Saudi Aramco, Diriyah Company, KAFD and King Salman Energy Park among Big 5 Global ImpactAwards 2026 finalists
Over 100 finalists from 12 countries shortlisted across 18 categories, recognizing achievements
across construction and urban development
Finalists include leading government authorities, developers, project owners, architects,
consultants and contractors from Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK, among other
markets
Sustainable Construction Organization of the Year receives the highest number of entries,
highlighting continued focus on sustainability and measurable impact across the built
environment
Big 5 Global Impact Awards 2026 has announced more than 100
finalists across 18 categories, recognizing organizations, projects, initiatives, teams and professionals
delivering achievements across construction and urban development.
The finalists represent a broad cross-section of the built environment, from government authorities and
developers to architects, consultants, contractors and technology leaders, with entries demonstrating
progress across sustainability, digitalization, carbon reduction, liveability and workforce development.
Finalists have been selected from 12 countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Lebanon,
Nigeria, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Commenting on this year’s finalists, Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said: “The 2026
finalists demonstrate how organizations across the built environment are turning ambition into
measurable outcomes. From sustainable construction and carbon reduction to digitalization, workforce
development and liveable cities, the breadth of this year’s shortlist reflects the priorities influencing the
industry today. Big 5 Global Impact Awards provides an opportunity to recognize the teams and
individuals translating these priorities into projects and initiatives that can influence the wider industry.”
Government and private-sector leadership in the spotlight
Government authorities, public-sector organizations, developers and private-sector companies feature
strongly among this year’s finalists, reflecting the nature of organizations of companies contributing to
construction and urban development across the markets represented.
The line-up includes King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) Projects, Diriyah Company, Saudi Aramco, King
Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Dubai Municipality, Roads and
Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai, Expo City Dubai, the Ministry of Works, Bahrain and Canterbury Christ
Church University. Leading private-sector names include The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman &
Co.), Climatize, AECOM, Orascom Construction, Trojan Construction Holding, DAMAC Properties and
KEO Group, among others.
Technology and sustainability in focus
The Sustainable Construction Organization of the Year category received the highest number of entries
this year, reflecting continued focus on how companies embed sustainability into their operations,
projects and broader business strategies. Finalists include AECOM, Diriyah Company, Expo City Dubai,
King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) Projects, Orascom Construction, PETROJET, Climatize and Trojan
Construction Holding.
Sustainability is also reflected across a range of projects spanning buildings, infrastructure and urban
development. Finalists for Sustainable Construction Project of the Year include AECOM and Mubadala
for Masdar Net Zero Energy Mosque, owned by AWQAF; AluHouse Company Limited for SSN 520 Light
Public Housing Project in Hong Kong, owned by Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), HKSAR
Government; DAMAC Properties for DAMAC Lagoons; Lagos Free Zone Company for Irele Tower, owned
by Elevate Commercial Park Limited (ECPL); Masdar City for Horizons 1; Saudi Aramco’s Community &
Public Projects Department for King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) Projects; The Arab Contractors (Osman
Ahmed Osman & Co.) for Cairo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Phase 1&2, owned by Egyptian National Authority
for Tunnels (NAT); and Trojan Construction Holding for Velodrome, owned by MODON.
Alongside sustainability, technology continues to be a key focus across this year’s shortlist, with AI
applied to project delivery, asset monitoring, construction intelligence and other areas of the built
environment. The Best Use of AI Award highlights how artificial intelligence is being applied across
different areas of the built environment. Finalists include AlBawani for SCC & AI Cameras Smart Const.
Cam & Analytics; China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East for CSCEC ME Insight
Hub – Embedded AI for Predictive Project Intelligence; DAR Engineering for DAR Mate Intelligent
Ecosystem; Dubai Municipality for Building Violation & Asset Monitoring; grfn for RSB Cooling Market
Share & Efficiency Study, owned by Dubai Research and Bureau; KEO Group for Embedding AI Across
Project Delivery; Sobha Construction; and ZFP (Zuhair Fayez) for ZFP R&D Unit – AI-Powered AEC
Workflows, owned by ZFP – R&D Unit.
Commenting on the quality of this year’s finalists, Dr Yousef Mohammed Al Horr, Founding Chairman
and CEO, Global Carbon Council (GCC) and judge, Big 5 Global Impact Awards, said: “Having reviewed
this year’s finalists, I have been particularly impressed by the depth and quality of the work being
delivered across the built environment. The strongest entries demonstrate that sustainability is being
translated into measurable outcomes through better design, resource efficiency, decarbonization and
responsible delivery. Big 5 Global Impact Awards provide an important opportunity to recognize the
organizations and individuals turning these priorities into tangible progress and setting a stronger
benchmark for the industry.”
View the full list of finalists across 18 categories.
Every year, the awards are judged by an independent, international panel of industry experts, with
winners selected based on the quality, impact and outcomes demonstrated through their submissions.
