The Boring Company (TBC) has awarded Parsons Corporation a contract to provide professional services in support of the Dubai Loop project. The project is an underground transportation initiative being developed in Dubai, UAE.

According to Parsons, the 9-month contract represents new work and as per the terms of the agreement, the company will act as TBC’s delegated program manager, supporting design-build activities for the project. As part of this agreement, Parsons will provide integrated services, directly supporting TBC with Independent Design Verification, Stakeholder Management, Permitting and NOC Support for the Dubai Loop pilot phase. Parsons will also conduct multidisciplinary reviews of civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, safety, and utility designs.

“Parsons has proudly played a central role in developing some of the most important and prestigious critical infrastructure programs across the UAE since our first programs there in the 1980s,” said Pierre Santoni, President, Infrastructure EMEA at Parsons.

He added, “From roads, bridges, and tunnels, to airports, railways, and urban developments, our team has delivered superior quality, integrity and innovation on every single project from day one. Our agreement with TBC reflects the directives of the UAE’s leadership to strengthen strategic partnerships with leading global innovators and accelerate the deployment of advanced technologies to support the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Parsons will ensure all designs are technically robust, fully compliant with local regulations, and efficiently progressed to support safe, reliable, and integrated mobility across the emirate.”

In partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transit Authority (RTA), TBC has been tasked with delivering the Dubai Loop, a multi-phased passenger transport tunnel project comprised of multiple tunnels and stations aimed at expanding Dubai’s transport ecosystem and offering an additional mode of transport to residents in, and visitors to, the city, said the statement.

Parsons confirmed it already works extensively with the RTA, having supported the organisation with key transportation infrastructure projects in the emirate since its inception in 2005. These include projects such as the Dubai Metro Red and Green Line, the Dubai Metro Route 2020 expansion, the Dubai Intelligent Traffic Systems Center, the Infinity Bridge, and more than 100 highway, bridge and tunnel projects across the emirate.

Jim Fitzgerald, Global Vice President of Business Development at The Boring Company commented, ”We are excited to collaborate with Parsons on the Dubai Loop project as we bring next-generation underground transportation solutions to Dubai.”

He continued, “The Dubai Loop is designed to redefine urban mobility through fast, efficient, and scalable underground transport. By partnering with Parsons, we combine innovative tunneling technology with strong regional expertise and a proven track record in major infrastructure delivery. This collaboration will help accelerate progress, ensure effective stakeholder alignment, and bring this vision to life in one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities.”

Parsons said that it has planned, designed, and managed more than 250 complex tunneling projects and the company’s road and highway experience spans more than 16,000km across 6-continents.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Damac International has unveiled Harir Residences in Iraq’s capital city. Nestled within the Damac Hills Baghdad community, the project comprises 2x 12-storey towers, offering a total of 210 apartments. These apartments come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1-, 2- and 3-bedrooms.

Harir Residences draws inspiration from global luxury standards while paying homage to the enduring spirit and cultural heritage of Baghdad, a city that has long stood as a centre of civilisation, knowledge, and the arts, and as a historic crossroads for cultures along the banks of the Tigris River, said a statement.

The project represents a contemporary extension of this rooted identity, where Baghdad’s historic legacy meets modern architecture to create a residential experience that reflects Iraq’s aspirations for the future. The project is said to offer a fully integrated model of refined urban living that combines architectural sophistication, a sense of community, the serenity of nature, and lifestyles,

Amira Sajwani, Managing Director, Damac said, “Harir Residences reflects our vision of creating exceptional lifestyle that elevate the concept of modern living in Baghdad by combining global luxury with authentic local character. At Damac, we believe in delivering projects that add real value to Iraq’s real estate landscape and offer residents an integrated lifestyle within a community defined by quality, innovation, and distinction.”

Harir Residences, situated opposite the Baghdad landmark Abbas Ibn Firnas Square, will offer access to various amenities. Just a 5-minute drive from Baghdad International Airport, it’s also close to universities, the Green Zone, and Al Mansour. Additionally, it’s a 15-minute drive from some of the city’s five-star hotels, the statement outlined.

The developer said the project includes indoor and outdoor fitness facilities, flexible workspaces, and a children’s water play area, all set within community setting.

Residents of Harir Residences will also be able to enjoy the integrated amenities of the wider Damac Hills Baghdad community. This includes family parks, sports courts, the Malibu Bay wave beach, a social hub at The Clubhouse, and retail outlets. These facilities collectively create a complete residential environment that balances privacy and social connection within a refined urban setting, the statement concluded.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Across the Middle East, resilience and rapid response planning has become a priority for organisations operating in increasingly complex and uncertain environments.

In response, many leaders have revisited, or rapidly developed, plans, governance structures and frameworks designed to manage disruption and maintain continuity. In doing so, a clear realisation has emerged: having a plan is not the same as having the right plan.

Most organisations have invested in resilience and preparedness over time. Response plans are often in place, teams are trained, and governance structures are defined. However, these plans are not always revisited or updated as regularly as they should be.

