Trakhees-CED forum discusses innovations in design and construction

The event, held in Dubai for the first time, was a huge success in terms of participation and the quality of ideas related to civil engineering, design and construction presented and discussed in the various sessions of the forum.

Over 400 professionals from the engineering and construction sectors took part in the event, which discussed the various innovations revolutionising the construction industry and also sought answers to the challenges that the industry faces.

H.E Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman, PCFC, in his inaugural address, said that Trakhees - CED is adopting development and modernisation as a way of conducting business. He highlighted the department's leading role in supporting the e-government initiative by becoming the first paperless office in the Dubai World group.

Ahmed Butti said: "The Civil Engineering Department has embarked on a new creative initiative of building serious partnership through the organisation of this Forum. It brings together professionals and technical staff from our business units, consultants and contractors to meet a distinctive group of specialists and experts and address the challenges in engineering that we face. This is a reinforcement of the partnership we already have. We are re-launching it at a new international level as an attempt to deal with the challenges using best methods and techniques."

He said that this interaction "will undoubtedly lead to quality improvement in design and construction, and ensure safety and security in the process."

Earlier, opening the Forum, Engineer Nazek Al Sabbagh, Managing Director, Trakhees, said that the construction boom in Dubai has created many opportunities for innovations and creative design. "There are challenges in design as we go for record-breaking in height or go beyond the conventional in dancing towers or fancy shapes and forms. These challenges have created the environment for innovation and creative thinking. Furthermore, the development in new materials and techniques is providing another dimension to this ongoing race between capabilities and ambition."

Engineer Nazek added: "Dubai is now home to a great number of world-class organisations. To share this great wealth of expertise is the only way to tackle the challenges, widen the horizons and pave the way for record breaking construction achievements."

The forum was divided into six sessions in which experts from various areas presented papers dealing with issues related to design, materials and construction, including special constructions like bridges and very tall buildings.

MMFX Technical Corp, the main sponsor of the forum, presented awards to Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Engineer Nazek Al Sabbagh, Abdulla Belhoul, Director, Projects, and Rashid Al Falasi, Senior Manager - Building Permit.

The closing ceremony of the forum featured a presentation of awards to the sponsors and speakers from the organizers.