Professional Documents
Culture Documents
N E WS
W S • A N A LYSI
LY S IS
S • IN TE
T E L L IGE
IG E NC
N C E • PROJ ECTS
E CT S • C ONT
ONTRR ACTS
ACT S • T E NDE RS
RS 21 - 27 APRIL, 2018 • ISSUE 696
A FULL
CIRCLE
THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
ALDAR UNVEILS
ALGHADEER IN
WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO ABU DHABI
WASTE MANAGEMENT >>P06
P36
INNOVATOR
IN CHIEF ENG ANWAAR AL SHIMMARI, CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER AT
THE UAE’S MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT,
OUTLINES HOW INNOVATION-LED INITIATIVES ARE
IMPACTING GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY
WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM/CONFERENCES/ MEPUAE
COMMENT
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EADERS AND
AND SENIOR
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ECISION MMAKERS
AKKERS MEET EDITORIAL
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CONTENTS
21 - 27 APRIL, 2018 • ISSUE 696
INTELLIGENCE 06
Aldar to develop $2.7bn masterplan
close to Dubai-Abu Dhabi border
FINANCE 10
UAE’s Union Cement Company
begins delisting from ADX
THE BIG PICTURE 20
Bee’ah will work with UAE ministry
to develop a national waste database
06
FACE TO FACE
24 10
20
12
ANALYSIS
A NEW STANDARD
A new set of standards has been released for facilities management operations, and
regional stakeholders are optimistic about the impact it will have on future service models
ON THE GO
16
CONSTRUCTION WEEK ON YOUTUBE
Construction Week’s YouTube stream is the leading channel for construction news from the Middle East. C-level interviews,
project updates, and market reports are published each week, in addition to the original video series, Construction Week In Focus
22
EDITOR’S
COMMENT
The Middle East’s
construction projects
are rapidly gaining an
international flavour
@CWMIDDLEEAST
@JAYDAWT
32
DESIGN FOCUS For daily updates
SHEIKH ABDULLAH AL SALEM CULTURAL CENTRE
CW reviews the architectural elements incorporated into the recently completed and subscriptions, log on to
cultural complex by SSH, which reimagines a traditional Kuwaiti neighbourhood constructionweekonline.com
GUEST COMMENT 23
HKA’s Adham Kotb explains how
FIDIC’s newly introduced stipulation
to act ‘neutrally’ might impact project
engineers in the Middle East
PROJECT UPDATE 38
A review of CW’s most recent site
visits, including Sharjah Waterfront
Aldar’s Alghadeer masterplan will be developed within the company’s Seih Al Sdeirah land bank, which is located close to the border of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
A
ldar Properties has launched the latest amenities, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered
addition to its portfolio of master- developer said.
planned communities in Abu Dhabi. Chief executive officer of Aldar Properties,
Valued at $2.7bn (AED10bn), the Alghadeer Talal Al Dhiyebi, said: “The launch of Alghadeer
masterplan will be developed within the is a clear statement of Aldar’s ambition.
company’s Seih Al Sdeirah land bank, close to “From its strategic location to its sustainable
the border of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. living initiatives, Alghadeer signals the creation
Construction of the first neighbourhood, of a new way of living for UAE residents, now
which will comprise 611 homes, is scheduled and in the future.”
to commence this year and complete in 2021. He added that the “scale and 15-year time
The homes went on sale during Cityscape Abu frame of the development” underlined the
Dhabi, which took place on 17-19 April. developer’s confidence in the Abu Dhabi
The project will comprise 14,408 units, residential market.
