Top stories: building in space, decoding green building certifications, and more

It's the end of another week, and in the spirit of Ramadan, it's been a quiet, introspective one, providing opportunities to think and investigate deeper into the state of the industry, what we're capable of, where we are, and where we can go.

Here are our top picks from this week.

Are we ready to build in space?

Various advancements in technology and construction methods are pushing the boundaries of what is possible and comprehendible in the present reality.

The concept of space construction, which has long been a subject of science fiction, is currently becoming a tangible reality, with numerous technologies already setting forth a range of innovative ideas for building structures in space.

As global space exploration efforts intensify, the question of whether we are prepared to leverage cutting-edge technologies and build in space emerges.

Read more here.

When it comes to women in construction, ‘the pace of change needs to change’

The construction industry has a problem and it’s not just a general shortage of talent.

Less than 15% of construction professionals are women despite making up a much larger proportion of all employed individuals; pay disparity on the basis of gender is high and rife, as are barriers to advancing a career in the industry.

Combined with inflexibility when it comes to maintaining work-life balance, it’s no wonder that skilled, talented women either leave the industry, or never consider it a viable one to enter at all.

Read more here.

Demand for family villas is back up in Q1 2024

In an interesting turn of events, Property Finder’s recent 2024 data has unveiled a striking trend: 40% sales home seekers are looking to buy villas.

Out of this 40%, 85% are looking for three bedroom and above villas. Leading the demand in early 2024 are areas like Dubai Hills Estate, Al Furjan, Arabian Ranches, Palm Jumeirah and Mohammed Bin Rashid City. So, why has the demand picked up for sprawling villas over breathtaking skyscraper views?

Read more here.

LEED, Estidama, BREEAM: A deep dive into green building certifications in UAE

Whether you’re apartment hunting or navigating the vibrant streets of Dubai, you’ve likely encountered prominent certifications adorning building facades – LEED, Estidama, Well, BREEAM, and more.

Coming from the construction industry, these names might even be a part of your everyday operations, especially if you work directly with developers in the region.

Following the pronounced focus on sustainable construction, these certifications play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development in major cities, and each certification system has its own set of criteria and rating mechanisms. That said, whether you are aiming for LEED, BREEAM, or Well, the common goal is to foster a greener built environment.

In this article, we will be running down the five most common green building certifications in the UAE including what they promote and what specific criteria they follow.

Read more here.

Meet the top 30 Saudi construction companies in 2023

It's that time of the year again.

The latest annual ranking of the top 30 construction contractors in Saudi Arabia will soon be out, profiling the biggest and most relevant firms in the kingdom.

With work on #gigaprojects in full swing and more projects than ever in the pipeline, check out who made the list last year — and stay tuned for the 2024 list next week.

See the 2023 list here.

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