Number of skyscrapers set to increase in Middle East

Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM), the industry's leader in the design and engineering of "supertall" structures and the company behind the Burj Dubai project, believe the region is a prime location for more skyscrapers due to the availability of land, stable geology, and strong financial backing for such developments.

"The Middle East is turning to building supertall buildings as they help to resolve much needed office and accommodation shortages, and serve as a widely recognizable icon of their city and country," said Adrian Smith, consulting design partner for SOM and the designer of the Burj Dubai.

"We are now witnessing strong interest from many countries across the region who want to develop their own iconic buildings as an impetus for future building growth and economic development," added Smith, who will be speaking about supertall structures at the Cityscape conference - the premier property investment and development event - taking place later this month in Dubai.

The Burj Dubai will be the world's tallest building and will reflect Dubai's status as a major international business and tourism hub. The height of the tower, while still undisclosed, will exceed 610 meters and will be significantly taller than any building that is completed or currently under construction.

Smith has designed some of the world's most famous construction projects, including the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, China's tallest building, and the Tower Palace III in Seoul, South Korea, the world's tallest residential building.

Smith will be a key speaker on super tall structures at Cityscape from November 29 to December 1 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre, where he will present a case study on the design and engineering of the Burj Dubai as well as what the future holds for the design of tall structures.

"The Burj Dubai will catapult both Dubai and the UAE onto the world stage," said Shabnam Rawal, Conference Director, IIR, organizers of Cityscape 2004. "Adrian Smith is an expert in the field, having worked on two of the world's five tallest structures, and delegates at Cityscape will be able to hear his insights on superstructures and the exciting plans for Burj Dubai."

Smith is just one of over 70 speakers at the Cityscape 2004 Conference - the region's premier property investment and development event - taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre. Running alongside this world-class conference is the Cityscape 2004 exhibition, which this year will attract more than 5,000 leading international figures from the real estate industry.