including villas, townhouses, and maisonettes. The masterplan will feature a multi-use,
The residential gross floor area of the project agricultural-led space; an educational area for
is expected to exceed 1,300ha, and will be training and workshops; an area selling farming
complemented by office and retail spaces, tools and supplies; and a retail area for freshly
and hospitality, education, and community grown produce. Residents will also be able
6 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 21 - 27 APRIL, 2018 WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM
INTELLIGENCE
For up-to-the-minute
tenders log on to
constructionweekonline.com
$2.7BN
DEVELOPMENT VALUE
TOP TENDERS
Construction of municipality
OF ALDAR’S ALGHADEER buildings and facilities
MASTER-PLANNED
PROJECT Country: Saudi Arabia
Closes: Apr 22, 2018
Category: Buildings
Issuer: Municipality
to rent plots and grow their The JV will initially focus on of Shamali
own produce, Aldar added. two projects, one in Dubai and Prevention against the
The master-planned the other in Abu Dhabi. The possibility of ȍood- and
sewerage-related damage
development will have lakes, master-planned destination
running and cycle tracks, a in Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Country: Saudi Arabia
Closes: Apr 24, 2018
gym, camping and barbecue Grove, will be situated within Category: Infrastructure
sites, and a network of gardens the Cultural District of Al Issuer: Municipality of Darb
and parks lit by solar-powered Saadiyat Island. The Dubai Municipality buildings and
facilities (Phase 3)
lights. There will also be project, meanwhile, will be
schools, a hotel, public garden a waterfront development Country: Saudi Arabia
Closes: Apr 24, 2018
areas, community swimming known as Emaar Beachfront. Category: Buildings
Issuer: Municipality of Darb
pools, multi-use sports areas, In his remarks at the JV
and community centres. signing ceremony, Crown Repair of electromechanical
systems within the Civil
According to Aldar, the Prince of Abu Dhabi and Service Commission
Alghadeer masterplan Deputy Supreme Commander Country: Kuwait
incorporates its existing of the UAE Armed Forces, Closes: Apr 29, 2018
Category: Power & Water
community of the same name, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Issuer: Kuwait Civil
which consists of more than Zayed Al Nahyan, lauded the Service Commission
For up-to-the-minute
tenders log on to
constructionweekonline.com
TOP TENDERS
Country: Oman
Closes: May 3, 2018
Category: Buildings
Issuer: Muscat Municipality
Construction of employee
housing facilities
Country: Kuwait
Closes: Jul 8, 2018 Good Week/Bad Week
Category: Power and water
Issuer: Public Authority for
Applied Education and Training Deyaar Volkswagen
Posts 25% hike in Q1 2018 net proȌt Overhauls leadership amid diesel scandal
Construction and maintenance
of mosques building in Sura
Liebherr Oman
Country: Kuwait Achieves highest turnover in its history House Ȍre in Salalah results in fatality
Closes: Jul 15, 2018
Category: Buildings
Issuer: Ministry of Islamic Dubai property Abu Dhabi
Affairs and Awqaf Q1 2018 real estate deals reach $15.7bn As much as 50% drop in ofȌce rents
STOCK MARKET
Union Cement
Company to
delist shares
Union Cement Company (UCC) is in
the process of delisting its shares from
the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
(ADX) and converting into a private
joint stock company. The decision was
reached by UCC’s shareholders at the
company’s general assembly, which was
held on 25 March.
Trading on the shares of the Ras Al
Khaimah-headquartered company was
suspended the day after the meeting,
UCC said in a statement. The general
assembly also approved the purchase of
shares from current shareholders at a
price of $0.57 (AED2.10) per share. UCC is delisting its shares from ADX following a general assembly meeting held last month [representational image].
According to UCC, this price
represents 14% premium of the last stake in UCC, subject to its conversion Cement acquire equity worth at least
traded price of $0.50 (AED1.85) per from a public joint stock company into 92.83% of UCC. The acquisition of
share and 51% premium of the last six a private outfit, as well as its delisting total equity stake was expected to cost
months’ average price. from ADX. $305.24m (AED1.12bn). UCC has agreed
The India-listed cement manufacturer The transaction, expected to be to allocate net working capital worth
Shree Cement revealed in January this completed within nine months of $59.37m (AED218m) on the completion
year that it intended to buy a majority commencement, would see Shree date of the transaction.
Expert views
Abu Dhabi villa and Abu Dhabi apartment and villa restrained economic growth and (-6%), and Sun and Sky Towers
rental rates fell by 3% and subdued market sentiment, we (-6%), all of which faced increased
rental rates record 2% in Q1 2018, respectively, have seen an increase in vacancy competition from new off-plan
declines in Q1 2018: representing annual drops of rates across all residential developments offered with
Asteco reports 1,600 11% and 9%, according to a new unit types,” said John Stevens, attractive rates and favourable
Abu Dhabi homes report from Asteco. According managing director, Asteco. payment plans.
to the property management In its report, Asteco noted that “Only one community, Al Reef,
delivered in Q1 Ȍrm, studio to three-bedroom approximately 1,600 residential saw a drop in villa sales prices,
apartments reported declines units were delivered in Q1, more averaging at 2%”, the Arabian
of 1–5% during the quarter, and than 75% of which were located Business report added.
