A quick recovery from the global financial crash and continued growth in the Middle East and North Africa region has increased demand for landscape products and services there. Spending on major projects, including theme parks and other tourist attractions across the region, is expected to reach $3 trillion, and new investments in the UAE construction industry could provide the landscape sector as much as $3.8 billion in new projects this year.

More than 300 landscape architects, government authorities, urban planners, property developers, environmental specialists, contractors and landscape suppliers are expected to gather at the Middle East Smart Landscape Summit, held at the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi (pictured) May 27–28, to discuss opportunities and strategies to develop sustainable landscaping practices in Arab cities.

Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, the United Arab Emirate's Minister of Environment and Water, will officially open the summit, and a number of other high-profile government officials will also attend. The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City (ADM) is a primary sponsor of the event.

Jo Ann Jain, Director at event organizer Expotrade Global, believes that it is the right time for the landscape industry to connect. "The focus by municipalities and property developers on sustainability is greater than ever, and smart landscape planning and design play a big role in this change."

Key speakers include Dr. Amar Jarar, ADM's irrigation expert, lighting expert Martin Valentine, Dubai Municipality's Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Ahmed Abdul Karim, and Chief Commissioner of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Prof. Dr. Kamel Mahadin.

"Landscape professionals are using the event as a platform to see what initiatives are being taken by product suppliers to encourage sustainability, and learn of the upcoming projects and strategies by local municipalities," added Jain.

Local and international landscape suppliers will be showcasing their products at the event with Gold Sponsors Desert Group, Convic, Fontana Fountains, GHESA and Silver Sponsors Crystal and Gulf Perlite amongst the leading brands.

A mix of keynote presentations, case-studies, panel discussions and roundtable sessions throughout the summit will showcase ADM's irrigation master plan and sustainable public lighting strategy, sustainable landscape design by leading architects and smart landscape technologies.

UK-based green roof and living wall expert Gary Grant is one of the international guests to the Summit, and will encourage the UAE to use an ecosystem services approach to infrastructure planning. Geoff Turnbull of ALDAR Properties PJSC, Holley Chant of KEO International Consultants and Geoffrey Sanderson, Principal Director at GCLA International will also share their experiences working locally in the Middle East.

More information on the event can be found at landscapesummit.com.