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{{Short description|Process of building or assembling a building or infrastructure}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Construction site|the British children's TV series|Construction Site (TV series)}}
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[[File:Construction site in Cologne, Germany (2017).jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Construction site and equipment prepared for start of work in [[Cologne]], Germany (2017)]]
{{Other uses}}
<nowiki/>'''Construction''' is a general term meaning the [[art]] and [[science]] of forming [[Physical object|objects]], [[systems]], or [[organizations]].<ref name="OED">"Construction" def. 1.a. 1.b. and 1.c. ''Oxford English Dictionary'' Second Edition on CD-ROM (v. 4.0) Oxford University Press 2009</ref> It comes from the [[Latin]] word ''constructio'' (from ''com-'' "together" and ''struere'' "to pile up") and [[Old French]] ''construction''.<ref>"Construction". ''Online Etymology Dictionary'' http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=construction accessed 3/6/2014</ref> To 'construct' is a [[verb]]: the act of building, and the [[noun]] is construction: how something is built or the nature of its structure.
{{redirect|Construction site|the British children's TV series|Construction Site (TV series)}}
[[File:Sky scraper construction.jpg|thumb|In large construction projects, such as this [[skyscraper]] in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]], [[Crane (machine)|cranes]] are essential]]
[[File:Construction site in Cologne, Germany (2017).jpg|thumb|Construction site and equipment prepared for start of work in [[Cologne]], Germany (2017)]]
'''Construction''' is the process of constructing a [[building]] or [[infrastructure]].<ref>Compare: {{Citation| title = Construction| work = Merriam-Webster.com| publisher = Merriam-Webster| url = http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/construction| accessdate = 2016-02-16 | quote = [...] the act or process of building something (such as a house or road) [...].}}</ref> Construction differs from [[manufacturing]] in that manufacturing typically involves [[mass production]] of similar items without a designated purchaser, while construction typically takes place on location for a known client.<ref name="Halpin2010">{{Citation| last = Halpin| first = Daniel W.|last2 = Senior| first2 = Bolivar A.| year = 2010| title = Construction Management| publisher = [[John Wiley & Sons]]| place = Hoboken, NJ| page = 9| edition = 4| isbn = 9780470447239| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ky1GHdiORn4C| accessdate = May 16, 2015}}</ref> Construction as an [[industry]] comprises six to nine percent of the [[gross domestic product]] of [[Developed country|developed countries]].<ref>
{{Citation
| last = Chitkara| first = K. K.| year = 1998
| title = Construction Project Management
| publisher = Tata McGraw-Hill Education
| place = New Delhi| page = 4| isbn = 9780074620625
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nmiMyNhKQooC
| accessdate = May 16, 2015
}}
</ref> Construction starts with planning, design, and financing; it continues until the project is built and ready for use.


In its most widely used context, construction covers the processes involved in delivering [[building]]s, [[infrastructure]], industrial facilities, and associated activities through to the end of their life. It typically starts with [[planning]], [[financing]], and [[design]] that continues until the asset is built and ready for use. Construction also covers repairs and maintenance work, any works to expand, extend and improve the asset, and its eventual [[demolition]], dismantling or [[wikt:decommission|decommission]]ing.
Large-scale construction requires [[collaboration]] across multiple disciplines. A [[project manager]] normally manages the job, and a [[Construction management|construction manager]], [[design engineer]], [[construction engineer]] or [[architect]] supervises it. Those involved with the design and execution must consider zoning requirements, [[Environmental impact assessment|environmental impact]] of the job, [[Scheduling (production processes)|scheduling]], [[budget]]ing, [[construction site safety|construction-site safety]], availability and transportation of [[building material]]s, logistics, inconvenience to the public caused by [[construction delay]]s and [[Construction bidding|bidding]]. Large construction projects are sometimes referred to as [[megaproject]]s.


The construction industry contributes significantly to many countries' gross domestic products ([[Gross domestic product|GDP]]). Global expenditure on construction activities was about $4 trillion in 2012. In 2022, expenditure on the construction industry exceeded $11 trillion a year, equivalent to about 13 percent of global [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]. This spending was forecasted to rise to around $14.8 trillion in 2030.<ref name="GCP"/>
==Etymology==


The construction industry promotes economic development and brings many non-monetary benefits to many countries, but it is one of the most hazardous industries. For example, about 20% (1,061) of US industry fatalities in 2019 happened in construction.<ref name="OSHA stats"/>
''Construction'' is a general term meaning the art and science to form objects, systems, or organizations,<ref name="OED">"Construction" def. 1.a. 1.b. and 1.c. ''Oxford English Dictionary'' Second Edition on CD-ROM (v. 4.0) © Oxford University Press 2009</ref> and comes from Latin ''constructionem'' (from ''com-'' "together" and ''struere'' "to pile up") and Old French ''construction''.<ref>"Construction". ''Online Etymology Dictionary'' http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=construction accessed 3/6/2014</ref> Construction is used as a verb: the act of building, and a noun: how a building was built, the nature of its structure.


==Types==
==History==
{{Main|History of construction}}
[[File:Industrial-installation.jpg|thumb|left|Industrial assemblage of a [[thermal oxidiser|thermal oxidizer]] in the [[United States|United States of America]]]]
{{See also|History of architecture}}


The first [[hut (dwelling)|huts]] and shelters were constructed by hand or with simple tools. As [[cities]] grew during the [[Bronze Age]], a class of professional [[Artisan|craftsmen]], like [[bricklayer]]s and [[Carpentry|carpenters]], appeared. Occasionally, [[Slavery|slaves]] were used for construction work. In the [[Middle Ages]], the artisan craftsmen were organized into [[guild]]s. In the 19th century, steam-powered machinery appeared, and later, diesel- and electric-powered vehicles such as [[Crane (machine)|cranes]], [[excavator]]s and [[bulldozer]]s.
In general, there are three sectors of construction: buildings, infrastructure and industrial.<ref>Chitkara, pp. 9–10.</ref> Building construction is usually further divided into residential and non-residential (commercial/institutional). Infrastructure is often called [[Civil engineering|heavy civil or heavy engineering]] that includes large public works, dams, bridges, highways, railways, water or wastewater and utility distribution. Industrial construction includes [[Refining|refineries]], process chemical, [[Electricity generation|power generation]], mills and [[Factory|manufacturing plants]]. There are also other ways to break the industry into sectors or markets.<ref>Halpin, pp. 15–16.</ref>


[[Fast-track construction]] has been increasingly popular in the 21st century. Some estimates suggest that 40% of construction projects are now fast-track construction.<ref>Knecht B. [http://archrecord.construction.com/resources/conteduc/archives/0202fast-track-1.asp Fast-track construction becomes the norm]. ''Architectural Record''.</ref>
=== Industry sectors ===
[[File:US Navy 080629-N-6477M-095 Builder 3rd Class Merlyna Crank and Builder Constructionman Irene L. Reeves, both assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 Det. 4, place trimming on birthing spaces being built for Afg.jpg|thumb|upright|Military residential unit construction by U.S. Navy personnel in Afghanistan]]
[[File:Tijuana residential construction.jpg|thumb|left|Construction workers working on a residential building in [[Tijuana]], [[Mexico]]]]
''[[Engineering News-Record]]'' (''ENR''), a trade magazine for the construction industry, each year compiles and reports data about the size of design and construction companies. In 2014, ENR compiled the data in nine market segments divided as transportation, [[Petroleum industry|petroleum]], buildings, power, industrial, water, manufacturing, sewer/waste, [[Telecommunication|telecom]], hazardous waste and a tenth category for other projects.<ref>{{Citation | title =The Top 250| journal =[[Engineering News-Record]]| date =September 1, 2014| url =http://enr.construction.com/toplists/Top-Global-Contractors/001-100.asp}}</ref> In their reporting, they used data on transportation, sewer, hazardous waste and water to rank firms as heavy contractors.<ref>{{Citation | title =The Top 400| journal =[[Engineering News-Record]]| date =May 26, 2014| url =http://enr.construction.com/engineering/pdf/top_lists/contractors/2014_ENR_TOP_400_CONTRACTORS.pdf}}<!-- full article may be subscription based --></ref>