4–17% over the course of the year. within investment zones such as “Although healthy demand
Arabian Business reported that Yas Island, Al Reem Island, and for high-quality, off-plan,
the dip in villa rentals was “less Al Raha Beach. and newly delivered projects
pronounced”, however, ranging Apartment sales remain largely continued, lower-end residential
from 6-11%. unchanged throughout Abu Dhabi, units remained under pressure
“As a result of the delivery of with the exception of Marina throughout the Ȍrst quarter of
new supply during a period of Square (-5%), Reef Downtown 2018,” Steven remarked.
$2.7bn
Swiss equipment manufacturer,
ISO 41000
The new standard paves the way for
a more comprhensive deȌnition of FM
Up to standard
The new facilities management ISO definition is here,
and stakeholders believe that it could usher in a new
era of FM service delivery within the Gulf region,
Nikhil Pereira reports
T
hree facilities management (FM) and maintenance function spun off into
standards were revealed by the an industry [of its own].” He believes that
International Organisation for a professional standard will serve the
Standardisation (ISO) late last sector well.
year. Due to be published in the coming There are currently three standards (see
months, the new ISO 41000 standard paves box out on page 23), and Imdaad group CEO
the way for a framework that will better Jamal Abdulla Lootah sheds light on their
define FM, its functions, and its positive implications for the regional FM sector.
impact on both emerging and developed “The management system standard, ISO
markets worldwide. The Middle East Facility 41001, targeted for publication in 2018,
Management Association (MEFMA) has is expected to raise awareness about the
now encouraged the regional FM sector to FM field, provide support to the industry,
get FM ISO certified. and implement and maintain effective
The process began back in 2012, when Stan FM procedures across all global sectors,”
Mitchell was appointed as the chairman of says Lootah, who also serves as president
the Technical Committee (TC) 267 Facilities of MEFMA.
Management — the committee Lootah believes FM is one of
that was responsible for writing the world’s fastest-growing
the standard. professional disciplines, but
Mitchell says there is FOLLOW that has suffered from a general
provision to create 30 CONSTRUCTION lack of understanding and
WEEK
standards within the family awareness of its importance.
CWMIDDLEEAST
of ISO 41000. “It’s about “[This] is unfortunate, and
establishing framework, criteria something that will get rectified
and measurement for any type of through the implementation of ISO
organisation in creating a facilities standards,” he says.
management regime against which it can be There are several accreditations and
benchmarked,” he told the British Institute certifications that FM operators can
of Facilities Management. acquire in order to maintain the highest
The FM sector as we know it has not levels of service. The British Institute of
been around for as long as some of the more Cleaning Science (BICSc) training is tailored
established sectors, such as mechanical, towards soft services, whereas the National
electrical, and plumbing (MEP) or hospitality. Inspection Council for Electrical Installation
As a result, the new ISO standard for the Contracting (NICEIC) standard is a British-
sector has been welcomed by operators based, globally accepted benchmark for
with open arms. power-based operations. There are also
Regional FM veteran Bill Heath said at a several other accreditations that are
panel discussion in 2017: “Most engineers applicable to the FM field. Managing director
and professionals wound up in FM by chance, at Emrill Facilities Management Alex Davies
and the transition was taking place in the sheds light on how the ISO standard will
late 1980s. Then, the traditional operation tie all of these together.
IN 2017, MEMBERS
FROM 42 COUNTRIES
WERE INVOLVED IN THE
COMMITTEE TO WRITE
THE ISO STANDARD
FOR FM
OPERATORS SPEAK
Charalampos Sarafopoulos,
general manager at Al Shirawi FM
“Through the ISO standard for FM, our
industry achieves a key milestone to
frame, secure and equip its growth.
