartment and office rental rates rose by 19%.

Following some noteworthy increments during the first 9 months of the year, particularly within the luxury segment, sales price growth for apartments, villas and offices slowed towards the end of 2022, increasing by an average of 3%, 3% and 4% in the final quarter. Annual sales price growth stood at 16%, 18% and 19%, respectively.

The new rental index, which is expected to be rolled out this year and which will be based on star ratings of each building reflecting quality and amenities, will encourage landlords to step up their management and maintenance efforts to maintain good occupancy and rental rates, particularly for more mature properties.

Al Ain and Northern Emirates Market 2022 looked promising with marginal rental rate increases across the Northern

Emirates during the first 9 months of the year. Rates declined marginally in Q4 (between 1% and 4%), compared to the previous quarter. However, annual changes remained positive at 5% on average

Rental rates in high-end apartment buildings in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah were more resilient and remained unchanged during the last three months. Sharjah apartment sales prices recorded quarterly and annual growth of 2% and 7% in Q4 2022.

The relocation trend experienced during 2022, where we saw increased tenant movement from older stock to new, better quality developments, is likely to continue in 2023 in line with increased availability of new quality supply in the Northern Emirates, as well as Dubai. Further sales price growth is expected in 2023 amidst a buoyant property market.

In Al Ain, apartment and villa rental rates remained more or less stable throughout 2022. Some declines were recorded in older compounds and private villas, which were offered at rates not

aligned with the market. On the supply side, a number of buildings and small villa communities, predominantly located in Town Center, Asharej, Zakher and Nehma, were handed over.

The office market showed demand increasing marginally, however rental rates remained stable. In 2023, the Al Ain market is expected to remain stable across all asset classes.

RENTAL RATES IN HIGH-END APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN RAS

AL KHAIMAH AND FUJAIRAH WERE MORE RESILIENT AND REMAINED UNCHANGED DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS.