EMAAR Platinum Sponsor of Dubai property design and development show

Additionally, EMAAR Properties will also sponsor a major new initiative, the Cityscape 2002 Young Architect Award, which recognises the very best architecture in Islamic communities. The company will also host a gala VIP reception during the exhibition to announce the winner of this prestigious award.

"Cityscape 2002 will be a highly interactive forum that will allow the entire vertical sector of the regional and international real-estate development community to meet and network," said Mansour A Al Othaimin, Director of Sales and Marketing, GCC, International and Commercial, EMAAR Properties.

"Together we hope to share best practices on urban development and new innovative techniques, while at the same time addressing the various challenges facing the region's real-estate industry."

Othaimin added that the company's sponsorship of the newly instituted Cityscape 2002 Young Architect Award was an indication of its resolve to continue to play a pivotal role in nurturing the real-estate development sector in the region.

"We hope that this unique initiative will encourage and bring to the fore Islamic architectural concepts and talent from both across the region and the world," Othaimin said.

"As a showcase that celebrates the very best in architecture, urban planning and development and design, we hope Cityscape 2002 will create the right environment to achieve the long-term goal of bringing international quality development concepts to the area."

The Cityscape 2002 Young Architect Award will be hosted at EMAAR's Montgomerie Golf Club on December 15.

"The Cityscape 2002 Young Architect Award will encompass the broadest possible range of architectural interventions. Restoration and social efforts will be eligible, as well as contemporary design projects and those demonstrating the use of appropriate technologies," said Chris Hudson, Project Manager, IIR, organisers of Cityscape 2002 and the associated 4th International Property Investment and Management Conference (IPIC).

"Protection of the built and natural environments, new approaches to the need for shelter and the changing role of public urban spaces will also be considered by the awards jury.

"It is intended that the award will become a prestigious annual event and a platform for promoting young architects living or practising within Islamic cities who have made a positive contribution to their immediate context or locality," said Hudson.

The award jury consists of Dr Suha Ozkan, Secretary General, Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Switzerland; Dr Rasem Badran, an Aga Khan prize winning architect, Dar Al Omran, Jordan; Dr John Alexander Smith, Professor and Programme Chairman, Department of Interior Design, American University of Dubai, Rashed Muhammed Bukhash, Head of Historical Building Section, General Projects Department, Municipality of Dubai and Rashid Taqui, Managing Director, Architecture+, UAE.

Cityscape 2002 and the 4th International Property Investment and Management Conference will take place at the Emirates Towers hotel, Dubai, from December 14-17. They will bring together property investment and development professionals and world class designers and architects, from the US, Europe, Middle East and Australasia.

"These two significant events will highlight the groundbreaking achievements that have been made in the region's construction sectors and will introduce specific large-scale and strategic projects in the pipeline that will be of interest to local, regional and international investors," said Hudson.

To date contracted exhibitors include Al Oula; Tabreed; EMAAR, Core Architects, Lighting Design Partnership International; Royal Philips Lighting; Cassia Associates; RMJM Architects and Consulting Engineers; Hyder Consulting; Atkins; KEO International; Arab Engineering Bureau; Dar AL Omran;, Convergnt; Goodwin Austen Johnson; Architecture+; Emrill; Arab Construction World; Construction World; Geberit and H & R Johnson. There will also be a Canadian industry pavilion.