WSP Anticipate is WSP Middle East’s thought leadership platform, where you will find a series of regular articles, podcasts, interviews and more, with special features from WSP’s experts, clients and thought leaders from across the engineering and construction industry.
On this platform, we regularly share content that is created with the goal to capture unique perspectives, expert knowledge, and Future Ready insights. Our experts anticipate trends, explore industry hot topics, challenge the status quo and consider future solutions to complex problems.
Some of our key topics include mobility, placemaking, technology, and future thinking, but with an industry and range of expertise as broad and diverse as ours, you can expect our content to be too.
In this episode, Alejandro Falcón and Mike Barnes discuss strategies for achieving net-zero emissions in healthcare facilities. They explore the challenges of carbon emissions in the healthcare sector, including high energy consumption and reliance on imported materials, and highlight the importance of retrofitting existing buildings and leveraging digital transformation to reduce carbon footprint. The conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that incorporates sustainable design, renewable energy, and innovative technologies to create a carbon-free future for healthcare.
In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, David Leversha, Decarbonisation Lead for WSP, discusses driving value for clients through sustainability with Catriona Brady from the World Green Building Council and Daniel Socha from WSP's Global Sustainability and ESG Services. They explore the growing prominence of sustainability, the influence of ESG on financial markets, and what clients value in sustainability advice. They also discuss the need for policy and regulation and the role of c...
The UN-Habitat program estimates that by 2030, 3 billion, about 40% of the world’s population, will need access to adequate housing. This translates to 96000 accessible housing units every day. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) holds the promise of helping builders and developers meet the rising demand for housing. However, it represents a profound transformation for the building industry. In this new episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Nizar Jegham, Advisory Director – Digital at WSP Midd...
Imagine a skyline dotted with high-rises, each a testament to architectural ambition and economic growth. What happens when these towering structures, built around the same time, begin to show their age? In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast , Susanna Noureddine , Head of Facades interviews Andy Dean , Senior Technical Director - Asset Transformation at WSP in the Middle East to explore how facades age, and the potential risks of neglect. More importantly, the discussion highlights the s...
In a world where climate disasters are not just warnings but daily realities, the urgency for effective climate action is more pronounced than ever, and the need for carbon literacy is becoming increasingly important. In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast , The episode discusses the barriers and enablers of Carbon Literacy and it offers guidance to organisations on how to incorporate carbon literacy into their strategies. Unable to listen to the full episode? Fast-forward to the key disc...
In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Karisha Trotman-Welch, Principal Engineer - Enhancement & Lean Manager is joined by Dean Speer, Head of Technology and Digital at WSP in the Middle East to discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise from weaving technology into the fabric of traditional construction practices. They also envision and navigate the industry’s transformation journey towards digital construction, highlighting how Lean methodologies could be a key enabler to ...
As the Arabian Peninsula experiences shifts in weather patterns and faces more intense and frequent rainfall events, the demand for effective flood mitigation strategies has never been more critical. In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Daymion Jenkins, Advisory Director - Environment & Sustainability is joined by Nariba Gittens, Associate Director – Water and Dr Farhad Jafari, Project Director at WSP in the Middle East to explore the role of design in flood management. They also d...
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is more than just a rapidly evolving futuristic technology. It is already an integral part of our daily lives, from the recommendations on your favourite streaming service to the algorithms that power critical business decisions. But what is AI exactly, and how does it work? How can we use it to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable solutions for our industry and the built environment? In this episode, James Mcallister, Smart Design Lead at WSP in the Middle...
Atlantis The Royal Resort and Residences is the new Dubai landmark on The Palm and one of WSP’s most exciting recent projects in the region. But what makes Atlantis The Royal so special, and what does it take to create a project of such scale? In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Liam O’Connell, Associate Director of Building Services, is joined by Andy Veall, Senior Technical Director at WSP in the Middle East, and John Shamon, Chief Technical Officer at Atlantis The Royal, to share their...
In today's modern world, people spend most of their time indoors where air quality is found to be two to five times worse than outdoor air. But this is only one aspect of our indoor life and there are many more additional aspects that require our immediate attention. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Dalia Abdalla, Service Lead of Sustainable Development and Healthy Living at WSP Middle East, is joined by Tekha Selim, Vice President, Global Market Development & Head of MENA Reg...
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set ambitious targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, making it the first Middle Eastern and North African nation to do so. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Eman Husain, Senior Consultant ESG Advisory and Muhammad Qureshi, Manager - Energy Advisory, are joined by Dr. Hassan Javed, Energy Service Leader at WSP Middle East to explore the strategic dimensions driving the UAE towards a sustainable future in the energy sector. The talk breaks down th...
How can we protect and restore nature while also creating value for businesses and society? This is the question that many leaders and organisations are grappling with, especially after the ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at COP 15 in 2022. The framework aims to safeguard at least 30% of the world's land and ocean ecosystems by 2030, among other goals. To explore this topic, we have invited four of our WSP experts to share their insights and experiences. These are Daymio...
Prioritising mental health in the workplace isn't just compassionate; it's a fundamental investment that can foster productivity, resilience, innovation, and a culture where everyone can thrive both personally and professionally. The public surveys conducted in the MENA region in 2021 indicate a significant prevalence of stress among respondents, with approximately 40% reporting ongoing periods of stress in their lives. Within the GCC, recent surveys reveal that a substantial portion—n...
In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Tariq Shehabaddin meets with a diverse panel of experts, Saudi engineers, and graduates to uncover the inspiring journeys of Saudi professionals within WSP’s dynamic Accelerated Graduate Programme (which has recently evolved and been rebranded into ‘Al Masar’). The episode also explores how national talents are driving change and fostering innovation in the Kingdom and the role of the private sector in propelling their careers forward. Want to hear more...
