What is the future of the construction industry?

Discover how engineering and construction companies can navigate the future of the construction industry by developing a connected construction base. From drones and 3D printing to building information modeling (BIM) software, these innovations simplify processes, reduce costs and improve project accuracy. In the podcast “Inspiring Industry”, in which the last episode delves into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in construction, we can see a remarkable analysis of this progress. From this list, sustainable construction practices stand out as the most impactful.

As environmental awareness continues to grow, the integration of green building materials, energy efficient designs, and renewable energy solutions not only addresses pressing environmental concerns, but also aligns with changing consumer preferences and regulatory standards. By prioritizing sustainability in construction projects, builders can not only reduce their environmental footprint, but also improve the value, resilience and longevity of projects. Connecting construction sites in the future of construction is an approach to ensuring smooth operations. Generation Z workers, who grew up with video game consoles, do everything with their smartphones, are familiar with virtual reality and even play with 3D printing technology, are needed in the future of the construction industry to cover the numerous qualified job offers. We can anticipate the future of the construction industry to achieve new levels of productivity and efficiency now that it is finally willing to accept innovation.

The world's leading thinkers in engineering and construction, who have been tackling the critical problems facing the sector for a long time and, in many cases, have already developed interesting solutions for the future of construction, participated in one of the sessions. Robots will be used more frequently in the future of construction to assist with routine tasks, work on assembly lines, and help model and print in 3D. The cost and logistics of taking materials to a construction site will change in the future of construction, thanks to the use of all these stronger and lighter materials. In the coming years, robotic automation, drone technology and robotic imaging technologies will have an impact on cost management and productivity on the construction site.

The construction industry is expected to face the lingering effects of economic uncertainty for another year. Investing in workforce development programs and embracing diversity and inclusion are essential to address this challenge and ensure a sustainable future for construction. One of the most recent trends in the future of the construction industry will be off-site construction, which allows for the design, production and manufacture of construction components in a factory. The initial costs associated with sustainable construction can be offset by reduced long-term lifecycle costs.

On this basis, engineering and construction companies could consolidate construction management platforms with layers of analysis to enable dynamic programming and inform decision-making based on short-term data. Digital innovation will be essential to revive this multi-billion dollar sector, providing significant opportunities for the future of the construction industry to invest in innovative approaches. Due to the lack of available qualified candidates, 68% of the construction companies surveyed have difficulty fill vacant positions. In addition, while many of the advantages of connected construction sites are related to quality, sustainability also improves considerably.

Ginger Kentner
Ginger Kentner

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