New focus on greener development at MEED's Efficient Design & Construction conference

With a focus on the new and the exotic - and on how quickly developments can be completed - vital factors such as long-term maintenance, fire safety, energy consumption, and impact on the surrounding environment are often overlooked by the region's developers. This sits in sharp contrast to the latest approach in the West, and especially in Europe, where efficient design is now a significant factor in the purchasing decisions of businesses and individuals.

With a view to shaping new, more efficient and more sustainable developments in the Gulf, major players from across the construction and engineering industries will gather in Dubai for Efficient Design & Construction. The conference, organised by MEED - the market leaders in tailored industry events in the region - takes place at Park Hyatt, Dubai, UAE on 26 and 27 June 2007.

Edmund O'Sullivan, Editorial Director at conference organisers MEED, says:

"Although the Gulf is leading many global trends in building design, the natural mineral wealth of the region has led to a lag in the widespread adoption of sustainable design and development practices. But this is set to change. Both contractors and developers based in the Gulf are under pressure as never before to incorporate sustainability and efficiency as key design elements in buildings and developments. This comes not only from consumer pressure to act with greater levels of environmental responsibility, but also from shareholders who understand the added value in being seen to be green - the boost to the much talked about 'triple bottom line'. "

"Any construction, engineering and architectural companies set on long-term success are already embracing efficient design, as are their foresighted clients. The Efficient Design & Construction conference - which we're holding for the first time this year - is testament to the way that behaviour is changing within the sector and reflects a growing trend among global developers."

There are notable examples of developments in the Gulf pushing the boundaries of sustainable building. Efficient Design & Construction features presentations and first-hand accounts from the companies and individuals behind two of the region's 'sustainable world firsts': Sultan al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company will detail plans for the first ever carbon-neutral sustainable city; and Shaun Killa, Design Director and Head of Architecture at Atkins, will provide a case study on Bahrain's World Trade Centre - the first large scale development to incorporate wind turbines as an integral design feature anywhere on the globe. Other keynote speakers at the conference include: Roger Frechette and Russell Gilchrist of SOM who will discuss the building of a zero energy skyscraper - China's Pearl River Tower; and Abdulrahman Kalantar, Director of the Design Group at Nakheel, on cost-effective and sustainable construction.

MEED's Efficient Design & Construction has already attracted confirmed senior delegates from the biggest and most innovative names in construction, engineering and design - including Atkins, Nakheel, Gifford, KBR, Dubai Waterfront LLC, Ishraq Gulf Real Estate and many more. With the industry's major players gathered in one venue for two full days, Efficient Design & Construction provides unrivalled networking and deal-making opportunities, as well as the chance to steal a march on competitors with the latest inside information and business insight.

Delegates attending the conference also have the chance to take part in a post-event workshop - a step-by-step guide to designing a cost effective and sustainable structure - facilitated by a senior design director at Atkins and the chair of architectural science at Cardiff University.

MEED is the acknowledged market-leader in key regional industry-focused events and conferences; delivering expert, up-to-date business insights, industry data and research findings.

The event is supported by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the international organisation sponsored by building professionals, designed to facilitate exchanges among those involved in the planning, design, construction and operation of tall buildings. The exhibition sponsor is Corus, providing steel and aluminium products and services to customers worldwide.