An increased focus on realism is likely to be the overarching positive trend influencing the UAE real estate sector in 2012, resulting in more attention to the needs of the consumer or customer, more emphasis on financial returns and bottom line performance and a reduced future supply pipeline as more projects are cancelled or delayed. Other key trends are expected to be:

• An increase in sales activity at the lower end of the market, although there will remain limited interest from international institutional investors.
  
  
• More emphasis on estate management of the public realm within master planned projects.
  
  
• More awareness of the commercial advantages associated with green buildings and sustainable practices.
  
  
• More choice for tenants, particularly in the office markets.
  
  
• Greater variation in performance between winners and losers within each asset class.