Top 10 stories this week: skinny skyscraper, top jobs, luxury on a budget and how Sharjah is transforming garbage to electricity

As another week speeds by, here are the top stories you need to know: the skinniest skyscraper in the region -- just one apartment wide -- is coming up in Dubai; how developers are balancing luxury offerings with budget-conscious buyers; how Sharjah is sending zero (municipal) waste to landfill thanks to waste-to-energy plant that turns unrecyclable waste as fuel for generating electricity, and more.

Plus, meet the panel judging entries for the CW Awards Middle East.

Stay tuned!

Site tour: Inside the UAE's first waste-to-energy plant in Sharjah generating 33MW

Sharjah’s Waste to Energy plant, a collaboration between BEEAH Group , Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) , and Veolia Near & Middle East , is the UAE’s first facility of its kind.

Located in Al Saj’ah, it processes over 300,000 tons of non-recyclable waste annually, generating 30MW of electricity—enough to power 28,000 homes. By converting waste into clean energy and diverting 100% of Sharjah’s municipal waste from landfills, the plant plays a key role in the city’s goal of achieving “zero waste to landfill.” It also reduces CO2 emissions by 450,000 tons per year, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to sustainability.

More details about the waste-to-energy plant here.

Dubai is launching the region’s thinnest skyscraper, just one apartment-wide

A new development by Muraba and Pritzker Prize Laureates (2017) RCR Arquitectes introduces a contemporary style of architecture that draws upon vernacular heritage and tradition to its latest collaborative project, Muraba Veil.

The culmination of a ten-year partnership is the fifth collaboration between Dubai-based Muraba and Spanish RCR Arquitectes, bringing a shared aspiration to work in harmony with the natural environment, and allowing each location’s unique characteristics to guide the concept.

The appointed engineers for Muraba Veil are the world-leading engineering consulting firm WSP, with client advisory by 奥雅纳 .

More details here.

Luxury on a budget? This is how Dubai developers are making high-end living affordable

For many years, luxury living in Dubai seemed unattainable for the average buyer. However, developers are consistently innovating to make high-end living accessible to a wider audience.

Through a combination of cutting-edge construction techniques, strategic location selection, and creative financial options, developers in Dubai are finding ways to offer the luxurious lifestyle the city is known for without the need for a premium price tag.

Continue reading here.

Here are the 10 biggest airports in the Middle East

Airport construction has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, shifting from basic infrastructure upgrades to creating world-class facilities designed to enhance the entire travel experience.

This transformation has been driven by evolving passenger demands and the need for airports to accommodate new aviation trends.

Today, major airport construction projects worldwide are focusing on expanding capacity, incorporating cutting-edge technology, and adopting sustainable building practices. By integrating advanced construction techniques and collaborating with key industry stakeholders, airports are improving operational efficiency and maximising passenger comfort.

Leading this evolution are Middle Eastern hubs, which have embraced innovations like AI-driven project management, digital twin technology, and smart building materials to set a new standard for airport infrastructure development.

Check them out here.

4 Types of concrete bridge damage common in Saudi Arabia — and how to fix them

Concrete bridges are vital to modern infrastructure, supporting heavy loads and withstanding challenging environmental conditions over long periods.

However, one of the biggest threats to their longevity is corrosion, particularly in steel-reinforced concrete. When left unchecked, corrosion can significantly weaken structural integrity, leading to costly repairs or even catastrophic failure.

Understanding the causes of corrosion in concrete bridges and knowing how to rehabilitate them is crucial for extending their service life.

Speaking at an infrastructure conference in Dubai this week, Ebrahim Ababtain, Director of Bridges Design at Saudi Arabia’s?Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, revealed the four main types of damage to concrete bridges common seen in the kingdom — and how they can be addressed.

Continue reading here.

Data shows most Saudi Arabia project contracts awarded in Eastern Region

Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province accounted for the highest share of awarded contracts during Q1 2024, amounting to $14.2 billion (SAR53.1 billion) of the total $31 billion awarded in the same period.

According to a report by U.S.-Saudi Business Council , 45% of all projects awarded in the entire kingdom across various sectors were for projects located in the Eastern Province.

See a sector and region-wise breakdown of the report's findings here.

Dubai construction jobs of the week: Site Engineer, Construction Manager, Project Coordinator

The construction industry is, at its core, a place where ideas take physical form, and where careers are built alongside cityscapes. And right now, the industry is seeing an unprecedented surge in activity.

From new infrastructure projects to innovative developments, construction is booming across the region. But behind every major project are the people who make it happen: engineers, architects, project managers, and skilled workers. That’s where ‘Construction Jobs of the Week’ comes in.

Each week, we’ll highlight some of the most exciting job opportunities in the industry. Whether you’re a veteran looking to take your next big step or someone considering a new path in construction, this series aims to connect talent with the roles that drive the sector forward.

Find this week's listings here.

A Day in the Life of: Mohammed Adib, founder of Intercon

Mohammed Adib is the Founder of Intercon Barcelona , an architecture and interior design firm that creates spaces where innovation meets beauty.

Founded in 1993 in London, Intercon is a global firm with bases in Barcelona and Dubai, and projects across continents. He is also a Partner and Chief Design Officer at Dewan Architects & Engineers , the Managing Director?of?Design?Lab, and ranked in Construction Week Middle East‘s POWER150 this year.

See what a day in his life looks like here here.

Design & Build contracts: Navigating liability and warranties

Liabilities and warranties, especially in construction contracts are very fluid, and they ebbs and flow depending on the nature of the project and more importantly, the type of contract. One such contract, which we shall deliberate upon in this article is the Design and Build Contract.

As the name suggests, a design and build contract is where a contractor assumes the role of both designer and contractor for the purposes of a project. In doing so, all the responsibilities of the design and all the responsibilities of the project execution fall on one legal entity i.e., the contractor.

The reverse of this is more commonplace, where there is a separate design consultant (usually appointed by the employer/client) and a separate contractor builds the project based on the design provided by the design consultant.

Therefore, there are significant legal implications for a design and build contract, which are discussed here.

CW Awards Middle East 2024: Meet the judges

The nominations are in and the shortlist is out, which means it’s time to meet the panel of judges who will be selecting the very best to receive the Construction Week Awards Middle East 2024.

Ranging from academia to industry and governing authorities, the judges bring decades of vast and prestigious experience in the construction and built environment industries. The same judges are also reviewing entries for the Construction Week Awards KSA 2024.

Check out the shortlisted nominees for CW Awards Middle East 2024 here and learn more about the judges here.

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