==Construction industry sectors==
The [[Standard Industrial Classification]] and the newer [[North American Industry Classification System]] have a classification system for companies that perform or engage in construction. To recognize the differences of companies in this sector, it is divided into three subsectors: building construction, heavy and [[civil engineering]] construction, and specialty trade contractors. There are also categories for construction service firms (e.g., engineering, architecture) and construction managers (firms engaged in managing construction projects without assuming direct financial responsibility for completion of the construction project).<ref>US Census Bureau,[https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch?code=23&search=2012 NAICS Search 2012 NAICS Definition, Sector 23 – Construction]</ref><ref>US Department of Labor (OSHA), [https://osha.gov/pls/imis/sic_manual.display?id=3&tab=division Division C: Construction]</ref>
[[File:Industrial-installation.jpg|thumb|Industrial assemblage of a [[thermal oxidiser|thermal oxidizer]] in the [[United States]]]]
Broadly, there are three sectors of construction: buildings, infrastructure and industrial:<ref>Chitkara, pp. 9–10.</ref>
* Building construction is usually further divided into residential and non-residential.
* Infrastructure, also called '[[Civil engineering|heavy civil' or 'heavy engineering']], includes large public works, dams, bridges, highways, railways, water or wastewater and utility distribution.
* Industrial construction includes [[offshore construction]] (mainly of energy installations), mining and quarrying, [[Refining|refineries]], chemical processing, mills and [[Factory|manufacturing plants]].


The industry can also be classified into sectors or markets.<ref>Halpin, pp. 15–16.</ref> For example, ''[[Engineering News-Record]]'' (''ENR''), a US-based construction trade magazine, has compiled and reported data about the size of design and construction contractors. In 2014, it split the data into nine market segments: transportation, [[Petroleum industry|petroleum]], buildings, power, industrial, water, manufacturing, sewage/waste, [[Telecommunication|telecom]], [[hazardous waste]], and a tenth category for other projects.<ref>{{Citation | title =The Top 250| journal =[[Engineering News-Record]]| date =September 1, 2014| url =http://enr.construction.com/toplists/Top-Global-Contractors/001-100.asp}}</ref> ''ENR'' used data on transportation, sewage, hazardous waste and water to rank firms as heavy contractors.<ref>{{Citation | title =The Top 400| journal =[[Engineering News-Record]]| date =May 26, 2014| url =http://enr.construction.com/engineering/pdf/top_lists/contractors/2014_ENR_TOP_400_CONTRACTORS.pdf}}<!-- full article may be subscription based --></ref>
===Building construction===
{{Refimprove section|date=August 2017}}
Building construction is the process of adding structure to [[real property]] or construction of buildings. The majority of building construction jobs are small renovations, such as addition of a room, or renovation of a bathroom. Often, the owner of the property acts as laborer, paymaster, and design team for the entire [[project]].<ref>{{Citation | title =The Subaru Headquarters Construction Site| journal =[[Engineering News-Record]]| date =October 20, 2016| url =http://www.bencardino.com/louis-a-bencardino-excavating-projects/319/Subaru_Headquarters}}<!-- full article may be subscription based --></ref> Although building construction projects consist of common elements such as design, financial, estimating and legal considerations, projects of varying sizes may reach undesirable end results, such as structural collapse, cost overruns, and/or [[Lawsuit|litigation]]. For this reason, those with experience in the field make detailed plans and maintain careful oversight during the project to ensure a positive outcome.[[File:Factory of National Cement Share Company.jpg|thumb|The National Cement Share Company of [[Ethiopia]]'s new plant in [[Dire Dawa]]]]
Commercial [[building]] construction is procured privately or publicly utilizing various delivery methodologies, including cost estimating, hard bid, negotiated price, traditional, management contracting, construction management-at-risk, design & build and design-build bridging.


The [[Standard Industrial Classification]] and the newer [[North American Industry Classification System]] classify companies that perform or engage in construction into three subsectors: building construction, heavy and civil engineering construction, and specialty trade contractors. There are also categories for professional services firms (e.g., [[engineering]], [[architecture]], [[surveying]], [[project management]]).<ref>US Census Bureau,[https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch?code=23&search=2012 NAICS Search 2012 NAICS Definition, Sector 23 – Construction]</ref><ref>US Department of Labor (OSHA), [https://osha.gov/pls/imis/sic_manual.display?id=3&tab=division Division C: Construction]</ref>
Residential construction practices, technologies, and resources must conform to local building authority regulations and [[Building code|codes of practice]]. Materials readily available in the area generally dictate the construction materials used (e.g. brick versus stone, versus [[Lumber|timber]]). Cost of construction on a per square meter (or per square foot) basis for [[house]]s can vary dramatically based on site conditions, local regulations, [[economies of scale]] (custom designed homes are often more expensive to build) and the availability of skilled tradesmen. Residential construction as well as other types of construction can generate [[Construction waste|waste]] such that planning is required.


===Building construction===
According to [[McKinsey & Company|McKinsey]] research, [[productivity]] growth per worker in construction has lagged behind many other industries across different countries including in the [[United States]] and in European countries. In the United States, construction productivity per worker has declined by half since the 1960s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21726693-and-how-governments-can-catalyse-change-construction-industrys-productivity-problem|title=The construction industry's productivity problem|website=The Economist|access-date=2017-08-21}}</ref>
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2017}}
[[File:US Navy 080629-N-6477M-095 Builder 3rd Class Merlyna Crank and Builder Constructionman Irene L. Reeves, both assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 Det. 4, place trimming on birthing spaces being built for Afg.jpg|thumb|upright|Military residential unit construction by U.S. Navy personnel in Afghanistan]]
Building construction is the process of adding structures to areas of land, also known as [[real property]] sites. Typically, a project is instigated by or with the owner of the property (who may be an individual or an organisation); occasionally, land may be [[Eminent domain|compulsorily purchased]] from the owner for public use.<ref>Proctor, J., [https://www.bidwells.co.uk/what-we-think/what-is-a-compulsory-purchase-order What is a Compulsory Purchase Order?], ''Bidwells'', published 10 June 2018, accessed 26 November 2023</ref>


===Residential construction===
====Residential construction====
[[File:Brighton development 2024 b.jpg|thumb|Units under construction in [[Brighton, Victoria]], Australia]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2017}}
{{main|Home construction}}
Residential construction may be undertaken by individual land-owners ([[self-build|self-built]]), by specialist [[home construction|housebuilders]], by [[real estate development|property developer]]s, by [[general contractor]]s, or by providers of [[public housing|public or social housing]] (e.g.: local authorities, [[housing association]]s). Where local [[zoning]] or [[Planning permission|planning]] policies allow, [[mixed-use development]]s may comprise both residential and non-residential construction (e.g.: retail, leisure, offices, public buildings, etc.).


