Top global and local property developers will share centrestage in Dubai, as the Middle East’s largest and most influential real estate event gets set to open its doors today (Tuesday) amid a 50 per cent jump in exhibitor participation.

The eleventh edition of Cityscape Global will run till October 4 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, said the event organisers, Informa Exhibitions.

There is a 50 per cent jump in exhibitor strength, thanks to the international developers making their debut at the event.

The increase of international participation has called on the event’s organisers to introduce dedicated international pavilions at the show, with Turkey, Russia, Qatar, Egypt, the Americas, India and Iraq highlighting the latest property launches and developments to entice Middle East investors.

Turkey, the country of honour at Cityscape Global 2012, in particular will be a strong force this year with key developers launching several large scale real estate projects in the Southeast European country.

Among them include ENS Project Development, which will launch two exclusive hotel and retail property developments in Istanbul including Cendere Loft – a boutique residential project consisting of fully serviced suites, located in the city’s prestigious Cendere Valley.

Joining ENS will be Agaoglu, which will showcase a 4,700 unit residential complex in Istanbul, set to be the largest ever in Turkey upon completion, and Tahincioglu, which will launch Nidakule Levent, its new office tower at the show along with three other A-Class office towers already under construction in the main business districts of the nation’s business capital.

The Libyan / British joint venture architectural practice, Allabina LCE will reveal an impressive line-up of its most recent projects at Cityscape Global, none more-so than the iconic 400 metre SZ Tower concept.

Surrounded by a ‘Knowledge Souk,’ the tower’s futuristic design is inspired by the form of the Arabian cloak (bisht) and inner garment (thawb).

Other projects on show at Allabina’s stand include the Qatar World Cup Museum concept building, including a ‘Live Media Box’ counting down to the kick off in 2022; and the 8,500 sq m Gargaresh Department Store in Tripoli, Libya.

Meanwhile, British property investment firm Knight Knox International will also look to lure investors into the UK private student accommodation sector at Cityscape Global 2012, as it gets set to launch Arndale House - a brand new student lodging development in the heart of Liverpool, England.

Accounting for $1.2 billion of capital in 2011, the private student accommodation sector in the UK is a booming market this year, with income expected to total $3.2 billion by the end of 2012 according to local real estate specialists Savills.

Sharing the limelight with international exhibitors this year at Cityscape Global is the score of local real estate developers announcing their latest projects and providing updates on existing developments, headed by foundation sponsors Emaar, Dubai Properties Group and Nakheel, while Abu Dhabi figureheads Aldar and the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) will also be out in force.

Recent news from Dubai Properties Group in particular has peeked investor interest just at the right time ahead of real estate showpiece.

The Dubai Holding member announced plans to release two buildings for sale in its prime mixed use Bay Square development located in the heart of Dubai's growing Business Bay district, fueling speculation that the developer will commence sales during Cityscape Global.

Another local developer highlight will come from Meydan Group, which will reveal on the opening day (Tuesday) details of a brand new landmark project from its 450 sq m stand - the second largest at Cityscape Global. Many more launches from other exhibitors are also expected.

Wouter Molman, Cityscape Global exhibition director said: “With 50 per cent more exhibitors crowding the show floor this year, Cityscape Global 2012 is set to mark a milestone in the changing face of the global real estate market as the sector looks towards a bigger, brighter future.”

“The exhibition has now firmly entrenched itself as the focal point of the regional and global real estate sector, and we look forward to a highly successful and extremely busy three days ahead,” he added.

Cityscape Global 2012 is co-located with the Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets on October 3, and four dedicated conference programmes, including the Global Real Estate Summit, the World Architecture Congress and the Retail City Conference, and the Alternative Dispute Resolutions Summit.

Along with its Foundation Sponsors, Cityscape Global is also supported by Barwa as Strategic Sponsor and Kuwait Finance House as Investment Sponsor.-TradeArabia News Service