Construction Week Viewpoint

The latest Construction Week Viewpoint podcast asks one question: can Saudi Arabia build itself into a world-leading tourism destination?

The kingdom is spending more than half a trillion dollars on seaside resorts and entertainment complexes to attract more tourists as the country opens up to the world. 

Saudi Arabia is the self-titled heart of the Islamic world, an investment powerhouse, and a vital business hub connecting three continents, and has allocated vast swaths of coastal territory for its awe-inspiring projects. But does it have the infrastructure to support this vision?

Listen to the latest podcast for your weekly dose of construction news.

The latest Construction Week Viewpoint podcast asks one question: can Saudi Arabia build itself into a world-leading tourism destination?

The kingdom is spending more than half a trillion dollars on seaside resorts and entertainment complexes to attract more tourists as the country opens up to the world. 

Saudi Arabia is the self-titled heart of the Islamic world, an investment powerhouse, and a vital business hub connecting three continents, and has allocated vast swaths of coastal territory for its awe-inspiring projects. But does it have the infrastructure to support this vision?

Listen to the latest podcast for your weekly dose of construction news.

Is it time for drones to properly take-off in the Middle East to help manage under-construction assets like never before?

The Abu Dhabi Municipality recently rolled out a pilot scheme to use drones to monitor engineering work on construction sites in the emirate. It will test the drone’s ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions, plus its distance and altitude.

Listen to the latest episode of Construction Week Viewpoint to hear about how the industry is using drones - and how it is helping companies in the region thrive.

Is it time for drones to properly take-off in the Middle East to help manage under-construction assets like never before?

The Abu Dhabi Municipality recently rolled out a pilot scheme to use drones to monitor engineering work on construction sites in the emirate. It will test the drone’s ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions, plus its distance and altitude.

Listen to the latest episode of Construction Week Viewpoint to hear about how the industry is using drones - and how it is helping companies in the region thrive.

China is ramping up investment in the Middle East to help build the infrastructure needed to support its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative. But what effect will this have on construction in the region?

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Kuwait have all expressed an interest in helping China build its Belt and Road megaproject.

In the latest podcast episode, Construction Week's deputy editor, Oscar Rousseau, and senior reporter, Jack Ball, look at why projects such as the 3km² Trader's Market in Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone in Dubai could be the start of a rise in China-backed projects in the region.

China is ramping up investment in the Middle East to help build the infrastructure needed to support its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative. But what effect will this have on construction in the region?

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Kuwait have all expressed an interest in helping China build its Belt and Road megaproject.

In the latest podcast episode, Construction Week's deputy editor, Oscar Rousseau, and senior reporter, Jack Ball, look at why projects such as the 3km² Trader's Market in Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone in Dubai could be the start of a rise in China-backed projects in the region.

Construction Week Viewpoint kicks off its second season with a tough discussion on the state of the jobs market in countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. 

Marcus Taylor, managing director of recruitment firm Taylor Sterling, co-founder of BuildingMENA, the Middle East's first construction and engineering jobs website – created through a collaborative venture between Construction Week and Taylor Sterling – joins the podcast for the first episode of the new season.

"I think 2018 started off with a lot of promise, we had some very specific requirements in the market, not just in the UAE but across the Gulf, and [the jobs market has] definitely slowed down," said Taylor. "I think there are challenges in finding the right people at the right price point, but it's not all doom and gloom by any means."

Construction Week Viewpoint kicks off its second season with a tough discussion on the state of the jobs market in countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. 

Marcus Taylor, managing director of recruitment firm Taylor Sterling, co-founder of BuildingMENA, the Middle East's first construction and engineering jobs website – created through a collaborative venture between Construction Week and Taylor Sterling – joins the podcast for the first episode of the new season.

"I think 2018 started off with a lot of promise, we had some very specific requirements in the market, not just in the UAE but across the Gulf, and [the jobs market has] definitely slowed down," said Taylor. "I think there are challenges in finding the right people at the right price point, but it's not all doom and gloom by any means."

Construction Week Viewpoint looks at why artificial intelligence (AI) may need to muscle harder into the built environment to help the market deliver the infrastructure needed to support economic growth.

In the latest episode of the CW Viewpoint podcast, hosts Oscar Rousseau and Jumana Abdel-Razaq discuss how drones, 3D printing, AI, and other forms of so-called disruptive technology are helping to reshape construction practices and procedures in the Middle East. And why work is far from complete when it comes to harnessing the power of new technology.

This technological transformation – dubbed the Fourth Industrial Revolution – comes as GCC governments push their respective strategies, or visions, for sustainable economic growth, better infrastructure, and public services.

Construction Week Viewpoint looks at why artificial intelligence (AI) may need to muscle harder into the built environment to help the market deliver the infrastructure needed to support economic growth.

In the latest episode of the CW Viewpoint podcast, hosts Oscar Rousseau and Jumana Abdel-Razaq discuss how drones, 3D printing, AI, and other forms of so-called disruptive technology are helping to reshape construction practices and procedures in the Middle East. And why work is far from complete when it comes to harnessing the power of new technology.

This technological transformation – dubbed the Fourth Industrial Revolution – comes as GCC governments push their respective strategies, or visions, for sustainable economic growth, better infrastructure, and public services.