Gurugram Overtakes Mumbai as India’s Largest Luxury Housing Market India: Gurugram has surpassed Mumbai to become India’s largest luxury housing market, recording transactions worth about USD 2.9 billion for homes priced at ₹10 crore and above in 2025, an 80% rise from about USD 1.61 billion in 2024, according to a joint report by India Sotheby’s International Realty and CRE Matrix. Meanwhile, Mumbai’s luxury segment recorded about USD 2.64 billion in 2025 compared with about

Nestoria Group Launches Large-Scale 3D Printed Housing Project in Dholera Smart City India: Nestoria Group has initiated a large-scale 3D printed housing development in Dholera Smart City, marking one of the broadest implementations of 3D construction technology in the region and positioning the city as a key hub for infrastructure transformation. The project supports India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by accelerating construction timelines from months to days through automate

Union Government Approves 5,000 Houses for Displaced People in Manipur India: The Government of India has approved the construction of 5,000 houses for internally displaced persons in Manipur under the framework of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) for FY 2025–26, following a proposal by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. The initiative comes after ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities that began on May 3, 2023, which resulted in more than 260

Australia’s Total Construction Work Falls 0.7% Despite Growth in Building Activity Australia: Construction activity in Australia showed mixed performance in the September quarter, according to official data. Total construction work done fell 0.7% to USD 52.85 billion, while building work increased 4.0% to USD 28.84 billion and engineering work declined 5.8% to USD 24.01 billion. Meanwhile, the trend estimate for total construction work rose 0.7% to USD 52.12 billion during th

Centre approves construction of 2.88 lakh houses in urban areas under PMAY 2.0 India: The Government of India has approved the construction of around 2.88 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) 2.0, according to an official statement. With the latest approval of 2,87,618 houses, the total number of sanctioned homes under PMAY-U 2.0 has crossed 13.61 lakh units. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee, chair

United Kingdom UNITED KINGDOM: Councillors have approved a balanced budget featuring a record US$ 1.89 billion (£1.6 billion) investment to tackle Edinburgh’s housing emergency and reduce poverty over the next five years. The funding will deliver thousands of affordable homes, including 2,500 for temporary accommodation and over 3,000 settled homes. The budget prioritises homelessness prevention, early family support, education and social care, while committing US$ 101.48 mil

France Construction sector FRANCE: According to the latest report from the Tendances récentes du bâtiment – Janvier 2026 (FFBâtiment), the French building industry shows signs of recovery in new construction, despite ongoing challenges. Between September and November 2025, both housing starts and planning permissions rose by over 20%, driven by increases in individual and collective housing projects. Non-residential construction also grew, with a near 13% rise in new surface

Residential construction SOUTH AFRICA: As South Africa approaches the 2026 national Budget cycle, much of the focus is usually on bold growth projections, policy changes, and large infrastructure commitments. However, in the residential property market, confidence tends to build slowly rather than through sweeping announcements. Following a difficult decade marked by high interest rates, declining property values, and financial pressure on households, homebuyers have become m

Construction GERMANY: Housing construction permits in 2025 increased for the first time in three years, according to data from the German Federal Statistical Office. A total of 238,500 permits were issued for residential units in both new and existing buildings, marking a 10.8% rise compared to 2024, when approvals had dropped to their lowest level since 2010. Building permit figures are widely seen as an early indicator of upcoming construction activity. It was further noted

Middle East Construction Costs to Rise 4% in Saudi Arabia and 3% in UAE in 2026 Saudi Arabia/UAE: Construction costs across the Middle East are set to increase in 2026, rising around 4% in Saudi Arabia and 3% in the UAE. In Saudi Arabia, activity will continue under Vision 2030 despite some project rephasing, with 4% cost escalation driven by imported and specialist materials, strong demand for Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors, and skilled labour shortages; data centres and digi

Hassan Allam Launches USD 880 Million Noor Khuzam Residential Project in North Riyadh Saudi Arabia: Egypt’s Hassan Allam Holding has announced the launch of the USD 880 million Noor Khuzam integrated residential project in North Riyadh, spanning 228,000 square metres. The 3,018-unit development will be undertaken by its subsidiary Grova Developments in partnership with Tilal Real Estate and National Housing Company (NHC). The project features open green spaces, shared dining

Kuwait Draft Budget Sets Higher Capital Spending and Wider Deficit Kuwait: Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance has projected capital spending of around KWD 3.1 billion (USD 10.0 billion/EUR 9.2 billion) in the draft budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The ministry said most capital allocations are expected to be directed towards airport expansion, the Mubarak Al-Kabeer port, and water and power projects. The draft budget forecasts a deficit of around KWD 9.8 billion (USD 32.0 bill

Portugal’s New Housing Construction Costs Rise 4% in 2025 Portugal: Portugal’s National Statistics Institute (INE) reported that the average annual increase in the New Housing Construction Cost Index reached 4.0% in 2025, compared with 3.4% in 2024. The materials index rose by an average of 0.9% during the year, while the labour index increased by 7.7%. In December 2025, new housing construction costs rose 4.0% year-on-year, marking a slowdown from the previous month. Materia

European Parliament Committee Calls for EU Action on Housing Affordability European Union: The European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis has adopted its final recommendations on addressing the housing crisis across the European Union. The report calls for EU legislation to support the viability and cost of building new housing, while also urging targeted use of funding under the Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan to improve energy performance in residen

RICS Survey Signals Improved Construction Sentiment in Australia Australia: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has reported improving conditions in Australia’s construction industry in 2025, led by private non-residential work and infrastructure and public projects. The latest Global Construction Monitor showed the Construction Sentiment Index rising to plus 21 from plus 15, returning to levels last seen in 2023. Infrastructure performance remained supported

Germany Germany: The rate of energy efficient renovations in the residential building stock declined to 0.67% in 2025, marking a new low compared to 0.69% in 2024 and 0.70% in 2023, while around 2% annually is required to meet climate targets. Renovation activity in non residential buildings also fell to 0.92%. In total, about 260000 residential units were renovated in 2025, below the estimated requirement of 460000 units. Industry representatives highlighted a growing renova

Hassan Allam Properties Egypt: Hassan Allam Properties plans to execute new projects worth US$ 296 million in 2026 and will introduce a hospitality brand to manage its expanding hotel portfolio. The company is diversifying beyond residential developments into hospitality, sports, and education through partnerships with local and international entities. Four hotels with a combined capacity of around 700 rooms are under development in New Cairo, 6th of October City, and the Nor

US US: A new master-planned community in Denton, North Texas is set to be developed on a 2,500-acre site with an estimated investment of about US$5.1 billion. The project will include over 9,200 homes, comprising 7,091 single family units, 584 townhomes and 1,515 multifamily residences, along with 1.2 million square feet of commercial space and a central park of more than 300 acres. Plans also include three new schools to serve future residents, with initial construction of 8

Aldar to Add 3,000 Homes to Abu Dhabi Market Amid Strong Demand UAE: Aldar Properties will begin construction of nearly 3,000 new homes in Abu Dhabi this year, responding to rising residential demand. The developments, with a combined gross development value of AED 23 billion (USD 6.26 billion), will be built on 2.3 million square metres of newly acquired land across Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, Aldar said in a filing to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.   Saadiyat plots

EU Backs Recovery Payment for Czechia After Reform Progress CZECH REPUBLIC: The European Commission has given a positive assessment of Czechia’s fifth payment request worth US$ 725.2 million (€614 million) under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility. The approval follows Czechia’s satisfactory completion of 29 milestones and targets linked to reforms and investments in affordable housing, sustainable transport, energy efficiency, rail infrastructure, environmental research