01 November 2009

THE 2009 edition of Cityscape Dubai witnessed positive feedback from exhibitors and participants throughout the duration of the show last month, once again surpassing expectations in maintaining its stature as the premier international real estate investment and development event.

Hours of networking, conference sessions and round table events were held, where key industry figures discussed the new realities of the market. The show was held under the themes of confidence and innovation within the emerging market real estate sector.
The show, which ran from October 5 to 8, was opened by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of Dubai Executive Council, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).
It was organised by IIR Middle East.
Not surprisingly, in the context of a lingering global recession, visitor numbers fell around 50 per cent on last year to around 38,000, and exhibitors were down from 340 to 218.
“If Cityscape Dubai 2006 and 2007 were the boom years, and 2008 was held against a backdrop of uncertainty, then perhaps fittingly the 2009 show had transparency, realism and cautious optimism in equal measure as the region waits for economic data indicating a consistent recovery is under way,” said a spokesman for the organiser.
The presence of all the major players and the quality of participants kept the business-to-business element strong as institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, and senior real estate professionals continued to conduct deals.
International participation actually increased as a year-on-year percentage, with stands from Sudan, Angola, France, and companies from Canada and Australia, complemented by a healthy regional presence which extended across the GCC and Iraq.
The show hosted the City Leaders Forum while other highlights included the World Architecture Congress, Cityscape Connect sessions, Cityscape Dubai Awards and Green Day.
Nikken Sekkei, a leading Japanese architectural practice and global leader in sustainable design, boosted the show by its presence. It showcased a series of selected ‘green’ designs from its extensive regional and international portfolio.

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