Construction

AESG has expanded its regional capabilities with the launch of a dedicated structural design and engineering division, aimed at supporting increasingly complex construction projects across the Middle East.

The new unit strengthens AESG’s integrated service model, enabling the company to deliver end-to-end engineering solutions from concept through to construction. By embedding structural expertise alongside sustainability and cost consultancy from the earliest project stages, the firm aims to improve budget certainty, reduce delivery risks and enhance long-term asset performance.

The move comes amid rising demand for more coordinated and commercially aligned engineering strategies, particularly in markets such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where large-scale developments are becoming more ambitious and technically demanding. Developers are increasingly seeking solutions that balance structural integrity with financial efficiency and environmental performance.

AESG said the new division will focus on integrating engineering decisions with broader project considerations, including procurement strategies, material availability, regulatory compliance and lifecycle costs. This approach allows structural systems to be assessed not only for technical strength, but also for their overall value and feasibility across the project lifecycle.

Leading initiatives 

Chief executive Saeed Al Abbar said the expansion reflects the company’s commitment to delivering multidisciplinary solutions that align engineering with commercial and sustainability objectives. He noted that early-stage integration of structural design is critical to achieving design-to-budget outcomes while supporting carbon reduction targets.

The division will provide services spanning feasibility studies, concept and detailed design, as well as construction-stage advisory. By aligning structural strategies with cost modelling and sustainability analysis, AESG aims to minimise redesign risks and ensure smoother project delivery.

Key focus areas include reducing embodied carbon through material efficiency, adopting alternative structural systems, and promoting modular construction techniques to accelerate timelines. The division will also address durability and resilience, particularly in response to the region’s demanding climatic conditions, while improving the adaptability of built assets over time.

To lead the initiative, AESG has appointed Matthew Cross as director of the new division. With more than 25 years of experience, Cross has previously held senior roles at AECOM and Arcadis, overseeing major projects across the region.

He highlighted the growing importance of aligning engineering with commercial realities, noting that developers are increasingly working to compressed timelines and tighter budgets. Early integration of structural design, he said, enables better decision-making and helps manage risks across the project lifecycle.

AESG has also strengthened its technical leadership with the appointment of Dr Gavin Lume as technical director. His experience includes contributions to landmark projects such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Frame.

With the new division in place, AESG aims to position itself as a fully integrated partner for developers, delivering projects that are commercially viable, environmentally sustainable and engineered for long-term performance.

Scaffolding expert Doka has taken a significant step in its sustainability journey by joining the United Nations Global Compact last year.

The move positions the company among thousands of organisations worldwide committed to responsible business practices that support the creation of a more sustainable and equitable world.

The UN Global Compact, launched in 2000, is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 25,000 companies across over 160 countries participating. It encourages businesses to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles covering human rights, labour standards, environmental stewardship and anti-corruption measures. Participants are also called upon to take action in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint for a more sustainable future.

“Reaching Net Zero by 2040 is a clear strategic goal for Doka. Joining the UN Global Compact is therefore a logical next step that reinforces this path,” said Robert Hauser, CEO of Doka. “Together with our commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative, it demonstrates that we are taking concrete action towards this ambition and embedding sustainability into every aspect of our business.”

By joining the initiative, Doka becomes part of a global network of companies dedicated to responsible business conduct. Participants commit to reporting transparently on their progress in implementing the Ten Principles and actively contributing to the advancement of human rights, labour standards, environmental responsibility and anti-corruption. Doka will join leading construction and engineering firms, including Skanska, Vinci, STRABAG and Bouygues Construction, in driving sustainable practices across the industry.

Doka’s membership in the UN Global Compact highlights the company’s broader commitment to sustainable growth and corporate responsibility. It demonstrates that sustainability is not only central to its operations but also integral to its long-term strategy, innovation and stakeholder engagement.

Doka participated at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas, exhibiting at booth P8411 from 3-7 March. The company showcased its latest formwork solutions and construction technologies, reflecting both innovation and its commitment to sustainable practices.

Work is progressing steadily on Dubai Peninsula, a high-end coastal project being developed by H&H, with key contractors now appointed and early-stage construction activities underway.

