Opinion
-
CommentThe net zero carbon buildings standard: tough but achievable?
The new standard is the most ambitious attempt to limit carbon emissions from buildings to date. What is behind it, and when will it start to make a difference?
-
CommentMandating a minimum profit margin could solve construction鈥檚 profitability woes
ISG鈥檚 collapse was the latest in a long line of contractor failures. The industry鈥檚 low margins expose it to greater risk of corporate failure, and suck time and energy away from the push towards greater sustainability, higher standards and the delivery of much-needed built assets. It is time for change, ...
-
CommentConstruction needs a mission control
More joined-up thinking is required if the industry is to play its role in supporting mission-led government, says Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
-
CommentThe Budget was a signifier of tone shift 鈥� never mind the missing detail
Last week鈥檚 statement suggests the government has a clear appetite for investment. It is up to industry to shape and develop solutions for deals with the public sector, says KPMG鈥檚 Holly Davis
-
CommentAs we reflect on the Grenfell report, we must realise we all have a role to play in reforming construction products
Changes to construction product regulation will form a key part of the industry鈥檚 ongoing reform, says Peter Caplehorn of the Construction Products Association
-
CommentWhy we as Barratt Redrow expect to build 22,000 homes a year
Barratt and Redrow have cleared competition watchdog hurdles to complete the biggest housebuilder merger in years. Chief executive David Thomas explains the enlarged firm鈥檚 strategy
-
CommentRachel Reeves could get a lesson in harsh reality from business
Where was the incentive from the chancellor to grow? If construction doesn鈥檛 expand, the UK doesn鈥檛 build, argues Richard Steer
-
CommentReeves鈥� first Budget must back growth ambitions with infrastructure spending
We all know the government is facing financial constraints and tough choices are needed, but ministers need to stimulate rather than stifle economic recovery
-
CommentWhy my background in rugby can help us to tackle construction site inefficiency
The industry has the opportunity to benefit from marginal gains if it begins to empower every individual to achieve their potential. Stuart Ware, senior customer success manager at MSite and a former Premiership rugby performance analyst, explains why the similarities between a professional sports team and a site team can ...
-
CommentIndustry must get behind the NIC鈥檚 call for change
The government will not achieve its infrastructure goals 鈥� and more big firms will inevitably go under 鈥� unless the industry quickly works out how to do its job better. The NIC鈥檚 recent report makes that clear, writes Andy Beard at Mace
-
CommentThe new net zero standard is ambitious and will be challenging to achieve, but we must rise to the challenge
This major step forward for the building industry is pushing us all towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future, says聽Eimear Moloney at Hoare Lea
-
CommentThis Stirling Prize is a riposte to the chorus of British declinism
The Elizabeth Line鈥檚 Stirling Prize triumph exemplifies Britain鈥檚 capacity to deliver transformative, forward-looking infrastructure through exceptional design and collaboration
-
CommentLabour should place construction at the heart of its growth agenda
Impressive as this week鈥檚 International Investment Summit was, much depends on how the tax and spend decisions in the forthcoming Budget impact firms鈥� ability to invest
-
CommentGood placemaking that endures is much more than a numbers game. Just look at King鈥檚 Cross鈥�
The delivery of much-needed new homes requires patient, joined-up thinking that takes into account factors other than profit and speed, says former HS2 design director Kay Hughes
-
CommentWhy we need a built environment GCSE to inspire the next generation
We need a revolution in the way we attract talent to the industry, says RICS president Tina Paillet
-
CommentHere we go again鈥� if the industry won鈥檛 change, we must change the way we operate within it
The collapse of ISG is the latest illustration of a trading model still stuck in聽鈥榠nexorable decline鈥�. The industry鈥檚 survival requires wise leadership, better decision-making and a focus on what is working rather than what is not,聽says Mark Farmer
-
CommentHuman or artificial intelligence? It鈥檚 all a matter of trust
The use of AI ought to help make the public procurement process聽鈥榪uicker, simpler and more transparent鈥�, but don鈥檛 underestimate the continued importance of human empathy, says RLB鈥檚 Paul Beeston
-
CommentISG collapse: At times like these, firms should consider how to make themselves more robust
The collapse of ISG is the latest in a series of setbacks for the construction sector but the industry has the talent and opportunities to weather the storm and come back stronger, Andrew Glider at KPMG writes
-
CommentThe urban heat island is actually pretty cool
There is a lot of fuzzy thinking about the higher temperatures experienced in urban areas. The benefits could be life-saving and should not be dismissed, says聽Barny Evans at Turley
-
CommentISG鈥檚 collapse: a huge blow to construction that raises urgent and difficult questions
This is the biggest collapse to hit the sector since Carillion 鈥� as we absorb the grim news, people will want some answers and fast