he five-year contract covers full-scope project management services. (Image source: Parsons)

Parsons Corporation has been selected by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) as the project management consultant for the ambitious Dubai Metro Blue Line project.

The five-year contract covers full-scope project management services, including design oversight, procurement coordination, construction supervision, commissioning support, and final handover.

The Blue Line, set to open in 2029, will stretch 30 km and feature 14 stations, strengthening links between key areas such as Mirdif, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City.

Designed to support Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan and the D33 Economic Agenda, the line is expected to carry up to 320,000 daily passengers, promoting smarter, more sustainable urban mobility.

Advancing public transport systems

Parsons has long been a strategic partner to RTA, playing a major role in landmark infrastructure efforts like the Dubai Metro’s Red and Green lines, the Route 2020 expansion, and the Dubai Intelligent Traffic Systems Center.

With a legacy of over 65 years in the region, Parsons continues to lead on complex projects in mobility, transport, urban development, and smart infrastructure, drawing on its experience with more than 400 rail and transit clients worldwide.

‘‘We are proud of our long-standing partnership with the RTA and are committed to working with their expert team on expanding the Dubai Metro network in line with the RTA’s goal to provide seamless, safe, and sustainable mobility solutions that cater to the needs of Dubai’s growing population,’’ said Pierre Santoni, President, Infrastructure EMEA at Parsons. ‘‘Our team will leverage our 80-plus years of global experience coupled with our local knowledge to deliver a world-class transportation system using the safest methods and most innovative technology available.’

Malek Ramadan Mishmish, Director of Rail Planning and Project Development at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said, "We are pleased to appoint Parsons as the project management consultant for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, particularly given the company’s extensive and proven experience in delivering projects awarded by the RTA since its establishment in Dubai. Parsons is a key partner in the RTA’s success and achievements, which it continues to deliver."

Mishmish added, "The RTA is committed to working with leading global companies to implement its various projects and initiatives in line with the vision and ambitions of the Government of Dubai to make the Emirate the smartest and happiest city in the world. The RTA also strives to play an active role in achieving this vision, which is based on excellence, innovation, and future foresight, while leveraging advanced technologies in the field of smart and sustainable transportation.”

The system offers a dynamic vertical reach of 3 metres. (Image source: COBOD)

COBOD International, in partnership with Technische Universität Braunschweig, has launched the first commercially available multifunctional construction robot, expanding the scope of 3D printing in construction.

Unveiled during the grand opening of the Digital Construction Site at TU Braunschweig, the system merges COBOD’s BOD2 3D construction printer with a telescopic vertical extension and robotic arm designed for the Shotcrete 3D Printing Process (SC3DP).

Shotcrete, a concrete-spraying technique typically used in complex structures such as tunnels, retaining walls, and swimming pools, forms the basis of the SC3DP system.

However, the telescopic unit’s versatility allows it to host multiple tool types beyond shotcrete, including sanding equipment, paint spray guns, and insulation tools, transforming the 3D printer into a multifunctional robotic platform.

A 3D printing aid

The system offers a dynamic vertical reach of 3 metres, enabling the robotic arm to operate on printed structures situated up to 3 metres below the X-axis.

This functionality allows users to print, reinforce, and finish complex, double-curved concrete walls with precision and geometric freedom. Reinforcement can either be embedded after concrete placement or applied by spraying around prefabricated reinforcement meshes.

The launch was attended by Helga Kühnhenrich, Head of Research and Innovation in the Construction Industry at Germany’s Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR), who highlighted the growing industry focus on automation to cut costs and reduce labour dependence.

According to COBOD, the robotic system can even be equipped with a gripper to automatically install prefabricated elements such as aerated concrete blocks or bricks, features traditionally outside the scope of standard 3D printing setups.

With this, the company aims to redefine what construction robotics can achieve, merging digital precision with functional adaptability.

Henrik Lund-Nielsen, general manager and founder of COBOD International, said, “For years we have had the vision of making multifunctional construction robots on the basis of our 3D construction printers. Seeing the first materialisation of our vision here makes me very proud. With this new technology we offer automation of many more construction processes than just printing of concrete walls. With our new COBOD robotic arm at the end of the telescopic arm there is an endless amount of construction tasks that our printing system can now automate and expedite to the benefit of our global customers.”

