PROJECT ROUND-UP
GCC
The Nemetschek Group, one of the world’ s leading software providers for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations( AEC / O) industry, has completed its acquisition of Heavy Construction Systems Specialists( HCSS) from Thoma Bravo. The strategic move is expected to accelerate Digital Transformation across the GCC’ s rapidly expanding construction and infrastructure sectors.
Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, HCSS is a leading provider of construction software for the infrastructure and heavy civil engineering sectors in North America. The company supports more than 4,000 organisations and employs over 550 professionals. Effective 1 July 2026, HCSS has joined the Nemetschek Group’ s Build and Construct segment alongside industry-leading brands Bluebeam, GoCanvas and Nevaris. The combined portfolio spans the entire construction lifecycle, expanding the segment’ s total addressable market to an estimated US $ 12 billion by 2028.
Across the GCC, where governments are investing heavily in large-scale infrastructure projects and smart city developments under initiatives such as We the UAE 2031, Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030, the addition of HCSS strengthens Nemetschek’ s ability to support contractors and developers with advanced digital solutions. By combining HCSS’ s deep expertise in infrastructure and proprietary data with Nemetschek’ s AI capabilities, the Group is well positioned to help regional organisations improve productivity, optimise cost management and deliver complex projects more efficiently.
UAE
Dubai Municipality has launched the world’ s first AIpowered park design challenge, inviting designers, researchers and technology innovators to reimagine Al Safa 2 Park using artificial intelligence while keeping human creativity and decision-making at the heart of the process.
The initiative reflects the Municipality’ s commitment to combining advanced technologies, urban design and community participation to shape the future of public spaces. Participants will use an integrated suite of AI tools throughout the design process, from site analysis and user insights to concept generation, scenario testing, design optimisation and visualisation. Final design decisions, however, will remain human-led.
The competition seeks practical and forward-looking proposals that improve sustainability, accessibility, wellbeing, social interaction and overall quality of life. Entrants must submit a comprehensive master plan supported by data analysis, visualisations, detailed drawings and an explanation of how AI informed the design process.
The challenge is open to professionals in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture and public space design, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, start-ups, AI specialists and technology innovators.
Participants are expected to demonstrate how AI supported analysis, design iteration and decision-making across areas such as spatial planning, environmental performance, microclimate optimisation, user experience, concept development and AIassisted visualisation.
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA 33