Dubai Municipality also continues to enforce the Dubai Building Code. (Image source: Dubai Municipality)

Dubai Municipality has announced a significant uptick in construction activity, with more than 30,000 building permit applications processed during the first half of 2025, representing a 20% increase compared to the same period last year.

The total licensed built-up area surpassed 5.5 million sqm, all approved for immediate implementation, with July alone accounting for one million sqm of newly licensed space.

This growth reflects continued investor confidence in Dubai’s economy and real estate sector.

Multi-storey commercial and investment buildings represented the largest share of total licensed space at 45%, followed by residential villas at 40%, exceeding two million sqm. Industrial and public buildings made up the remaining 15%.

Digital innovation supporting construction growth

Dubai’s unified “Build in Dubai” platform continues to play a key role in accelerating the permitting process and enhancing operational efficiency.

The integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) into the platform’s automated auditing processes has significantly improved the quality of submissions from consultants and contractors.

This has helped reduce duplication and design errors, ensuring a more seamless and accurate experience for users.

Training and qualification to boost construction quality

Dubai Municipality also continues to enforce the Dubai Building Code, as well as regulations for green building and universal design, which aim to ensure accessibility for People of Determination.

In support of these efforts, the Municipality runs weekly training programmes through the Dubai Municipality Academy, equipping engineers with the technical knowledge and digital skills required to meet the emirate’s ambitious urban development goals.

Eng. Mariam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Building Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said, “These figures reinforce Dubai’s status as one of the world’s foremost construction destinations. The sector’s steady growth reflects the Emirate’s sustainable economic trajectory and underlines Dubai Municipality’s commitment to advancing the sector with smart, sustainable solutions. By streamlining processes and embracing innovation and digital transformation, we continue to drive the Emirate forward in its mission to become the best city in the world to live and work in.”

Earlier this year, Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Land Department backed the eighth Construction Technology ConFex and Property Technology ConFex. The event spotlighted digital transformation in the built environment. Held in Dubai, the event gathered over 1,000 participants to explore the future of construction and property technology. Dubai Municipality’s support helped drive high-level discussions on sustainable building practices, decarbonisation, and smarter infrastructure. With more than 160 expert speakers, 40 exhibitors and 550 B2B meetings, the event encouraged cross-sector collaboration. The Construction Technology Awards 2025, a key highlight, celebrated leadership in innovation, sustainability and digital excellence across the regional built environment.

Also read: Dubai Municipality receives urban planning award

FAMCO supports MAR with Volvo machines, boosting marine and civil construction across Middle East and Africa. (Image source: Volvo CE)

With a robust fleet of Volvo machines provided and supported by Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO), MAR Marine & Building Contracting is taking on technically demanding marine and civil construction projects across the Middle East and Africa, delivering efficiency and minimising downtime

Founded in 2018, MAR Marine & Building Contracting has rapidly established itself as a regional leader in marine and civil infrastructure. Headquartered in both the UAE and Lebanon, with projects spanning multiple countries, MAR has completed more than 200 contracts for over 340 clients, an impressive feat for a relatively new player.

Central to MAR’s success is its focus on quality, timely project delivery and customer satisfaction. The company operates across a wide scope: marine works, steel structures, civil construction, dredging, and sea pipeline installations, serving both public and private clients. Each project poses its own set of challenges, especially in harsh coastal settings where machinery must be both durable and reliable.

Engineering excellence in tough marine conditions

Marine and coastal construction is one of the most complex sectors in the industry, requiring resilience against environmental variables such as saltwater corrosion, fluctuating tides and tight regulatory requirements. To meet these challenges, MAR has invested in more than 40 crawler excavators and articulated haulers from Volvo Construction Equipment.

The Volvo machines have become vital assets in operations such as breakwater construction and sand backfilling. Their corrosion-resistant materials, sealed electrical systems and protected hydraulic components are well suited to marine environments. According to MAR, Volvo’s reputation for robust engineering and performance has been instrumental in their ability to deliver on time.

Partnership rooted in trust

FAMCO, Volvo CE’s long-standing dealer in the UAE, supplies and services MAR’s fleet. This relationship is underpinned by shared values of reliability and service excellence.

“Today we take a moment to thank our trusted partner FAMCO for all their support,” said Marwan Nakhoul, project site engineer at MAR. “In our work, success depends on strong partnerships. FAMCO, together with Volvo Construction Equipment, has always been one of our most trusted partners.”