Residential construction practices, [[technologies]], and resources must conform to local building [[authority|authority's]] regulations and [[Building code|codes of practice]]. Materials readily available in the area generally dictate the construction materials used (e.g.: [[brick]] versus stone versus [[Lumber|timber]]). Costs of construction on a per square meter (or per square foot) basis for [[house]]s can vary dramatically based on site conditions, access routes, local regulations, [[economies of scale]] (custom-designed homes are often more expensive to build) and the availability of skilled tradespeople.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Marshall |first=Duncan |title=The Construction of Houses |last2=Worthing |first2=Derek |date=2006 |publisher=EG Books |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-08-097112-4 |edition=4th |location=London |publication-date=2006 |pages=1-8 |language=English}}</ref>
[[File:Ladder fall prevention (9253630705).jpg|thumb|upright|Framing]]


====Non-residential construction====
The most popular method of residential construction in [[North America]] is wood-framed construction. Typical construction steps for a single-family or small multi-family house are:
[[File:Liberty Memorial 043.jpg|thumb|Construction of the Federal Reserve building in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]]]
* Obtain an engineered soil test of lot where construction is planned
Depending upon the [[List of building types|type of building]], non-residential building construction can be procured by a wide range of private and public organisations, including local authorities, educational and religious bodies, transport undertakings, retailers, hoteliers, property developers, financial institutions and other private companies. Most construction in these sectors is undertaken by general [[contractors]].
* Develop [[floor plan]]s and obtain a materials list for estimations (more recently performed with [[Civil estimator|estimating software]])
* Obtain structural engineered plans for foundation (soil test report obtained earlier will be used by engineer to design foundation), floor plan, floor (if two story).
* Obtain lot survey
* Obtain government building approval if necessary
* If required obtain approval from HOA (homeowners association) or ARC (architectural review committee)
* Clear the building site (demolition of existing home if necessary)
* [[Construction surveying|Survey]] to stake out for the foundation
* [[Earthworks (engineering)|Excavate]] the foundation and dig footers (Scope of work is dependent of foundation designed by engineer)
* Install plumbing grounds
* Pour a [[Foundation (engineering)|foundation]] and footers with [[concrete]]
* Build the main load-bearing structure out of thick pieces of wood and possibly metal [[I-beam]]s for large spans with few supports. ''See [[framing (construction)]]''
* Add floor and ceiling [[joist]]s and install sub[[floor]] panels
* Cover outer walls and roof in [[Oriented strand board|OSB]] or [[plywood]] and a [[waterproofing|water-resistive barrier]].
* Install [[roof shingle]]s or other covering for [[flat roof]]
* Cover the walls with [[siding]], typically [[Vinyl siding|vinyl]], wood, or [[Masonry veneer|brick veneer]] but possibly stone or other materials
* Install [[window]]s
* Frame interior walls with wooden [[Lumber|2×4s]]
* Add internal [[plumbing]], [[HVAC]], [[Mains electricity|electrical]], and [[natural gas]] utilities
* Building inspector visits if necessary to approve utilities and framing
* Install [[Building insulation|insulation]] and interior [[drywall]] panels (cementboard for wet areas) and to complete walls and ceilings
* Install [[bathroom]] fixtures
*[[Spackling paste|Spackle]], prime, and paint interior walls and ceilings
* Additional tiling on top of cementboard for wet areas, such as the bathroom and kitchen backsplash
* Installation of final floor covering, such as floor [[tile]], [[carpet]], or [[wood flooring]]
* Installation of [[major appliance]]s
* Unless the original owners are building the house, at this point it is typically sold or rented.


===New construction techniques and sustainability===
===Infrastructure construction===
{{main|Civil engineering}}
The development of efficiency codes has prompted the development of new construction technologies and methods, many pioneered by academic departments of construction management that seek to improve efficiency and performance while reducing [[construction waste]].
[[File:Shasta dam under construction new edit.jpg|thumb|right|[[Shasta Dam]] under construction in June 1942]]
Civil engineering covers the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally [[built environment]], including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, tunnels, airports, water and sewerage systems, pipelines, and railways.<ref>{{cite web |title=History and Heritage of Civil Engineering |work=[[American Society of Civil Engineers|ASCE]] |url=http://live.asce.org/hh/index.mxml?versionChecked=true |access-date=8 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216235716/http://live.asce.org/hh/index.mxml?versionChecked=true |archive-date=16 February 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ice.org.uk/careers-and-professional-development/what-is-civil-engineering|title=What is Civil Engineering|publisher=[[Institution of Civil Engineers]]|access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref> Some general contractors have expertise in civil engineering; civil engineering contractors are firms dedicated to work in this sector, and may specialise in particular types of infrastructure.


===Industrial construction===
New techniques of building construction are being researched, made possible by advances in [[3D printing]] technology. In a form of ''additive building construction'', similar to the additive manufacturing techniques for manufactured parts, [[Construction 3D printing|building printing]] is making it possible to flexibly construct small commercial buildings and private habitations in around 20 hours, with built-in plumbing and electrical facilities, in one continuous build, using large 3D printers.<ref name=tedxojai>{{YouTube|ehnzfGP6sq4|Behrohk Khoshnevis- TEDx Feb 2012 Ojai California}}</ref> Working versions of 3D-printing building technology are already printing {{convert|2|m}} of building material per hour {{asof|2013|01|lc=y}}, with the next-generation printers capable of {{convert|3.5|m}} per hour, sufficient to complete a building in a week.<ref name=gizmodo20130131>
[[File:Factory of National Cement Share Company.jpg|thumb|The National Cement Share Company of [[Ethiopia]]'s new plant in [[Dire Dawa]]]]
{{cite news |last=Diaz|first=Jesus |title=This Is What the First Lunar Base Could Really Look Like |url=https://gizmodo.com/moon-base/ |accessdate=2013-02-01 |newspaper=Gizmodo |date=2013-01-31 }}</ref> Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars's [[performative architecture]] 3D-printed building was scheduled to be built in 2014.<ref name=tc20120120>{{cite news|title=The World's First 3D-Printed Building Will Arrive In 2014|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/01/20/the-worlds-first-3d-printed-building-will-arrive-in-2014-and-it-looks-awesome/|accessdate=2013-02-08|newspaper=TechCrunch|date=2012-01-20}}</ref>
[[Industrial architecture|Industrial construction]] includes offshore construction (mainly of energy installations: [[oil platform|oil and gas platforms]], [[offshore wind power|wind power]]), [[mining]] and [[quarry]]ing, [[Refinery|refineries]], [[brewery|breweries]], [[distillation|distilleries]] and other processing plants, [[power station]]s, [[steel mill]]s, [[warehouse]]s and [[factory|factories]].


==Construction processes==
As in the last years the construction industry has been seeing a trend towards IT adoption, something it had always found hard to compete when paired against other fields like the manufacturing or healthcare industries, for example. Nowadays, construction is starting to see the full potential of technological advancements, moving on to paperless construction, using the power of automation and adopting BIM, the internet of things, cloud storage and co-working, and mobile apps, implementation of surveying drones, and more.<ref>{{cite web |title=2017 6th Annual Construction Technology Report |url=http://jbknowledge.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2017-JBKnowledge-ConTech-Report.pdf |website=JB Knowledge |publisher=JB Knowledge |accessdate=13 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2017 Connecting teams – Dodge data and analytics |url=https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/bim/hub/connecting-teams |website=Auto Desk |publisher=Auto Desk |accessdate=13 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=An Action Plan to solve the Industry’s Talent Gap |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Action_plan_to_solve_the_industrys_talent_gap.pdf |website=World Economic Forum |publisher=World Economic Forum |accessdate=13 September 2018}}</ref><ref name="
Some construction projects are small [[renovations]] or repair jobs, like repainting or fixing leaks, where the owner may act as designer, paymaster and laborer for the entire project. However, more complex or ambitious projects usually require additional multi-disciplinary expertise and manpower, so the owner may commission one or more specialist businesses to undertake detailed planning, design, construction and handover of the work. Often the owner will appoint one business to oversee the project (this may be a [[designer]], a [[general contractor|contractor]], a [[construction manager]], or other advisors); such specialists are normally appointed for their expertise in [[Project delivery method|project delivery]] and construction management and will help the owner define the project [[Brief (architecture)|brief]], agree on a [[budget]] and [[schedule]], liaise with relevant public authorities, and procure materials and the services of other specialists (the [[supply chain]], comprising [[subcontractor]]s and materials suppliers). [[Contracts]] are agreed for the delivery of services by all businesses, alongside other detailed plans aimed at ensuring legal, timely, on-budget and safe delivery of the specified works.
8 Technology Trends for the US Commercial Construction Industry in 2018 (And the Statistics to Support Them)">{{cite web|url=https://render3dquick.com/blog/2018/8/28/8-technology-trends-construction-industry-2018 |title=8 Technology Trends for the US Commercial Construction Industry in 2018 (And the Statistics to Support Them) |publisher=Render3dquick.com |date=2018-08-28 |accessdate=2018-09-13}}</ref> {{Better source|date=September 2018}}


