Tabreed in partnership with Ireland-based HT Materials Science (HTMS), has successfully completed a groundbreaking pilot project using a revolutionary nanofluid technology named ‘Maxwell.’

This initiative, a first of its kind globally, has shown promising results in significantly enhancing energy efficiency in cooling systems.

The technology, named after 19th-century scientist James Clerk Maxwell, involves an engineered nanofluid – a suspension of sub-micron aluminium oxide particles in a base fluid. Applied across Tabreed’s extensive network of 89 district cooling plants, Maxwell has the potential to increase energy efficiency by up to 15%. This translates to a substantial environmental impact, theoretically preventing around 200,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to powering 20,000 homes or taking 43,500 cars off the road.

Tested at a Tabreed district cooling facility in Khalifah City, Abu Dhabi, during the summer of 2023, Maxwell demonstrated a remarkable 13.6% increase in chiller efficiency and a 9.0% overall plant efficiency improvement. This was achieved by enhancing the thermal capacity of water in the chilled water system, leading to more efficient operation of chillers and other cooling equipment.

Khalid Al Marzooqi, CEO of Tabreed, expressed his pride in leading such innovative and impactful initiatives, aligning with the UAE’s Net-Zero strategy. He emphasized the importance of this development in accelerating the energy transition and providing efficient cooling solutions globally.

Maxwell’s non-toxic, non-corrosive nature, along with its recyclability, adds to its appeal for widespread application in both new and existing HVAC systems. It is anticipated to be a game-changer in reducing the environmental impact of cooling systems, which account for a significant portion of energy consumption worldwide.

Following the successful pilot, Tabreed and HTMS are planning to extend Maxwell’s application to other district cooling facilities within Tabreed’s portfolio. This move is timely, considering the anticipated tripling of global cooling demand by 2050. With district cooling already recognized as up to 50% more energy-efficient than conventional methods, Maxwell’s adoption could mark a major step forward in sustainable cooling.

Thomas Grizzetti, CEO of HTMS, highlighted Maxwell’s potential to significantly reduce energy usage and carbon footprint across various industries. He commended the partnership with Tabreed as a strategic move towards achieving broader adoption of this cutting-edge technology.

This initiative represents a major stride in sustainable cooling technology, offering a blueprint for energy-efficient practices in an industry critical to global environmental goals.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Founded over a decade ago, the Ahl Masr Foundation and Hospital is a leading not-for-profit hospital and research center that offers free treatment of trauma and burn victims in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa. The Ahl Masr Hospital serves burn and trauma victims with comprehensive, advanced medical treatments. The hospital also strives to uplift the human spirit through personalised care that not only heals the body but also offers hope, love, and a helping hand during life’s most challenging moments.

The Ahl Masr Foundation and Hospital is located in New Cairo with a built-up area of 45,245sqm and eventually aims to receive over 300,000 patients per year, operating an intensive care unit, an incubator department, a surgical department, specialised clinics, and laser treatment.

Designing a High-Performance Healing Environment

Determined to improve patient outcomes and experiences, the hospital has made significant investments in its site over the past ten years, developing several new services and pathways. However, the management feels like there is room to grow to provide a better experience for patients. The engineering department of the hospital continues to innovate the infrastructure to create a safer, more comfortable, and improved experience for patients. Besides building infrastructure, medical furniture also has a greater impact on almost every aspect of a healthcare facility, from functionality to aesthetics.

Leveraging ZWCAD’s Specialized Toolsets for Planning, Design, and Construction

Due to the massive size of the hospital, it was a tedious task for the hospital’s engineering team to handle facility management, manage hospital infrastructure data provided by architects and contractors associated with the hospital, work on building maintenance projects, and redesign interiors and furniture. Most of the data available was in the form of AutoCAD (.dwg) file format. Ahl Masr’s team started searching for an integrated solution that combines powerful 2D functionalities and helps them in their design workflow while at the same time optimizing the cost of procuring and maintaining software. After a precise study of the hospital’s needs, the team selected ZWCAD.

“During our search for alternatives to AutoCAD, we explored several options. However, we discovered that ZWCAD stood out due to its remarkable user-friendliness, appropriate functionalities that align with our team’s needs, provision of a perpetual license, and affordability,” said Eng. Islam Abdelsamie, Senior Project Engineer.

When the hospital’s engineering team approached ZWSOFT, after learning more about Ahl Masr’s noble work in serving the humanity with utmost compassion and with selfless devotion. In response, ZWSOFT decided to donate ZWCAD licenses to Ahl Mahr Foundation to fulfil its role of social responsibility towards burn victims.