Winners will be announced at Big 5 Global Impact Awards ceremony on 25 November 2026 at Al
Multaqua Ballroom, Dubai World Trade Centre. The awards take place alongside Big 5 Global, which
takes place from 23 – 26 November 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Big 5 Global is proud to collaborate with an esteemed network of partners and sponsors, including Main
supporting partner, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; Supporting partner, Dubai Municipality; Gold
Sponsor, Trojan Construction Holding; and Category Sponsor, Midea.
For more information, visit www.big5global.com
– Ends –
About Big 5 Global
With a legacy of more than 45 years, Big 5 Global is the most influential construction and urban
development event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Taking place from 23 – 26 November
2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Big 5 Global attracts more than 65,000 global attendees from
over 165 countries and 1,800 exhibitors to the UAE, covering the full construction and urban
development value chain across dedicated sectors and seven specialized events enabling industry
professionals to source worldwide building solutions for every stage of construction: Heavy, Totally
Concrete, Marble & Stone World, Urban Design & Landscape, HVACR World, GeoWorld and Future
FM.
The Sustainable Construction Organization of the Year category received the highest number of entries
this year, reflecting continued focus on how companies embed sustainability into their operations,
projects and broader business strategies. Finalists include AECOM, Diriyah Company, Expo City Dubai,
King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) Projects, Orascom Construction, PETROJET, Climatize and Trojan
Construction Holding.
Sustainability is also reflected across a range of projects spanning buildings, infrastructure and urban
development. Finalists for Sustainable Construction Project of the Year include AECOM and Mubadala
for Masdar Net Zero Energy Mosque, owned by AWQAF; AluHouse Company Limited for SSN 520 Light
Public Housing Project in Hong Kong, owned by Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), HKSAR
Government; DAMAC Properties for DAMAC Lagoons; Lagos Free Zone Company for Irele Tower, owned
by Elevate Commercial Park Limited (ECPL); Masdar City for Horizons 1; Saudi Aramco’s Community &
Public Projects Department for King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) Projects; The Arab Contractors (Osman
Ahmed Osman & Co.) for Cairo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Phase 1&2, owned by Egyptian National Authority
for Tunnels (NAT); and Trojan Construction Holding for Velodrome, owned by MODON.
Alongside sustainability, technology continues to be a key focus across this year’s shortlist, with AI
applied to project delivery, asset monitoring, construction intelligence and other areas of the built
environment. The Best Use of AI Award highlights how artificial intelligence is being applied across
different areas of the built environment. Finalists include AlBawani for SCC & AI Cameras Smart Const.
Cam & Analytics; China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East for CSCEC ME Insight
Hub – Embedded AI for Predictive Project Intelligence; DAR Engineering for DAR Mate Intelligent
Ecosystem; Dubai Municipality for Building Violation & Asset Monitoring; grfn for RSB Cooling Market
Share & Efficiency Study, owned by Dubai Research and Bureau; KEO Group for Embedding AI Across
Project Delivery; Sobha Construction; and ZFP (Zuhair Fayez) for ZFP R&D Unit – AI-Powered AEC
Workflows, owned by ZFP – R&D Unit.
Commenting on the quality of this year’s finalists, Dr Yousef Mohammed Al Horr, Founding Chairman
and CEO, Global Carbon Council (GCC) and judge, Big 5 Global Impact Awards, said: “Having reviewed
this year’s finalists, I have been particularly impressed by the depth and quality of the work being
delivered across the built environment. The strongest entries demonstrate that sustainability is being
translated into measurable outcomes through better design, resource efficiency, decarbonization and
responsible delivery. Big 5 Global Impact Awards provide an important opportunity to recognize the
organizations and individuals turning these priorities into tangible progress and setting a stronger
benchmark for the industry.”
View the full list of finalists across 18 categories.
Every year, the awards are judged by an independent, international panel of industry experts, with
winners selected based on the quality, impact and outcomes demonstrated through their submissions.
Winners will be announced at Big 5 Global Impact Awards ceremony on 25 November 2026 at Al
Multaqua Ballroom, Dubai World Trade Centre. The awards take place alongside Big 5 Global, which
takes place from 23 – 26 November 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Big 5 Global is proud to collaborate with an esteemed network of partners and sponsors, including Main
supporting partner, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure; Supporting partner, Dubai Municipality; Gold
Sponsor, Trojan Construction Holding; and Category Sponsor, Midea.
For more information, visit www.big5global.com
About Big 5 Global
With a legacy of more than 45 years, Big 5 Global is the most influential construction and urban
development event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Taking place from 23 – 26 November
2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Big 5 Global attracts more than 65,000 global attendees from
over 165 countries and 1,800 exhibitors to the UAE, covering the full construction and urban
development value chain across dedicated sectors and seven specialized events enabling industry
professionals to source worldwide building solutions for every stage of construction: Heavy, Totally
Concrete, Marble & Stone World, Urban Design & Landscape, HVACR World, GeoWorld and Future
FM.
