Building Digest Weekly - 3 May 2024
Building Magazine
The UK's leading magazine for construction professionals featuring the latest industry news, expertise and intelligence.
The biggest construction story this week has been the ongoing delay to the ￡365m Co-Op Live music venue in Manchester. We have the latest news, along with an op-ed from our senior reporter Tom Lowe on the delayed project.
We have also also published exclusive interviews with the group chief executive of SCAPE and the group managing director of Mott MacDonald along with an op-ed from Gleeds chair Richard Steer FRICS, Hon FRIBA, FCIOB, FAPM about boosting employment and productivity.
The embattled ￡365m music venue in Manchester
The delays to the project to build the Co-Op Live music venue in Manchester have hit the headlines this week as big name artists are forced to pull their shows as the ￡365m is still not finished. We reported how 800 workers are still on the project as contractors race against time to finish it.
Building Magazine 's senior report Tom Lowe visited the site a few weeks ago and explains here why he is not remotely surprised by the delays.
‘Construction seems to have fallen down the food chain’ – Scape’s Mark Robinson on what the government must change
This week, the public sector procurement authority, SCAPE launched its charter for change which underscores how the next government could enhance the construction sector. So what can the government do to help promote the sector as a career pathway for young people? And what can it do improve efficiency and sustainability in the building process? As part of Building's Election Focus coverage, Daniel Gayne spoke to Mark Robinson the authority's group chief executive to find out more.
MacDonald’s global MD Cathy Travers on her plans for the engineering giant
How could the future of growth of Mott MacDonald take form? What is the firm's approach to transport infrastructure and it's plans for the ￡20 billion New Hospital Programme? And how is it trying to strengthen inclusivity in the workplace? Carl Brown interviews global managing director Cathy Travers to hear her thoughts.
My route into construction … Astrid Dazin, senior estimator at Legendre UK
"Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by the architecture and infrastructure all around me – I always wanted to be able to “create” something."
Astrid Dazin of Groupe Legendre discusses her journey in the construction industry, how her educational background shaped her career pathway, the key takeaways she has picked up through working in the industry as well as what advice she would give to young people considering a career in construction. Find out more here.
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Balancing the need for retrofit - from a planner’s perspective
What makes a building worth retaining and what are the key issues that need to be dealt with before retention? Laura Jenkinson , who is a principal in Avison Young's planning team examines the deciding factors for carrying out retrofits as well as what the next government could do to create a better system for the delivery of retrofits.
We’re a nation of NEETs. Something must be done
NEET's are young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, training or employment. As Richard Steer FRICS, Hon FRIBA, FCIOB, FAPM , those in this position account for 12% of our population- the highest percentage since 2016. Steer examines how low employment levels could have a knock on effect on the market and highlights why there needs to be a course of action to improve productivity for work in the built environment.
Events update
This week we hosted the JCT 2024 edition of contracts, which you can now catch up on demand. It's a much watch for anyone involved in contracting in the industry.
Social Value Live and Net Zero Live are coming up fast. They are both CPD-accredited and are covering a number of the biggest issues facing the sector.
Finally, the deadlines for both Building Awards and Architect of the Year Awards are approaching quickly - so explore all the categories and get your entries in!
From the news desk
Our journalists have reported on some of the biggest headlines this week. See below some of the built environment stories the building team have been working on over the last few days.
Thank you for reading and have a great Bank Holiday weekend!