Upon transitioning to ZWCAD, Ahl Masr’s engineering team initiated the renovation of the hospital’s sixth-floor furnishings. The goal was to establish an environment that prioritised patient safety, comfort, and overall experience. Through close collaboration with the medical staff, the engineering team designed and executed healthcare furniture and facilities that were carefully crafted to support the healing process effectively.

Leveraging ZWCAD’s specialised toolsets provided the ability to create, edit, and annotate the 2D models within the interface. The existing floor plan drawings were used to modify, analyse, and rearrange the furniture. ZWCAD facilitated creativity through 2D drawings for both wooden and metal furniture, thus increasing the overall speed and precision of manufacturing.

Additionally, Ahl Masr’s team regularly ensures the efficient functionality of the hospital within the built-up area and in accordance with local laws and planning guidelines. This is necessary to ensure full compliance with international hospital quality accreditation. The engineering team at Ahl Masr employs ZWCAD to produce construction documents that adhere to the relevant regulations and standards. They collaborate with medical staff and patients to make improvements to the existing infrastructure, using feedback to guide their efforts. ZWCAD is used to edit available architectural drawings and apply forward-looking ideas to existing facilities, which play a significant role in the patient recovery process.

“ZWCAD proves to be a robust and flexible tool, boasting an impressive range of features that greatly facilitated the achievement of our precise design goals for hospital infrastructure and interiors.” concluded Eng. Mostafa Seleem, IT Director.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

The Big Project Middle East (BPME) editorial team has made the decision to postpone its forthcoming Critical Infrastructure Summit (CIS), on the back of growing interest from key regional stakeholders to get involved, and a desire to expand the event’s agenda.

Originally scheduled to take place on 15 November at the Two Seasons Hotel in Dubai, the event will now take place in Q2 2024 – a specific date will be announced in the coming weeks, the BPME team said.

The CIS aims to shine a light on the region’s infrastructure, specifically airports, seaports, road and rail and data centre, all of which regional governments and private sector companies are investing heavily into. In addition to new builds, existing infrastructure is being expanded to keep pace with growing demands and a desire for more sustainable operations. The Middle East and Africa infrastructure market is said to be valued at $48bn and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% between 2023 and 2028, according to Mordor Intelligence.

“I’ve been pleased with the response to the first edition of our Critical Infrastructure in terms of attendance and buy-in from key public and private sector entities. Taking this significant interest into account, the editorial team and I decided to move the event into 2024, so we could not only expand the event’s agenda but accommodate all our public and private sector speakers. There’s significant infrastructure work taking place in the UAE and across the Middle East and there’s a real appetite to highlight and debate opportunities and challenges, as stakeholders strive to balance growing requirements and sustainable development and operations,” explained Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East.

The event in 2024 will comprise a mix of panel discussions and high-level presentations, and is supported by:

Gold Sponsor: KEO International Consultants
Strategic Content Partner: ALEC
Silver Sponsor: AECOM
Endorsed by: The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

To discuss participating at the event as a speaker, contact conference producer Jason Saundalkar on Jason.s@cpitrademedia.com. Sponsorship inquires can be addressed to Raz Islam on raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com.

Read more about the Critical Infrastructure Summit by clicking here.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

In a significant move reshaping the transportation landscape of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has enacted Law No. (21) of 2023, marking the evolution of Dubai Taxi Corporation into a public joint-stock company, now known as ‘Dubai Taxi Company (PJSC).’

This transformation, which includes the initiation of an Initial Public Offering (IPO), grants the company financial and administrative independence, heralding a new era in Dubai’s transportation sector.

Accompanying this law, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, approved Council’s Resolution No. (93) of 2023, outlining Dubai Taxi Company’s Articles of Association. These documents define the company’s objectives, including the introduction of futuristic transportation services like self-driving and flying taxis, and establish regulations for the operation and governance of the company. This includes the election procedures for the Company’s Board of Directors, now chaired by Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim Younis, with Ahmed Ali Al Kaabi as the Vice Chairman.

This rebranding from ‘Dubai Taxi Corporation’ to ‘Dubai Taxi Company (PJSC)’ is mandated across all existing legal references in the emirate. The law also stipulates the company’s longevity, setting its duration to 99 years, subject to automatic renewal under the conditions outlined in the Company’s Articles of Association.

The Dubai Taxi Company (PJSC) is set to provide a range of transportation services, adhering to current emirate regulations. These services extend beyond traditional taxi operations to include leasing vehicles with or without drivers, offering specialised transportation using self-driving vehicles, and potentially operating flying taxi services.

Furthermore, the company is authorised to engage in contractual agreements for passenger transportation services with other entities, provided these contracts align with the new law and existing regulations.

