WSP Anticipate Podcast

As we shift our design focus to address pressing climate challenges, consider this startling fact: healthcare alone accounts for 5% of global carbon emissions. The urgency to reduce healthcare’s environmental impact and align with net-zero emission targets has never been greater. In this episode of our Anticipate Podcast, Alejandro Falcón , Technical Director and Healthcare Lead at WSP Middle East...

In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, David Leversha, Decarbonisation Lead for WSP, discusses driving value for clients through sustainability with Catriona Brady from the World Green Building Council and Daniel Socha from WSP's Global Sustainability and ESG Services. They explore the growing prominence of sustainability, the influence of ESG on financial markets, and what clients va...

The UN-Habitat program estimates that by 2030, 3 billion, about 40% of the world’s population, will need access to adequate housing. This translates to 96000 accessible housing units every day. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) holds the promise of helping builders and developers meet the rising demand for housing. However, it represents a profound transformation for the building industry.  In...

Imagine a skyline dotted with high-rises, each a testament to architectural ambition and economic growth. What happens when these towering structures, built around the same time, begin to show their age? In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast , Susanna Noureddine , Head of Facades interviews Andy Dean , Senior Technical Director - Asset Transformation at WSP in the Middle East to explore ho...

In a world where climate disasters are not just warnings but daily realities, the urgency for effective climate action is more pronounced than ever, and the need for carbon literacy is becoming increasingly important. In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast , The episode discusses the barriers and enablers of Carbon Literacy and it offers guidance to organisations on how to incorporate carbo...

In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Karisha Trotman-Welch, Principal Engineer - Enhancement & Lean Manager is joined by Dean Speer, Head of Technology and Digital at WSP in the Middle East to discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise from weaving technology into the fabric of traditional construction practices. They also envision and navigate the industry’s transformation...

As the Arabian Peninsula experiences shifts in weather patterns and faces more intense and frequent rainfall events, the demand for effective flood mitigation strategies has never been more critical.  In this episode of the WSP Anticipate Podcast, Daymion Jenkins, Advisory Director - Environment & Sustainability is joined by Nariba Gittens, Associate Director – Water and Dr Farhad Jafari, Proj...

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is more than just a rapidly evolving futuristic technology. It is already an integral part of our daily lives, from the recommendations on your favourite streaming service to the algorithms that power critical business decisions.  But what is AI exactly, and how does it work? How can we use it to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable solutions for our industry...

Atlantis The Royal Resort and Residences is the new Dubai landmark on The Palm and one of WSP’s most exciting recent projects in the region. But what makes Atlantis The Royal so special, and what does it take to create a project of such scale?   In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Liam O’Connell, Associate Director of Building Services, is joined by Andy Veall, Senior Technical Director at...

In today's modern world, people spend most of their time indoors where air quality is found to be two to five times worse than outdoor air. But this is only one aspect of our indoor life and there are many more additional aspects that require our immediate attention. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Dalia Abdalla, Service Lead of Sustainable Development and Healthy Living at WSP Mid...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has set ambitious targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, making it the first Middle Eastern and North African nation to do so.  In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Eman Husain, Senior Consultant ESG Advisory and Muhammad Qureshi, Manager - Energy Advisory, are joined by Dr. Hassan Javed, Energy Service Leader at WSP Middle East to explore the strategic...

How can we protect and restore nature while also creating value for businesses and society? This is the question that many leaders and organisations are grappling with, especially after the ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at COP 15 in 2022. The framework aims to safeguard at least 30% of the world's land and ocean ecosystems by 2030, among other goals. To explore this topi...

Prioritising mental health in the workplace isn't just compassionate; it's a fundamental investment that can foster productivity, resilience, innovation, and a culture where everyone can thrive both personally and professionally. The public surveys conducted in the MENA region in 2021 indicate a significant prevalence of stress among respondents, with approximately 40% reporting ongoing...

In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Tariq Shehabaddin meets with a diverse panel of experts, Saudi engineers, and graduates to uncover the inspiring journeys of Saudi professionals within WSP’s dynamic Accelerated Graduate Programme (which has recently evolved and been rebranded into ‘Al Masar’). The episode also explores how national talents are driving change and fostering innovation in t...

In this enlightening podcast episode, we delve into the depths of WSP's groundbreaking Future Ready programme. Hosted by Sophia Key, Head of Future Ready for WSP in the Middle East, and featuring the insights of David Symons, Climate Change and Sustainability Director at WSP in the UK, this episode demystifies the evolution, implementation, and impact of Future Ready® across the organisation....

With COP28 around the corner, the question that looms large is whether the world's leaders will rise to the occasion and take bold, decisive actions to address the pressing challenges of climate change. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Dana Darwish, ESG Advisory Consultant, and Maitha Alremeithi, Graduate Consultant - Sustainable Development and Healthy Living at WSP in the Middle E...

Over the past five years, the mobility sector has witnessed an unparalleled surge in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence. However, alongside this remarkable progress, we must recognise that significant technological advancements bring not only opportunities but also challenges.  In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Terry Smith, Intelligent Mobility Lead at WSP Middle East, is joined by D...

From ports and harbours to marinas and offshore wind farms, marine structures facilities play a crucial role in protecting our coastlines. But as we confront the challenges of climate change and rising sea levels, it's more important than ever to ensure that these structures are sustainable, resilient, and environmentally friendly. In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Vishal Krishnan, M...

With the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many countries have begun to invest in health and safety transformation programs. In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 highlights the importance of health and safety as key factors in achieving sustainable development. The common factor between the UN SDGs and Saudi Vision 2030 is thus their emphasis on adopting a holistic appro...

While urbanisation continues its momentum in our region, our cities are under pressure to maintain a high level of livability and productivity.  A smart city is where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital solutions for the benefit of its inhabitants and the city as a whole. Smart cities go beyond the use of just digital technologies, as they aim to creat...

Saudi Arabia has been pushing the boundaries of innovation with its futuristic developments and cities while still keeping a firm focus on its culture, identity, and natural environment. From the Kingdom's Capital, Riyadh, to its new mega-city Neom in the Tabuk province and the newly announced Mukaab, Saudi Arabia is on a mission to create a diverse range of hubs that can attract investment a...

In recent years, the Saudi government has undertaken a number of reforms aimed at modernizing the Saudi economy and improving the country’s social welfare. These reforms have included increasing access to education and healthcare, promoting women’s rights, and diversifying the economy away from oil. Saudi engineers are at the forefront of this massive economic and social transformation. From devel...

The 2015 Paris Agreement committed nearly 200 nations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the pledges countries made in Glasgow’s COP26 put the world on track for a temperature increase of 2.4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century! Was COP27 successful in reviving the 1.5 degrees goal and in turning climate pledges into action? In this episode of the Anticipate podcast, ou...

Efficient transport, mobility, and infrastructure are key factors in the successful hosting of major international events. This is mainly because of the significant role that these elements play in creating positive and memorable experiences for guests. But the challenge is being able to strike a balance between providing these essential elements for major events while still providing a smooth gue...

In November 2022, as world leaders and industry experts gather at the 27th annual session of the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP27, WSP experts will be on-site to work alongside delegates as they seek to accelerate climate action. This follows from COP26 and the Paris Agreement of 2015, which aligned signatories to curb temperature rise to 1.5°C, although that increase will result in mo...