Big 5 Global at Dubai World Trade Centre announced a strong focus on smart, sustainable solutions shaping future development. The second day reported high attendance, with more than 20 halls filled with delegates and exhibitors. Speakers revealed how government and industry alignment is essential to accelerate the delivery of smart cities.

Within Big 5 Global, the first day of the integrated LiveableCitiesX Summit opened with a session featuring Dr. Saif Al Nasri, Acting Undersecretary at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). He reported that Abu Dhabi moved from #10 to #5 in the IMD Smart City Index within 12 months. He explained that dynamic urban planning, community engagement, real-time feedback, extensive use of technology, and AI-powered services are key drivers. He added that more than 200 community parks support connectivity and inclusive lifestyles.

Eng Abdulla Mohamed Al Blooshi, Acting Director General of the Urban Planning & Permits Centre at DMT, said the Summit highlighted the benefits of unified regulation and measurable performance. He stated that this alignment accelerates the delivery of liveable and sustainable smart cities.

Speakers at LiveableCitiesX Summit also discussed how to maximize time in a fast-paced world. Nada Taryam, CEO of BEEAH Real Estate, joined Eng Nasser bin Salem Al Wadai, General Manager for Projects at the Riyadh Region Municipality, and Dr. Nadine Bitar Chahine, Vice-President at the International Federation of Landscape Architects.

Taryam revealed that BEEAH operates 50 recycling facilities. She added that all unrecyclable materials are converted into energy to power almost 100,000 homes. She reported that BEEAH is committed to advancing low-impact, human-focused urban environments.

On the opening day of Big 5 FutureTech Summit, experts discussed how AI, data, and robotics are transforming construction. The session titled Building the Future: Dubai’s Construction Sector and Regulatory Excellence featured Eng Naser Al Shaibani from Dubai Municipality. He explained how Dubai is shaping one of the world’s most advanced construction ecosystems.

Charlie Sheridan, Chief Data and AI Officer at Nemetschek Group, revealed how new AI-powered tools are boosting creativity, productivity, and collaboration across the design-to-build lifecycle.

Later, Douglas Zuzic, Chief Digital Officer at Innovo Group, reported that innovation is driven by client expectations, changing regulations, and the need for greater efficiency across major real estate and infrastructure projects.

Day two also saw several new product launches. Buildroid AI announced the launch of its first block-laying robot. The US-based AI robotics startup recently secured $2 million in pre-seed funding. The company revealed that its multi-robot system delivers up to 10x productivity gains and up to 4x cost savings compared to manual labour.

Additionally, dss+ announced the launch of its Next-Generation Safety Excellence Programme for Construction. The announcement accompanied a session by Ehsan Akhavan, Managing Director for Middle East & Africa. He presented From Boardroom to Frontline: Human Performance as the Foundation for Construction Excellence. The programme aims to enhance safety, operational discipline, and construction performance across the region.

Akhavan said the Middle East is delivering some of the most ambitious megaprojects in the world. He added that the new programme transforms safety into a strategic advantage that protects people and assets.

Big 5 Global also showcased a Guinness World Record achievement. Al Bassam was recognized for creating the world’s largest plastic water tank. The tank uses advanced blow mould technology, recyclable materials, and has a capacity of 21,007 litres. It meets government standards and offers a durable, sustainable solution for water storage.

Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at dmg events, reported that the second edition of the LiveableCitiesX Summit sparked important discussions about strengthening collaboration to advance sustainable smart city initiatives. She added that the event featured global thought leaders and several new product announcements that could increase tech adoption and improve project safety and delivery.

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