These landmark resolutions, effective from their date of issuance and to be published in the Official Gazette, supersede Executive Council Resolution No. (48) of 2016 and any contradictory legislation. Until new decisions and bylaws are issued, existing regulations and decisions from Resolution No. (48) of 2016 remain effective, provided they don’t conflict with the new law’s articles.

The introduction of Law No. (21) of 2023 represents a strategic step towards modernizing Dubai’s transportation infrastructure, leveraging technological advancements to enhance services and expand the emirate’s global footprint in the transportation sector.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

An agreement has been signed between Beeah, the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) and Al Maqar Development Company (ALMQR), the investment arm of the Municipality of Madinah. The deal will create a new organisation that will provide integrated waste management solutions in the Saudi province, from the collection of waste at the source through to treatment, recycling and disposal in the general landfill.

According to the agreement, Beeah, SIRC and ALMQR will work together to drive innovation and efficiencies across the waste management value chain, from waste collection to waste treatment and enhanced material recovery. Ultimately, the partnership aims to foster the circular economy, while shaping a cleaner and greener province in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

SIRC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund).

The agreement was signed by Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Beeah, Engineer Ziyad AlShiha, Group Chief Executive of SIRC, and Majed Alshalhoob, CEO of ALMQR at a key ceremony held in Yanbu in the presence of Prince Faisal bin Salman bin AbdulAziz Al Saud, Governor of Madinah Province, Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Fahad bin Mohammed Albelaihshi, Secretary of Madinah Province.

“We are pleased to partner with SIRC and ALMQR, two institutions leading the way in the areas of circularity and urban development,” said Al Huraimel. He also stated that Beeah looks forward to drawing from its experience in waste management in Madinah and in the UAE.

“By combining our strengths with SIRC and ALMQR, we look forward to achieving new benchmarks in sustainable waste management, supporting the development of thriving communities, shaping the circular economy and progressing towards a zero-waste to landfill future in the Province of Madinah,” he added.

AlShiha pointed out that creating local and global partnerships were key to innovation and investing in circular economy solutions.

Madinah is an important area for both the kingdom and SIRC, as we work to drive the circular economy. Through this partnership with ALMQR and Beeah, we look forward to implementing advanced solutions and leveraging recycling best practices to uncover value across the waste management chain in Madinah, he concluded.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Developer Vincitore Realty has announced the launch of its sixth project in Dubai – Vincitore Aqua Dimore with a development value of more than US $327mn. The project is taking shape in Dubai Science Park (DSP), and is set for completion in Q4 2026.

It aims to redefine ‘aqua resort’ living, with key facilities such as designer private pool, outdoor patio with bar counter, private garden and terrace swing. It will offer a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences.

Veer Doshi, Director of Vincitore Realty said, “Affordable luxury is no longer an aspiration; it’s a reality. With Vincitore, we are actively responding to the evolving needs of the market, and we believe this project will set a new benchmark for real estate industry in Dubai. Our past projects like Palacio, Boulevard, Benessere, Volare, and Dolce Vita stand testimony to our legacy of quality and our far-sighted vision when it comes to understanding Dubai’s real estate market.”

According to Doshi, the group’s latest project combines the best of both worlds – affordability and luxury. He continued, “With a deep understanding of the evolving preferences of our clientele, we’ve crafted a development that redefines the standards of world-class living at an affordable price in Dubai. It will deliver branded designer apartments – each of them carefully designed to offer maximum livable space while maintaining the classic architectural design that will make it stand out from the rest.”

Strategically located, the project site is just two minutes away from an upcoming metro station, and is connected to Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Umm Suqeim Road and the city’s other arterial routes.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Developer Arada has appointed Tadao Ando as the designer for its new performing arts centre, Il Teatro, which is set to play a prominent role in Sharjah’s lifestyle community, Aljada.

A fully fledged cultural complex spread over a 260,000sqft, the ‘Il Teatro at Aljada’ and its surrounding plaza will host a wide variety of performances and shows, including opera, theatre, dance, ballet, musicals, concerts, films, art exhibitions and festivals.

As well as a 2,000-seat auditorium, Il Teatro will incorporate a gallery and boutique restaurant. Arada explained that the design for Il Teatro consists of a pure, cylindrical concrete mass, which faces a multi-layered cultural plaza.

Featuring Tadao Ando’s trademark of architectural simplicity, the cultural centre’s design will boast a dramatic secondary feature; a large, arched opening that enlivens the front of the building, forming a strong connection between its interior and exterior.

Arada Vice Chairman Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal said: “Il Teatro at Aljada represents an impressive new attraction for Sharjah and the wider UAE and adds significantly to the list of museums, galleries, entertainment venues and other cultural spaces for which Sharjah is already well-known.”

