DUBAI has opened the world’s tallest skyscraper, and in a surprise move renamed the gleaming glass-and-metal tower Burj Khalifa in a nod to HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of the UAE and leader of neighbouring Abu Dhabi emirate that came to its rescue twice with funds worth $25 billion during the financial meltdown.

THE capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona, one of Europe’s best showcases of urban planning, has signed a letter of intent to be the first city to join the World Sustainable Capitals (WSC) initiative, launched by Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) and Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED).

IN a move that will further strengthen its position in the Middle East markets, leading European plastic piping system manufacturer Polypipe has committed to further investment in the region, enabling it to take on full control and management of the Terrain product brand from the previous owners.

A STATE-OF-THE-ART ‘studio’ for designing educational facilities has been launched in Dubai by an international architecture firm, answering a growing need for high-quality educational buildings across the Middle East and North Africa.

UK CONSTRUCTION services company Wates has opened an office in Abu Dhabi, marking its first step towards entering the Gulf market. Wates, one of the UK’s leading and oldest construction services company, is working with construction, industrial and property group Al Fara’a on the design, development and delivery of educational facilities.

DAMAC Properties has announced the concrete frame completion of its tallest tower at Dubai Marina – the Ocean Heights development which has topped out at 84 floors. The structural completion of the tower marks an end-of-year construction milestone for the company.

THE Dubai Metro project work on the Green Line has been achieving a completion rate ranging between 50 per cent and 80 per cent and is expected to start operations in the second half of this year.

MEMON Investments has awarded OST Constructional Projects a Dh65 million ($17.69 million) construction contract for its Frankfurt Sports Tower I (FST I) in Dubai Sports City.

Kone wins Elite orderKONE has won an order to supply 12 elevators to the 381 m Elite Residence Tower in Dubai, the UAE. The order includes energy-efficient solutions such as three Kone MonoSpace, special platforms as well as nine Kone MiniSpace elevators with speeds up to 6 m/s.

THE Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) authority has underlined the tremendous potential for Shari’ah-compliant financing of infrastructure projects across the GCC and world over, in its latest series of white papers.

DANUBE Building Materials has launched a 7,500-sq-ft Buildmart retail store offering 15,000 products as part of its expansion in Abu Dhabi, with one more outlet set to be opened at Dalma Mall which will be biggest among all the retail branches.

MEYDAN, the developer of the iconic Meydan grandstand and racecourse, has announced the completion of the installation of solar panels on its distinctive crescent roof atop the grandstand, taking it one step closer towards finalising preparations for the hosting of Dubai’s racing season which starts on January 28.

DUBAI’S real estate sector will see prices rise by 10 per cent in mid-2010 after stabilising in Q1, according to the head of sales and marketing at Victory Heights, which is part of Dubai Sports City.

Dubai Investment Properties (DIP), one of the leading real estate developers in the UAE, has said that construction work is well ahead of schedule on its latest commercial development Single Business Tower and the company has begun the leasing process for the business tower located off Sheikh Zayed Road.