https://www.xperience-group.com/news-item/what-will-shape-the-construction-industry-in-2023/
In our last issue, we discussed the challenges the Construction industry will face in 2023. Things like ongoing materials shortages that have been affecting the industry in the past few years. We’ve also seen impact from inflation on higher expectation of wages from staff. Speaking of which, there is also a skills and labour shortage to deal with. In our blog on The Challenges for the Construction Industry in 2023, we discuss all these and more.
All of these challenges will no doubt shape the industry in the year ahead, but let’s take a look at some of the trends that will shape the construction industry in 2023. In this blog, we’ll talk about what some of those trends will be.
The labour shortage means that employers are reaching out to members of the workforce that have previously been largely untapped. Women currently represent only 14% of the construction workforce. There has been a concentrated effort to recruit women within the industry. In the US this has resulted in a 50% increase in the number of women in the construction industry in the past decade. There are some notable benefits to women in this industry, not least of which is that the gender pay gap is usually much smaller than in other industries. Of course, there are cons too; only recently have some companies started to offer parental leave. However, changes are being made to make the industry, more appealing to women.
Sustainability and green building will continue to make changes to and shape the industry. We’ve previously talked about the Emergence of Sustainable Construction. Green building is becoming increasingly prevalent for several reasons. Firstly, there are local, national and global regulations on carbon emissions and sustainability. The construction industry creates nearly 40% of global emissions, so they have a lot of work to do. Secondly, there is an increasing demand from homeowners and clients for green materials and construction methods. Thirdly, green building also reduces energy and material usage thus reducing expenditure and saving money.
3D Printing promises big things. It could be innovative for many industries, not least construction. Many companies are printing spare parts rather than reordering. But it goes further. 3D printers are now capable of building walls with cement. It cuts building time and promotes sustainability which we’ve seen is en vogue right now. Because of this, it could be key to tackling the housing and even the labour shortage. For now, although it is an exciting possibility, people are proceeding with caution. It’s unknown how durable these structures are and how they will hold up in the future.
This is where the building is constructed offsite, transported, and then built on site. It takes less time and is greener and smarter than standard construction. There is little to no risk of interruptions to the schedule because of bad weather. And, because all the separate elements are being built simultaneously, there is no idle waiting for other teams to finish their part. Modular designs are also totally compliant, meeting all the same regulations as conventional buildings as well as being sustainable. Material can easily be reused; it creates less waste and buildings can easily be relocated.
Most households already have smart devices in their homes to some degree. They’re used for everything from playing music and controlling TV’s to making homes greener and more efficient. Now we are seeing the rise of Smart Cities. A Smart City is an urban area that uses different digital methods and sensors to collect data from buildings. That data is then used to monitor and manage traffic and transportation systems, utilities, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other community services. These cities are often safer and allow residents to live happier lives. They are expensive to build, some costing over $100 billion. But those investing believe they will facilitate long-term changes in not only construction but also in society.
These are just a few of the trends that will shape the industry in 2023. Staying abreast of what is happening and how technology can help you advance with your competitors, or ideally ahead of them is something we at Xperience can help you with. New technology can help companies complete projects faster and cheaper than ever before. It’s been a tough few years for the industry and although 2023 will continue to be hard for everyone, these new trends show that construction is beginning to come through to the other side.
Learn how technology can help you.