Design, finance, and legal aspects overlap and interrelate. The design must be not only structurally sound and appropriate for the use and location, but must also be financially possible to build, and legal to use. The financial structure must be adequate to build the design provided and must pay amounts that are legally owed. Legal structures integrate design with other activities and enforce financial and other construction processes.
In the current trend of [[sustainable architecture|sustainable construction]], the recent movements of [[New Urbanism]] and [[New Classical architecture]] promote a sustainable approach towards construction, that appreciates and develops [[smart growth]], [[Vernacular architecture|architectural tradition]] and [[Classical architecture|classical design]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnu.org/charter|title=The Charter of the New Urbanism|first=|last=taotiadmin|date=20 April 2015|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Beauty, Humanism, Continuity between Past and Future|url=http://www.traditionalarchitecture.co.uk/aims.html|publisher=Traditional Architecture Group|accessdate=23 March 2014}}</ref> This is in contrast to [[Modern architecture|modernist]] and short-lived [[International Style (architecture)|globally uniform]] architecture, as well as opposing solitary [[housing estate]]s and [[Urban sprawl|suburban sprawl]].<ref>[http://www.aia.org/SiteObjects/files/smartgrowth05.pdf Issue Brief: Smart-Growth: Building Livable Communities]. American Institute of Architects. Retrieved on 2014-03-23.</ref> Both trends started in the 1980s.


These processes also affect procurement strategies. [[Client (business)|Clients]] may, for example, appoint a [[business]] to design the project, after which a competitive process is undertaken to appoint a lead contractor to construct the asset ([[design–bid–build]]); they may appoint a business to lead both design and construction ([[design-build]]); or they may directly appoint a designer, contractor and specialist subcontractors ([[construction management]]).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=miWPDwAAQBAJ&q=%22Construction+procurement%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA1|title=Collaborative Construction Procurement and Improved Value|last=Mosey|first=David|year=2019|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=9781119151913|language=en}}</ref> Some forms of procurement emphasize collaborative relationships ([[Construction partnering|partnering]], alliancing) between the client, the contractor, and other stakeholders within a construction project, seeking to ameliorate often highly competitive and adversarial industry practices. [[DFMA|DfMA]] (design for manufacture and assembly) approaches also emphasize early collaboration with manufacturers and suppliers regarding products and components.
[[Wood]] is being introduced as a realistic material for skyscrapers (nicknamed "plyscrapers") thanks to new developments in super-strong engineered timber, whose collective name is "mass timber" and includes [[Cross laminated timber|cross-laminated timber]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/new-wood-how-it-will-change-our-skyline-20160815-gqsmrn.html|title=New wood: how it will change our skyline|last=Callaghan|first=Greg|date=27 August 2016|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref>


Construction or refurbishment work in a "live" environment (where residents or businesses remain living in or operating on the site) requires particular care, planning and communication.<ref>[[Willmott Dixon]], [https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/expertise/working-in-live-environments Working in live environments], accessed 6 May 2023</ref>
==Processes==
[[File:Shasta dam under construction new edit.jpg|thumb|right|[[Shasta Dam]] under construction in June 1942]]


===Design team===
===Planning===
{{Main|Architectural plan|Pre-construction services}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2017}}
[[File:Mall culture jakarta57.jpg|thumb|Digging the foundation for a building construction in [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]]]]
In the industrialized world, construction usually involves the translation of designs into reality. A formal design team may be assembled to plan the physical proceedings, and to integrate those proceedings with the other parts. The design usually consists of [[drawing]]s and [[Specification (technical standard)|specifications]], usually prepared by a design team including [[architect]], [[civil engineer]]s, [[Mechanical engineering|mechanical engineers]], [[Electrical engineering|electrical engineers]], [[structural engineer]]s, [[Fire protection engineering|fire protection engineers]], planning [[consultant]]s, architectural consultants, and archaeological consultants. The design team is most commonly employed by (i.e. in contract with) the property owner. Under this system, once the design is completed by the design team, a number of construction companies or construction management companies may then be asked to make a bid for the work, either based directly on the design, or on the basis of drawings and a [[bill of quantities]] provided by a [[quantity surveyor]]. Following evaluation of bids, the owner typically awards a contract to the most cost efficient bidder.
When applicable, a proposed construction project must comply with local [[land-use planning]] policies including [[zoning]] and [[building code]] requirements. A project will normally be assessed (by the 'authority having jurisdiction', AHJ, typically the [[municipality]] where the project will be located) for its potential impacts on neighbouring properties, and upon existing infrastructure (transportation, social infrastructure, and utilities including water supply, sewerage, electricity, telecommunications, etc.). Data may be gathered through [[site analysis]], [[site survey]]s and [[geotechnical investigation]]s. Construction normally cannot start until [[planning permission]] has been granted, and may require preparatory work to ensure relevant infrastructure has been upgraded before building work can commence. Preparatory works will also include surveys of existing utility lines to avoid damage-causing outages and other hazardous situations.


Some legal requirements come from ''[[malum in se]]'' considerations, or the desire to prevent indisputably bad phenomena, e.g. explosions or bridge collapses. Other legal requirements come from ''[[malum prohibitum]]'' considerations, or factors that are a matter of custom or expectation, such as isolating businesses from a business district or residences from a residential district. An attorney may seek changes or exemptions in the law that governs the land where the building will be built, either by arguing that a rule is inapplicable (the bridge design will not cause a collapse), or that the custom is no longer needed (acceptance of live-work spaces has grown in the community).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l3D7CwAAQBAJ&q=%22Construction+law%22+-wikipedia&pg=PP1|title=Construction Law: From Beginner to Practitioner|last=Mason|first=Jim|date=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317391777|language=en}}</ref>
The best modern trend in design is toward integration of previously separated specialties, especially among large firms. In the past, architects, interior designers, engineers, developers, construction managers, and general contractors were more likely to be entirely separate companies, even in the larger firms. Presently, a firm that is nominally an "architecture" or "construction management" firm may have experts from all related fields as employees, or to have an associated company that provides each necessary skill. Thus, each such firm may offer itself as "one-stop shopping" for a construction project, from beginning to end. This is designated as a "design build" contract where the contractor is given a performance specification and must undertake the project from design to construction, while adhering to the performance specifications.


During the construction of a building, a municipal building inspector usually inspects the ongoing work periodically to ensure that construction adheres to the approved plans and the local building code. Once construction is complete, any later changes made to a building or other asset that affect safety, including its use, expansion, structural integrity, and [[fire protection]], usually require municipality approval.
Several project structures can assist the owner in this integration, including design-build, partnering and construction management. In general, each of these project structures allows the owner to integrate the services of architects, interior designers, engineers and constructors throughout design and construction. In response, many companies are growing beyond traditional offerings of design or construction services alone and are placing more emphasis on establishing relationships with other necessary participants through the design-build process.


===Finance===
The increasing complexity of construction projects creates the need for design professionals trained in all phases of the project's life-cycle and develop an appreciation of the building as an advanced technological system requiring close integration of many sub-systems and their individual components, including sustainability. [[Architectural engineering|Building engineering]] is an emerging discipline that attempts to meet this new challenge.
Depending on the type of project, [[mortgage bank]]ers, [[accountant]]s, and [[Cost engineering|cost engineers]] may participate in creating an overall plan for the financial management of a construction project. The presence of the mortgage banker is highly likely, even in relatively small projects since the owner's equity in the property is the most obvious source of funding for a building project. Accountants act to study the expected monetary flow over the life of the project and to monitor the payouts throughout the process. Professionals including cost engineers, [[estimators]] and [[quantity surveyor]]s apply expertise to relate the work and materials involved to a proper valuation.


