All Economics articles – Page 12
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FeaturesChina in detail
Rising inflation is forcing the Chinese government to restrict foreign investment in development, but strong – albeit slightly slower – economic growth is bound to continue. Investors who are patient and flexible will be rewarded, says Simon Baxter of EC Harris
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Features
Is China’s boom over?
With Olympic-driven development about to end and inflation rising, is growth going to slow?John Ward of the Centre for Economics and Business Research analyses the macroeconomic picture, and overleaf EC Harris looks at the recent past and likely future of construction in the People’s Republic
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FeaturesSustainability housing standards
Now that the Code for Sustainable Homes is mandatory for all new housing in England, housebuilders must set relevant targets and identify cost-effective ways to meet them. Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon reviews the latest thinking on low-carbon design features
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FeaturesCost model: Office refurbishment
A slowdown in the office market combined with an increasingly prominent sustainability agenda is creating opportunities for refurbishment specialists. Simon Rawlinson and Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon discuss how to maximise a building’s value with a well-targeted refurbishment programme
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The tracker: End of the party
As enquiries fall sharply, it is beginning to look as though construction’s long, long boom may be coming to an end at last. But, as always, the picture is more complex than the headlines suggest. Experian Business Strategies reports
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FeaturesCountry focus: Russia
With spending on construction rising rapidly and the Winter Olympics on the horizon, Russia is a happy hunting ground for building opportunities. Just beware the risks involved, says EC Harris’ Mike Pearce
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Features
Cost update: May 2008
Manufacturing input costs surge as oil and import prices drive inflation higher, although material cost pressures continue to ease, report Máren Baldauf and Jay Kotecha of Davis Langdon
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FeaturesProcurement: Competitive dialogue
If your client’s public-sector scheme needs bidder input during procurement, then competitive dialogue is likely to be the best option. Now that some projects have been let using the process, Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon reviews the lessons learned
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The tracker: On the cusp
There’s been negative sentiment in the construction industry for a while now, and Experian Business Strategies’ March survey does nothing to ease fears of a serious downturn
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FeaturesCountry focus: Ireland
The Irish economy has doubled in the past decade, and construction has been an important part of that. The emphasis is now moving from housing to infrastructure, says Richard Fitzpatrick of EC Harris
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FeaturesMarket forecast: Growth slips
Tender prices are rising less rapidly as new orders slow, while growth could fall below 1% this year, warn Peter Fordham and Máren Bauldauf of Davis Langdon
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FeaturesCost model: Schools
It’s a critical time for BSF. With the programme’s first schools just open and large-scale building starting, local authorities will begin to find out if the effort has been worthwhile. Simon Rawlinson and David Long of Davis Langdon review the issues of design and delivery
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FeaturesThe tracker: Trouble on the horizon
The industry is still going strong, but a drop in tender enquiries suggests that activity may slow in the future. Experian Business Strategies reports
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FeaturesSpecialist cost update: Fit-outs
Economic caution has led some office clients to put larger schemes on hold and internet shopping is taking its toll on the retail sector, but landscapers are seeing a rise in activity. Gardiner & Theobald reports
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Features
Lead times February-April 2008
Only six packages reported any change this quarter as work loads stabilised, says Brian Moone of Mace. Overleaf, Mace Business School examines the skills crisis
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FeaturesSustainability: Biomass energy
In this latest feature on the economics and feasibility of sustainable technologies, Simon Rawlinson of Davis Langdon examines the potential for biomass energy systems, considering the adequacy of the fuel supply and the viability of various system types at different scales
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Features
Cost update: March 2008
Construction costs are rising twice as fast as consumer prices on the back of rising oil and import prices, but the annual rate of growth is slowing, reports Peter Fordham of Davis Langdon
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Features
The tracker: Cracks emerge
Responses to this month’s survey were more downbeat than usual, with uncertainty in the wider market starting to make its presence felt, says Experian Business Strategies
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FeaturesCountry focus: Italy
The Italian construction industry has played a central role in the growth of the economy in recent years. Although the global slowdown is now steadying the boom, new project finance rules and investment vehicles should help offset its effects. Roberto Talotta of EC Harris reports
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FeaturesCost model update: Small projects
Max Wilkes of Davis Langdon revisits industrial units, primary schools extensions and primary health care centres to investigate how recent changes to legislation, specifications and general price increases have affected building costs