insights 4 trends that will elevate the construction industry in 2023
Estimated to be worth US$10.7 trillion in 2020, the global construction industry is expected to grow by 42% between now and 2030. Construction will have to play a major role in overcoming many global issues in the years to come. This will range from finding solutions for the drastic increase in urban population to reductions in carbon emissions. When you consider these factors combined, it is easy to see why the construction industry is both motivated and well-funded to invest in innovations and lead on new trends.
Read on to explore some of these innovations and trends.
Trend 1: Investment in Green Building
A global focus on reducing CO2 emissions has led to many governments putting pressure on all industries. For example, The Paris Agreement has seen 196 global parties sign up to setting ambitious targets to reduce global warming. Reducing CO2 emissions plays a key part in achieving this goal.
The construction space has been a particular focus of this pressure. This is due to the large amount of CO2 that traditional building practices and materials release into the atmosphere. In fact, one UK study found that the built environments contributed as much as 40% of the country's carbon emissions.
This is why sustainable and green buildings will remain a key trend in the construction space into 2023. Taking a sustainable approach will see construction companies working towards innovations that tackle a wide range of environmental challenges ranging from limiting flooding to carbon reduction.
Trend 2: A more diverse workforce
Now more than ever construction is playing a key role in tackling some of the world's most pressing issues. In order to do this construction businesses need to tap into a multi-talented workforce from diverse backgrounds. Only when they do this will they be able to clearly understand the implications and scope of the challenges they are working to overcome.
Even though there has been positive progress toward diversity in the workforce in recent years, there is still a long way to go. As a result, we will see a continued trend for people from underrepresented backgrounds being welcomed into the construction space. Statistics from the Chartered Institute of Building show that the construction industry is made up of just 15% women, 6% BAME, and 6% of disabled workers.
Trend 3: 5D DIM
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is already widely accepted amongst construction businesses as a good way to improve efficiency, foster culture, and facilitate collaboration processes. 5D BIM is the latest version of BIM. This approach facilitates shorter project cycles and project scope understanding, and drastically increases productivity.
5D BIM is best described by starting at 3D and working upwards:
- 3D - the use of 3D modelling tools to enable walkthrough and visualisation. This step also allows for clash detection and item scheduling.
- 4D (3D + time) - the same as 3D, but adding the ability to link each 3D part to project delivery times. This approach ensures that potential bottlenecks in projects can be easily identified and remedied.
- 5D (3D + time + cost) - the same as 4D, but adding the integration of cost estimating. This includes the generation of Bills of Quantities, derivation of labour costs, and productivity rates.
Trend 4: Lean construction
Many global factors are already contributing to global shortages in both materials and labour. This is a challenge that is likely to continue, or potentially worsen, in the coming years. Taking a lean approach to construction will be required if construction businesses want to continue meeting growing demand with fewer resources.
Lean construction involves the combination of practical developments in design and construction processes. This requires heavy investments in research to find better ways of doing things. Although much can be learned from well-established lean manufacturing processes, industry knowledge will need to be applied in order to transfer these best practices from process-based manufacturing to project-based construction.
Find a construction job with AtkinsRéalis
The 2020s are already on track to be an exciting decade for the construction industry. It is clear that construction has a significant role to play in overcoming some of the world's biggest challenges. So, those who pursue a career in construction will find themselves working on projects that could have positive, globally reaching impacts.
Whether you are just starting out or are already well-established in your construction career, we have some great opportunities at AtkinsRéalis . If you see yourself playing a part in the exciting trends outlined in the article, you can browse our construction jobs here.
Alternatively, if you want to keep up to date with all the latest upcoming opportunities to progress your construction career, you can sign up for our talent community here.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/11/2024
Summary
Hello. I'm Karen, a Senior Programme Manager in Project & Programme Services at AtkinsRéalis in the UK. Born to Ghanaian parents and raised in North London, my journey has been one of resilience
Preview
CanadaContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/10/2024
Summary
From engineering internships to leadership roles: My journey at AtkinsRéalis Discovering leadership through my civil engineering internships Allô, my name is Karolane. I work at AtkinsRéalis
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/08/2024
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we believe that sustainability is more than just a goal - it shapes everything we do. For over a decade, our team members, like the one you'll meet today, have b
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/02/2024
Summary
In the rapidly evolving world of energy, having the right foundation in nuclear and net zero energy is crucial. AtkinsRéalis stands at the forefront of this sector, offering abundant opportuniti
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/01/2024
Summary
We interviewed Turki Ghesheyan on his experience with the AtkinsRéalis Saudi Graduate Program. Tell us a little bit about yourself My name is Turki, I am an Architectural Engineer who graduated from
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we have a team of local, regional, and international experts in the UAE who are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions in the market to meet the needs of our clients. The UAE i
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hello, my name is Sherif, and I work at AtkinsRéalis in London. As a principal fire engineer, I'm proud to "engineer a better future" every day here, specifically as our work relates to shaping
Preview
EuropeContent type
ProjectsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hinkley Point C (HPC) is the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK since the 1990s. Technically complex and the country’s largest infrastructure project – our talented people from
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hi! I'm Alina, an associate director specialized in transport infrastructure engineering. I lead the North-West Estimating team in Project & Programme Services here in Manchester. Over the past
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/27/2024
Summary
Across the evolving landscape of the Middle East, Architects play a large part in designing and planning complex building structures that are in line with groundbreaking innovation. The constructio
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/24/2024
Summary
In the fast-paced world of consultancy, architecture, and project management, the need for forward-thinking leadership and innovative strategies has never been more critical. At AtkinsRéalis, we
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/13/2024
Summary
Hello, my name is Dilini! Two years ago, after completing my doctorate in structural fire engineering, I began practicing in the UK fire engineering industry. I'm proud to have contributed
Related jobs
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Human resources
Market
Corporate
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
Job Overview:The Head of Learning & Talent Development (L&TD) will be responsible for designing, driving, and implementing the learning and talent development strategy for AtkinsRéalis in the Middle E
Reference
R-121800
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Riyadh
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Architecture
Category
Permanent
Location
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
Description
About AtkinsRéalisCreated by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engin
Reference
R-121741
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Finance
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRealis offers exciting opportunities for growth and development in the thriving markets of the Middle East. With offices in major cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Al Ula and Doha, we are
Reference
R-121734
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for a Project Manager, in UAE.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering servi
Reference
R-121360
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for a Senior Project Manager to be based in UAE.About AtkinsRéalisCreated by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world leading
Reference
R-121359
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Consultant
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for Senior Consultant /Manager - Risk Management to join our team in UAE.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, Atki
Reference
R-121358
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Riyadh
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Linxon - NewCo
Category
Permanent
Location
Riyadh
Description
Job Title: Senior Project EngineerLocation: Riyad, Saudi ArabiaJoin Linxon!We combine AtkinsRéalis project management expertise and Hitachi Energy’s deep technological knowledge to create a company de
Reference
R-121343
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Riyadh
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Linxon - NewCo
Category
Permanent
Location
Riyadh
Description
Job Title: Senior Project Manager Location: Western Area/ Saudi ArabiaJoin Linxon!We combine AtkinsRéalis project management expertise and Hitachi Energy’s deep technological knowledge to create a co
Reference
R-121339
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Riyadh
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Human resources
Category
Permanent
Location
Riyadh
Description
As a provider of multi-disciplined technical services to the built environment AtkinsRéalis in Saudi Arabia is committed to design excellence in the delivery of first class solutions which combine inn
Reference
R-121052
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Riyadh
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Masterplanning & urban design
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Riyadh
Description
About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a bet
Reference
R-121019
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more