Middle East property sector offers world's 'most exciting opportunities for development'

Among the innovations set to be unveiled at the conference will be a new generation of "super-tall structures" and a wide range of architectural breakthroughs.

Running alongside Cityscape 2004, the Cityscape conference this year will see leading industry professionals discuss the future of the burgeoning property development market in the region, and share their expert insights on attracting international investment and delivering sustainable solutions.

Cityscape 2004 is scheduled to take place between 29 November and 1 December 2004 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. This premier property investment and development event attracts top architects, international and regional property investment and development experts and urban planners from the US, Europe, the Middle East and Far East.

"The Cityscape conference provides delegates with direct access to property markets the world over, a chance to network with the most powerful regional and international property investors and - most importantly - a learning experience like no other," said Neil Hickman, Cityscape Project Manager, IIR Middle East.

"Those who attend this year's conference will have the opportunity to gain first hand knowledge from prominent investors, developers, world-class architects and designers on key issues facing today's property development market including the challenges and opportunities that the Middle East region has to offer, methods to build investor confidence and the legal challenges of the Gulf construction boom."

Three pre-conference workshops will take place on 28 November 2004 at the Dusit Dubai Hotel. These will focus on real estate finance and investment, controlling construction costs and project management for property developers.

"Every year we see a marked increase in the number of delegates who use Cityscape as an ideal opportunity to network and imbibe priceless knowledge from some of the industry's most well respected figures. Given the huge level of interest in the region's property development market and the caliber of the speakers at this year's conference, we're confident that this event will be our biggest and best ever," added Hickman.

"Dr. Sami Salman, president, Arabian Services Group, Wahid Attala, executive director Commercial and Operations, Nakheel LLC, UAE, and Ahmed Rashid Al-Qattan, chief investment officer, Gulf Finance House, Bahrain, are just some of the regional industry giants confirmed to speak at the conference."

Amongst the many international speakers expected at the conference, Adrian D. Smith, consulting partner, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), will share his insights on 'super tall structures' during a special focus section on architecture on day one.

Nicholas Maclean, senior director, Valuation and Investment Consultancy, CB Richard Ellis, will speak about hotel investment trends in the Middle East and Europe on day two, while Magdalena Filcek, a leading designer from Poland, will use the third day of the conference to showcase and speak about 'Balonodrom', a unique structural form inspired by balloons and airships.

This year, Cityscape will also feature the prestigious Cityscape Architectural Review Awards - "Design for an Emerging World". Working with the world renowned Architectural Review magazine on this exciting event, Cityscape will recognise and promote excellence in the regional architecture and design industry. Nad Al Sheba, the official venue for the prestigious Dubai World Cup, will host the awards ceremony scheduled to take place on the 29th of November 2004.