The American Institute of Architects (AIA), is an international professional organization based in Washington DC, that serves architects and design professionals. Since its establishment in 1857 in the US, it has grown to 300 chapters in the US, and 5 international chapters, with a membership in excess of 80,000 architects, and affiliated industry professionals.
AIA Middle East, the fifth international chapter, was formed in the UAE in 2010. It was established to serve the professional interests of the growing number of active AIA member architects and related industry professionals in the Middle East and North Africa. Equally as important, AIA Middle East is helping foster stronger ties between AIA, regional architects and governments in the MENA region. Since its establishment, the Middle East chapter has seen a fast growing membership in the MENA region especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with increasing membership in other regional markets.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) was founded in 1837, to advance architecture by demonstrating its benefits to society and promoting excellence in the profession. The RIBA has over 40,500 members worldwide. The Gulf Chapter of the RIBA is led by a diverse group of individuals, all specialists in various architectural sectors from education and conservation to design and construction. The RIBA Gulf Chapter was launched at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2009, to expand the RIBA’s influence and its aspirations through the following approaches:
• encouraging and facilitating communication between architects, through lectures, seminars and networking events;
• creating links with architectural education centres in the Region, to enable the RIBA to influence positively the quality of design and professional education, as well as supporting Continuing Professional Development.
As part of this initiative, the RIBA Gulf Chapter organised the first ever GCC-wide student competition for all major architectural universities in the region. Several events, lectures and collaborations have followed to highlight celebrated architecture, as well as discourse on topics such as sustainable design and environmental issues, education, conservation, and the creation of ‘places’ in a Middle East context.
Advancing standards in land, property and construction.
RICS is the world’s leading qualification when it comes to professional standards in land, property and construction.
In a world where more and more people, governments, banks and commercial organisations demand greater certainty of professional standards and ethics, attaining RICS status is the recognised mark of property professionalism.
Over 100 000 property professionals working in the major established and emerging economies of the world have already recognised the importance of securing RICS status by becoming members.
RICS is an independent professional body originally established in the UK by Royal Charter. Since 1868, RICS has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity – providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society.
RICS is a regulator of both its individual members and firms enabling it to maintain the highest standards and providing the basis for unparalleled client confidence in the sector.
RICS has a worldwide network. For further information simply contact the relevant RICS office or our Contact Centre.
The Asian Public Real Estate Association (APREA) is the leading professional body representative of participants in the real estate sector throughout Asia.
Its membership comprises listed real estate companies, listed real estate trusts, unlisted property funds, investment managers, investment banks, property securities fund managers, institutional investors, real estate consultants, corporate advisors, stockbrokers, investment advisors and universities.
APREA's achievements in education and information dissemination, and focus on improving the general real estate operating environment, have firmly entrenched it as the leading representative body for the industry in the region. Its achievements in driving regulatory improvements within the real estate trust sector extend beyond existing markets and pave the way for the emergence of new markets in other Asian countries.