As happens with all standards, we will
not be able to see and justify its value
unless it is adopted by all entities, and the
governmental/ semi-governmental ones
must, as they always do, lead the way as
part of their FM provision, both internal
and outsourced.
“The ISO standard will relieve FM
companies of the stress of being
Ȍnancially competitive in order to sustain
their business in a low- (even zero-) Charalampos Sarafopoulos,
general manager of Al Shirawi FM.
proȌtability environment, as it will clear
the industry of companies that do not materials that will build strong, healthy,
meet the required professional standards and long-term partnerships. At Al Shirawi
and compromise quality for the sake of Facilities Management, we are excited
one-off revenue. about this new era of our industry [...].
“Competitiveness will be mainly And FM expansion will have a fruitful land
focused on quality and innovation criteria, in which to grow and develop.”
to truly transform industry practices within FM companies might incur in order to achieve 170-plus countries that are ISO 9001 certified.
the facilities management sector,” he adds. ISO 41000 certification. And, of course, any While it may take time for the new ISO
One UAE-based asset management firm, increase in costs to operators would likely 41000 standard to attain the same level of
speaking anonymously, states that FM be passed on to clients. acceptance as more established standards
companies that are ISO certified will be in To date, ISO 9000 – which is now a family such as ISO 9000, or the ISO 14000 series on
a favourable position to win new contracts, of quality management standards – has been environment management, the new standard
but that factors such as an increase in the most popular accreditation within the FM will set the precedent for a sector that is
service fees would be something to watch field globally. There are currently more than expected to be worth more than $50bn in
out for. At this stage, it is not clear what fees one million companies and organisations in the GCC by 2022.
CONSTRUCTION WEEK
IN FOCUS
S01E09
BUILDING SAUDI
ARABIA’S FUTURE
17 April, 2018
ONSITE:
EQUIPMENT LAUNCH
PMV SPECIAL
12 April, 2018
CW ON THE GO www.youtube.com/c/constructionweekonlinecom
CONSTRUCTION WEEK
IN FOCUS
S01E08
EURO 4 REGULATION
IN THE UAE
10 April, 2018
ONSITE:
PROJECT UPDATE
CW SITE VISIT
PHASE 1 OF $6.8BN
SHARJAH WATERFRONT CITY
4 April, 2018
About BuildingMENA.com
BuildingMENA is the Ȍrst and only job portal dedicated to the Middle East
and North Africa region’s construction and engineering sector. A collaborative
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To learn more about the platform, email sales@buildingmena.com.
N OW R E C R U IT IN G
Atkins’ transport and infrastructure Arabian Construction Company (ACC) AW Rostamani is looking for a design
(T&I) division is seeking a driven, requires a project manager (PM) to manager to join its team in Dubai.
ambitious, and self-motivated person work on its high-rise developments. The The role involves the preparation
to join its team in Saudi Arabia. The rail PM will plan, monitor, coordinate, and of drawing packages, requirements,
systems manager will lead system-wide control project mobilisation activities timings, and issuance across projects in
reviews of data and reports prepared as scheduled. They will also manage the hospitality, commercial, and retail
by the operator as required by the project construction in accordance with industries. The design manager will
client, develop trend information and the contract. also oversee the process of obtaining
make recommendations to improve The PM will ensure that all necessary appropriate design information to begin
the operations and maintenance of rail permits are obtained from local production, as well as provide project
projects, and monitor the performance authorities, and that construction guidance and set-up for computer-aided
of systems equipment failures. efficiency is maximised, while costs design (CAD) operators.
The candidate must have at least 20 are controlled. The ideal candidate The ideal candidate will have more
years’ experience in a similar role, with will hold a bachelor’s degree in civil or than eights years of experience in a
emphasis on railway operation and architecture engineering. They must design manager position within the
maintenance. They must also hold at also have more than 18 years’ experience UAE, and an engineering or architectural
least a master’s degree in engineering, working with building contractors, degree in interior design. They will also
and have work experience in Saudi and have worked as a PM on high-rise have worked with a main contractor or
Arabia or another GCC country. building projects. interior fit-out contractor before.
