Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties, has been selected as one of only six members in the international awards committee of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

Alabbar is the first Middle Eastern/Arab to serve on the prestigious committee since the inception of the Awards in 2002, a statement said.

Chaired by Richard Cook of US-based Cook + Fox Architects, the committee comprises experts in architecture, design and construction, drawn from around the world, to choose seven Tall Building awards including two Lifetime Achievement Awards and five Best Tall Building awards which recognise excellence in design and construction.

“It is a privilege to be on the CTBUH Awards Committee, which recognises projects and individuals who make extraordinary contributions to developing tall buildings and the urban environment,” Alabbar said.

“This is also a tribute to Burj Khalifa which has been recognised as a global icon by CTBUH – an honour conferred on tall buildings only once in 10 to 15 years. The committee will evaluate tall building project submissions from around the world based on the parameters of aesthetics, functionality and most importantly, sustainability,” he added.

CTBUH is the world’s leading body in the field of tall buildings and the recognised source of information on tall buildings. – TradeArabia News Service