Financial planning ensures adequate safeguards and contingency plans are in place before the project is started, and ensures that the plan is properly executed over the life of the project. Construction projects can suffer from preventable financial problems.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tabei |first1=Sayed Mohammad Amin |last2=Bagherpour |first2=Morteza |last3=Mahmoudi |first3=Amin |date=2019-03-19 |title=Application of Fuzzy Modelling to Predict Construction Projects Cash Flow |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3311/ppci.13402 |journal=Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering |doi=10.3311/ppci.13402 |s2cid=116421818 |issn=1587-3773|doi-access=free }}</ref> Underbids happen when builders ask for too little money to complete the project. [[Cash flow]] problems exist when the present amount of funding cannot cover the current costs for labour and materials; such problems may arise even when the overall budget is adequate, presenting a temporary issue. Cost overruns with government projects have occurred when the contractor identified change orders or project changes that increased costs, which are not subject to competition from other firms as they have already been eliminated from consideration after the initial bid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/05/27/news/top_stories/22_07_545_26_07.txt|title=North County News – San Diego Union Tribune|website=www.nctimes.com}}</ref> [[Fraud]] is also an issue of growing significance within construction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global construction industry faces growing threat of economic crime|url=http://pwc.blogs.com/press_room/2010/04/global-construction-industry-faces-growing-threat-of-economic-crime.html|website=pwc|publisher=pwc|access-date=16 September 2015}}</ref>
===Financial advisors===
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Large projects can involve highly complex financial plans and often start with a conceptual [[cost estimate]] performed by a [[building estimator]]. As portions of a project are completed, they may be sold, supplanting one lender or owner for another, while the logistical requirements of having the right trades and materials available for each stage of the building construction project carry forward. [[Public–private partnership]]s (PPPs) or [[private finance initiative]]s (PFIs) may also be used to help deliver major projects. According to [[McKinsey & Company|McKinsey]] in 2019, the "vast majority of large construction projects go over budget and take 20% longer than expected".<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Alsever|first=Jennifer|date=December 2019|title=Bots Start Building|magazine=Fortune|type=Paper|location=New York, New York|publisher=Fortune Media (USA) Corporation|page=36|issn=0015-8259}}</ref>
Construction projects can suffer from preventable financial problems. Underbids happen when builders ask for too little money to complete the project. [[Cash flow]] problems exist when the present amount of funding cannot cover the current costs for labour and materials, and because they are a matter of having sufficient funds at a specific time, can arise even when the overall total is enough. [[Fraud]] is a problem in many fields, but is notoriously prevalent in the construction field.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global construction industry faces growing threat of economic crime|url=http://pwc.blogs.com/press_room/2010/04/global-construction-industry-faces-growing-threat-of-economic-crime.html|website=pwc|publisher=pwc|accessdate=16 September 2015}}</ref> Financial planning for the project is intended to ensure that a solid plan with adequate safeguards and contingency plans are in place before the project is started and is required to ensure that the plan is properly executed over the life of the project.


===Legal===
[[Mortgage bank]]ers, [[accountant]]s, and [[Cost engineering|cost engineers]] are likely participants in creating an overall plan for the financial management of the building construction project. The presence of the mortgage banker is highly likely, even in relatively small projects since the owner's equity in the property is the most obvious source of funding for a building project. Accountants act to study the expected monetary flow over the life of the project and to monitor the payouts throughout the process. Cost engineers and [[estimators]] apply expertise to relate the work and materials involved to a proper valuation. Cost overruns with government projects have occurred when the contractor identified change orders or project changes that increased costs, which are not subject to competition from other firms as they have already been eliminated from consideration after the initial bid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/05/27/news/top_stories/22_07_545_26_07.txt|title=North County News - San Diego Union Tribune|website=www.nctimes.com}}</ref>

Large projects can involve highly complex financial plans and often start with a conceptual estimate performed by a [[building estimator]]. As portions of a project are completed, they may be sold, supplanting one lender or owner for another, while the logistical requirements of having the right trades and materials available for each stage of the building construction project carries forward. In many English-speaking countries, but not the United States, projects typically use quantity surveyors.

===Legal aspects===
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2006}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2006}}
{{Main article|Construction law}}
{{Main|Construction law}}
[[File:401-403-410 and Construction crop.png|thumb|Construction along [[Ontario Highway 401]], widening the road from six to twelve travel lanes]]
[[File:401-403-410 and Construction crop.png|thumb|Construction along [[Ontario Highway 401]], widening the road from six to twelve travel lanes]]
A construction project is a complex net of [[construction contract]]s and other legal obligations, each of which all parties must carefully consider. A contract is the exchange of a set of obligations between two or more parties, and provides structures to manage issues. For example, construction delays can be costly, so construction contracts set out clear expectations and clear paths to manage delays. Poorly drafted contracts can lead to confusion and costly disputes.
A construction project must fit into the legal framework governing the property. These include governmental regulations on the use of property, and obligations that are created in the process of construction.

When applicable, the project must adhere to [[zoning]] and [[building code]] requirements. Constructing a project that fails to adhere to codes does not benefit the owner. Some legal requirements come from [[malum in se]] considerations, or the desire to prevent indisputably bad phenomena, e.g. explosions or bridge collapses. Other legal requirements come from [[malum prohibitum]] considerations, or factors that are a matter of custom or expectation, such as isolating businesses from a business district or residences from a residential district. An attorney may seek changes or exemptions in the law that governs the land where the building will be built, either by arguing that a rule is inapplicable (the bridge design will not cause a collapse), or that the custom is no longer needed (acceptance of live-work spaces has grown in the community).

A construction project is a complex net of [[contract]]s and other legal obligations, each of which all parties must carefully consider. A contract is the exchange of a set of obligations between two or more parties, but it is not so simple a matter as trying to get the other side to agree to as much as possible in exchange for as little as possible. The time element in construction means that a delay costs money, and in cases of bottlenecks, the delay can be extremely expensive. Thus, the contracts must be designed to ensure that each side is capable of performing the obligations set out. Contracts that set out clear expectations and clear paths to accomplishing those expectations are far more likely to result in the project flowing smoothly, whereas poorly drafted contracts lead to confusion and collapse.


Legal advisors in the beginning of a construction project seek to identify ambiguities and other potential sources of trouble in the contract structure, and to present options for preventing problems. Throughout the process of the project, they work to avoid and resolve conflicts that arise. In each case, the lawyer facilitates an exchange of obligations that matches the reality of the project.
At the start of a project, legal advisors seek to identify ambiguities and other potential sources of trouble in the contract structures, and to present options for preventing problems. During projects, they work to avoid and resolve conflicts that arise. In each case, the lawyer facilitates an exchange of obligations that matches the reality of the project.


===Interaction of expertise===
[[File:UnderConstruction-Apt.jpg|thumb|Apartment complex under construction in [[Daegu]], [[South Korea]]]]
[[File:UnderConstruction-Apt.jpg|thumb|Apartment complex under construction in [[Daegu]], [[South Korea]]]]
Design, finance, and legal aspects overlap and interrelate. The design must be not only structurally sound and appropriate for the use and location, but must also be financially possible to build, and legal to use. The financial structure must accommodate the need for building the design provided, and must pay amounts that are legally owed. The legal structure must integrate the design into the surrounding legal framework, and enforce the financial consequences of the construction process.