Located along the shoreline at the edge of Dubai Canal, the scheme is positioned as an exclusive waterfront destination combining residential, hospitality and leisure offerings. Developers say the project is on track, with foundational works marking the transition from planning to execution.

A major component of the masterplan is a central park spanning approximately one million square feet, designed to serve as the focal point of the development. Beneath this green space, an integrated infrastructure corridor is being constructed to house parking, service roads and logistics areas, supporting the wider functionality of the site.

Construction firm DBB Contracting LLC has been appointed to deliver the core infrastructure package, with civil works currently in progress. Overall progress on the infrastructure phase has reached around 20%, according to project updates.

The development will feature a network of interconnected spaces, including a loop stretching nearly two kilometres, designed to link residential areas, retail outlets, hospitality venues and public amenities. The layout prioritises accessibility and walkability, aligning with broader urban planning trends across Dubai.

Once completed, Dubai Peninsula is expected to offer a mix of high-end residences, boutique retail, dining venues and leisure facilities. Plans include a waterfront promenade, marina and beach areas, alongside landscaped public spaces and cultural features such as pavilions and a dedicated prayer area.

The project will also incorporate lifestyle-focused elements, including hospitality offerings from international brands, a beach club and curated dining experiences. Marine infrastructure is set to include berths for superyachts and a floating marina venue, aimed at enhancing the destination’s appeal to both residents and visitors.

H&H chief executive Miltos Bosinis said construction is progressing in line with expectations, with preparatory and groundwork phases well advanced. He added that the developer remains focused on delivering the project to a high standard as it moves further into the build phase.

Chairman Shahab Lutfi described the scheme as a carefully planned destination intended to redefine waterfront living in Dubai, combining design, connectivity and lifestyle experiences.

With construction momentum building, Dubai Peninsula is emerging as one of the city’s notable upcoming coastal developments, reflecting continued demand for premium waterfront real estate in the emirate.

HAMM's Smart Compact Pro integrates real-time density, boosting asphalt quality and reducing construction costs. (Image source: HAMM)

Roller manufacturer Hamm has introduced the Smart Compact Pro under the motto “Measure it right. Measure it now.”

For the first time, real-time density is being used as a decisive parameter for qualitative assessment and integrated into automated compaction. Smart Compact Pro makes a significant contribution to extending the service life of road surfaces and, in the long term, reduces construction and repair costs, as well as potential additional expenses for the contractor.

Automated compaction with Smart Compact

Despite advances in digitalisation, asphalt compaction has so far been heavily dependent on empirical data and the experience of the roller driver. Consistent double passes and the correct use of dynamic compaction were often dependent on the driver’s knowledge. Since 2022, the Smart Compact digital compaction assistant from Hamm has been simplifying the compaction process in asphalt construction by controlling the compaction modes and forces based on the selected layer type – base, binder or surface course – automatically and separately for both drums.

The system continuously monitors the asphalt’s physical properties, such as temperature and rigidity, as well as its complex cooling behaviour, to ensure homogeneous compaction by applying the optimum compaction energy and modes in each case. There is even the option of incorporating local weather data.

Smart Compact Pro with real-time density measurement: Higher quality, lower costs

Hamm is now expanding Smart Compact to incorporate an essential measured value – real-time asphalt density. Industry experts agree that it is the decisive parameter for qualitative assessment during the compaction process and will become the key indicator for rigorously meeting regulatory requirements and minimising financial deductions.

Smart Compact Pro closes this gap by integrating the new “Realtime Density Scan” sensor into the automated compaction process. It determines the asphalt density in real time by measuring the dielectric conductivity of the asphalt mix to be compacted, therefore forming the basis for the correlation with the asphalt density or the porosity. Both parameters are crucial for self-monitoring or control testing. With the help of real-time density, Smart Compact Pro is able to provide construction companies with a decisive advantage by accurately implementing regulatory requirements.

This can significantly reduce potential financial deductions due to inadequate quality in the construction work and also save costs for premature repairs. Using Smart Compact Pro also significantly reduces the costs for extracting drill cores.

In summary, the world-first integration of real-time density into automated compaction represents a significant step forward for asphalt compaction. Even inexperienced operators can achieve optimal compaction results with Smart Compact Pro, with no need for extensive prior knowledge. This offers a significant boost for construction companies in times of an increasing shortage of skilled workers.