Author: Paromita Dey

GCC nations rank among the top ten in waste generation per capita, with C&D debris representing the largest proportion of waste in the Middle East, according to Waste and Recycling Middle East. Limited related regulations in the region could also be a key reason causing the accumulation of the C&D waste in landfills. Most experts in waste management say that recycling C&D waste can conserve raw material, energy, and water, as well as reduce the production of greenhouse emissions and other pollutants that can contribute to climate change. The Waste Management Master Plan, being developed by Tadweer for Abu Dhabi,…

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UAE-based Falconcity of Wonders (FCW) welcomed a student delegation from India’s Centre for Environmental Planning Technology (CEPT) University to highlight urban planning techniques. Alharith bin Salem Almoosa, vice chairperson and deputy general manager of FCW, presented the FCW project’s phases of development to the group along with its project management strategies. The students were also taken on a tour around FCW to expose them to urban planning, design, construction and community management techniques implemented for the FCW community. Almoosa said: “Habitat management is a crucial element of overall project management. Even if a development is grand, beautiful, and strategically located,…

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The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation completed several construction milestones on Unit 2 of the upcoming Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (Barakah NPP) in Abu Dhabi. Some of the major milestones include the completion of the 2,000 tonne containment liner plate for the Reactor Containment Building (RCB) including placement of the upper dome, lifting the pressuriser into place and lifting the roof frame for the Unit 2 main control room. The plate is a cylindrical steel shell that forms the inner wall, ceiling and floor lining of the reinforced concrete reactor containment building. Its structure measures nearly 60 metres in height (77…

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Lack of affordable housing in Abu Dhabi is a major opportunity for developers to fill the gap, according to real estate consultancy Cluttons. The firm’s latest report, Abu Dhabi 2015/16 Winter Property Market Snapshot, points out that house prices has increased by 34% since 2010 and there is a clear need for affordable houses. Edward Carnegy, head of Cluttons Abu Dhabi, said that the issue of affordability has been building for some time, initially following the introduction of the Federal Mortgage cap and doubling of property registration fees. “These had the desired effect of cooling the market, but now many…

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Sharjah-based developer, Tilal Properties, released a video highlighting the progress made on its upcoming AED2.4 billion Tilal City development. The project was launched last year in Sharjah, and the video showcases the completion of the initial laying of the arterial roads and ongoing works on secondary roads. Haysam Jazairi, business development executive director at Tilal Properties said: “The completion of the initial phase of roadworks has also paved the way for other significant developments such as the installation of water and sewage pipelines and electric cable. We are in excellent shape to be ready to hand over Zone A and…

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Information and communication technology firm, Waseela, has reportedly observed a significant increase in demand for converged ICT/ extra low voltage (ELV)/ building management systems (BMS) packages amongst mega buildings under construction in the GCC. It has been awarded $10m worth of construction packages requiring integrated ICT/ELV/BMS systems in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The company is currently participating and bidding for long-term projects with converged ICT/ELV/ BMS packages, expected to materialise during 2016-2017 at an approximate value of $50m. With green and smart buildings currently trending in the GCC construction sector, the role of technology in the construction been expanding.…

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Abu Dhabi-based real estate firm, Aldar Properties, released a statement declaring that its residential projects are on schedule and revealing the progress made till date. Projects in the statement, all based in the UAE capital, include; Hadeel, Ansam, Meera, Merief, Nareel Island. Roundup of upcoming projects Hadeel Waterfront community consisting of apartments and villas launched in 2014 is on track to be completed during 2017. Construction work is proceeding in line with shoring and piling works now complete and with ground floor works due to commence by mid December 2015. Ansam Aldar’s first residential development on Yas Island in 2014,…

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With costs down and interest up, Saeed Al Tayer, CEO of DEWA, speaks with Construction Business News ME about unlocking the potential of residential and distributed solar in the UAE and GCC Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) along with the International Renewable Energy Authority (IRENA) hosted a joint workshop on accelerating residential solar in UAE at Raffles Dubai on 8 November. “In line with this initiative, DEWA has trained more than 120 individuals both consultants and contractors. There are over 26 companies that have registered, which is a good start,” says Saeed Al Tayer, CEO of DEWA. During the…

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Drake and Scull Engineering (DSE) has been awarded an AED245m contract to deliver MEP works for an Abu Dhabi-based project. According to the contract, DSE will render engineering, detailing, procurement, testing, commissioning, and handover services for the project’s MEP, along with fire protection and natural gas systems. Ahmad Al Naser, MD of Drake and Scull Engineering, said: “We are delighted to continue our trend of securing milestone projects which has helped us achieve AED2.53bn in project awards across the UAE, Kuwait and Oman in 2015.” About the project he said that though it may be very technically challenging, it will…

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The much-awaited Louvre Abu Dhabi is in its last stages of construction, ready to be handed over in mid-2016, according Emirates News Agency. Chair of Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), Ali Majed Al Mansoori, along with other officials from TDIC and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, toured the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site earlier this week. The officials witnessed the latest construction progress taking place across the museum’s building, which included the commencement of the installation of 30,000 square metres of natural stone paving. The construction was awarded to and Arabtec-led JV with Constructora San Jose SA and…

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