In the November 2024 edition of PBC Today, our expert contributors cover everything from calls to overhaul the planning system in order to meet the government’s target of building 1.5m new homes over the next five years and the damning findings of the Grenfell Inquiry to the fallout from ISG’s collapse, research into a “carbon-eating” building material and addressing the housing crisis through robotics “micro-factories”
In our cover story for PBC Today November 2024, Anthony Pollard, head of economics at Turley, argues that it is time for a “reimagining” of England’s planning system if we are to end the cycle of missed housing targets and undersupply.
Meanwhile, Matt Mahony policy and public affairs manager at the Construction Industry Council writes that proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework are welcome – but do not go far enough.
Gill Hancock of the Association for Project Management examines the “perfect storm of systemic failure” highlighted in the Grenfell Inquiry’s final report and looks at the long, hard road ahead for cultural change in the industry.
Elsewhere, Laura Markus of the Home Builders Federation discusses a new study quantifying the economic impact of housebuilding beyond the bricks and mortar; Phil Caton, construction law partner at Aaron & Partners, looks at the fallout of ISG’s collapse for subcontractors; and Emma-Jane Allen, lead of the Built Environment Against Slavery Group at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, discusses a new toolkit designed to help the industry combat modern slavery.
Dr Mehreen Saleem Gul of Heriot-Watt University looks at the research journey of a “carbon eating” building material Biochar, Daniel Hewson of Elecosoft maps the path ahead for AI in construction and Gilles Retsin, co-founder and chief technology officer/chief architect at Automatic Architecture explores how robotics and intelligent automation can address the international housing crisis.
Here’s a selection of articles from the PBC Today November 2024 edition:
1. Reimagining England’s planning system
For years, England has grappled with a cycle of missed housing targets, a pattern that stems from a planning system that is no longer fit for purpose, argues Anthony Pollard, head of economics at Turley.
2. Grenfell reforms: The hard path to culture change
Following the hard-hitting findings of Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Gill Hancock, head of technical content at the Association for Project Management, says that cultural change will be just as, if not more, important than new regulations.
3. Measuring the economic footprint of home building
A new report from the Home Builders Federation measures the economic footprint of home building beyond the bricks and mortar.
4. The Architects Code: Why it matters
The Architects Registration Board has published proposals for a new edition of the Architects Code of Conduct and Practice, with the revised Code being designed to act as a positive statement of what professionalism and ethics mean to architects. Chief executive and registrar Hugh Simpson sets out its core aims and standards.
5. Navigating contractor insolvency: What subcontractors and businesses should do next following ISG’s collapse
The collapse of construction giant ISG has sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving many scrambling to protect their interests – and plenty of companies and people in an extremely challenging position. Phil Caton, construction law partner at Aaron & Partners, looks at what businesses and subcontractors should do in the case of a contractor’s insolvency.
6. Beyond compliance: How the construction industry can combat modern slavery
The built environment is at high risk of modern slavery due to skills shortages, a widespread reliance on temporary migrant workers and tight deadlines. Emma-Jane Allen, senior consultant at Action Sustainability and lead of the Built Environment Against Slavery Group at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, discusses a new toolkit designed to help businesses of all sizes combat labour exploitation head-on.
7. Making mental health in construction everyone’s issue
Why does the stigma around mental health in construction persist? Sam Downie, managing director of Mates in Mind, examines the causes behind it and how we can break it down.
8. The potential domino effect of government decisions on the UK construction industry
The construction sector remains vital to the British economy. Against the backdrop of a changing political landscape, Jackie Maginnis, chief executive of the Modular & Portable Building Association, considers the wider implications of slowing or even stalling the delivery of public projects.
9. How can robotics and intelligent automation help address the global housing crisis?
Robotics and intelligent automation can reshape modular construction, and contribute to solving the global housing shortage, writes Gilles Retsin, co-founder and chief technology officer/chief architect at AUAR.
10. The path to adopting AI in construction
Diligent upfront planning holds the key to success, writes Daniel Hewson, data capability manager for Elecosoft.
