Media

For over a decade, the Gulf region has been defined by headline construction projects, from Dubai’s 321m-high Burj al Arab hotel to the 240-metre high twin-towered World Trade Centre in Manama, Bahrain. But there is another side to the region’s vaulting ambitions and it lies a bit closer to the ground.

In 2008, work was completed on one of the tallest buildings in the world, in one of the most challenging construction environments. Three years on, the Almas Tower, home to Dubai’s diamond exchange, continues to sparkle as an example of innovative design.

Planners in the Arabian Gulf face quite a task. To ensure long-term and sustainable growth, they must imagine a future that involves diversifying economies and rising populations. Could a holistic approach hold the key?

How do you create a completely new metro system for a bustling urban centre like Dubai? It takes long-term vision, multidisciplinary skill on an international scale and willingness to go the extra mile.

Atkins is playing a major role in the preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, partnering in creating a brand new landscape from an industrial wasteland for London’s Olympic Park.