DEMAND for new housing and enhanced urban living will peak in Saudi Arabia as Vision 2030 pushes to raise real estate contribution to GDP from 5% to 10%. Until March 8, 2018, The Big 5 Saudi will show innovation in building design and the construction technology needed to accelerate urban growth.

“Housing development in 2018 will show an increase of 30-40% compared with last year and the total projected residential projects will reach more than 250,000 square meters. This number will incrementally grow over the next 5 years on a 25-40% rate annually,” forecast Dr Mohammed S. Al Surf, Regional Manager of Market Development at Saudi’s Green Building Certification Institute.

Speaking at The Big 5 Saudi, Dr Mohammed updates visitors on the current urban market and explore how green building incorporates factors of energy reduction and healthy living.

Aside from the education on offer at Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events, The Big 5 Saudi is showing the latest solutions and materials in construction from 400 local and international exhibitors.

“Fully aligned and in full support of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, we believe that The Big 5 Saudi is of great advantage to introduce our products to the potential Saudi Arabian market,” said Omar Khayal, Business Development Manager at special solutions exhibitor RIVA GmbH Engineering.

Just one of the products matching KSA urban goals, the RIVA Umbrella promotes usage of promenades and parks by providing shade. Powered by solar, it can be controlled via cell phone for custom results.

Other brands to bring residents outdoors are Beka Sport with their artificial floor solutions to create activities such as outdoor chess and city golf, and Eibi with their durable playground equipment.

Filling the gap between outside and inside the home, exhibitor Edgetech show their Super Spacer at The Big 5 Saudi and discuss how preventing thermal bridges is the key to an energy efficient room.

Looking to advance the quality and health of home life, GROHE’s award winning Sensia Arena is an innovative merging of both toilet and bidet that brings a new level of cleaning options to the WC unit.

“The Big 5 Saudi has become one of the most important construction events for the region and the industry as a whole,” said Antoine Khalife, Vice President, GROHE Levant and KSA. “The event is a crossroads for construction professionals from across the GCC, as visitors will come to see innovative construction products which they have never seen before,” he concluded.

Products on display at The Big 5 Saudi span across bathroom and kitchen fittings, smart city resources, steel and solar technology. The event also displays concrete & PMV equipment and material handling in an outdoor zone dedicated to heavy machinery and warehousing products.

The Big 5 Saudi is free-to-attend for trade professionals and over 18s only. — SG