Urban Land Institute launches Mid East council

The council, which has been initiated by and incorporated in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, has won the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

Announcing the development at a press conference in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Sultan said the initiative was a resounding testimony to the "coming of age" of the region's real estate market.

"The ULI works closely with private businesses and governments to fulfil its mission of providing responsible leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment," explained HH Sheikh Sultan, the holder of a BSc in Architectural Engineering.

"The ULI is an organisation based on the highest business and development principles and Abu Dhabi is honoured to have taken a lead in facilitating its entry into the Middle East. Here in the capital we are committed to sustainable real estate development with a considered and professional approach - principles which are closely aligned with those of the ULI.

"The evolution of the real estate sector within the Middle East, and particularly its emerging status within the GCC, is leading developers and governments to focus ever more intensely on the delivery of quality environments. With the support of the Urban Land Institute we will be able to reach an even higher level while, at the same time, establishing the region as a professional real estate provider."

Chairing the ULI Middle East council will be Lee Tabler, a real estate professional with extensive experience in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

"This is a major acknowledgement of how far the region's real estate industry has come in the past few years," commented Tabler. "It is our hope that Middle East professionals will now buy into the ULI's overall mission of creating better places.

"The council will assist by supporting, and sometimes initiating, ULI events which are aimed at facilitating the open exchange of ideas, information and experience among local, national and international industry leaders and policy makers."

The ULI currently boasts over 25,000 members in over 80 countries. Bill Kistler, the ULI President Europe, who represented the organisation at the press conference, said its expansion into the Middle East would assist the sharing of best practices both within the region and by taking the region out to the world.

"Professionals in the Middle East will now have access to regular updates on trends and innovations in land use development, bringing practical research and practitioner expertise to bear.

"We will also be encouraging Middle East members to take part in our annual excellence awards programme which is aimed at making the public more keenly aware of the benefits of superior planning, design and development.

"This is a very timely initiative as the Middle East is now being internationally acknowledged as perhaps one of the world's fastest-growing real estate development regions. We believe the influence of the ULI can be used to bring additional credibility to the many projects emanating from this region."

The ULI's Middle East council's executive comprises:
Lee Tabler - Chairman
Blair Hagkull of Dubai's RSP Group - Vice Chairman
Richard Stockton, Morgan Stanley - Vice Chairman
Robert Lee, Nakheel - Vice Chairman, Programs
James Wilson, Nakheel - Vice Chairman, Sponsorship
Fardan Al Fardan, ADIA - Vice Chairman, Treasurer

Country Vice Chairs include:
Essam Janahi of Gulf Finance House for Bahrain
James Pringle of Marsa Alam for Egypt.