Infrastructure Planning and Design Models – What is Appropriate Design Software?

Expenditure in the Middle East infrastructure sector is projected to grow significantly in the coming years with Dubai investing heavily to support the Expo 2020 vision to leave a lasting legacy for the post-expo site, as a typical example.

Dubai is not alone with this investment for the future with other major infrastructure projects launched by the UAE governments in 2016, including Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi, KIZAD, Dubai Industrial City, Dubai South, and the expansion of the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority, DAFZA https://dafz.ae/en, in addition to the Al Saja’a Industrial Oasis, launched by the Sharjah Government.

2017, whilst this was not a particularly easy year for the construction industry, it was another year for heavy investment and growth in the infrastructure sector and in turn, we believe, promoted a marginal improvement within the construction sector which picked up pace at the back end of the year in preparation for the projected upturn in 2018.

Ongoing mega investment clearly reflects the diversification of economic ambition for the Middle East and the significant energy expended to ensure that the master planning and visions for the regions are met through innovation-based economies.

All very good news then!

But good infrastructure is still the key, so how do we deliver what is required?

The industry has been challenged over the years, and the infrastructure sector particularly in this instance, with the requirement for more consolidated design solutions, yet still we have many design solution software companies (and their products) in the market place.

Without regulation or clear direction this then leads the industry to the “preferred option of the individual”. 

Is this what is being asked of us? Is it time to really consider some form of consolidation?

So, how do we achieve this?

Companies such as ‘MicroDrainage’, ‘AutoCAD’, ‘Bentley Solutions’, ‘InfoWorks’ and ‘SWMM’ to mention a few, all have design solutions software packages but there are no clear agreed guidelines for the Middle East regarding which should be used! Different software’s might use different methods for modelling and calculations. These different methods are likely to give different runoff estimates, which could influence the storage volumes required for the drainage system and thus the scheme cost and viability.

Should this scenario be addressed through a single portal connected data environment, where engineers can share critical design information to enable coordination and consideration for adjacent projects, but would still enable them to delivery their project in the allotted timescale?

Is there even a sensible answer to these considerations?

Finally, what would potentially be the best solution, or are we, as an industry managing OK the way we are?

Contact us today to discuss the transformative solutions for your project:

Tel: +971 (0) 4 518 3000

Email: middleeast@polypipe.com