Building Weekly Digest - 26 April 2024
Building Magazine
The UK's leading magazine for construction professionals featuring the latest industry news, expertise and intelligence.
Lots to digest this week, from our updated political policy tracker and analysis of Homes England's future to an explainer on the key battlegrounds for the upcoming local elections and an interview with Ramboll's UK MD. Explore it all below.
‘Government flip-flopping on climate has cost us work’: Ramboll’s Philippa Spence on what she wants from UK politicians
How much progression has been achieved towards net zero from the government and what have the opposition said about its green targets? The UK managing director at Ramboll Philippa Spence discusses how the government's lack of progress towards net zero has affected the firm and the wider industry as well as what she wants to see from the UK government. Tom Lowe reports.
‘Good, but not perfect’ – What next for Homes England?
Last year, Homes England released its five-year strategic plan and more recently an independent review published recommendations to improve the agency. Daniel Gayne considers what the future of Homes England might be.
Your guide to 2 May elections: what’s at stake for construction
With the upcoming elections drawing close we take a look at the key battlegrounds and what could be at stake for the built environment. Carl Brown looks at what the main candidates are saying about housing, planning and construction.
AI is going to transform the construction industry – are you ready?
Diego Padilla-Philipps at 科进 on how the transformation of?our world with artificial intelligence is only going to get faster. Here is a sneak peek:
"Remember the world 30 years ago? I do. It was a world without internet, no email, social media, ubiquitous photography, Uber or electric scooters.
Now picture this but 30 years into the future, and multiply by three, four or even five? The law of accelerating returns (proposed by Ray Kurzweil) suggests that in the 21st century we will see a thousand times more development than in the 20th. This exponential growth is key to trying to predict what is coming."
领英推荐
Addressing construction productivity challenges in the East of England
Last month, our first Building the Future Think Tank regional roundtable for 2024 took place in Cambridge. The event aimed to bring industry leaders together to hear their thoughts on productivity in construction. The discussion points included the need for planning reform, standardisation in construction and whether or not public-private partnership models need to be reviewed. Jordan Marshall reports.
Election focus 2024: policy tracker
Want to find out more about what Labour and the Conservatives have said about housing, Infrastructure and planning? Our regularly-updated policy tracker will keep you in the loop with the latest announcements from the parties as we approach election day.
Events update
This week, we proudly presented Digital Building Week, brimming with dynamic live webinars and compelling panel discussions. All webinars are available now to watch on demand! Many thanks to all our panelists for their time and expertise.
In the forthcoming weeks, you can delve into further webinars addressing significant themes such as sustainable retrofits, low-carbon materials, community revitalisation, social housing, and construction impact.
Mark your calendars for Net Zero Live on the 9 May, and for Social Value Live on the 15 & 16 of May.
Early bird tickets on sale now for our Building the Future Conference 2024
Join us on September 18th at Church House, London for panel discussions, keynote speakers, housing sessions from Housing Today, interactive sessions, and an evening celebration with Architect of the Year Awards and Building Awards finalists.
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 weekend!