The Big 5 Global Impact Awards 2026 shortlist features more than 100 finalists across 18 categories. The awards celebrate achievements in construction and urban development. Egyptian companies Orascom Construction, DAR Engineering and The Arab Contractors are among the finalists. Their entries address key industry priorities, including sustainability, artificial intelligence, digitalization and infrastructure.
Big 5 Global Impact Awards 2026 Recognize Industry Achievements
The shortlist brings together government authorities, developers, project owners, architects, consultants, contractors and technology specialists. Their entries address sustainability, digitalization, carbon reduction, liveability and workforce development.
The awards recognize organizations, projects, initiatives, teams and professionals across the built environment. According to the organizers, the shortlist includes finalists from 12 countries.
Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at dmg events, said:
“The 2026 finalists show how organizations across the built environment are turning ambition into measurable results.
From sustainable construction and carbon reduction to digitalization, workforce development and liveable cities, this year’s shortlist highlights the industry’s key priorities.
Moreover, the Big 5 Global Impact Awards recognize the teams and individuals driving progress through impactful projects and initiatives. Ultimately, their achievements can inspire wider industry change.”
Government Authorities and Construction Companies Among Finalists
The shortlist features public-sector organizations and private companies active in construction and urban development across several markets.
Government and public-sector finalists include. King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) Projects, Diriyah Company, Saudi Aramco and King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD).
The list also features the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai, Expo City Dubai, the Ministry of Works, Bahrain, and Canterbury Christ Church University.
Private-sector finalists include The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.), Climatize, AECOM and Orascom Construction. Other finalists include Trojan Construction Holding, DAMAC Properties and KEO Group.
Sustainability Categories Highlight Construction Projects
According to the organizers, Sustainable Construction Organization of the Year received the highest number of entries. The category recognizes companies that integrate sustainability into their operations, projects and wider business strategies.
Finalists include AECOM, Diriyah Company, Expo City Dubai, King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) Projects, Orascom Construction, PETROJET, Climatize and Trojan Construction Holding.
Meanwhile, the Sustainable Construction Project of the Year shortlist covers buildings, infrastructure and urban development.
The shortlisted projects include Masdar Net Zero Energy Mosque, submitted by AECOM and Mubadala and owned by AWQAF.
Another finalist is SSN 520 Light Public Housing Project in Hong Kong. AluHouse Company Limited submitted the project, which is owned by the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), HKSAR Government.
The shortlist also features DAMAC Lagoons and Irele Tower. Lagos Free Zone Company submitted Irele Tower, which is owned by Elevate Commercial Park Limited (ECPL).
Other finalists include Masdar City’s Horizons 1 and King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) Projects. Saudi Aramco’s Community & Public Projects Department submitted the latter.
In addition, Cairo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Phase 1&2 features on the shortlist. The Arab Contractors submitted the project, which is owned by the Egyptian National Authority for Tunnels (NAT).
Velodrome is another finalist. Trojan Construction Holding submitted the project, which is owned by MODON.
DAR Engineering Shortlisted for AI and Digitalization
Artificial intelligence and digital technologies feature prominently in this year’s awards. The shortlisted entries demonstrate applications in project delivery, asset monitoring and construction intelligence. They also highlight other applications across the built environment.
DAR Engineering features in both the Digitalization Initiative of the Year and Best Use of AI categories. Its shortlisted entry is the DAR Mate Intelligent Ecosystem.
Other Best Use of AI finalists include AlBawani, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East and Dubai Municipality.
Their respective entries are SCC & AI Cameras Smart Const. Cam & Analytics; CSCEC ME Insight Hub – Embedded AI for Predictive Project Intelligence; and Building Violation & Asset Monitoring.
The shortlist also includes grfn for RSB Cooling Market Share & Efficiency Study, owned by Dubai Research and Bureau. KEO Group features for Embedding AI Across Project Delivery. Sobha Construction is also among the finalists.
ZFP (Zuhair Fayez) completes this group of finalists. Its entry is ZFP R&D Unit – AI-Powered AEC Workflows, owned by ZFP – R&D Unit.
Judges Highlight Measurable Sustainability Outcomes
Dr. Yousef Mohammed Al Horr, Founding Chairman and CEO of the Global Carbon Council (GCC) and a judge for the awards, said:
“Having reviewed this year’s finalists, I have been particularly impressed by the depth and quality of the work being delivered across the built environment. The strongest entries demonstrate that sustainability is being translated into measurable outcomes through better design, resource efficiency, decarbonization and responsible delivery.
Big 5 Global Impact Awards provide an important opportunity to recognize the organizations and individuals turning these priorities into tangible progress and setting a stronger benchmark for the industry.”
The awards are judged by an independent international panel. Winners are selected based on the quality, impact and outcomes demonstrated in their submissions.
Awards Ceremony Scheduled for 25 November in Dubai
The winners will be announced at the Big 5 Global Impact Awards ceremony on 25 November 2026 at Al Multaqua Ballroom, Dubai World Trade Centre.
The ceremony takes place alongside Big 5 Global, scheduled for 23–26 November 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The event’s supporting partners and sponsors include the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure as main supporting partner, Dubai Municipality as supporting partner, Trojan Construction Holding as gold sponsor, and Midea as category sponsor.
