Leading architectural practices and infrastructure companies from the region and overseas will be taking part in the first Cityscape 2002 exhibition to be held in Dubai in December.

The exhibition aims to create a vision of Middle East cities of the future that caters for international commercial architecture, property design and development sectors.

Organiser Institute for International Research (IIR) says key visitor groups, including developers, governments and municipalities, will source architects and development designs at the event, to be held in conjunction with the 4th International Property Investment and Management Conference (IPIC).

Leading names to be present at the event will include W S Atkins & Partners Overseas, Tabreed, Dar Al Omran, Core Architects, Cassia and Associates, RMJM Architects, Hyder Consulting, the Arab Engineering Bureau, H & R Johnson Limited, Royal Philips Lighting and Lighting Design Partnership International.

Among the developers who will participate in the event are Dubai's Emaar, Dubai Festival City, Dubai International Financial Centre and Jumeirah Residence and Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Hotel Group.

"Cityscape 2002 and IPIC will act as a regional primer, enhancing and supporting the vision for residential and property growth in the Middle East. They will be a forum for industry professionals to address the critical issues facing urban planners and developers in creating the right environment for the long-term goal of delivering sustainable solutions for years to come," said Christopher Hudson, project manager, IIR.

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