Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: The Crucial Role of Technology in Australian Construction
By Dan Paull
Construction and engineering projects have traditionally been associated with resource-intensive processes that come at a high cost to the environment. Now that the Australian Federal Government has set an ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 , the construction sector has the potential to significantly contribute by leveraging technology.
To meet the national and global targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the industry should adopt more sustainable practices and technologies. One of the key enablers of this transition is location intelligence. When augmented with technologies like AI, location intelligence can help provide accurate and timely insights into the built and natural environment.
?Redesigning the business process in the sustainability era
The transformation of business processes to become more energy-efficient and resource-savvy constitutes a fundamental pillar of sustainability. Redefining business processes will be a crucial foundational layer. And driving operational efficiencies lies in the strategic integration of innovative technologies.?
By reimagining traditional workflows and leveraging aerial imagery to remotely assess site conditions, project managers can make informed decisions, allocate resources more effectively, and mitigate potential risks, all while significantly reducing the need for on-site visits that produce travel-related carbon. This not only enhances project management but also exemplifies the critical role that process redesign plays in enhancing sustainability.
It’s therefore encouraging to see that that more than nine in 10 business leaders surveyed across construction, engineering and property sectors believe that technologies like aerial imagery and geospatial analytics can help reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainability goals, according to recent research from Nearmap .
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Aerial imagery and AI: the dynamic duo for sustainable solutions
Imagine having a comprehensive understanding of the topography, vegetation, and existing structures of a construction site, all at the click of a button. Location intelligence provides the ability to visualise and analyse a site remotely. It empowers construction professionals to make data-driven choices that optimise resource utilisation, reduce waste, and ultimately contribute to the industry's overarching sustainability goals.
The integration of AI in construction processes adds a layer of predictive capability. AI algorithms can help assess historical and current data when monitoring changing environmental and project conditions, to forecast potential challenges and optimise workflows. This not only ensures that projects stay on schedule but also facilitates proactive decision-making to mitigate any adverse environmental impacts.
For example, Nearmap AI technology can automatically detect and classify objects such as buildings, roads, trees and solar panels from aerial imagery. This can help contractors and project managers track the status and performance of their projects, identify issues and risks, and make informed decisions – completely remotely.
Dynamic, geospatial visualisations of the project site help foster a shared understanding of the project's scope and impact, allowing for more nuanced discussions about sustainable decision-making and potential trade-offs. It also enables construction professionals to anticipate and proactively address potential issues, a capability that goes beyond efficiency to redefine the very nature of sustainable construction practices.
However, the same research identified that limited awareness and understanding of available technologies was the top challenge that business leaders in the construction, engineering, and property industries faced in achieving carbon emission goals. Business leaders need to have a deeper understanding of how they can redesign business processes and integrate technology. While it can drive efficiencies and cost savings for organisations, more importantly, it can well-position organisations on a path towards sustainable operations.
The impact of technology on the Australian construction industry is clear — it's transformative for sustainability. However, the construction sector needs to be empowered with the right tools to navigate the delicate balance between development and environmental protection. The collaborative efforts of industry leaders, government bodies, and technology innovators will continue to propel Australia towards a future where the construction industry is a leader in sustainability.