The 45th edition of Big 5 Global, the largest construction event in the region, opens tomorrow (November 26) in Dubai, featuring more than 2,700 exhibitors from over 60 countries and more than 100,000 attendees who are gearing up to explore a plethora of innovations, cutting-edge technologies, products, services and networking opportunities as the event.
Running until November 29 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the event will host key events such as LiveableCitiesX, Future FM and GeoWorld driving advancements in the urban development and construction sector.
"As Big 5 Global opens its doors this year, attendees will experience first-hand how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping the way cities are built globally and in the MEASA, making them liveable, more resilient and sustainable. From automation to advanced data analytics, BIM for seamless collaboration to drones for real-time data and AI insights, these innovations are not only enhancing processes but also creating the cities of tomorrow, where urban development and construction advancements improve quality of life for all," said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events.
Building on this momentum, Big 5 Global will feature its largest-ever representation of construction technology, underscoring the growing influence of digital transformation in urban development, she stated.
Renowned global brands such as Autodesk, Trimble, Oracle, and Premier Construction Software will showcase solutions driving efficiencies, improving collaboration and enabling liveable city planning.
From Building Information Modelling (BIM) to cloud-based construction management systems, these technologies are set to transform how projects are designed, executed and delivered.
The Dubai Municipality Pavilion at Big 5 Global will serve as a hub for innovation and sustainability, spotlighting Desert Board, a UAE-grown business debuting sustainable construction materials this year, alongside Avenco Robotics and Generation 3D, offering live demonstrations of advanced 3D printing technologies for construction applications.
Complementing these technological advancements, the Future Cities Showcase at LiveableCitiesX will spotlight cutting-edge urban projects and sustainability initiatives, featuring the Abu Dhabi Projects & Infrastructure Centre unveiling innovative strategies for sustainable city-building, DLR Group with forward-thinking urban design concepts, Knowledge Economic City highlighting transformative developments in Saudi Arabia, Egis showcasing integrated urban and infrastructure solutions and Deyaar Development showcasing its developments.
Building on its focus on innovation and digital advancements, Big 5 Global will be a launchpad for several prominent companies who will showcase new projects and products, including Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI) which will announce regional expansion projects and Zamil Steel will unveil its new initiatives focused on Saudi Arabia.
Mitsubishi Elevators, which is participating for the first time, will debut its 2025 line of elevator products and Naffco will present its latest line of fire-resistant doors as Alusol launches its shutter roll-up doors in the UAE market.
Trimble will share insights into their lidar scanners and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) systems.
In addition to these major industry players, Big 5 Global will also spotlight the next wave of innovation disrupting the world of construction through Start-up City.
This year, 72 start-ups from 17 countries will showcase innovations spanning virtual reality, smart city technologies, 3D printing, IoT, AI, concrete technologies, smart energy management systems and sustainable construction materials.
Some of the participating start-ups include Cemvision AB, reinventing cement for sustainable construction; CONXAI, using AI to enhance construction workflows; Vertliner, offering autonomous drone technologies for vertical inspections; AC3D, Inc., advancing scalable 3D printing for large structures; and Trubuild, streamlining modular construction for faster project delivery.
"These start-ups represent the next generation of technology transforming construction and urban development," noted Heijmans, emphasizing how these innovative solutions are paving the way for more efficient, sustainable and technologically advanced approaches in urban development and construction.
The event, now in its 45th year, aligns with the region’s ambitious national visions, such as the UAE’s ‘We the UAE 2031’ and Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’, according to Heijmans. By introducing new events like LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld, and Future FM, Big 5 Global aims to address the growing demand for sustainable, resilient, and future-ready cities, she said.
Among the highlights of the technologies on show at Big 5 Global are green building materials, energy-efficient systems and technologies reducing carbon footprints, which align with net-zero and sustainable construction practices, Heijmans stated.
“Attendees can explore geospatial solutions, climate-resilient FM services, start-up innovations and scalable modular and 3D printing technologies,” she added.
Excerpts of the interview with Josine Heijmans:
How has Big 5 Global evolved this year to meet the region’s urban development goals, especially as new events like LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld and Future FM are introduced?
Big 5 Global’s 45th edition directly supports the region’s $9 trillion urban development and construction pipeline of projects, aligning with national visions like ‘We the UAE 2031’ and ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ by driving sustainable and innovative practices. The introduction of new events such as LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld and Future FM, alongside Big 5 Global, address urban liveability, geospatial advancements and future-ready facilities management, providing tailored platforms for each sector's unique growth and innovation needs, as the region continues to expand.
How is Big 5 Global uniquely positioned to address the urbanisation needs of this rapidly growing region?
The World Bank projects that 80% of the global population will live in cities by 2080, with MEASA playing a major role in this growth. With urbanisation and the demand for resilient, future-ready cities, Big 5 Global for over 44 years has served as a hub for high-level partnerships and collaborations, creating opportunities for public and private sector to work together on sustainable urban solutions for MEASA’s unique demographic needs.
What, according to you, are the standout innovations and technologies showcased this year that attendees should look forward to?
Aligning with net-zero and sustainable construction practices, Big 5 Global showcases green building materials, energy-efficient systems and technologies reducing carbon footprints. Attendees can explore geospatial solutions, climate-resilient FM services, start-up innovations and scalable modular and 3D printing technologies.
How do the summits at Big 5 Global drive collaboration and innovation across industries to create sustainable and resilient cities?
Big 5 Global unites 2,700 exhibitors across urban planning, facilities management, geospatial intelligence and construction to tackle urban challenges. Additionally, Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, LiveableCitiesX Summit, Big 5 FutureTech Summit, GeoWorld Summit, and IFMA Global | Middle East Summit promote collaboration among visionaries and policymakers, showcasing how leadership, connective technology and geospatial data drive sustainable, resilient cities.-TradeArabia News Service