Nakhoul also pointed to how Volvo’s equipment delivers measurable benefits: “Thanks to the high quality of their machines, we’ve had less downtime and finished our work faster and more efficiently. Our partnership with FAMCO is a big reason for our success.”

Supporting growth across borders

As the demand for marine infrastructure grows across the Middle East and Africa, companies like MAR are playing a key role in driving economic development and coastal resilience. With FAMCO and Volvo CE as dependable partners, MAR is well equipped to expand its footprint, one marine project at a time.

The HX 70e uses a 400-volt lithium-ion battery from Kreisel, offering a capacity of 63 kWh. (Image source: HAMM)

At Bauma 2025, compaction expert Hamm spotlighted the latest addition to its range of pivot-steered tandem rollers: the fully electric HX 70e VV-S, equipped with two vibration drums.

Designed to support the construction industry’s shift towards lower emissions, the machine is aimed at making roadbuilding more sustainable.

A second version, the HX 70e VO-S, was also on display.

This variant features an oscillation drum instead of a second vibration drum. As part of an ongoing technology rollout, both models are initially being trialled on urban construction sites across Europe.

Electrification without compromise

The HX 70e uses a 400-volt lithium-ion battery from Kreisel, offering a capacity of 63 kWh.

This proven component enables efficient and powerful operation, while the electric drive system ensures low noise and reduced emissions.

Charging is handled via a standard Type 2 connector, with additional options such as Type 1, J1772, and CCS to follow.

With fast charging, the battery can go from 20% to 80% in under an hour, ideal for high-paced jobsites.

Despite its electric powertrain, the HX 70e matches its diesel-powered counterparts in performance.

Compaction power remains the same, and peak output is even higher.

The oscillation version, in particular, benefits from an ultra-quiet profile, combining the low noise of oscillation with that of an electric drive, making it ideal for work near hospitals, heritage buildings, or in vibration-sensitive zones.

Familiar operation, lower costs

Operators will find the electric models nearly identical to diesel versions in terms of control and handling. The main difference lies in the updated display interface, which features new symbols to guide the user intuitively.

Maintenance requirements are also reduced thanks to the simplified design of the high-voltage electrical system, which eliminates many of the service needs typical of diesel engines.

This translates into lower operating costs and improved uptime.

Customers can continue to rely on the Wirtgen Group’s established service network, and the new machines are compatible with the John Deere Operations Center for remote monitoring and fleet management, just like their diesel equivalents.

Also read: Wirtgen Group launches zero-emission construction system

The Line 2 extension will span 8.4 km. (Image source: Bechtel)

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has awarded a major contract worth up to US$900mn to the ArRiyadh New Mobility Consortium for the construction of the Line 2 extension of the Riyadh Metro project, according to a report by MEED.

The consortium includes several international heavyweights such as Italy’s Webuild, India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Saudi-based Nesma & Partners, Japan’s Hitachi, Italy’s Ansaldo STS, Canada’s Bombardier, Spain’s Idom, and Australia’s WorleyParsons.

The Line 2 extension will span 8.4 km. This includes a 1.3 km elevated and a 7.1 km underground extension.

It will also feature five stations, two elevated and three underground. The line will run from the current King Saud University (KSU) terminus to KSU Medical City, KSU West, Diriyah East, Diriyah Central (interchanging with the planned Line 7), and ending at Diriyah South.

Last year, the BACS Consortium had delivered the first phase of the Riyadh Metro. This consortium also included global engineering, construction, and project management company Bechtel. 

Project awards

Project management and construction supervision will be handled by Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants (RMTC), a joint venture of US-based Parsons and French engineering firms Egis and Systra. RMTC also provided project oversight for Lines 1, 2, and 3 during the first phase of the metro’s development.

Once complete, the Riyadh Metro will become the world’s longest driverless metro system, spanning 176 km with 85 stations and seven depots. The six-line network includes the Blue, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Purple lines.

The phased rollout of the network has progressed steadily. The Orange Line began operations in January this year, following the Red and Green lines which launched in December 2024. The Red Line (Line 2) runs 25.1 km from east to west along King Abdullah Road, connecting King Fahd Sports City with King Saud University and includes 15 stations.

The Green Line (Line 5) stretches 13.3 km, connecting King Abdullah Road with the National Museum, and serves key ministries such as Defence, Finance, and Commerce. In the same month, operations also began on the Blue (Line 1), Yellow (Line 4), and Purple (Line 6) lines.

Also read: Giza Station foundation work underway