• Far-reaching Conference programme explores industry-wide best practise agenda – from global capital flows, regional smart city initiatives and climate change to architecture and design, blockchain and proptech

Dubai, UAE : The Dubai Land Department (DLD), the Government of Dubai body responsible for regulating the relationship between property owners and tenants and any other matter related to real estate rental contracts, today announced a 134% increase in real estate transactions following the creation of the emirate’s new Higher Committee of Real Estate on September 2.

Established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Higher Real Estate Planning Committee is chaired by Sheikh Maktoum Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

With senior representatives of major property developers among its members, the Committee aims to avoid duplication of projects in the sector and achieve a more sustainable balance between supply and demand.

In his keynote speech at the Cityscape Global Conference, held today at the InterContinental in Dubai Festival City, His Excellency Sultan Butti bin Mejren, Director General of the DLD, heralded the creation of the Committee and praised its instant impact.

“Dubai has the leadership and vision – led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai – to drive the real estate sector and ensure its long-term sustainability. Since the creation of Dubai’s Higher Real Estate Planning Committee, we have seen a 134% increase in property transactions,” said H.E. bin Mejren.

“This highlights the renewed confidence in Dubai’s property sector and empowers Cityscape Global to move forward as a real estate platform that connects leading innovators and real estate minds in the market. Cityscape is a platform that reflects and supports investors’ ambitions; it aligns perfectly with the emirate’s objective for the real estate sector.”

Speaking after H.E. bin Mejren’s keynote speech, Majida Ali Rashid, the CEO of the Promotion & Real Estate Investment Management Sector at DLD, said achieving sustainable balance in the emirate’s property sector remains the Committee’s highest priority.

“The real estate market indicators show the maturity of an increasingly balanced sector. We have achieved a total value of more than AED1.4 trillion through 715,000 accumulative investments and 374,000 accumulative investors,” said Rashid. “In 2019 to date, we’ve seen a value of investments of more than AED56 billion across 31,000 investments by 23,000 investors.”

Chris Speller, Group Director of the Cityscape real estate portfolio organised by Informa Markets, added: “The real estate sector has historically been a significant sector for foreign investment in Dubai. Our objective for this year’s Cityscape Global, held under the theme ‘Adapting to Change; Charting the course in the era of transformation’, is to address the rapid changes brought about by global macro-economic factors, technological advancements and financial reforms.”

DLD was heavily represented in the multi-faceted Cityscape Global Conference as the sector’s “rapid changes” came into view.

Majid Saqr Al Marri, CEO of the Registration & Real Estate Services for DLD, delivered the welcome address for the afternoon sessions, before taking part in a panel discussion entitled ‘Agents of change: best practise principles for the governance of regulators.

“Dubai Land Department is committed to developing the most effective and efficient real estate technologies, solutions and services to upgrade and transform the emirate’s real estate system,” said Al Marri. “This will include a smart valuation system and various customer training mechanisms to provide buyers with time-reducing solutions under one integrated platform.”

Finally, Khalifa Alzeraim Al Suwaidi, CEO of Emirates Real Estate Solutions (ERES), the technology arm of the DLD, took part in a panel discussion entitled ‘The world re-imagined: accelerating the smart city revolution.’

“Dubai’s real estate sector has become dependent on modern technologies, especially following DLD’s success in developing a number of applications, most prominently the Dubai Real Estate Self Transaction (REST) platform, in addition to a number of systems successively announced by DLD over the past few years. In the future, we will witness generations of applications based on blockchain and artificial intelligence, which will leave a significant positive impact on partners and customers, as well as improve their experience when conducting real estate transactions.”

Architecture and PropTech come to the fore

Following the morning sessions, the conference split into two afternoon streams, the first of which covered Architecture and Design – the result of Informa Markets’ new partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Featuring presentations from DLD officials and representatives from architectural firms including Weston Williamson Architects and Vittoria Grassi Architetto and Partners, the Architecture and Design programme shifted towards exmaining the latest trends and practices in community and living spaces.

The conference’s second afternoon stream focused on ‘Proptech & Innovation’, with experts from Colliers International, Kaizen Asset Management, Better Homes and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank discussing the impact of new technologies on the real estate market, as well as innovations in proptech and ever-changing investor trends.

Cityscape Global is sponsored by Platinum Sponsor: The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs in Saudi Arabia; Official Partner: Arada; Strategic Partner, DLD; and Foundation Partner Nakheel.

The Cityscape Conference is sponsored by Platinum Sponsors: Maisonette and Provis; Gold sponsors: C. Savva & Associates, Eltizam, Kohler and Colliers International; and Silver sponsors: Altus Group and Mott MacDonald. Cityscape Talks is sponsored by Kohler, Provis, LWK+PARTNERS and Maisonette; Arton Capital as Global Citizenship Partner; Regus, Workplace Partner; and LWK+PARTNERS as Architecture Partner.

For more information visit www.cityscapeglobal.com 

-Ends-

About Cityscape:

Cityscape, owned by Informa Markets, first took place in 2002 in Dubai and has since grown to be one of the largest real estate event brands globally, with events taking place across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Turkey. With the success of Cityscape in Dubai, the brand has constructed a portfolio of events across a spectrum of bullish markets, in countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and with expansions on the horizon in Europe and Asia.

For more information visit: www.cityscapeglobal.com 

About Informa Markets:

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world’s leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com 

© Press Release 2019

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.