A blueprint for the future financing and development of Middle East cities will be mapped out in Dubai at the 4th International Property Investment & Management Conference (IPIC) in December.

The conference will examine the major challenges facing cities in the Middle East as they strive to cope with the region's rapidly rising population and the demand for more housing and infrastructure, said organiser Institute for International Research (IIR).

It will be attended by property investment and development experts as well as property designers and architects from the US, Europe, Middle East and Australasia.

IPIC will be held in conjunction with Cityscape 2002, a groundbreaking exhibition catering for the international commercial architecture, property design and development sectors. It will focus on critical issues facing developers and planners including new trends in regional and global property investment, revolutionising urban development, innovative financing for property development, Islamic financing, international investment issues and transitional and emerging markets.

"Cityscape 2002 and IPIC will further enhance and support the vision for residential and commercial property growth in the Middle East," said Christopher Hudson, project manager, IIR Exhibitions. "These events will meet the needs of the region's commerce, tourism and industry sectors, as well its people, by kick starting inspired development solutions for decades to come. There are many exhibitions that focus on 'building fit out' but there has never been an event that combines a conference and exhibition, in the same venue, that focuses its attention on the design and facilitation of buildings for the future."

Visitors to Cityscape 2002 will look to source architects, design specialists, consulting engineers, project managers, lighting and landscape architects, major contractors, financiers and IT system suppliers.

Among the speakers lined up for IPIC are: Saeed Al Muntafiq, director general, Dubai Development and Investment Authority; Mohammed Alabbar, director general, Department of Economic Development, Dubai and chairman, Emaar Properties, UAE; Prof Roderick Lawrence, Centre for Human Ecology and Environmental Studies, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Dr Rasem Badran, architect, Dar Al Omran, Jordan; Dr Eric Smith, director, Hyder Consulting, Australia; Andre Tammes, president, International Association of Lighting Designers; and Mohammed Al Asad, director, Centre for the Study of the Built Environment, Jordan.

"IPIC will allow exhibitors to influence and network with major developers, key organisations and governmental authorities involved in the design and construction of major public and private property developments," said Hudson.

"Industry professionals will focus on the importance of creating the right environment for the long-term goals of attracting international property development and delivering sustainable solutions for decades to come.

"The conference will provide an arena to discuss best practice and new and innovative construction techniques. It will be a platform to educate and develop individuals within the industry.

"We want Cityscape 2002 and IPIC to be one of the world's leading industry events, specifically drawing international investors, designers and state-of-the-art material producers to an annual showcase that celebrates the very best in architecture."

IPIC and Cityscape 2002 will take place at Dubai's Emirates Towers Hotel, from December 14 to 17. The exhibition and conference are supported by the Dubai Development and Investment Authority.

Emaar Properties, a platinum sponsor of Cityscape 2002, believes the event will be a highly interactive forum that will allow the company to meet and network with the regional and international real-estate development community.