===Procurement===
===Procurement===
====Traditional or Design-bid-build====
Procurement describes the merging of activities undertaken by the client to obtain a building. There are many different methods of construction procurement; however, the three most common types of procurement are traditional ([[design–bid–build]]), design-build and management contracting.
{{Main|Design–bid–build}}


Design-bid-build is the most common and well-established method of construction procurement. In this arrangement, the [[architect]], [[engineer]] or builder acts for the client as the project coordinator. They design the works, prepare specifications and design deliverables (models, drawings, etc.), administer the contract, [[Request for tender|tender]] the works, and manage the works from inception to completion. In parallel, there are direct contractual links between the client and the main contractor, who, in turn, has direct contractual relationships with subcontractors. The arrangement continues until the project is ready for handover.
There is also a growing number of new forms of procurement that involve relationship contracting where the emphasis is on a co-operative relationship among the principal, the contractor, and other stakeholders within a construction project. New forms include partnering such as Public-Private Partnering (PPPs) aka [[private finance initiative]]s (PFIs) and alliances such as "pure" or "project" alliances and "impure" or "strategic" alliances. The focus on co-operation is to ameliorate the many problems that arise from the often highly competitive and adversarial practices within the construction industry.

====Traditional====
{{Main article|Design–bid–build}}

This is the most common method of construction procurement and is well established and recognized. In this arrangement, the architect or [[engineer]] acts as the project coordinator. His or her role is to design the works, prepare the specifications and produce construction drawings, administer the contract, [[Request for tender|tender]] the works, and manage the works from inception to completion. There are direct contractual links between the architect's client and the main contractor. Any subcontractor has a direct contractual relationship with the main contractor. The procedure continues until the building is ready to occupy.


====Design-build====
====Design-build====
{{Main article|Design-build}}
{{Main|Design-build}}
Design-build became more common from the late 20th century, and involves the client contracting a single entity to provide design and construction. In some cases, the design-build package can also include finding the site, arranging funding and applying for all necessary statutory consents. Typically, the client invites several Design & Build (D&B) contractors to submit proposals to meet the project brief and then selects a preferred supplier. Often this will be a [[consortium]] involving a design firm and a contractor (sometimes more than one of each). In the United States, [[Department of transportation|departments of transportation]] usually use design-build contracts as a way of progressing projects where states lack the skills or resources, particularly for very large projects.<ref name="Cronin">{{cite web | last = Cronin | first = Jeff | year = 2005 | url = http://www.cegltd.com/story.asp?story=5592 | title = S. Carolina Court to Decide Legality of Design-Build Bids | publisher = Construction Equipment Guide | access-date = 2008-01-04 | archive-date = 2006-10-19 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061019185732/http://www.cegltd.com/story.asp?story=5592 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
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====Construction management====
This approach has become more common in recent years, and also involves the client contracting a single entity that both provides a design and builds it. In some cases, the design-build package can also include finding the site, arranging funding and applying for all necessary statutory consents.
{{Main|Construction management}}
In a construction management arrangement, the client enters into separate contracts with the designer (architect or engineer), a [[construction management|construction manager]], and individual [[Tradesman|trade contractors]]. The client takes on the contractual role, while the construction or project manager provides the active role of managing the separate trade contracts, and ensuring that they complete all work smoothly and effectively together. This approach is often used to speed up [[procurement]] processes, to allow the client greater flexibility in design variation throughout the contract, to enable the appointment of individual work contractors, to separate contractual responsibility on each individual throughout the contract, and to provide greater client control.


===Design===
The owner produces a list of requirements for a project, giving an overall view of the project's goals. Several D&B contractors present different ideas about how to accomplish these goals. The owner selects the ideas they like best and hires the appropriate contractor. Often, it is not just one contractor, but a consortium of several contractors working together. Once these have been hired, they begin building the first phase of the project. As they build phase 1, they design phase 2. This is in contrast to a design-bid-build contract, where the project is completely designed by the owner, then bid on, then completed.
In the industrialized world, construction usually involves the translation of designs into reality. Most commonly (i.e.: in a design-bid-build project), the design team is employed by (i.e. in contract with) the property owner. Depending upon the type of project, a design team may include [[architect]]s, [[civil engineer]]s, [[Mechanical engineering|mechanical engineers]], [[Electrical engineering|electrical engineers]], [[structural engineer]]s, [[Fire protection engineering|fire protection engineers]], planning [[consultant]]s, architectural consultants, and archaeological consultants. A 'lead designer' will normally be identified to help coordinate different disciplinary inputs to the overall design. This may be aided by integration of previously separate disciplines (often undertaken by separate firms) into multi-disciplinary firms with experts from all related fields,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U6gvCwAAQBAJ&q=%22Construction+design%22+-wikipedia&pg=PR13|title=The Latest Methods of Construction Design|last1=Dynybyl|first1=Vojtěch|last2=Berka|first2=Ondrej|last3=Petr|first3=Karel|last4=Lopot|first4=František|last5=Dub|first5=Martin|date=2015|publisher=Springer|isbn=9783319227627|language=en}}</ref> or by firms establishing relationships to support design-build processes.


The increasing complexity of construction projects creates the need for design professionals trained in all phases of a project's life-cycle and develop an appreciation of the asset as an advanced technological system requiring close integration of many sub-systems and their individual components, including sustainability. For buildings, [[Architectural engineering|building engineering]] is an emerging discipline that attempts to meet this new challenge.
Kent Hansen pointed out that state [[Department of transportation|departments of transportation]] usually use design build contracts as a way of progressing projects when states lack the skills-resources. In such departments, design build contracts are usually employed for very large projects.<ref name="Cronin">{{cite web | last = Cronin | first = Jeff | year = 2005 | url = http://www.cegltd.com/story.asp?story=5592 | title = S. Carolina Court to Decide Legality of Design-Build Bids | publisher = Construction Equipment Guide | accessdate = 2008-01-04 }}</ref>


Traditionally, design has involved the production of [[Sketch (drawing)|sketch]]es, [[architectural drawing|architectural]] and [[engineering drawing]]s, and [[Specification (technical standard)|specifications]]. Until the late 20th century, drawings were largely hand-[[drafter|drafted]]; adoption of [[computer-aided design]] (CAD) technologies then improved design productivity, while the 21st-century introduction of [[building information modeling]] (BIM) processes has involved the use of computer-generated models that can be used in their own right or to generate drawings and other [[Visualization (graphics)|visualisations]] as well as capturing non-geometric data about building components and systems.
====Management procurement systems====
{{Main article|Construction management}}
In this arrangement the client plays an active role in the procurement system by entering into separate contracts with the designer (architect or [[engineer]]), the [[Construction management|construction manager]], and individual [[Tradesman|trade contractors]]. The client takes on the contractual role, while the construction or project manager provides the active role of managing the separate trade contracts, and ensuring that they complete all work smoothly and effectively together.


On some projects, work on-site will not start until design work is largely complete; on others, some design work may be undertaken concurrently with the early stages of on-site activity (for example, work on a building's foundations may commence while designers are still working on the detailed designs of the building's internal spaces). Some projects may include elements that are designed for [[off-site construction]] (see also [[prefabrication]] and [[modular building]]) and are then delivered to the site ready for erection, installation or assembly.
Management procurement systems are often used to speed up the procurement processes, allow the client greater flexibility in design variation throughout the contract, give the ability to appoint individual work contractors, separate contractual responsibility on each individual throughout the contract, and to provide greater client control.


