Cityscape to provide vision of future cities

Organiser IIR says Cityscape 2003 will spark discussion on best architectural practice and new and innovative construction techniques, as well as being a vehicle to educate and develop individuals within the industry.

Both the network-marketing exhibition and conference, that will take place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Dubai from October 18-20, are officially supported by the Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA).

As a Government Authority, DDIA is committed to promoting the economic growth and development of Dubai by attracting corporate and private investors to the UAE and by facilitating the growth of leading local businesses and encouraging local entrepreneurs.

To meet these goals DDIA is tasked with developing strategies to attract inward private sector investment into Dubai, mobilising domestic capital resources for growth and innovation, marketing the business benefits of Dubai to leading global companies and helping leading local companies to develop additional added-value services for their businesses.

DDIA puts in place a conducive business environment that will facilitate building the infrastructure support required for this rapid growth, development and demographic expansion.

Among those exhibiting at Cityscape 2003 will be major international property developers; architects; design specialists; consulting engineers; project managers; lighting and landscape architects; finance and investment companies.

'Cityscape 2003 will enable exhibitors to influence and network with major developers, key organisations and governmental authorities who are involved in the design and construction of major public and private property developments,' said Christopher Hudson, Event Director, IIR.

'There is no other Middle East event that combines a conference and exhibition, in the same venue, focusing on the design and facilitation of developments for the future.

'In only its second year Cityscape has established itself as one of the world's leading industry events, bringing everyone under one roof so they can build new relationships, rethink design methodologies, meet the challenges ahead with a unified approach and revel in being part of a developing and dynamic industry.'

Companies already participating in the network marketing event include: Dubai Development & Investment Authority; Al Habtoor Engineering, Al Nakheel Group, Al Oula Real Estate Development, Al Sarab Consulting, Amlaki Finance, Amoudia Real Estate Development, Aqar Holdings, Arquitectonica, Atkins, Alsop Architects, Assa Abloy, Bentel Associates, Behnisch & Behnisch Architects, Cassia Associates, Convrgnt Value Engineering, Core Architects, Damac, and Dewan Architects & Engineers.

Other contracted participants include: Espial Consulting, Foster & Partners, Fusion, Gensler, Godwin Austen Johnson Architects, Halcrow, Hyder Consulting and Hopkins & Partners, Ian Banham Associates, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Leigh & Orange, Lynton Property Investment, LC Consulting, Martin Architectural, PHB Group, PT Group, Philips Lighting, RMJM Architects & Consulting Engineers, Roberts & Partners, RIKAZ, Tabreed, WS Atkins & Partners and Wimberley Alison Tong and Goo.

IIR says Cityscape's associated conference will be a window on how Middle East cities will develop as they strive to cope with rapidly rising populations and the demand for more housing and infrastructure. It will bring together leading architects, international and regional property investment and development experts and urban planners from the US, Europe, Middle East and Far East.

Key issues to be examined include trends in regional and global property management; the impact of freehold on regional property investment; strategic planning of cities, including sustainable urban environments; transitional and emerging investment markets; integrating facility and property management; innovations in property development financing; responsive urban approaches to cultures in transition; the impact of man and nature on the urban environment and the evolution of regional architecture.

International speakers will include: Sheikh Mohamed O Al Amoudi, Founder and Owner, Al Amoudi Group, Saudi Arabia; Esam Y Janahi, CEO, Gulf Finance House, Bahrain; James Wilson, Hotels and Resorts Advisor, IFA, Kuwait; Abdel-Rahman Solh, Director of Contracts and Corporate Marketing, Solidere, Lebanon; Sarman Zok, CEO Kingdom Hotels Group; Suresh Kumar, Emirates Bank; Stan Eichelbaum, President, Marketing Developments, US; John Shandwick, Managing Director, Encore Management, Switzerland; Professor William Alsop, Alsop Architects UK; Bernado Fort-Brescia, Arquitectonica Hong Kong; Jafer Tukan, Jordan; George Ferguson, President, the Royal British Institute of Architects; Andy Miller, Director Foster & Partners, Ken Yeang, Architect, T R Hamzah and Yeang, Malaysia; Rajeev Kathpalia, Partner, Vastu Shilpa Consultants, India and Asad Shaheed, Director, Development Planning (International) and Architecture, Halcrow, Middle East.

Among UAE speakers also confirmed are Saeed Al Muntafiq, Director General, Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA); Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Nakheel; Essam Al Tamimi, Managing Partner, Al Tamimi and Co and Dr Karim El Sohl, CEO, The National Investor.

The conference will include two workshops on the Valuation and Finance of Real Estate Projects and Retail Property Development.

Platinum sponsors of Cityscape 2003 are, Nakheel Developers, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Aqar Developments, Almoudia Real Estate Development. The event's other sponsors are Al-Oula Development Company, Rikaz, Assa Abloy and Tabreed.