The Big 5 will focus on such burning issues as the many building fires and earthquakes across the region that have dominated headlines in the UAE in recent months. The annual trade show — the region’s largest construction fair — begins today at Dubai World Trade Centre and runs until Thursday. Sustainability and the growth of smart cities are other key topics that will be tackled at the show, says Andy White, Group Event Director, The Big 5.
This year’s show is the biggest ever, he tells GN Focus. “It is 10 per cent bigger than The Big 5 2012, covering all available space at Dubai World Trade Centre. We have seen a big increase in the number of international exhibitors, including from Italy, Turkey and the UK [as well as] new pavilions from Saudi Arabia and the largest-ever pavilion from Greece.”
More than 2,500 exhibitors from 65 countries will be at the show, with new pavilions also from Poland, the Netherlands and Vietnam. France will also be represented by up to 40 companies at the pavilion organised by UbiFrance, the French Agency for International Business Development. Exhibitors include Esmery Caron, a leader in textile architecture, which takes its first step at trading in the GCC by showcasing its stretched canvasses. Two other shows, Middle East Concrete and PMV Live will also take place alongside The Big 5, creating a 360-degree show platform.
White indicates that the future looks bright for the industry over the medium term. “There are currently $1.5-trillion (about Dh5.5-trillion) worth of projects planned or under way in the GCC, with 2014 also expected to be a positive year for the region. This is in contrast to most construction markets around the world, [which] is probably why we are seeing an increase in in international exhibitors at the show,” he explains.
Steady growth
While the UAE and Saudi Arabia lead the way in terms of overall project value, Qatar is the fastest-growing market with $15.9-billion worth of projects awarded in the first half of 2013, a 230 per cent increase on the last six months of 2012.
Kuwait remains a market to watch. “In recent years Kuwait has built up large cash reserves for project development but the money hasn’t always been released. However, we believe things are changing and $6.1-billion worth of projects were awarded in the first six months of 2013, up from $5.9 billion in the previous six months and we expect this growth to continue,” White says.
As the region’s market matures, it will have to deal with numerous challenges. One of these is the introduction of the Dubai Green Building Codes in January, which is expected to make demand for products that save energy, reduce water consumption and create a healthier living environment higher than ever at the event.
“As the regulatory authorities begin to implement regulations and procedures that must be met in order for a structure to be built, there will be a much greater need for understanding on how these standards can be met and maintained,” White says. “Sustainability is impossible to ignore. It is the future and is no longer merely the buzzword in the boardroom. Developers and contractors need to really think about the life cycle of their structures – the design, the materials used and the way in which they will be run and maintained in the long term.”
Understanding the code
Accordingly, The Big 5 has teamed up with Dubai Municipality, which will be offering a free workshop on the subject, also discussing the main design elements that will be affected by the new requirements and how they can be adopted in a way that minimises the cost to a project.
“For many years now sustainability has been a main theme at The Big 5. This year will be no different and the topic will feature heavily as part of our educational programme, a number of the free-to-attend seminars, live demonstrations, the new Sustainable Design and Construction Conference and the Gaia Awards, recognising the industry’s most innovative environmentally friendly products,” he says.
With the imminent introduction of these new codes, designers and contractors will also need to ensure that they minimise the use of water and have a plan to recycle construction waste. “One of the Big 5’s product sectors is Water Technology, which will feature hundreds of exhibitors showing the latest technology in the management of water. In addition to this, much of the seminar and conference content will focus on how to incorporate recycled material into the building structure, strategies and technologies to improve water conservation and reusing mains water for landscaping and irrigation,” White explains.
Safer buildings
New technology will also be a focus — particularly technology that guarantees the safety of buildings. With a number of high-profile incidents of fires in buildings in the last year, reducing the risk is an important issue for designers and builders. “Apart from a number of exhibitors showcasing fire safety equipment and materials that reduce fire risk, The Big 5 will feature a number of seminars and conferences on understanding fire codes across the Gulf, testing procedures for cladding and facades and [testing] cladding systems that reduce fire risk,” White says.
The UAE has also regularly been experiencing tremors from earthquakes as far away as India and Pakistan. Tall buildings must therefore be designed to be able to withstand this, White says. “This year’s Big 5 will include a session on implementing the new building codes to deliver earthquake-proof buildings.”
Finally, in a world where everyone and everything is becoming increasingly connected, it is vital that the correct physical infrastructure is in place to facilitate information and communication technology solutions, he says. The smart cities being built around the region must have smart economies, smart mobility, smart environments, smart living and smart governance. “Construction plays a vital role in many of those elements and as many of the region’s cities move towards this smart model, it will be vital that the construction industry provides innovative solutions to facilitate this,” he explains.
Organised by dmg events, The Big 5 takes place from 11am to 7pm at Dubai World Trade Centre. It caters to sectors such as construction, steel, kitchens and bathrooms, marble and stone, water technology, ventilation and air conditioning, windows, doors and cladding, with the building interiors sector having been launched this year following interest from architects and designers.