===On-site construction===
In recent time, construction software starts to get traction—as it digitizes construction industry. Among solutions, there are for example: [[Procore]], GenieBelt, [[PlanGrid]], bouw7, etc.
[[File:-37 Construction.jpg|thumb|On-site [[Foundation (engineering)|foundation construction]].]]
Once contractors and other relevant professionals have been appointed and designs are sufficiently advanced, work may commence on the project site. Typically, a construction site will include a secure perimeter to restrict unauthorised access, site access control points, office and welfare accommodation for personnel from the main contractor and other firms involved in the project team, and storage areas for materials, machinery and equipment. According to the ''McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction's'' definition, construction may be said to have ''started'' when the first feature of the permanent structure has been put in place, such as pile driving, or the pouring of slabs or footings.<ref>McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction, [https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/start+of+construction "Start of construction"], accessed 8 September 2020</ref>


===Commissioning and handover===
==Authority having jurisdiction==
{{main|New-construction building commissioning}}
{{See also|Planning permission}}
Commissioning is the process of verifying that all subsystems of a new building (or other assets) work as intended to achieve the owner's project requirements and as designed by the project's architects and engineers.
[[File:Mall culture jakarta57.jpg|thumb|Digging the foundation for a building construction in [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]]]]
In construction, the '''authority having jurisdiction''' (AHJ) is the governmental agency or sub-agency that regulates the construction process. In most cases, this is the [[municipality]] where the building is located. However, construction performed for supra-municipal authorities are usually regulated directly by the owning authority, which becomes the AHJ.
[[File:Liberty Memorial 043.jpg|thumb|Construction on the Federal Reserve building in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]]]
Before the foundation can be dug, contractors are typically required to verify and have existing utility lines marked, either by the utilities themselves or through a company specializing in such services. This lessens the likelihood of damage to the existing electrical, water, sewage, phone, and cable facilities, which could cause outages and potentially hazardous situations. During the construction of a building, the municipal building inspector inspects the building periodically to ensure that the construction adheres to the approved plans and the local '''[[building code]]'''. Once construction is complete and a final inspection has been passed, an '''[[occupancy]] permit''' may be issued.


===Defects liability period===
An operating building must remain in compliance with the '''[[Fire safety|fire code]]'''. The fire code is enforced by the local fire department or a municipal code enforcement office.
A period after handover (or practical completion) during which the owner may identify any shortcomings in relation to the building specification ('defects'), with a view to the contractor correcting the defect.<ref>Designing Buildings Wiki, [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Defects_liability_period_DLP Defects liability period DLP], last updated 17 February 2022, accessed 16 May 2022</ref>


===Maintenance, repair and improvement===
Changes made to a building that affect safety, including its use, expansion, structural integrity, and [[fire protection]] items, usually require approval of the AHJ for review concerning the building code.
{{Main|Maintenance (technical)}}
Maintenance involves functional checks, servicing, repairing or replacing of necessary devices, equipment, [[machine]]ry, building infrastructure, and supporting utilities in industrial, business, governmental, and residential installations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Defense Logistics Agency |url=http://www.dla.mil|website=DLA.mil|access-date=5 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=European Federation of National Maintenance Societies |url=http://www.efnms.org |website=EFNMS.org |quote=All actions which have the objective of retaining or restoring an item in or to a state in which it can perform its required function. These include the combination of all technical and corresponding administrative, managerial, and supervision actions.|access-date=5 August 2016}}</ref>


===Demolition===
==Industry characteristics==
{{main|Demolition}}
In the United States, the industry in 2014 has around $960 [[Orders of magnitude (currency)#1 billion to 100 billion|billion]] in annual [[revenue]] according to statistics tracked by the [[United States Census Bureau|Census Bureau]], of which $680 billion is [[private sector|private]] (split evenly between residential and nonresidential) and the remainder is government.<ref>[https://www.census.gov/construction/c30/c30index.html Value of Construction Put in Place at a Glance]. United States Census Bureau. Also see [https://www.census.gov/mcd/ Manufacturing & Construction Statistics] for more information.</ref> In 2005, there were about 667,000 firms employing 1 million [[contractor (disambiguation)|contractors]] (200,000 general contractors, 38,000 heavy, and 432,000 specialty); the average contractor employed fewer than 10 employees.<ref>McIntyre M, Strischek D. (2005). [http://www.sio.org/pdf/TodaysMarketMay05.pdf Surety Bonding in Today's Construction Market: Changing Times for Contractors, Bankers, and Sureties]. ''The RMA Journal''.</ref> As a whole, the industry employed an estimated 5.8 million in April 2013, with a 13.2% [[unemployment]] rate.<ref>[http://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag23.htm Industries at a Glance: Construction: NAICS 23]. U.S. [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]].</ref> In the United States, approximately 828,000 women were employed in the construction industry as of 2011.<ref name=NIOSHblog>{{cite web |url = http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2013/05/13/womens-health-at-work/ |title = Women's Health at Work |publisher = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |accessdate = 21 January 2015 |date = 13 May 2013 |first1 = Naomi |last1 = Swanson |first2 = Julie |last2 = Tisdale-Pardi |first3 = Leslie |last3 = MacDonald |first4 = Hope M. |last4 = Tiesman}}</ref>
Demolition is the discipline of safely and efficiently tearing down [[building]]s and other artificial [[structure]]s. [[Demolition]] contrasts with [[deconstruction (building)|deconstruction]], which involves taking a building apart while carefully preserving valuable elements for reuse purposes ([[recycling]] – see also [[circular economy]]).


==Industry scale and characteristics==
===Careers===
===Economic activity===
[[File:European Antennas Under Construction.jpg|thumb|Helicopter view of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array ([[Atacama Large Millimeter Array|ALMA]]) Operations Support Facility (OSF) construction site]]
[[File:European Antennas Under Construction.jpg|thumb|Helicopter view of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array ([[Atacama Large Millimeter Array|ALMA]]) Operations Support Facility (OSF) construction site]]
The output of the global construction industry was worth an estimated $10.8 trillion in 2017, and in 2018 was forecast to rise to $12.9 trillion by 2022,<ref name="BDC-08Oct2018">{{cite news |title=Global construction set to rise to US$12.9 trillion by 2022, driven by Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East |url=https://www.bdcnetwork.com/global-construction-set-rise-us129-trillion-2022-driven-asia-pacific-africa-and-middle-east |access-date=29 April 2020 |work=Building Design and Construction |date=8 October 2018}}</ref> and to around $14.8 trillion in 2030.<ref name="GCP">{{cite web |title=Global Construction Report 2030 |url=https://www.databasedanalysis.com/global-construction-perspectives/ |website=GCP DBA |access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref> As a sector, construction accounts for more than 10% of global GDP (in [[Developed country|developed countries]], construction comprises 6–9% of GDP),<ref>
{{Citation
| last = Chitkara| first = K. K.| year = 1998
| title = Construction Project Management
| publisher = Tata McGraw-Hill Education
| place = New Delhi| page = 4| isbn = 9780074620625
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nmiMyNhKQooC
| access-date = May 16, 2015
}}</ref> and employs around 7% of the total employed workforce around the globe<ref name="Potensis">{{cite web |title=Global Construction: insights (26 May 2017) |url=https://www.potensis.com/insights/global-construction/ |website=Potensis |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> (accounting for over 273 million full- and part-time jobs in 2014).<ref name="ICED">{{cite web |title=Construction Sector Employment in Low-Income Countries: Size of the Sector |url=http://icedfacility.org/resource/construction-sector-employment-low-income-countries-size-sector/ |website=ICED |access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref> Since 2010,<ref name="PBC-25Mar2019">{{cite news |title=Which countries are investing the most in construction? |url=https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/countries-investing-construction/54507/ |access-date=30 April 2020 |work=PBC Today |date=25 March 2019}}</ref> China has been the world's largest single construction market.<ref name="Reuters-03Mar2011">{{cite news |last1=Roumeliotis |first1=Greg |title=Global construction growth to outpace GDP this decade – PwC |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-55293920110303 |access-date=29 April 2020 |work=Reuters Economic News |date=3 March 2011 |archive-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106114531/https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-55293920110303 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The United States is the second largest construction market with a 2018 output of $1.581 trillion.<ref>Global Construction Perspectives & Construction Economics (2019), [https://www.acenet.co.uk/media/4193/export-strategy.pdf Future of Consultancy: Global Export Strategy for UK Consultancy and Engineering], ACE, London.</ref>