[BDG] is a highly creative team of people. I have been BRINGING THE BEST OF
very impressed with their strategic design approach
and studio culture. I look forward to working with the CONSTRUCTION
great client base they have.” MATT JACKSON, BDG
AND ENGINEERING
T IPS FO R J OB -SE E K E RS TOGETHER
Stat attack: Common CV and job application mistakes to avoid
On average, an advertised about whether they are About 30% of job hires
job receives more than going to hire you. First are speculative, and
200 applicants, and only impressions count – be on based on the individual,
4% of those actually call time, be prepared, dress so choose companies that
to push for an interview. appropriately, and walk you want to work for and
So, make your application in with a firm handshake apply to them directly.
stand out with a CV and a smile at the ready. More than 60% of hires
tailored to the job and On average, only three are made without a job
company. Make it easy to candidates will be chosen advert being posted or Powered by
read with a clear, concise for a second interview, the specification given
record of how you have so lateral thinking and to a recruiter. Never
developed in your career. an eye for detail will also send an email addressed BuildingMENA enables construction and engineering firms
Within two minutes, be key. Take a day off to to ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ to showcase their latest vacancies in front of top industry
talent from the MENA region and beyond. Job-seekers can
more than 70% of prepare, and don’t wear to a professional email use the platform to quickly build CVs and profile pages that
interviewers will have the same clothes that you address. That is a recipe can be easily searched by prospective employers.
made up their mind did to the first meeting. for an automatic ‘delete’.
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CONSTRUCTION
WEEK
@CWMIDDLEEAST
NEHA BHATIA
WHATS YOUR VIEW? COMMENT ONLINE CWMIDDLEEAST
W
hile global players are RRPCL, which comprises Indian Oil, Bharat
ubiquitous in the Middle Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum.
East’s construction industry, In addition, Saudi Aramco is developing
the last few weeks have seen a petrochemicals complex worth $5bn with
a new wave of international collaborations French oil company, Total.
established in the regional sector. These These agreements are in keeping with the
developments will bene¿t not only the international focus for which high-pro¿le
Middle East’s project owners, but also its companies and large-scale developments
construction contractors. are known. However, the collaborations also
Just in the last month, Saudi Arabia has highlight the current investment climate in
launched a variety of new project categories the Middle East. Landmark megaprojects
that will be developed in the country, among such as Expo 2020 Dubai and the initiatives
which are the Solar Power Project 2030, and rolled out as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision
a theme park in Qiddiya (p16, Construction 2030 are attracting both investment and
Week #695). The solar park will be developed international expertise into the regional
in collaboration with Japanese conglomerate construction sector.
Softbank, while the Qiddiya project will see These developments also present
the involvement of US theme park operator opportunities for the Middle East’s
Six Flags. construction companies to display their “Regional business leaders
In the UAE, Parques Reunidos, a knowhow in global markets. Regional – who have helped to build
Spain-based operator of animal parks, business leaders – who have helped to build
has been picked to oversee the day-to-day some of the world’s most impressive and
some of the world’s most
operations of the newly opened Dubai Safari record-breaking projects – should look to impressive and record-
development. Meanwhile, Driver Group – a capitalise on the current market sentiment to breaking projects – should
construction consultancy that ¿rst expanded secure their future growth.
beyond the UK in 2006, with an of¿ce in the It is these regional and international
look to capitalise on
UAE – has launched Kuwait operations to business leaders that the 2018 Construction international collaborations
better serve its local clients. However, these Week Power 100 will honour in June. Now in to secure their future growth.”
are not the only high-pro¿le, cross-country its ninth year, this list is our annual ranking of
collaborations the Middle East’s construction the most inÀuential leaders currently working
sector has witnessed in April. in the Middle East’s construction sector.
Earlier this month, Saudi Aramco said The regional construction industry, led
it had joined the Ratnagiri Re¿nery and by the best in the business, has witnessed
Petrochemicals Ltd (RRPCL) consortium to numerous achievements in the past year, so
develop a $44bn re¿nery and petrochemical please get in touch if you would like to see FOLLOW NEHA BHATIA
complex in India. The Saudi company has yourself or a colleague represented in the
@JAYDAWT
signed a memorandum of understanding with Power 100.