Professor Harald Kloft for Structural Design at ITE explained, “Our partnership with COBOD is a decisive step towards the digital construction site of the future. 3D printing enables automated, digitally controlled processes of simple as well as very complex tasks, like the fabrication of reinforced double curved walls. The ability to make complex, individualised, material efficient and low waste construction solutions makes 3D printing ideal for the construction industry, as it brings together economic, environmental and social aspects, such as the reduction of physical stress.”

Also read: Volvo CE excavators undergo rigorous testing; outperform rivals

Advocates say electric machine alternatives offer a win-win. (Image source: Volvo CE)

A high-level roundtable held at the Swedish Embassy during London Climate Action Week has spotlighted the outsized role diesel compact construction machines play in worsening urban air quality, and the urgent need for policy and industry to drive the shift to electric alternatives.

The event brought together city officials, construction leaders and researchers to tackle the overlooked issue of diesel compact machinery, which remains largely exempt from regulations such as London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) despite emitting significant levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). Representatives from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), the City of London, and campaign groups joined the call for a rapid transition to zero-emission equipment.

In London alone, approximately 5,000 diesel compact excavators currently in use generate as much NOx and PM as more than 100,000 diesel cars. Yet, because they are not required to meet the same particulate filtration standards as passenger vehicles or larger machines, their impact often goes unaddressed.

With construction now the dominant source of black carbon emissions in London, overtaking cars, the urgency is clear. Globally, only 17% of cities meet WHO air quality guidelines, and air pollution contributed to 8.1 million premature deaths in 2021 alone.

Low-emission equipment

The roundtable also showcased findings from a 12-week trial by Volvo CE, Transport for London (TfL), and FM Conway, which replaced diesel equipment with three electric construction machines. The result: nearly 8kg of harmful NOx and hydrocarbon emissions were avoided, which is the equivalent of a diesel car travelling more than 39,000 miles.

Advocates say electric alternatives offer a win-win: quieter operation, lower vibration, zero tailpipe emissions, and less energy waste, making them ideal for densely populated urban areas. But challenges remain: lack of charging infrastructure, green energy access, regulatory gaps and high upfront costs.

As cities look to scale climate and public health efforts, roundtable participants called for collaborative action to overcome these barriers. Embedding sustainability criteria into public tenders, expanding low emission zones to include all construction machinery, and increasing awareness of compact diesel machines’ impact were highlighted as immediate priorities.

The event closed with a strong message: cleaning up construction emissions is not only technically viable but essential to creating healthier cities. With bold leadership, coordinated policy, and cross-industry collaboration, electric construction machines could play a pivotal role in transforming the urban environment.

Thomas Bitter, Head of the Compact Business Unit at Volvo CE, said, “Cities like London are making great progress to improve air quality. But ignoring construction equipment in low emission policies misses a key health opportunity. Zero-emission solutions exist, but adoption is too slow. We need full value chain collaboration to break down barriers to change and speed up the shift to emission-free construction that is so essential for urban health.”

Also read: Volvo CE excavators undergo rigorous testing; outperform rivals

Mohammed Amer, managing director – ICC MENA. (Image source: ICC MENA)

The International Code Council (ICC), a global authority on building safety and construction standards, will take part in the 7th edition of Big 5 Construct Egypt, held from 17-19 June 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center.

Mohammed Amer, managing director – ICC MENA, will present a session titled “Highlighting the Impact of ICC on Innovative Building Practices in the MENA.”

His address will explore ICC’s expanding role in the region, with a focus on its International Codes (I-Codes) and the wider ICC Family of Solutions.

Using real-world case studies, Amer will demonstrate how ICC works with governments, developers, and industry experts to promote international best practices throughout the MENA construction ecosystem.

In Egypt, ICC plays a vital role in advocating for modern regulatory frameworks, encouraging safer, more sustainable infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, the organisation continues to support the country’s construction growth, while aligning it with global standards.

Bringing together more than 350 exhibitors from over 20 countries, Big 5 Construct Egypt showcases cutting-edge innovations driving regional construction forward.

Held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, and supported by the Egyptian Armed Forces Engineering Authority, the event serves as a key platform for shaping the built environment in North Africa.

Speaking about ICC’s participation, Amer stated, “At ICC, our mission is to support governments and industry stakeholders in implementing internationally recognised codes and standards that enhance safety, resilience, and sustainability. In Egypt and across the GCC, our efforts have played a key role in advancing building regulatory modernisation, integrating smart technologies, and strengthening the professional capacity needed to apply best practices effectively.”

Also read: A low-carbon future for the GCC construction industry?