Welcome the first edition of PBC Today of 2025. As we enter the new year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has set out the government’s stall to go “further and faster” to increase economic growth, insisting that development and net zero go hand-in-hand
In our PBC Today February 2025 cover story, however, Professor Alister Scott of Northumbria University argues that government is guilty of rhetoric casting nature policy as bureaucratic red tape strangling much-needed housing delivery as a populist soundbite that overlooks the natural world’s critical role in both development and prosperity.
Meanwhile, Becci Taylor of Arup argues that retrofitting the built environment at scale will be essential in meeting the UK’s housing targets, as well as delivering a “just transition” to a more sustainable society.
Elsewhere, Niamh Evans of the Chartered Institute of Building examines the reforms unveiled in the government’s Plan for Change for skills development and asks if they will do enough to address the glaring workforce issues facing construction.
In our MMC & Offsite section, Dr Ali Saad of Loughborough University discusses his latest paper on tackling “innovation negativism” in order to rebuild confidence in Modern Methods of Construction.
We also have an article on research by David Emery, consultant at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, on the benefits of offsite construction for mental health and wellbeing.
In BIM & Digital, Daniel Block discusses how the Gemini Framework creates a common language and shared approach for digital twins.
We also hear from Willow Williams on Women in BIM’s 2025 Mentoring Scheme, while Roderick Bates of Chaos looks the key role of 3D rendering in the restoration of Notre-Dame cathedral.
Here’s a selection of articles from PBC Today’s February 2025 edition:
1. Challenging government rhetoric on growth v nature
Government rhetoric casting nature policy bureaucratic red tape strangling much-needed housing delivery and economic growth overlooks the natural world’s critical role in both development and prosperity, argues Alister Scott, professor of environmental geography and planning at Northumbria University.
2. Retrofit at scale: The silver bullet to meeting the UK’s targets?
Retrofitting the built environment at scale will be a key element of meeting the UK’s housing targets, as well as a “just transition” to a more sustainable society, writes Becci Taylor of Arup.
3. Reshaping project management in 2025: Trends and innovations to watch
Professor Adam Boddison OBE, chief executive of the Association for Project Management (APM) looks at the key trends in project management in 2025.
4. Construction skills crisis: Will government reforms hit the mark?
The government’s Plan for Change announced before Christmas set out a number of “ambitious – but achievable” milestones for this parliament, including skills development. Niamh Evans, policy and public affairs officer at the Chartered Institute of Building, asks if the changes will do enough to address the glaring workforce issues facing construction.
5. Biodiversity net gain: One year on
As we reach the first anniversary of mandatory biodiversity net gain requirements for most planning applications of England, Samantha Willis, senior biodiversity consultant at Ramboll, looks at the impact of the regulations and where the market will go next.
6. How can we rebuild confidence in Modern Methods of Construction?
Cost is often seen as the sole reason for the challenges facing Modern Methods of Construction in the UK. However, a new research paper by Dr Ali Saad of Loughborough University argues that the picture is more complex and we also need to address a confidence issue fuelled by “innovation negativism”.
7. The benefits to mental health and wellbeing of offsite construction
David Emery, consultant at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, discusses his research into the effects on mental health and wellbeing of offsite construction, and how the construction industry can lift its workforce up, instead of wearing them down.
8. Housing delivery: It’s time to ‘think different’ if we’re going to solve this housing crisis
The pressures on housing delivery present many challenges, but also an opportunity to think differently about how we build in the UK, argues Mark Powell, managing director of social and affordable housing developer EDAROTH (Everyone Deserves a Roof Over Their Head).
9. The Gemini Framework: Connect, compare and collaborate to unlock the data value chain
The digital twin landscape is complex and fragmented. To unlock its full potential, we need a common language and a shared approach. The Gemini Framework provides just that, writes Daniel Block.
10. Mentoring with senior professionals through Women in BIM
As the 2025 Women in BIM (WIB) Mentor Scheme is about to open for applications, we spoke to one of the Mentor’s Mentors, Willow Williams, a member of the WIB global executive team and BIM lead at Colt Data Centre Services, about how she has been sharing her knowledge, experience and advice to improve the mentor/mentee process.
