The partnership will explore how Singapore’s built environment expertise can be combined with AtkinsRéalis’ experience in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to address urban and infrastructure challenges.
AtkinsRéalis and BCA International (BCAI), a subsidiary of Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA), have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration in urban development and infrastructure across the Middle East.
The agreement provides a framework for connecting Singapore’s built environment capabilities with AtkinsRéalis’ regional advisory, engineering and delivery experience. The initial focus will be on evaluating and adopting innovative solutions to emerging urban and infrastructure challenges.
The two organisations will assess opportunities in areas including sustainable urban development, scenario-based decision-making tools, construction productivity and long-term asset performance.
Potential activities could include targeted market engagement, the co-design of specific use cases and the assessment of potential demonstrator or client projects. Any future initiatives will be subject to separate agreements.
“As urban growth accelerates across the Middle East, there is enormous value in learning from international models that have successfully integrated innovation, planning and long-term thinking into the fabric of city development,” said Matthew Tribe, senior vice-president of buildings and places at AtkinsRéalis Middle East.
Tribe also highlighted CityZenX, an AtkinsRéalis platform focused on identifying, testing and scaling solutions for urban development, sustainability and regeneration. The platform brings together activities including design sprints, innovation showcases, academic research and development partnerships, venture incubation and pilot projects.
“This MoU creates an opportunity to bring together Singapore’s built environment expertise with our experience and innovative analytics, planning and design platform and tools to deliver complex, sustainable urban infrastructure programmes across the region,” Tribe said.
John Tan, corporate director at BCAI, said the collaboration could help organisations in Singapore and the Middle East develop new solutions and turn them into projects.
“The challenges facing our cities today cannot be addressed by any one organisation or country alone…By leveraging each other’s strengths, we hope to co-create new solutions, facilitate greater collaboration between our industries, and translate good ideas into meaningful projects on the ground,” he said.
The MoU was formalised during International Built Environment Week 2026 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The event brings together built environment leaders and organisations to exchange knowledge, showcase solutions and develop international partnerships.
The signing follows earlier discussions between AtkinsRéalis and BCAI on how experience from major Middle East projects could support collaboration with Singapore’s built environment sector.
It also reflects the organisations’ intention to strengthen links between Singapore and Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two of the Middle East’s major markets for urban and infrastructure development.
