In Pictures: UAE construction sector is going green, smart and aiming for records

Buildings going ‘green’, buildings turning smart, and buildings going for world records. In the UAE construction sector, everything is happening at the same time. Above, heavy equipment by CAT is on display on the opening day of The Big 5 International Building & Construction Show.

Because there’s a belief that the construction sector in the country will finally get to play catch up with the property market - as more supply of homes becomes a want among investors and end-users.

The Big 5 show that opened in Dubai on Monday (December 6) promises to be one year-end show-stopper - and a sentiment reader on what the construction and project industry can expect in 2023. Above, visitors at Honeywell pavilion.

The halls at DWTC are packed for Big 5, and industry stakeholders are putting on the best show to attract a potential client’s interest and a call to bid for their next project. Above, visitors are looking at a sustainable plant wall at the TNG Lab pavilion on the opening day of The Big 5, International Building & Construction Show.

Because the projects are coming, whether from the public sector or private players. 2023 is rated as likely the best year for construction after five relatively rigid years. During this period, off-plan project launch activity had dropped, and only the energy (including renewable and clean) and industrial were keeping contractors busy.

Because it is a property launch, it gives the local construction industry the feeling of being in constant motion. Now, developers are stepping up their off-plan activity, as investors - the majority of them - want their homes to be ready in 2-3 years.

Developers cannot afford to take five years to build something they had promised to finish and handover less time. The buyers and broader market sentiments will treat them harshly for anything late. Above, supercut by Flextos at display.

This is where UAE's contractors can do their bit, raising their game, and if project promoters have the funds, then finish off on time. Contractors will ensure they have a good reading of when to expect funds - waiting around endlessly and hurting their operations will no longer wash.

And contractors will have to play by sustainability rules. It must be more than just super-prime Grade A buildings that aim for sustainability landmarks in their project lifecycles. Going green and being sustainable will be the only road to take.

Because in the future, these sustainability scores too could decide the building's star rating system. Which in turn will have a say in rental calculations. Above, wood based panels at Desert Board pavilion.

So, contractors need to brush up on this score - and they could even get help from AI and the Metaverse in mapping out what they should do and what they should be building. Above, visitors at Greece pavilion.

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