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ULI in the Middle East
The mission statement of the ULI Middle East Centre is to provide world-class knowledge base in support of the real estate industry in UAE & Middle East and be the catalyst for a more viable, sustainable built environment.

The vision is to:

  • Promote sustainable, market-driven, viable development
  • Encourage search for excellence in city building
  • Provide industry leadership & public officials a place to share best practices
  • Develop next generation of professionals to lead Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and the Middle East
    • Recent News
    Press Release from London: Expanding Globally: ULI Hires Shahswar Al Balushi as Executive Director of Middle East/North Africa:  New Real Estate Education Centre Offering Two Courses in November (October 8, 2008)

    News
    TDIC Takes Cityscape Award For Its 'Green Building' Headquarters
    The ADTA/TDIC headquarters will also house the Middle East Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to responsible land use, complete with a real estate education centre with a library, seminar and conference rooms.Spotlight on Sultanate's Role in Sustainable Development
    Omran CEO, Wael al Lawati, highlighted the Sultanates role in sustainable development at the Global Real Estate Conference in Abu Dhabi organised by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a global non-profit research and education organisation in the responsible use of land and real estate development disciplines. Under the theme Building a Sustainable Future: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges, the conference brought together international experts in sustainable development and keyOman Seeks Sustainable Growth
    Omans role in sustainable development was highlighted at the Global Real Estate Conference in Abu Dhabi.

    The event was organised by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a global non-profit research and education organisation in the responsible use of land and real estate development disciplines.Housing Could Restrict Gateway Area's Potential
    A 2006 study by the Urban Land Institute recommended that the land on the north side of the airport be reserved for industrial facilities. Such a land use designation would serve as a buffer, supporting successful development of the airport ASUs Decision Theater has enhanced planning of world-class airports, including Dubai World Central. ASU and aviation consultant ATAC constructed a three-dimensional model of the Mesa Gateway area. This data suggests that noise levels north oUAE Gears Up for Series of ULI Real Estate Programs in Middle East
    ULI is hosting a series of real estate events in the Middle East over the next several months, reflecting the Institute’s expanding outreach in rapidly developing markets throughout the region.
    Advisory Services

    ULI advisory services panels provide strategic advice to developers, governments, and non-profits on land use and real estate development issues. ULI members volunteer to serve on panels and apply their practical experience to difficult challenges. Established in 1947, this fee-based program has completed over 500 panels, in 12 countries and 4 continents. Sponsors praise panels for their comprehensive, pragmatic approach to solving land use challenges:

    “We invited a ULI Advisory Services Panel to bring the perspective of global public and private development practitioners to Dubai’s urban growth planning process. The ULI team offered a candid, insightful perspective on Dubai’s development and provided valuable concrete recommendations shaped by their practical, professional experience. As we look to our future, their insights and ideas will help us shape our urban growth strategies."

    -- His Excellency Ahmad bin Byat, Chairman, Dubai Urban Planning Committee

    Each panel follows a proven process that begins with a conversation between ULI staff and the sponsor to frame the assignment. ULI then assembles an interdisciplinary panel of volunteers who spend up to a week on-site exploring the project, interviewing stakeholders, and developing their recommendations. Panels approach the assignment from all perspectives, including market potential, land use and design, financing and development strategies, and organization and implementation.

    Panel reports can be kept confidential or formatted for public distribution at the discretion of the company or agency sponsoring the assignment.



    Special events
    Membership

    Join the rapidly growing group of members in the Gulf region and the 40.000 members worldwide to

  • Support the highest standards in land use.
  • Connect with industry leadership.
  • Be at the cutting edge of key trends.
  • Shape your community.
  • Meet your peers

    • Call the European Customer Service Centre at +44 (0)20 7487 9579 to find out more.

    Publications
    More Icons for Dubai
    Waterfront City, to be located on the western shores of the port city Jebel Ali in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, will transform 1.4 billion square feet (130 million sq m) of desert and sea into an international community for an estimated population of 1.5 million—twice the number of people on Hong Kong Island. The project, being developed on the last 9.3 miles (15 km) of natural coastline in Dubai, will create more than 43 miles (70 km) of coastline in all, including development of 23 percent of the Arabian Canal.Workers and Housing in Dubai
    As Dubai grows, much of the work is being done by a large migrant workforce consisting of men and women, most from Southeast Asia, who pour into the emirate seeking work and money in the booming economy. However, a system with poor labor laws, lax enforcement, and substandard housing offers these workers little protection from exploitation.New-Style Retail Center for Dubai
    As Dubai evolves into an international retail capital with multiple shopping mall developments, global brands are selecting the emirate as a primary location for flagship stores. Images of Dubai’s overnight urbanism suggest that every new project is larger and more architecturally ambitious than the last. Yet a new retail center, Times Square Center, is built on a smaller scale with a distinctive design.International Investment in the United Arab Emirates
    While the UAE's real estate investment market is largely dominated by other Gulf Cooperation Council nationals—principally Saudi Arabians—the introduction of new property laws has encouraged investment from other continents.Concept for a Tree-Like Skyscraper Introduced at World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi
    In a keynote speech at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), late last month, architect William McDonough, actively involved in the sustainable design movement, presented his firm’s ideas for a “living” skyscraper that can do “just about everything a tree can do except replicate.”