ADHAM KOTB
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? COMMENT ONLINE CWMIDDLEEAST
Neutrality anew
What impact will FIDIC’s newly introduced requirement for engineers to act
‘neutrally’ have on the construction schemes under way in the Middle East?
T
he International Federation of That obligation was removed in the 1999 would normally wish to rely on their
Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) is edition, however, which stipulated that the knowledge and expertise to respond to the
recognised as a global producer engineer “be deemed to act for the employer”. contractor’s claims and prepare the employer’s
of standard forms of construction The 1999 edition also introduced the dispute claims and counterclaims. This would require
contracts. Given the extensive reliance adjudication board (DAB) and shifted the the engineer to actively find facts and develop
on FIDIC forms in the Middle East, the first-tier dispute resolver role away from the arguments to support their client’s position.
organisation’s new edition, published in engineer and to the DAB. This was a sensible If the engineer is to take a passive, neutral
December, is of particular interest to those development, as the DAB – which is jointly position, this could leave the employer
operating in the region. appointed and paid by both parties – is better inadequately represented, and necessitate
Compared to the preceding 1999 edition, the placed than the engineer to be truly impartial. the appointment of additional resources by
2017 edition includes considerable amendments However, FIDIC’s 2017 edition has the employer to act on their behalf. However,
that have attracted both praise and criticism. introduced an express obligation for the since the 2017 edition provides for a standing
One of the newly introduced amendments is the engineer to act “neutrally” between the parties and neutral dispute avoidance/adjudication
requirement for the engineer to act neutrally. when determining any matter or claim. The board (DAAB), the appointment of additional
Like all previous editions of FIDIC, under new conditions further stipulate that when resources would result in additional costs.
the 2017 edition the engineer is appointed, making such determinations, the engineer Thirdly, while the 1999 edition provided
paid, and can be replaced by the employer. The should not be deemed to be acting for the for the engineer’s response to contractor
engineer’s primary role remains to supervise employer. These new provisions raise a number claims within a certain time frame, the 2017
construction work on behalf of the employer. of questions. edition does not provide for any response to
However, in the new edition, the engineer be made. The engineer is required to proceed
is required to carry out certain actions in a QUESTIONS RAISED with consultations and determinations as soon
“neutral capacity”. Thus, the engineer has Firstly, is it realistic to require an engineer to as they receive the contractor’s claims. This
to perform a dual role, undertaking certain act neutrally when deciding matters against approach is problematic as the preparation of
functions as the employer’s agent, and other their client? This requirement is difficult a carefully considered response is necessary
functions as a neutral third party. to implement in practice, although it could to develop a true understanding of the issues
be argued that the integrity of engineering being claimed.
FIDIC REQUIREMENTS professionals should make it possible. Considering all of these factors, it seems
Since its first edition in 1957, the FIDIC However, because certain claims may, in likely that the new obligation for the
conditions have stipulated that the engineer reality, be caused by the engineer’s own actions engineer to act neutrally could result in
make determinations that can affect the rights or omissions, expecting them to maintain unnecessary confusion and complexities.
and obligations of both the employer and the neutrality when determining such claims It is recommended, therefore, that parties
contractor. However, the requirement to seems unrealistic. wishing to adopt the new FIDIC edition make
make these determinations in an independent Secondly, is it actually desirable for the changes to the related clauses.
capacity has changed over the years. engineer to act neutrally? Would this really
The 1987 edition obliged the engineer to act benefit the project and parties involved? Adham Kotb is a managing consultant
“impartially” when exercising their discretion. Having appointed the engineer, the employer at consultancy and advisory firm HKA.
[M]CONSTRUCTION
24 CONSTRUCTIONWEEK
WEEK21
21- -27
27APRIL,
APRIL,2018
2018 WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM
FACE TO FACE
T
he incident happened about a It is a telling anecdote, but not only
decade ago, but Eng Anwaar because it appears to support claims
Al Shimmari has no trouble of gender-based discrimination in the
remembering how disturbed she felt at workplace. It is also telling because,
the time. when asked whether female engineers
“I was shocked because he came from have difficulty finding their place in
an Arabic country known for having a the unquestionably male-dominated
culture that is more open than ours,” she construction industry, the one story that
FOLLOW
CONSTRUCTION says, explaining that the ‘he’ in the story Al Shimmari can remember with clarity is
WEEK was a colleague who, when she received a a decade old.
