Led by cities like Dubai, the Middle East has seen an enormous growth in large scale construction projects over the last twenty years, particu - larly in the realm of skyscrapers. Iconic structures such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Ethiad Towers in Abu Dhabi have become synonymous with the vertical expansion of Middle Eastern skylines. Abdo Kardous, President of Hill International Middle East, says the increase in tall building projects in the area is a result of two factors: population growth and wealth gained from oil. In recent decades, several cities in the region have exploded in popula - tion, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2000, Dubai was home to less than 900,000 people; today, Dubai is home to more than 3.3 million people. Kardous also points out that, unlike in places like the United States and China, there is little to no developed rural land surrounding these cities. Whereas in China, the US, and other similar countries populations migrate from rural areas for work, the working population of many Middle Eastern cities is located within the city itself. This places an even greater emphasis on housing de - velopment within the larger cities, which is a viable use for high rise structures in urban areas. Combined with capital from the oil industry, population growth is fuel - ing an expansion of real estate investment within the region. This in - flux of real estate development is further influenced by the availability of buildable land, the lack of which has driven the price of land steadily upward. According to Kardous, this has caused developers to develop their properties vertically to maximize the available space. In addition, thin, vertical structures are a viable option because there are little to no seismic considerations that have to be made. Even in the areas where there is seismic activity, it is to a much lesser degree than areas such as the West Coast of the United States. Kardous also believes there is another aspect coming into play that is fueling vertical expansion beyond what the economic factors dictate–prestige. The desire to create a landmark structure is demonstrated by projects like the aforementioned Burj Khalifa, which is almost 200 meters taller than the second tallest building in the world, Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur. The construction of the Burj Khalifa, despite numerous setbacks, resulted in an iconic landmark at a staggering price. Aside from cost, there is also instability in some of these projects as a result of shifts in international markets. If international economic markets experience low or stagnant rates, these projects are often affected by way of project delays and cancellations. In addition, there are several considerable challenges associated with construction in hot climates that projects must contend with while Building Towards the Sun: Vertical Construction in the Middle East By Luke Carothers
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csengineermag.com
November 2021
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