In conversation with Najib Khatib, chairman and CEO of Khatib & Alami

What are Khatib & Alami’s (K&A’s) future plans and aspirations?

As K&A celebrates over six decades of excellence, we are looking ahead with a clear vision to create transformative, innovative and sustainable impact in the years to come. We are strengthening our investment in emerging technologies and digital innovation to deliver intelligent, future-ready solutions that address the needs of our clients and communities. 

Built on a strong foundation and a diverse portfolio, K&A is committed to expanding its global footprint, forging strategic partnerships, driving innovation and consistently delivering excellence across the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.

What project opportunities and challenges do you see in the Gulf region?

K&A sees vast opportunities in the Gulf region, such as smart mobility, digital infrastructure, climate-resilient urbanism and sustainable energy systems. Initiatives like Oman’s Urban Landbank project, Dubai’s Hessa Street improvement project and Saudi Arabia’s Grand Hyatt The Red Sea reflect the region’s commitment to transformative growth projects in which K&A plays an active role.

We are redefining how cities grow more resilient and sustainable through geospatial intelligence, urban analytics and smart solutions. 

A notable example is the Urban Information Centre for Riyadh, which serves as a centralised platform for data-driven governance, enhancing planning efficiency, enabling real-time urban monitoring and supporting informed decision-
making for sustainable growth.

However, these opportunities come with challenges. Meeting high client expectations, adhering to accelerated timelines, and integrating advanced technologies across diverse stakeholders demand a new level of agility, innovation and digital fluency.

What are some examples of impactful projects that K&A is undertaking?

We’re working on several high-impact projects across the region. In Saudi Arabia, we delivered the award-winning Grand Hyatt The Red Sea and are helping modernise the real estate sector. In Dubai, we’re improving urban mobility through the Hessa Street project. We’re also involved in Egypt’s Cairo light rail transit, Oman’s Urban Landbank project, and Bahrain’s national water master plan and airport upgrades.

How is Khatib & Alami investing in its own development to meet the needs of upcoming opportunities?

As part of our digital transformation journey, we’ve embedded advanced technologies such as BIM, GIS, AI, machine learning and IoT into our architecture and engineering services. Our Digital Services Division and BIM Unit collaborate closely with A/E teams to deliver innovations like Digital Twins, automated design systems and real-time project dashboards – streamlining workflows, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

We put a strong emphasis on continuous learning through upskilling, agile collaboration and the use of cloud-based project environments that enable seamless, real-time communication. Strategic partnerships further strengthen our capabilities, such as becoming the first Schneider Electric Certified Smart Grid EcoXpert partner in the Middle East, and receiving the Esri Implementation Partner Award. These efforts ensure we stay ahead of the curve and meet the region’s evolving project and client requirements. 

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