@CWMIDDLEEAST promotion at work, asked to be transferred. “Back then, the challenge was being
“I was supposed to be his line manager, accepted as a line manager. Or [if you were]
but he totally rejected the idea of having a on site, some would say that a woman
woman as his boss,” she recalls, saying that engineer doesn’t know the job,” she says.
the man even had no qualms about asking “But this was a long time ago, and it wasn’t
for the transfer in front of her. a reflection of the industry. It was more of a
“I couldn’t understand or respect his personal behaviour.”
“I believe AI should mentality, because I wouldn’t judge or Emphasising that female empowerment
discriminate [against] anyone [based is now “a reality” in the UAE, and even
support our work on] race, gender, ethnicity, or religion. dubbing the phenomenon of having
A professional environment [requires] women working in the engineering field
instead of doing the professional manners.” “feminising infrastructure”, she continues:
work [for us].” Whether that former colleague ever “The [factor] behind this success is the
found himself in a similar situation again support of the UAE leadership. HH Sheikh
AL SHIMMARI, MoID is not known, but it is reasonable to believe Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
that he eventually learned the error of his President and Prime Minister of the UAE
ways, since he apologised to Al Shimmari and Ruler of Dubai, has clearly stated that
when they met again, eight years later. 50% of higher management in any federal
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WEEK
@CWMIDDLEEAST
A
n investment made by the Availability in the IT environment is
UAE’s Al Naboodah Group a measure of a user’s ability to access
Enterprises (ANGE) in a data in the location and format in which
new platform helped the it is expected.
company to meet the goal of virtualising
its IT operations. THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
ANGE’s aim was to completely ANGE’s existing technology investments
virtualise its information technology include those in systems such as
(IT) environment, in a bid to SharePoint, as well as platforms to
meet sustainability goals set by its deliver enterprise resource planning
management, increase the utilisation of (ERP), customer relationship
existing IT investment, and reduce management (CRM), email, data
capital expenses. analytics, and web servers.
The firm, which employs 16,000 people Moreover, the company operates
and has more than 100 construction sites up to 20 specialised construction and
and offices across the Middle East, Africa, commercial applications, including
and Asia, uses various applications that AutoCAD, a computer-aided design (CAD)
have to be continuously available to and drafting application that is used
allow intra-company collaboration. daily by its architects, project managers,
Eventually, Swiss technology provider, and engineers. As the IT team scaled its
Veeam, delivered the availability platform operations in line with sustainability
that helped ANGE virtualise 99.8% of its key performance indicators (KPIs),
IT operations, offering backup cycles it was keen to utilise a virtualisation
that have been shortened by 60%, and platform and reduce its carbon footprint.
saving the construction giant 1,000 man- However, the firm’s existing backup
hours each year. system was unable to meet the IT
VENDOR PICKED
To implement an appropriate system,
“WE HAVE at every stage of the process, in case
ANGE evaluated proof of concepts ACHIEVED 99.8% there is a miscommunication or a need
(POCs) from multipoint vendors. Foster VIRTUALISATION, AND to refer to previous versions,” the group
says that of all the platforms reviewed CIO explains.
by ANGE that supported virtualisation,
[HAVE] MONITORING “Whereas file recovery could take up
Veeam “had the best overall package and OF 170 VMs.” to a day, with Veeam we can resolve these
by far the most dedicated local support”.
ANGE deployed the Veeam Availability
Suite as a single platform for its backup, Mario Foster,
ANGE.
replication, recovery, and reporting
needs. In addition, the suite’s deep
integration in the IT environment meant
it also offered monitoring capabilities.
Upon implementation in July 2016, the
company is said to have noted immediate
improvement in its IT performance, with
backups now completed in minutes, and
recovery time objective (RTO) reduced
by 60%. RTO refers to the target duration
within which a company aims to recover
its IT and business operations after a
disruption has occurred.