In this enlightening podcast episode, we delve into the depths of WSP's groundbreaking Future Ready programme. Hosted by Sophia Key, Head of Future Ready for WSP in the Middle East, and featuring the insights of David Symons, Climate Change and Sustainability Director at WSP in the UK, this episode demystifies the evolution, implementation, and impact of Future Ready® across the organisation. From its humble origins to its current global reach, David shares how the program was inspired by t...
With COP28 around the corner, the question that looms large is whether the world's leaders will rise to the occasion and take bold, decisive actions to address the pressing challenges of climate change. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Dana Darwish, ESG Advisory Consultant, and Maitha Alremeithi, Graduate Consultant - Sustainable Development and Healthy Living at WSP in the Middle East, are joined by a distinguished guest, Raidan AlSaqqaf, Economist and Technical Lead for COP28 pr...
Over the past five years, the mobility sector has witnessed an unparalleled surge in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence. However, alongside this remarkable progress, we must recognise that significant technological advancements bring not only opportunities but also challenges. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Terry Smith, Intelligent Mobility Lead at WSP Middle East, is joined by Dr Raj Kamalanathsharma, Intelligent Mobility Advisor, to unravel the intricate web of AI-powered inno...
From ports and harbours to marinas and offshore wind farms, marine structures facilities play a crucial role in protecting our coastlines. But as we confront the challenges of climate change and rising sea levels, it's more important than ever to ensure that these structures are sustainable, resilient, and environmentally friendly. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Vishal Krishnan, Maritime Structures Service Lead –and Benjamin Hall, Maritime Planning Service Lead, at WSP Middle Ea...
With the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many countries have begun to invest in health and safety transformation programs. In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 highlights the importance of health and safety as key factors in achieving sustainable development. The common factor between the UN SDGs and Saudi Vision 2030 is thus their emphasis on adopting a holistic approach to health and safety, addressing H&S issues at individual and organisational levels. In this...
While urbanisation continues its momentum in our region, our cities are under pressure to maintain a high level of livability and productivity. A smart city is where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital solutions for the benefit of its inhabitants and the city as a whole. Smart cities go beyond the use of just digital technologies, as they aim to create a better experience, stronger resilience, and enhanced sustainability. In this episode of the Antic...
Saudi Arabia has been pushing the boundaries of innovation with its futuristic developments and cities while still keeping a firm focus on its culture, identity, and natural environment. From the Kingdom's Capital, Riyadh, to its new mega-city Neom in the Tabuk province and the newly announced Mukaab, Saudi Arabia is on a mission to create a diverse range of hubs that can attract investment and talent. Saudi engineers are driving these exciting new projects and are also contributing to keep...
In recent years, the Saudi government has undertaken a number of reforms aimed at modernizing the Saudi economy and improving the country’s social welfare. These reforms have included increasing access to education and healthcare, promoting women’s rights, and diversifying the economy away from oil. Saudi engineers are at the forefront of this massive economic and social transformation. From developing new infrastructure to designing innovative and future-ready assets, they are helping to shape ...
The 2015 Paris Agreement committed nearly 200 nations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the pledges countries made in Glasgow’s COP26 put the world on track for a temperature increase of 2.4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century! Was COP27 successful in reviving the 1.5 degrees goal and in turning climate pledges into action? In this episode of the Anticipate podcast, our Marketing & Communications Manager for Advisory Services, Bushra Nassar, is joined by May Fara...
Efficient transport, mobility, and infrastructure are key factors in the successful hosting of major international events. This is mainly because of the significant role that these elements play in creating positive and memorable experiences for guests. But the challenge is being able to strike a balance between providing these essential elements for major events while still providing a smooth guest experience with infrastructure that will continue to create benefits for the destination well int...
In November 2022, as world leaders and industry experts gather at the 27th annual session of the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP27, WSP experts will be on-site to work alongside delegates as they seek to accelerate climate action. This follows from COP26 and the Paris Agreement of 2015, which aligned signatories to curb temperature rise to 1.5°C, although that increase will result in more than 4 billion people being impacted by frequent climate shocks. So, what progress has been made ...
In today's fast-paced, high-stress work environment, it's more important than ever for organisations and individuals to priotise mental health. However, for many of us, this is easier said than done. We often put the needs of our jobs ahead of our own well-being, leading to burnout, anxiety, and depression. Organisations find it difficult to address mental health issues because of the stigma around them. The public surveys implemented in 2020 in the MENA region suggest that nearly 30 p...
This episode explores the hidden benefits and challenges of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in the healthcare industry. It features insights on defining ESG, achieving sustainability, and the importance of stakeholder engagement. The discussion highlights the role of ESG in attracting talent, cost savings, and the impact of governmental policies, emphasizing the connection between environmental health and community well-being.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are playing an increasingly important role in the development of social infrastructure in the Middle East. As governments seek to address the region's growing infrastructure needs, PPPs offer a flexible and innovative way to finance, design, build, operate, and maintain vital infrastructure assets. From hospitals and schools to water and sewerage systems, PPPs are being used to deliver social infrastructure projects across the region. In this episode of th...
Global warming, climate change, ecosystem damage, and pollution are all linked to our current take-make-waste production model. In line with the ethos of the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, many organisations and governments started to integrate circular economy and sustainability targets into their agendas. However, a lot has to be done to move from pledges and planning to actual implementation. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, May Faraj, Senior Advisory Director...
The world is undergoing widespread transformation in response to the climate emergency, with decision makers in almost every sector reimagining how to innovate, mitigate, and adapt to a changing world. In the retail sector, industry leaders such as Majid Al Futtaim are working to address challenges specific to retail in energy transition, adaptation, and resilience, alongside an overarching ambition towards achieving a net-zero breakthrough in the industry. In this WSP Anticipate episode, our ho...
