Developing Valuable Waterfronts

The Gulf region has seen an unprecedented and rapid expansion in the number and magnitude of coastal developments being planned and built. There has been a strong relationship between the creation of iconic waterfronts and the increase in population and tourist numbers. Increasing affluence in the region has further fuelled this boom. Along with this growth, however, a number of challenges and issues have arisen, both technically and environmentally, all of which impact on driving profitability.

The high value attributed to coastal real estate is intimately linked with the desirability and appeal of the coastal environment. The amount and scale of projects being undertaken has caused a noticeable amount of damage to both physical shorelines and marine ecosystems. Stringent environmental regulations and green building codes are being introduced throughout the region, and so it is becoming imperative that standards are met and maintained from the earliest stages of planning and design, throughout construction and in ongoing operation. It is only through protecting the environment that real estate value can be maintained.

In the present market conditions it is more important than ever to ensure that everything is done right, right from the start of a project. Urban Coastal Development 2009 has been developed with the aim of providing essential knowledge and practical solutions for major issues facing the construction industry when working on coastal projects. Our exclusive panel of speakers has been gathered together for the region’s foremost forum on waterfront development to share their expertise and experience.

Benefits of Attending

This event’s programme has been designed to provide solutions to the major challenges surrounding urban coastal developments today, including:

• Creating valuable real estate: Developing, designing and landscaping with an understanding of the human connection with the coastline. Balancing needs to ensure that projects are iconic, desirable, cost-efficient, and profitable.
• Effectively planning projects: Master planning and phasing developments to ensure consistent revenue streams. Managing costs and setting realistic deadlines from the concept feasibility stage of a project. Ensuring minimal disruption for residents during construction.
• Overcoming technical challenges: Using best practices in dredging, reclamation, beach maintenance and ground improvement. Designing and implementing infrastructure suitable for a coastal location.
• Protecting the marine environment: Recognising and preparing for the unique challenges that can occur in different marine environments. Using optimal data to make accurate assessments. Making effective use of new technologies.
• Managing projects: Addressing the issues with logistics that can occur on near-coast and shoreline developments. Sourcing suitable materials to overcome coastal construction challenges.
• Maintaining culture and tradition: Being aware of the impact that development has on local identity. Building for the future without forgetting the region’s history.
• Planning and regulating: The introduction of governmental regulation and planning of urban environments in order to balance economic growth with long-term sustainability. Ensuring that the construction industry meets and exceeds standards and guidelines. Sharing knowledge and co-operating across the region for mutual benefit.

Featured Speakers

This event gathers together a speaker faculty of top industry experts, collecting a huge amount of experience from major projects across the region and internationally. The event features presentations from:

• H.E. Nayef Omar Al-Kalali, Undersecretary Public Works Affairs, Ministry of Works, Kingdom of Bahrain
• Gurjit Singh, Chief Property Development Officer, Sorouh
• Thabit Zahran Al-Abdessalaam, Director of Biodiversity Management, Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi
• William Yuen, Design Director, P&T Architects and Engineers
• John Elliott, Senior Vice President, WATG
• Dr Paul Ashley, Environment Practice Leader, Mott MacDonald
• Mike Cairney, Partner, EC Harris
• Jesper Damgaard, Managing Director, COWI

And many, many more…

Interactive Workshops Not only are there two conference days packed full of exciting presentations from our excellent speakers, we also have four exclusive workshops which go into the depth that the topics deserve. Led by some of the most senior experts globally in their subjects, we are proud to present: Workshop A: Coastal design and architecture masterclass William Yuen Design Director P&T Architects and Engineers Workshop B: Make money, create jobs and save the planet: the real challenges of the design industry John Elliott Senior Vice President WATG Workshop C: Coastal project management masterclass Jørgen Juhl Chief Project Manager COWI Workshop D: Geomorphological assessment for Coastal Management Peter James Phipps Head of Geomorphology and Coastal Management Mott MacDonald

If you are not yet ready to register, feel free to request a reminder nearer the time.

Conference Partners

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[ Register Now] · [ Next: Conference Day One: Monday 23 March 2009 ]