Additionally, even though ANGE’s data
increased by more than 200%, the IT team
was able to back up all applications in
real time, on a daily basis. This continued
IN NUMBERS
99.8%
LEVEL OF OPERATIONAL
VIRTUALISATION ACHIEVED
BY ANGE FOLLOWING THE
ADOPTION OF VEEAM’S
AVAILABILITY SUITE
$180,000
VALUE OF CAPITAL
EXPENSES SAVED BY
ANGE THROUGH THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF
VEEAM’S PLATFORM
60%
PERCENTAGE BY
WHICH ANGE’S RTO
HAS REDUCED SINCE
VEEAM’S AVAILABILITY
SUITE WAS ROLLED OUT
FOLLOW
CONSTRUCTION
WEEK
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SHEIKH ABDULLA
CULTURAL C
32 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 21 - 27 APRIL, 2018 WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM
DESIGN FOCUS
AH AL SALEM
CENTRE
A recently completed
cultural complex by SSH
reimagines a traditional
Kuwaiti neighbourhood
WORDS BY AIDAN IMANOVA
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SSH
T
he SSH-designed Sheikh Abdullah the National History Museum, Science
Al Salem Cultural Centre is the Museum, Museum of Islamic History,
latest addition to a new cultural Space Museum, and the Fine Arts Centre.
district that is taking shape in Kuwait’s The complex also includes an external
capital city, and stands alongside the sunken courtyard that houses a 300-seat
Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre, theatre, a café, and a multifunctional
which was also designed by SSH. reception area. An additional café and
Evoking a traditional urban environment information centre stand outside the
common to the Middle East, the main museum halls, while enclosed linear
architectural identity of the complex is travellators connect to the car park in the
driven by a central ‘street’ that forms the basement level.
spine of the project. Serving multiple The buildings, and the circulation
functions, this street creates a point of between them, are shaded and partially
orientation, transporting visitors from climatically controlled by an inverted,
the city entrance to the south of the site 200m-long solar shade canopy, with
towards the sea in the north-east. Where a cantilevers measuring 30m. It consists
series of blocks are formed on either side of of a sequence of 2,000 glass-reinforced
the street, it also offers a space for events. plastic shingles, each integrated with LED
“Each block creates a unique lighting. The orientation of the shingles
environment, specific to its distinct creates a downdraft to lower the ambient
functions, and the use of streets and temperature by about 10°C, allowing
squares breaks down the enclosure and visitors to comfortably explore the museum
provides physical and visual links between during daylight hours.
the [different functions]. The positions The shingles range from 3m2 to 9m2 and
of the blocks help activate the street on each comprises a single piece of fibre-glass,
both sides, with the end blocks forming which reflects ambient temperature and,
gateways,” says design director at SSH, at night, creates light effects to celebrate
Simon Dennison. national holidays and events.
The central spine of the development Each of the main exhibition buildings
also acts as the point of connection between is similar in structure and architectural
the six main museum buildings, which treatment but varies in height and length
are open at ground level and linked by according to its function, ranging from
bridges on the upper levels. These include single-storey areas to double- and triple-
Contractors and developers must explore and invest in new systems to integrate green
waste management systems into future construction projects, Oscar Rousseau reports
E
conomists refer to the system irrigation; carbon dust, a by-product of “At EGA, our long-term aspiration is that
by which one industry’s aluminium smelting, can be used as an everything we produce can ultimately be a
by-products become another alternative fuel in the cement industry. product with an economic use,” said EGA’s
industry’s feedstock as the Moving towards a circular economy can Salman Abdulla earlier in 2018.
‘circular economy’, and when it comes support profitability, and three companies “We just have to work with other
to waste management, the business and from Europe, North America, and the industries to find those uses. [...] This is
environmental benefits of this system are Middle East, which operate in the GCC, clearly the right thing to do, for business
clear. Improved effectiveness in the use are calling for greater collaboration in and the planet.”
of materials can lead to lower costs and this area. Abdulla, EGA’s executive vice president
less waste. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), of health, safety, security, and environment;
Waste that one company simply cannot which claims to be the largest industrial quality; and business transformation,
reuse could be a vital commodity for company in the UAE outside of the oil and was speaking following the company’s
another firm. For example, treated liquid gas sector, says it is a supporter of circular announcement earlier this year that the
waste can be used for organic farming or economy initiatives for waste management. volume of waste it had recycled in 2017
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