Il Teatro occupies a prime position within Aljada, situated on the main access road into the master community. It also sits at the centre of the Naseej creative district, a cluster of 19 buildings that also incorporates the Vida Aljada hotel and branded apartments complex, which will be operated by Emaar Hospitality.

Residents living in the creative district will be able to enjoy access to Il Teatro via two ‘green spines’ or urban parks that contain lush foliage and dense tree coverage, with workshops, artist studios and cafes facing the parks on both sides.

Il Teatro is the second of Tadao Ando’s projects in the UAE, following the Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah, also in partnership with Arada, which was announced earlier this year.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Developer Select Property has said that the value of GCC real estate is likely to reach US $4.43tn this year, and show a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.65% through 2028, to achieve a market volume of $5tn. It added that the GCC’s residential real estate value is on pace to grow at a CAGR of 2.85% to hit $3.43tn.

With the region appearing to have sidestepped any negative ramifications of a global recession, investors are leveraging this economic strength by seeking global investment opportunities to diversify their income, the firm stated.

Discussing the UK, the developer noted that rental prices are projected to grow by 15.9% between now and 2027, thanks to several key factors including increased investment interest from the GCC. From June 2022 to June 2023, average rental prices throughout the UK increased by 5.1%. The rental demand in prime city centre locations like Manchester is at an all-time high with rental yields of up to 8% being achieved annually.

The developer also said that the promising investment potential has contributed to a forecast of more than $3bn from the Middle East being invested in the UK’s real estate sector in 2024.

“With its resilience during economic uncertainty in recent years, the UK has maintained its long-standing position as one of the world’s smartest choices for property investment,” said Select Group CEO Adam Price.

He noted that the GCC has played a key role in spurring this growth as intelligent investors have taken notice of the market’s increasing property prices and competitive rents to capitalise on both short- and long-term returns.

He concluded, “With the GCC’s strong economic performance holding steady, the UK’s real estate sector appears poised to remain a beneficiary for the foreseeable future.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Developers Dutco and Ellington Properties have announced the launch of a new waterfront project – One River Point – at Business Bay in Dubai, which will house a collection of 295 residences with a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses.

The announcement comes on the back of the strategic alliance announced earlier this year to develop several premium residential developments in major communities extending well beyond Dubai and the UAE.

Set for completion in the second quarter of 2027, One River Point promises to be a jewel in the heart of the thriving Business Bay neighbourhood. Beyond exceptional living spaces, One River Point offers a host of key amenities catering to the wellness-oriented and sophisticated lifestyle of its residents.

Apart from two resort-style infinity pools and a dedicated children’s pool, the building will also feature a fitness studio with provision for adult climbing as well as a yoga studio with a virtual trainer on the projector screen. Moreover, residents will also have access to an immersive experience room with a full projector screen, outdoor and indoor kids’ play areas, a pets’ wash and play area, and open terraces. All residences will boast panoramic vistas of Dubai landmarks, such as the Dubai Water Canal, Burj Khalifa, and Burj Al Arab.

Dutco Group CEO, Nelson Gibb said, “The launch of One River Point marks the onset of our long-term partnership with Ellington Properties and realisation of our shared vision to further elevate the value proposition of major residential communities like Business Bay. We are confident that One River Point with its magnificent inventory and distinctive amenities will receive a strong response from both our current and prospective audiences.”

Elie Naaman, Co-Founder & CEO (International) at Ellington Properties added, “As we continue to deliver aspirational and design-led addresses in prime neighbourhoods of Dubai, our strategic partnership with Dutco – with their wealth of experience in real estate – is further strengthening our endeavour to provide high-quality lifestyles and long-term value to more communities in the city. The launch of One River Point marks a significant step forward in our expansion plan under the Dutco Ellington brand.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews

A US $1bn credit package has been approved by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for a new bridge over the Paraná River in Argentina.

The plan is to construct a four-lane bridge 9km away, featuring a 772m cable-stayed span, 5.6km of viaducts, in addition to 28km of associated highway.

According to a report, the board approved a $700mn credit line, as well as a $345mn first loan to build a bridge between Chaco and Corrientes, as well as access roads. The $345mn loan will fund the initial construction phase, project supervision, and socio-environmental mitigation. It has a 25-year repayment term and a 5.5-year grace period.

The two provinces are currently connected by the two-lane General Manuel Belgrano Bridge between Resistencia and Corrientes, but this has become insufficient for traffic demand, as per a report.

The loan will also be matched with a $100mn local contribution, the report concluded.

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Source: MEConstructionNews