As recent events across the region have unfolded, many organisations have returned to their plans, only to find they are outdated, based on old assumptions, or no longer aligned to current risks, operating conditions, or how the organisation functions today.

The risk of internal bias

Resilience planning is often developed internally, shaped by existing structures, historical experience and organisational assumptions. While this brings valuable context, it can also introduce blind spots.

This can result in over-reliance on assumed roles and responsibilities, gaps between documented processes and actual operations, limited consideration of cross-functional dependencies, and ultimately, plans that reflect how an organisation is designed to work but not how it actually works in practice.

Why external perspective matters

This is where external advisory plays a critical role.

Through engaging a company like +impact, organisations gain an independent perspective; one that combines a deep understanding of their specific operating context with real-world operational insight drawn from Serco’s experience across complex environments globally.

This enables the development of resilience plans that are not only well-structured, but genuinely aligned to how organisations operate in practice.

The layers of resilience that need to be built

Resilience planning begins with strengthening the fundamentals: resilience strategies, business continuity and operational resilience frameworks, governance structures and decision-making models. It also includes critical service mapping and defining impact tolerances, ensuring organisations understand what must be protected, and to what level.

From there, organisations can build greater confidence in how those plans will perform. This includes training leadership teams, running crisis simulations and exercises, and strengthening decision-making under pressure.

Resilience also extends beyond operations. Crisis communication strategies, media preparedness and spokesperson training ensure organisations can respond clearly and effectively in high-pressure situations.

At a more detailed level, organisations benefit from structured risk and scenario analysis ranging from business impact assessments and threat modelling to supply chain and dependency mapping, ensuring plans reflect real-world complexity.

Finally, resilience must include what happens after an event. Recovery planning, after-action reviews and continuous improvement ensure organisations are able to learn, adapt and strengthen over time.

From planning to confidence

For leadership teams, the outcome of this approach is clarity.

Organisations gain confidence that their plans are fit for purpose, a clear understanding of where risks exist and practical, prioritised actions to strengthen resilience.

Testing plays a critical role and ensures plans are not only well-designed, but proven under realistic conditions, and highlighting where additional capability may be required.

This enables organisations to prepare in advance, whether by strengthening internal capability or ensuring access to trusted partners who can provide scalable operational support when needed.

Where actions are identified, such as enhancing frontline capability, strengthening training, refining processes or improving coordination, organisations may also require support to implement these changes effectively.

In these cases, experienced partners can help translate recommendations into practical outcomes, ensuring improvements are embedded and sustained in day-to-day operations.

A shift in how organisations approach resilience

In an increasingly unpredictable environment, resilience planning cannot be a one-time exercise. It must be actively reviewed, challenged and strengthened, ensuring it evolves alongside the organisation and the risks it faces.

Engaging an external partner brings not only objectivity, but can come with the benefit of real-world operational insight, helping organisations develop plans that are grounded in how they actually operate, and how they will need to respond.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Kuwait’s State Audit Bureau (SAB) has given conditional approval to proceed with the US $243.1mn Shuwaikh water distribution complex project to the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, according to a report in the Arab Times.

The contract for the project will cover the construction, completion, maintenance and full development of the complex, along with the associated works.

Earlier, the ministry obtained approval from the Central Agency for Public Tenders to award the project to the bidder that met all the technical specifications and conditions.

The tender was referred to SAB on 12 March for pre-audit and review procedures. The contract is expected to be finalised soon, provided there are no further comments from the bureau, it said.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Developer Aldar has sold 80% of the homes released at Yas Park Place, its residential community situated on Yas Island. This achievement has resulted in generating a sales revenue of over US $218mn.

Overlooking Yas Central Park, Yas Park Place comprises 6 mid-rise buildings offering a collection of studios, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom homes, as well as 2-bedroom duplexes, within a walkable, garden-led community in Yas Island. 83% of customers were first-time Aldar home buyers, which underscores the development’s broad market appeal and Aldar’s expanding customer base, the company stated.

In a statement, Aldar announced that 4-buildings had been released for sale in Phase I, with the remaining 2-buildings set to be released in the second phase. The sales performance was bolstered by a series of customer events held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

According to Aldar, expatriate residents and international buyers accounted for 54% of total sales, with significant demand from buyers in Jordan, China, Taiwan, and the UK. This highlights the continued confidence in the Aldar brand among local investors, as 46% of sales were completed by UAE nationals, it continued.

CEO Jonathan Emery said, “We are highly encouraged by the strong market response to Yas Park Place, with sustained demand from both domestic and international investors reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s position as a compelling, long-term investment destination with robust underlying fundamentals.”

The project’s sales performance showcases the resilience of the UAE customer base, coupled with Aldar’s ongoing expansion of its international sales platform. The developer also noted that demand was driven by younger buyers, with 66% of customers being under the age of 45. This reflects the continued appeal of Yas Island to a diverse range of buyers and investors.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Pantheon Development has relocated its headquarters to a newly expanded office in Bay Gate Tower. This milestone marks the company’s growth and strategic evolution. By choosing this location, the developer positions itself at Dubai’s commercial scene. The move aligns with its ambitious vision to remain closely connected to the city’s expanding real estate and business community, it said.

