Cityscape Abu Dhabi opens with participation from leading developers

Abu Dhabi: The seventh edition of Cityscape Abu Dhabi, the biggest annual congregation of the region’s real estate developers in the capital got underway here at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre yesterday.

The three-day show which showcases multi-million dollar projects of several top real estate developers from the region was marked inaugurated with Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, touring the exhibition.

Chris Speller, Commercial Director for Informa, the oganisers of the 2013 edition of Cityscape, told Gulf News the key focus for this year’s Cityscape Abu Dhabi is to offer transparency and the opportunity to get a true understanding of how the Capital is progressing with its Vision 2030 plan.

“Cityscape has always acted as a barometer for the real estate market and will once again support the industry to renew confidence and offer clarity on what developments can be expected in the near future,” Speller said.

“One of the highlights of this year’s event will be the Vision 2030 Conference Centre, which has been coordinated by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. The Conference Centre includes many of the key government bodies such as the Department Of Transport, Abu Dhabi Educational Council, Department of Municipal Affairs and Western Region Development Council to name a few. The conference will run for the duration of the event and offer all participants significantly more insight into the developments of Abu Dhabi and is free to attend for all visitors,” he added.

Speller said transparency, progress and moving forward will be the key sentiments for all the developers. “This will allow the visitors to get an understanding of what is happening with current projects and future developments,” he added.

Driven by the spending power of affluent residents and visitors to the emirate, the need for quality real estate developments is on the rise. The Abu Dhabi government is also encouraging industry consolidation highlighted through the proposed merger of two of the Abu Dhabi’s largest real estate developers, Aldar Properties and Sorouh Real Estate.

Experts tracking the local real estate sector say consolidation is expected to extend beyond companies and towards government entities and projects as well, which bodes well for a strong, sustainable real estate future in the emirate.