Conflict, costs and a changing world order place construction at a crossroads
Labour pledged to power growth, yet Wednesday’s Budget offered little for the sector that fuels it. Without focusing on construction capacity and skills, the country’s ambitions risk grinding to a halt, says T&T’s Patricia Moore
Lessons from Greenland: What three weeks in this remote country taught me about getting projects right
Even in one of the world’s most remote places, the fundamentals of delivering major projects hold true. From understanding cost and risk drivers to building the right team, Greenland has reminded Beth West how often we overlook the basics
This month’s construction industry gossip: Planers, trains and… E-bikes
The latest chatter around the industry
A crucial role for building safety – if the government gets it right
Applications have closed for the government’s first chief construction and scientific adviser, but can anyone realistically fulfil what the job spec asks?
The diversification myth: Why following the money may be your biggest risk
For some construction firms, the current crisis in the Middle East is exposing the dangers of chasing growth without a clearly defined strategy, Victoria Firth writes
Views on the chief construction and scientific adviser role – and why it might be too much for one person
Ahead of Monday’s deadline for applications, three experts - Paul Morrell, Simon Tolson and Andrew Mellor - consider who could fit the job’s criteria
Building hospitals differently: why the New Hospital Programme could reshape how we deliver major infrastructure
A new alliance of contractors, clinicians and digital partners is driving faster, smarter and more consistent hospital delivery, writes Anastasia Chrysafi at Willmott Dixon
Why coastal regeneration needs (and deserves) a new narrative
Coastal towns are central to our national identity, but too often revival strategies fail to reflect their distinct challenges. David Atkinson, director of development and investment at Willmott Dixon’s development business, argues that the sector needs to creatively rethink its approach
Building resilience: Turning climate change policies into reality
We all have a part to play in designing and constructing buildings fit for the future. Dr Liz Marlow of Cundall considers how we might become better prepared to do so
Preparing for the upturn: how an industrialised mindset can stabilise construction’s supply chain
UK construction is highly exposed to the crisis in the Middle East but, assuming the much-anticipated growth will eventually come, the question is whether our industry is ready to make the most of it, Paul Ruddick writes
We must seize this renewed opportunity for regeneration in the north of England
Tracy Harrison welcomes the increasing shift in focus onto regeneration and sets out what the Northern Housing Consortium is doing to move the dial
Can the Future Homes and Buildings Standard deliver on its promise?
The homes element of just launched new energy regulations promises big savings on bills. It’s a pity that the benefits will come too late to help with the impact of the current energy crisis, writes Thomas Lane
Designing hospitals for the future using lessons from Peru
The fundamental challenges of hospital delivery are remarkably similar across the world. Knowledge gained on two projects in South America can help to shape the next generation of NHS hospital design, writes Aecom’s Jason Pearson
New towns can work – but only if we learn how to deliver them properly
Delivery structures, governance and long-term stewardship are just as important as the housing numbers attached to this next generation of new towns, Tom Mitchell at Metropolitan Workshop writes
Mental health issues are a key contributor to construction’s skills crisis
Nicola Hodkinson argues that mental health, self-employment and procurement structures must be part of any serious conversation about the future workforce.
When can a contractor terminate for repeated late payments?
Steven Carey on a Supreme Court ruling clarifying contractors’ termination rights for late payment in JCT contracts
PFI: the perils of project expiry
Lack of contractual clarity on PFI performance obligations can prompt excessive retrospective scrutiny at the point of handover
Retentions: how will a ban work at the coalface?
We finally have a decision on the fate of retentions – they are going to be banned
Construction amid war and hostilities
Nicholas Gould examines the contractual implications of the conflict in Iran for construction projects in the Gulf region
Pitfalls for developers when a site contains telecoms apparatus
Missteps in terminating telecoms agreements on, say, rooftop masts can cause delays and increase redevelopment costs
How the building control regime for higher-risk buildings affects mixed-use buildings
Mixed-use buildings can fall within the definition of an HRB – so what avenues are available for commercial owners and operators to reduce extra costs and delays?
Navigating the building safety levy: what developers need to know
Hannah Eastaff, Lydia Jones and Sarah Langworthy explain how a new tax will affect housing scheme viability
What are the limits of latent defect policies?
Vivid vs Allianz has provided clarification on the interpretation of policy wording in latent defects insurance
How reinterpretation of remediation contribution orders could impact liability risk
Why the Supreme Court’s permission to appeal in Triathlon matters for UK construction and building safety
