THE COVER OF THE FIRST EVER BOOK ON THE COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT SECTOR IN DUBAI WRITTEN BY PROF. JEEVAN D’MELLO WAS OFFICIALLY UNVEILED BY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS.
Some books arrive quietly. Others announce themselves as milestones. The recent cover reveal of ‘Building Communities’ firmly belongs to the latter. The reveal brought together real estate and community management professionals from across the globe. Delegates from the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, Puerto Rico, Spain, Colombia, and Singapore. and several other countries gathered in Dubai to witness what was more than a cover unveiling. It was a recognition of a journey, a profession, and a city that has quietly set global benchmarks in community living. PROPERTY TIME is proud to be the Official Media Partner for this pioneering platform for one of the most important sectors in Dubai.
At its heart, ‘Building Communities’ is a coffee table book, visually engaging and thoughtfully curated. Yet its true value lies beyond its aesthetics. The book chronicles the evolution of the community association management industry in Dubai, tracing its growth from its formative years to the mature, globally referenced model it represents today.
Dubai’s community management story is unique. From the introduction of freehold ownership to the development of large-scale master-planned communities, the city was navigating uncharted territory. There were no regional playbooks, no tested frameworks, and very few precedents. What followed was a period of learning, experimentation, collaboration, and resilience. ‘Building Communities’ captures this journey with honesty and depth.
The book pays tribute to the early pioneers and stalwarts of the industry. These were professionals who worked behind the scenes to shape governance frameworks, operational models, customer engagement practices, and regulatory alignment. Many of them remained largely invisible to the wider public, yet their contributions directly influenced the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of residents. In that sense, the book is also a dedication to the unsung heroes who helped the Dubai model come alive and thrive.
A key strength of ‘Building Communities’ book is its ability to place Dubai’s experience within a global context. While the narrative is firmly rooted in the emirate’s evolution, the lessons are universal. The book highlights how structured governance, professional community management, empathy-driven leadership, and long-term stewardship can transform real estate developments into living, breathing communities.
The author, Professor Jeevan D’Mello, is widely regarded as ‘The Father of Community Management’ in the Middle East. Having been closely involved since the earliest days of freehold developments, his perspective is both authoritative and deeply personal. Rather than positioning the book as a personal memoir, he has chosen to shine the spotlight on the collective effort. The result is a balanced narrative that blends history, case studies, reflections, and visual storytelling.
What stood out during the cover reveal was the sense of shared ownership felt by those present. Many in the room had lived parts of this journey themselves. Others had studied the Dubai model from afar. The conversations that followed made it clear that this book fills an important gap. It documents an industry that has matured rapidly, yet until now, lacked a comprehensive and accessible chronicle.
‘Building Communities’ will resonate with developers, regulators, community managers, academics, and policymakers alike. It is equally relevant for global audiences seeking to understand how Dubai transformed complexity into clarity, and ambition into sustainable community living.
As a veteran real estate editor and publisher, I see this book as both a celebration and a reference. A celebration of people, perseverance, and purpose. And a reference for cities and professionals around the world who are asking a simple but profound question: how do we build communities that truly endure?
I look forward to its release and the conversations it will inspire well beyond Dubai.
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