Abu Dhabi courts Singapore’s expertise as part of its S$70 billion urban development push

Over two days in Singapore, the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) led the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit International Roadshow, aimed at deepening global collaboration in the built environment sector. The centre signed seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with local architecture, construction, and engineering firms, as the centre looks to utilise Singapore’s expertise in its future urban planning.

As the government body responsible for delivering capital projects across the United Arab Emirates, ADPIC is overseeing an infrastructure and urban development pipeline worth more than US$54 billion (Around S$70 billion). The Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS) International Roadshow’s visit to Singapore was a key stop in its global engagement programme, likely to tap into Singapore’s experience in planning and developing a dense, liveable, digitally enabled, yet green city in order to accelerate Abu Dhabi’s own shift toward sustainable and future-ready infrastructure.

Throughout the programme, ADPIC and local industry partners held deep-dive sessions into the practical opportunities for collaboration. These ranged from mixed-use districts and new residential communities to integrated smart precincts. B2B networking sessions and private meetings between Abu Dhabi representatives and local firms were also held, with the overseas delegation specifically exploring collaboration opportunities regarding digital twins (a virtual model replicating a construction project or building), prefabricated construction, and new delivery models that help large projects stay efficient and sustainable.

Emerging from these extensive sessions and talks were seven MoUs with local firms. These included architecture firms. For example, the partnership with the Singapore Institute of Architects aims to strengthen sustainable design practices and public-private collaboration, while also offering Singaporean architects regional exposure and deeper understanding of global competitiveness in the built environment.

A key agreement was also established with BCA International, the overseas arm of Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority, known for its leadership in setting standards for green buildings and advanced construction technologies. This partnership supports Abu Dhabi’s Net Zero 2050 vision through knowledge transfer and capability development in sustainable building methods.

Engineering company Meinhardt Group joined as a partner to support financial structuring, advanced digital engineering, and large-scale urban planning, all factors critical to developing resilient, climate-adapted cities. Additional MoUs included CPG Corporation and Surbana Jurong, both established names in integrated planning, as well as RSP Architects, and Tech Onshore MEP Prefabricators (TOM Singapore), which specialises in mechanical and engineering prefabrication.

To accompany these formal agreements, ADPIC’s delegation visited key Singapore institutions including the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore City Gallery, Surbana Jurong Campus, and Teambuild’s modular construction facility. These visits showcased Singapore’s planning philosophy and its shift toward integrated digital development, helping Abu Dhabi benchmark global best practices in urban transformation.

The roadshow was jointly hosted with Enterprise Singapore, the Building and Construction Authority, Singapore Institute of Architects, and the UAE Singapore Business Council. The initiative reinforced both countries’ shared interest in technology-driven infrastructure development and the exchange of knowledge, skills, and capital to build the cities of tomorrow.

“Through BCA’s Green Mark framework, Singapore’s strong DfMA and IDD digitalization capabilities, and quality construction, we aim to accelerate capacity building, and promote sustainable and innovative construction that shape resilient and energy-efficient cities across Abu Dhabi and beyond,” said Heng Teck Thai, Deputy CEO of BCA, and Executive Director of BCA International.