Why UAE’s Real Estate Sector Must Think Like the Tech Industry: Andrei Charapenak Advocates for Agile Development
As demand soars and investor expectations evolve, the UAE’s real estate industry is at a crossroads. Andrei Charapenak, CEO of Major Developers, says it’s time for the sector to adopt a tech-driven mindset in order to thrive in a fast-changing landscape.
“We can’t keep building the way we did ten years ago and expect to lead tomorrow,” Charapenak stated. “The future belongs to agile developers who act more like tech startups than traditional builders.”
While the property sector has historically measured progress in terms of square footage, Charapenak argues that today’s market demands smarter, faster, and more adaptive development. Drawing parallels to how the tech world evolves through version updates, he urges the real estate industry to adopt a product-driven mindset, where buildings are treated as living systems that evolve.
At Major Developers, this philosophy is already in practice. From initial planning to customer handover, every project is designed to be data-informed, user-responsive, and innovation-centric. This includes the implementation of smart home technologies, AI-based energy management systems, and modular construction strategies—all aimed at delivering value, not just volume.
“This isn’t about gimmicks—it’s about solving problems. Fast. Smart. Sustainably,” Charapenak emphasized.
He believes developers must rethink the fundamentals: viewing master plans as dynamic ecosystems rather than fixed blueprints, embedding user experience from the earliest design phases, and anticipating regulatory and technological changes before they happen.
With a rapidly maturing market, a tech-savvy customer base, and a wealth of local talent, the UAE is primed for this transformation. Charapenak stresses, however, that realizing this vision will require developers to abandon legacy mindsets and operate with the discipline and innovation of startups.
“The tools, the talent, and the appetite are already here,” he concluded. “What we need now is the will to build the future—smarter and faster.”
