A major real estate investment and development event is 30 per cent bigger in 2009 than the 2008 event in terms of exhibition space, said the organisers of the event.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2009 will open tomorrow (April 19) and run until April 22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, bringing together investors, architects, designers, developers, government authorities and key decision makers.

“This year we have nine halls plus the atrium, which is more than 40,000 square metres of exhibition space,” said Mark Goodchild, exhibition director for Cityscape Abu Dhabi.

“That is almost 10,000 sq meters more than 2008. In addition the event has the support and sponsorship of some of the region's biggest real estate players as well as the government of Abu Dhabi.”

Organiser of the show IIR Exhibitions expects a change in the profile of visitors compared with last year.

“Demand for real estate was at its peak during last year’s event and speculators and amateur investors were eager to capitalise on short term premiums,” Goodchild added.

“That situation will not prevail this year and we expect the show to return to its real roots and by that we mean professional private and institutional investors looking at mid to long term opportunities.

“This is a reflection of the fact that while the global property development industry is facing challenges, Abu Dhabi is still moving ahead with infrastructure and project developments as well as taking a global lead in sustainable development.”

An example will be the unveiling at Cityscape by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council of the massive capital district project.

Once completed, the 4,500-hectare capital district will serve as a government and economic centre. It is planned as a sustainable, mixed-use city for 370,000 residents as well as major universities, hospitals and knowledge-based employment sectors, federal buildings, embassies and international institutions.

Running alongside the exhibition is the Real Estate Finance and Investment conference, featuring more than 100 speakers from the world’s leading finance, investment and real estate companies. The conference will be a forum for in-depth discussion of current market challenges.

Real estate development and architectural companies at the forefront of the industry will be recognised at the Cityscape Middle East Real Estate Awards, sponsored by Etisalat, Rak Ceramics, Gaggenau and 2ig. – TradeArabia News Service