Index of stories in this special report: Construction activity - Reaching a peak

• Materials world: Shortages driving up cost of projects
  Having learned over the past three years to plan for rising projects costs, contractors are passing the costs on to the construction clients, driving up the development cost of projects.

• Experienced staff trade places for higher wages
  Limited resources and rising living costs across the Gulf have turned experienced staff into a prized commodity.

• Clients choose direct negotiations with potential contractors
  Clients are turning to alternative procurement methods to sign up contractors and get their projects off the ground.

• Project Update - Burj Dubai: Reach for the skies
  Already taller than many high rises in Dubai, Burj Dubai is changing by the week.

• Cairo: Housing the millions
  Demand for low-cost housing in the capital continues to tax the Egyptian government, which is creating new towns and villages.

• Expanding Amman: Strategy to meet housing shortfall
  Jordan's capital is growing fast, with new satellite cities set to provide much-needed housing.