The 3rd Arabian Tunnelling Conference in Dubai Highlights Over $200 billion in Underground Infrastructure Projects

Tuesday 27 October 2015

Dubai - MENA Herald: With over $200 billion in planned and ongoing underground infrastructure projects in the GCC, the surge and buoyant growth of this sector can’t be missed.  It is in direct correlation to the fast population growth of the GCC, which in 2020 is expected to rise by one-third, from 29.4 million in 2000 to 53 million in 2020. All this growth is concentrated in cities and urban areas, which means ever more crowded ground conditions.  As such, the importance of utilizing, planning and developing Underground Space is becoming more and more relevant, in order to reduce congestion above ground, improve traffic flow, increase public transport facilities, and provide safe and durable utilities and sewerage services. Tunnels and Underground Infrastructure provide effective long-term solutions as they are built to last 100 years, reduce environmental impact, and are protected from harsh climate conditions.

In line with the growing underground construction sector, Society of Engineers-UAE is organizing the 3rd Arabian Tunnelling Conference & Exhibition 2015 (ATC15) under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Matkoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and UAE Minister of Finance. The ATC15 will take place at the Grand Hyatt Dubai from 23 to 25 November.  Themed “Innovative Underground Infrastructure—Challenges & Opportunities”, the ATC embodies the engineering and tunnelling sector at a global level and brings together key influencers, regional engineering professionals, and tunnelling experts.

H.E. Eng. Essa Al Maidoor, Deputy Director General of Dubai Municipality highlights the following well-known projects: “The Abu Dhabi STEP Project, Qatar’s Integrated Sewer Project, Riyadh’s Metro Project, Dubai Electricity and Water authority infrastructure projects and Dubai’s Strategic Sewer Tunnel Project are all prime examples of innovation and forward thinking by developing the underground infrastructure in the GCC.”

Mr. Maged Farouck Hanna, ITA Executive Council member,  describes: “The 3rd ATC is comprised of 6 streams: Conference, Exhibition, Awards, Site Visits, a Young Engineers Forum for engineering students, and Workshops, our newest addition. We are thrilled about the 3rd ATC as it’s the first SMART edition, featuring our interactive conference app. The exhibition will be free of entry this year, and the added workshops provide valuable professional development.”

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