How Big 5 has impacted the future of construction in the region

As the Middle East and Africa (MEASA) region continues its rapid urbanisation and strives for sustainable growth, Big 5 Global recently wrapped up its 45th edition, making a significant mark on the construction and infrastructure sectors. The event was a focal point for discussions on innovation, sustainability, and the future of urban development.

Here, Josine Heijmans, SVP at dmg events, the event’s organiser, reflects on how Big 5 Global evolved this year to support the region’s ambitious urban development goals, from introducing new events like LiveableCitiesX and GeoWorld to fostering collaboration across industries.

How has Big 5 Global evolved this year to meet the region’s urban development goals, especially with the introduction of new events like LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld, and Future FM?

Big 5 Global’s 45th edition, which just recently concluded, directly supported the region’s $9 trillion urban development and construction pipeline, aligning with national visions such as ‘We the UAE 2031’ and ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ by driving sustainable and innovative practices. The introduction of new events like LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld, and Future FM, alongside Big 5 Global, addressed key areas like urban liveability, geospatial advancements, and future-ready facilities management. These new events provided dedicated platforms to explore the growth and innovation needs of each sector 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 per cent of the global population will live in cities by 2080, with MEASA playing a significant role in this growth. With urbanisation and the demand for resilient, future-ready cities, Big 5 Global has served as a hub for high-level partnerships and collaborations for over 44 years. This year’s event, which just wrapped up, created valuable opportunities for the public and private sectors to work together on sustainable urban solutions tailored to the unique demographic needs of MEASA.

What, according to you, were the standout innovations and technologies showcased this year that attendees should have taken note of?

This year, Big 5 Global, which just concluded, showcased a wide range of innovations aligned with net-zero and sustainable construction practices. Attendees were able to explore green building materials, energy-efficient systems, and technologies aimed at reducing carbon footprints. We also saw advancements in geospatial solutions, climate-resilient facilities management services, start-up innovations, and scalable modular and 3D printing technologies—each playing a crucial role in creating sustainable urban environments that address the growing demand for eco-friendly construction.

How did the summits at the event drive collaboration and innovation across industries to create sustainable and resilient cities?

Big 5 Global brought together 2,700 exhibitors across urban planning, facilities management, geospatial intelligence, and construction sectors to address urban challenges.

The Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, LiveableCitiesX Summit, Big 5 FutureTech Summit, GeoWorld Summit, and IFMA Global | Middle East Summit promoted collaboration among visionaries, policymakers, and industry leaders. These summits, which took place alongside the event, showcased how leadership, connective technology, and geospatial data are driving the creation of sustainable, resilient cities for the future.

How is Big 5 Global enabling a platform for the adoption of emerging technologies like BIM, robotics, AI, and AR/VR in the regional construction industry, and what role do these innovations play in enhancing project efficiency and collaboration?

At this year’s Big 5 Global, we saw industry leaders highlight several key technologies that are having a profound impact on regional construction projects. Building Information Modelling (BIM), robotics, and automation were among the technologies leading the charge to improve project accuracy, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration across teams.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is optimising project timelines and cutting costs by predicting potential delays and resource shortages. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) were also showcased for design validation and safety training, enabling faster project delivery while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

How has Big 5 Global contributed to the growth and development of the construction, infrastructure, and urban development sectors in the region over the years? Can you share specific examples of its impact?

Big 5 Global has consistently played a major role in fostering global partnerships and facilitating transformative innovations. For example, at this year’s event, BAUER Maschinen GmbH and Pinnacle International Piling signed a multi-million-euro agreement for a new piling rig. Another noteworthy partnership was between WhiteHelmet, a Saudi-based construction tech company, and India’s SB Scaffolding, which introduced cutting-edge construction technologies to India.

Locally, Dubai-based Deyaar Development announced the launch of Park Five, a luxury residential community, which aligns with Dubai’s vision of creating sustainable urban spaces. These examples showcase the tangible impact Big 5 Global has had on the regional construction and urban development landscape.

Looking ahead, what role do you see Big 5 Global playing in shaping the future of these sectors, particularly in fostering innovation, sustainability, and collaboration among industry stakeholders?

Moving forward, Big 5 Global will continue to serve as a vital platform for shaping the future of construction and urban development. The event will keep driving innovation, sustainability, and collaboration among industry leaders, providing a space for knowledge exchange, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships.

As the largest and most influential gathering of construction professionals in the region, Big 5 Global will remain committed to fostering collaboration and shaping a future that addresses the evolving challenges of urbanisation and sustainable city development.

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