Insights What trends can we expect to see in the construction industry over the next decade?

As the construction industry continues its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the next decade is set to be one of the most innovative periods in the sector’s history. By implementing new practices, harnessing advanced technologies and investing in digital tools, the construction industry is aiming to be more innovative and efficient than before.

At AtkinsRéalis , and within our brands Atkins, Faithful+Gould and Acuity, we embrace the power of new technologies and practices, as we know it will bring limitless advantages to our clients and societies across the globe. The next 10 years are poised to be an exciting time in the construction industry, and here, we discuss what construction trends we can expect to see and how they will change the industry for the better.

Green construction

At AtkinsRéalis , we understand the importance of placing emphasis on building a sustainable future, and green construction is an emerging trend that can help us on our journey. Green construction is expected to rise over the next decade as eco-tech and sustainable construction become more mainstream. This initiative can have a huge effect on the carbon footprint of the construction industry as buildings are still responsible for 40% of global energy consumption.

A ‘green’ building is a construction that reduces the negative impacts on the surrounding environment and potentially creates positives for the local biodiversity. Green construction is comprised of both the technology to reduce a building’s Co2 output and the development of building models to reduce the use of resources.

Another driver of green construction’s popularity is the value that it provides its occupants and the local area as research shows that green buildings can have a positive psychological impact on inhabitants. As the awareness of the drastic need to address climate changes intensifies, green construction is expected to take centre stage and become a dominant trend in the construction industry.

Smart cities

The smart city initiative is on the rise and the global smart city market is expected to grow 20.5%, reaching $2.5 trillion by 2025. Smart cities place great importance on data and advanced technology to make better decisions and create a flourishing environment. The main idea behind a smart city is to optimise the way the city functions, stimulates economic growth and improves the quality of life of residents using smart technology and data analysis.

An in-depth analysis of real-time data gives firms the opportunity to monitor events throughout the city, comprehend how patterns of demand are changing, and implement more efficient, lower-cost solutions. Smart cities are much more complex and interconnected than standard projects and require meticulous planning and development prior to construction. With the introduction of smart cities imminent, huge technology firms such as IBM and Microsoft are investing heavily in megaprojects making it a trend that is set to feature heavily over the next decade.

AI and machine learning

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted most markets, including the construction sector; however, the introduction of AI and machine learning contributed to the recovery of the industry and is set to play a key role over the next decade. Construction firms across the globe are now utilising data to make decision making more efficient, enhance project productivity and reduce on-site risks for employees. The AI in Construction market is growing exponentially and is forecasted to be worth over $2 billion by 2026.

With artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems, construction companies can collect large quantities of data and use it to predict future results of projects and make more efficient decisions when it comes to costs, materials and more.

Machine learning is also implemented to help firms to identify any mistakes in a building’s design before going ahead with construction. With machine learning, engineers can even test various environmental conditions and situations in the model to ensure that their construction is safe, efficient and built to the highest standards.

Join us as we push towards a better construction industry for all

At AtkinsRéalis , we are wholeheartedly committed to making the future of the planet our priority. We help our clients to really appreciate how projects and developments will affect the environment and its communities by increasing awareness and ensuring that we provide talented staff that are implementing the latest trends.

We’re proud of the positive impact we’ve had on sustainable development, but our journey has just started, and we need the help of bright minds from across the globe to achieve our goals.

If you are looking for a new, exciting career path that can genuinely help engineer a better future for our people, we may have an opportunity for you. Browse our available construction roles today. Feel free to sign up for job alerts if you haven’t found your perfect role and join the talent community.