Tag: UAE construction

  • Dubai Dominates UAE with All 10 Tallest Skyscrapers Under Construction

    Dubai Dominates UAE with All 10 Tallest Skyscrapers Under Construction

    Dubai continues to dominate the global skyscraper race with an unprecedented pipeline of supertall towers that will reshape the emirate’s skyline by the end of the decade. According to data from Skyscraper Center released on July 29, 2026, six of the world’s 20 tallest buildings under construction are in Dubai, underscoring the city’s leadership in vertical development.

    The 725-metre Burj Azizi, developed by Azizi Developments on Sheikh Zayed Road, tops the list and is set to become the world’s second-tallest building after the Burj Khalifa when completed in 2028. The mixed-use tower will combine luxury residences, a hotel, offices, retail and observation facilities.

    Binghatti Developers leads the private sector push with multiple entries, including the 595-metre Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co. Residences in Business Bay, expected in 2027, and the 341-metre Mercedes-Benz Places in Meydan, scheduled for 2028. The developer’s partnership strategy with luxury brands reflects Dubai’s focus on attracting ultra-high-net-worth buyers.

    Tiger Properties’ 532-metre Tiger Sky Tower in Business Bay, due in 2029, will feature a unique indoor rainforest attraction alongside luxury residences and a hotel. Select Group’s 517-metre Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina, expected in 2028, will offer wellness-focused living across more than 120 storeys.

    London Gate’s 450-metre Franck Muller Aeternitas Tower in Dubai Marina, targeting 2027 completion, will become the world’s tallest branded residential clock tower, created in partnership with the Swiss luxury watchmaker.

    The remaining towers in the top ten include Binghatti’s 357-metre Skyblade in Downtown Dubai (2029), the 350-metre Trump International Hotel & Tower developed by Dar Global (2031), East & West Properties’ 348-metre Rixos Financial Center Road Dubai Residences (2028), Al Habtoor Group’s 345-metre Al Habtoor Tower overlooking Dubai Water Canal (2027), and the Mercedes-Benz branded tower in Meydan.

    The concentration of luxury-branded developments—featuring partnerships with Jacob & Co., Mercedes-Benz, Franck Muller, Rixos, Six Senses, and the Trump Organization—illustrates Dubai’s strategy of combining real estate with international prestige brands to maximize appeal to global investors.

    Most projects integrate multiple uses including residences, five-star hotels, observation decks, restaurants and retail to maximize land value and tourism appeal. This vertical expansion comes as Dubai residential rents declined 6.2 percent quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2026 following substantial new supply delivery.

    The development pipeline reinforces Dubai’s position as the city with the world’s largest concentration of ultra-tall buildings outside China, with all top ten towers concentrated in prime locations including Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road and Meydan.

    The completion timeline spans from 2027 to 2031, with the majority of towers scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029, adding significant luxury residential and hospitality inventory to a market that recorded 87,800 real estate transactions worth Dh291.7 billion in the first half of 2026.

  • Abu Dhabi Unveils Dh200 Billion Infrastructure Portfolio with 600+ Projects

    Abu Dhabi Unveils Dh200 Billion Infrastructure Portfolio with 600+ Projects

    The Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) is overseeing one of the largest government development programs in the UAE, with a portfolio spanning housing, transportation, healthcare, education, tourism, and community infrastructure across the emirate.

    The extensive pipeline reflects Abu Dhabi’s long-term strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil, improve quality of life for residents, and strengthen its position as a global hub for business, tourism, and innovation.

    ADPIC coordinates the planning, delivery, and oversight of major public infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with the UAE’s broader economic and urban development goals.

    Dh55 Billion PPP Programme for 2026–2027

    Reflecting the scale of future expansion, Abu Dhabi has announced a Dh55 billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme to finance 24 new infrastructure projects during 2026 and 2027, making it one of the largest initiatives of its kind in the Gulf region.

    The projects are distributed across several key sectors:

    • Transport and Roads: Approximately Dh35 billion has been allocated to develop 11 transportation and road projects, including the construction and expansion of more than 300 kilometres of roads, bridges, tunnels, and major intersections.
    • Water and Flood Protection: Five projects worth Dh11 billion will develop dams, water storage facilities, stormwater drainage systems, and flood protection infrastructure.
    • Social Infrastructure: Approximately Dh9 billion has been allocated for the construction and development of schools, universities, hospitals, sports facilities, and modern community amenities.

    The initiatives align with Abu Dhabi’s broader infrastructure strategy, which S&P Global Ratings recently described as a major shift from the emirate’s traditional utility-focused model into transport, social infrastructure, and core public assets. You can read more about the Dh55 billion PPP pipeline announced earlier this month.

    Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit 2026

    The announcement coincides with the second edition of the Forbes Middle East Building the Future Summit 2026, which kicks off in Abu Dhabi on June 23, 2026, under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

    The two-day summit is expected to bring together approximately 3,000 policymakers, business executives, and industry experts to examine the future of sustainable urban development across the Middle East and North Africa.

    Participants will discuss strategies for building more sustainable and resilient cities, integrating digital technologies into urban planning, and attracting investment into next-generation infrastructure projects as countries across the region pursue ambitious economic diversification and net-zero goals.

    Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said:

    The future of energy and infrastructure will be shaped by the integration of sustainability, innovation, and advanced technologies. The UAE continues to adopt a forward-looking approach that combines clean energy, digital transformation, and resilient infrastructure to support economic growth and enhance quality of life.

    Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, said:

    The second edition of the Building the Future Summit comes at a time when the region is witnessing an unprecedented acceleration in urban and infrastructure development, driven by technological transformation, sustainable growth requirements, and the increasing need for more resilient and future-ready development models.

    Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure

    Abu Dhabi’s future vision extends beyond capital expenditure and focuses on developing a comprehensive ecosystem powered by advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital governance in project and infrastructure management.

    The emirate has introduced a unified infrastructure governance framework involving 14 government entities, aimed at accelerating approvals, reducing project delivery timelines, and improving coordination among stakeholders.

    The framework is expected to lower operating costs, improve government spending efficiency, and accelerate the delivery of strategic projects that support economic and urban growth across the emirate.

    Supporting Population and Economic Growth

    These significant investments coincide with rapid growth in Abu Dhabi’s industrial, tourism, real estate, logistics, and advanced technology sectors, creating increased demand for infrastructure capable of accommodating future population growth, business expansion, and foreign direct investment.

    Economists believe that continued investment in infrastructure projects remains one of the key drivers of the emirate’s GDP growth and further enhances Abu Dhabi’s attractiveness to global investors, particularly through innovative financing models based on public-private partnerships.

    The emirate’s population is projected to reach six million by 2040, underscoring the need for large-scale infrastructure development to support sustained demographic and economic expansion.

    With more than Dh200 billion in ongoing projects and a newly launched Dh55 billion programme for future developments, Abu Dhabi appears poised to enter a new phase of urban and economic expansion, supported by modern infrastructure that will serve as the foundation for growth and development over the coming decades.