The decision to relocate to Business Bay aligns with Pantheon Development’s vision of enhancing accessibility and streamlining engagement with partners, investors, and clients. The new office occupies an entire floor within Bay Gate Tower, providing 360-degree views of Dubai’s skyline, it added.

Kalpesh Kinariwala, Founder, Pantheon Development said, “Our move to Bay Gate Tower reflects the evolution of Pantheon Development as we continue to scale and expand our footprint across the UAE. It was essential to position ourselves at the heart of Dubai’s business hub, and this new space gives us the room, the environment, and the energy to collaborate more effectively with our partners and clients, while offering our team an inspiring place to innovate and grow. The full-floor layout and 360-degree views mirror our ambition: expansive, forward‑looking, and built for the future.”

The new office, designed to foster a modern and collaborative work culture, is equipped with advanced technology, enhanced meeting and presentation areas, and dedicated zones that elevate the client experience. This upgraded setting promotes innovation, efficiency, and synergy across teams, while reflecting the brand’s commitment to contemporary design and functionality, the statement concluded.

Source: MEConstructionNews

The construction sector in Ajman experienced substantial growth during the first quarter of the year, with the total value of building contracts reaching US $1.055bn.

This growth is reflected in the issuance of 1,162 building permits during the same period, showcasing the emirate’s commitment to urban and economic development in alignment with the Ajman Vision 2030, said a report.

Dr. Eng. Mohammed Ahmed bin Omair Al Muhairi, Executive Director, Infrastructure Development Sector, Municipality and Planning Department said, “The results demonstrate increasing confidence among residents, investors, and developers. He attributed the growth to strategic policies aimed at ensuring balanced and sustainable urban expansion.”

The department is also enhancing its digital capabilities through the Building Information Modelling (BIM) project. This initiative employs integrated 3D modeling and comprehensive databases to enhance engineering accuracy, minimise errors, and expedite the permit approval process.

Additionally, efforts are underway to update building and planning regulations to align with international standards, thereby further bolstering the emirate’s attractiveness as an investment destination and its overall quality of life.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of its largest private sector residential development – Jawharat Al Arous (Arabic for Jewel of the Bride) – which is being set up at an investment of US $2.1bn.

Spanning over a 107m sqm area, the premium development located in the north of Jeddah will boast 18 residential neighborhoods that will cater to more than 700,000 citizens. It will also include 41 government plans and more than 80,000 residential and commercial plots, in addition to service and government facilities.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of the Governor of Makkah Region Prince Khalid Al Faisal, in partnership with Jeddah Municipality, and with the guidance and follow-up of the Governor of Jeddah, Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, and the Mayor of Jeddah, Saleh Al Turki. The Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, also attended.

The Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region was later briefed on the details of the project and its advanced technical and environmental services that ensure quality of life and future development in Jeddah Governorate. The Jawharat Al Arous masterplan has a model infrastructure and vast 1,344km road network.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Azizi Developments has announced that construction at Beach Oasis II – its  mixed-use community in Dubai Studio City – has reached 43% completion.

The structure is now 99% complete, with blockwork and internal plastering at 64% and 37%, respectively. Additionally, HVAC and MEP are now 21% and 31% complete, said the developer in a statement.

Comprising 452 studios, 209 1-bedroom and 33 2-bedroom residences, Beach Oasis II will be a modern low-rise residential community that features an array of amenities, including a large beach-like swimming pool – the highlight of the project’s central courtyard – fully equipped gymnasiums, landscaped gardens, children’s play areas, and a central square with retail options for the convenience of its residents, it added.

Giving a project update, Group CEO Farhad Azizi said, “With 43% of construction now complete, Beach Oasis II is moving through its build at pace – on schedule, on standard, and with clear momentum. Dubai Studio City’s newest luxury community is rising exactly as envisioned, delivering on the promise of refined, modern living.”

Situated on Hessa Street near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Studio City is a strategic location with excellent accessibility. Residents benefit from a wide range of nearby amenities, including schools and colleges, medical facilities, sports and leisure attractions, and much more, stated Azizi.

Major attractions in proximity include Dubai Autodrome, the Els Club, Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai International Stadium, Football Academy Dubai, Sports Park, ICC Academy, and Miracle Garden, among many others, he concluded.

Source: MEConstructionNews

The 19th GCC Consultative Meeting, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, concluded with a directive to expedite the implementation of strategic regional infrastructure projects across various sectors, including transport, energy, and utilities.

In a press statement, GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi emphasised that the leaders underscored the urgency of fulfilling all necessary requirements to execute common Gulf projects.

According to the statement issued last Tuesday, the leaders underlined the importance of the existing GCC electricity interconnection project – which is currently undergoing an expansion – and directed the Secretariat to accelerate the implementation of the GCC railway project, initiate steps towards establishing oil and gas, and water pipeline interconnections, and move forward with a study to establish the GCC strategic reserve.

Leaders of the Council countries emphasised the significance of strengthening military cooperation among their member states and expediting the completion of the early warning system project aimed at detecting ballistic missiles, as stated in the document.

Source: MEConstructionNews