* In the United States in February 2020, around $1.4 trillion worth of construction work was in progress, according to the [[United States Census Bureau|Census Bureau]], of which just over $1.0 trillion was for the [[private sector]] (split roughly 55:45% between residential and nonresidential); the remainder was [[public sector]], predominantly for state and local government.<ref>[https://www.census.gov/construction/c30/c30index.html Value of Construction Put in Place at a Glance]. United States Census Bureau. Accessed: 29 April 2020. Also see [https://www.census.gov/mcd/ Manufacturing & Construction Statistics] for more information.</ref>
* In [[Armenia]], the construction sector experienced growth during the latter part of 2000s. Based on National Statistical Service, Armenia's construction sector generated approximately 20% of Armenia's GDP during the first and second quarters of 2007. In 2009, according to the World Bank, 30% of Armenia's economy was from construction sector.<ref name="ArmeniaLib-Sept-20-2007">[http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2007/09/ac00c04d-a570-479a-8d0c-9554e4acb7b6.asp "Armenian Growth Still In Double Digits"], Armenia Liberty ([[RFE/RL]]), September 20, 2007.</ref>
* In [[Vietnam]], the construction industry plays an important role in the [[Economy of Vietnam|national economy]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tầm quan trọng của ngành xây dựng đối với sự phát triển của Vùng kinh tế trọng điểm phía Nam |url=https://kinhtevadubao.vn/tam-quan-trong-cua-nganh-xay-dung-doi-voi-su-phat-trien-cua-vung-kinh-te-trong-diem-phia-nam-27053.html |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Tạp chí Kinh tế và Dự báo - Bộ Kế hoạch và Đầu tư |language=vi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Xây dựng là lĩnh vực quan trọng, mang tính chiến lược, có vai trò rất lớn trong phát triển kinh tế - xã hội |url=https://toquoc.vn/xay-dung-la-linh-vuc-quan-trong-mang-tinh-chien-luoc-co-vai-tro-rat-lon-trong-phat-trien-kinh-te-xa-hoi-20221104091652122.htm |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=toquoc.vn |language=vi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ngành Xây dựng - hành trình 60 năm phát triển |url=http://cucgiamdinh.gov.vn/Nganh-Xay-dung-hanh-trinh-60-nam-phat-trien-412-a937.aspx |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Cục giám định nhà nước về chất lượng công trình xây dựng |language=vi}}</ref> The Vietnamese construction industry has been one of the fastest growing in the [[Asia–Pacific|Asia-Pacific]] region in recent years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Topic: Construction industry worldwide |url=https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/construction-market |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Expert Market Research |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-12 |title=Kinh tế Việt Nam 2023: Nhiều điểm sáng nổi bật |url=https://vccinews.vn/news/48221/kinh-te-viet-nam-2023-nhieu-diem-sang-noi-bat.html |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Vietnam Business Forum – Liên đoàn Thương mại và Công nghiệp Việt Nam-Kinh tế - Thị trường}}</ref> The market was valued at nearly $60 billion in 2021.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The Growth of the Construction Industry in Vietnam |url=https://www.researchinvietnam.com/insight/growth-of-the-construction-industry-in-vietnam |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=www.researchinvietnam.com}}</ref> In the first half of 2022, Vietnam's construction industry growth rate reached 5.59%.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-06 |title=Tốc độ tăng trưởng ngành xây dựng tăng 4,47% so với cùng kỳ |url=https://baochinhphu.vn/toc-do-tang-truong-nganh-xay-dung-tang-447-so-voi-cung-ky-102230706172612581.htm |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=baochinhphu.vn |language=vi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=9 tháng năm 2022, ngành Xây dựng tăng trưởng 5%-5,6% so với cùng kỳ năm trước |url=https://kinhtevadubao.vn/9-thang-nam-2022-nganh-xay-dung-tang-truong-5-56-so-voi-cung-ky-nam-truoc-24360.html |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Tạp chí Kinh tế và Dự báo - Bộ Kế hoạch và Đầu tư |language=vi}}</ref> In 2022, Vietnam's construction industry accounted for more than 6% of the country's GDP, equivalent to over 589.7 billion [[Vietnamese đồng|Vietnamese dong]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Topic: Construction industry in Vietnam |url=https://www.statista.com/topics/8591/construction-industry-in-vietnam/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Statista }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kinh tế Việt Nam năm 2022 và triển vọng năm 2023 |url=https://www.mof.gov.vn/webcenter/portal/ttpltc/pages_r/l/chi-tiet-tin-ttpltc?dDocName=MOFUCM272369 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=www.mof.gov.vn}}</ref> The industry of industry and construction accounts for 38.26% of Vietnam's GDP.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Bank Open Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=World Bank Open Data}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoàng |first=Hiếu |date=2022-02-12 |title=Chuyển nhà Hà Nội |url=https://kienvang.vn/chuyen-nha-ha-noi/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=kienvang.vn |language=vi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ngọc |first=Dương |date=2023-02-25 |title=Tăng trưởng GDP: Kết quả 2022, kỳ vọng 2023 |url=https://vneconomy.vn/tang-truong-gdp-ket-qua-2022-ky-vong-2023.htm |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Nhịp sống kinh tế Việt Nam & Thế giới |language=vi}}</ref> At the same time, the industry is one of the most attractive industries for foreign direct investment (FDI) in recent years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-15 |title=Vietnam attracts over 39,100 FDI projects with registered capital of nearly 469 billion USD so far {{!}} Business {{!}} Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus) |url=https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-attracts-over-39100-fdi-projects-with-registered-capital-of-nearly-469-billion-usd-so-far/276246.vnp |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=VietnamPlus }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Đầu tư trực tiếp nước ngoài và vấn đề phát triển kinh tế - xã hội ở Việt Nam |url=https://mof.gov.vn/webcenter/portal/vclvcstc/pages_r/l/chi-tiet-tin?dDocName=MOFUCM205169 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=mof.gov.vn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Đầu tư trực tiếp nước ngoài vào lĩnh vực xây dựng và bất động sản - thực trạng và những vấn đề đặt ra - Tạp chí Cộng sản |url=https://tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/nghien-cu/-/2018/3052/dau-tu-truc-tiep-nuoc-ngoai-vao-linh-vuc-xay-dung-va-bat-dong-san---thuc-trang-va-nhung-van-de-dat-ra.aspx |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=tapchicongsan.org.vn}}</ref>

Construction is a major source of employment in most countries; high reliance on small businesses, and under-representation of women are common traits. For example:
* In the US, construction employed around 11.4m people in 2020, with a further 1.8m employed in architectural, engineering, and related professional services – equivalent to just over 8% of the total US workforce.<ref name="womenUS"/> The construction workers were employed in over 843,000 organisations, of which 838,000 were privately held businesses.<ref name="USBLS-IAG">{{cite web |title=Industries at a glance: Construction: NAICS 23 |url=https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag23.htm |website=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |publisher=US Bureau of Labor Statistics}}</ref> In March 2016, 60.4% of construction workers were employed by businesses with fewer than 50 staff.<ref name="TED-03Mar2017">{{cite web |title=TED: The Economics Daily (March 3, 2017) |url=https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2017/establishments-with-fewer-than-50-workers-employed-60-percent-of-construction-workers-in-march-2016.htm |website=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |publisher=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> Women are substantially underrepresented (relative to their share of total employment), comprising 10.3% of the US construction workforce, and 25.9% of professional services workers, in 2019.<ref name="womenUS">{{cite news |title=Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey |url=https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat18.htm |access-date=30 April 2020 |work=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=2019}}</ref>
* The [[Construction industry of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom construction sector]] contributed £117 billion (6%) to UK GDP in 2018, and in 2019 employed 2.4m workers (6.6% of all jobs). These worked either for 343,000 'registered' construction businesses, or for 'unregistered' businesses, typically self-employed contractors;<ref name="HoCbriefing">{{cite book |last1=Rhodes |first1=Chris |title=Briefing Paper: Construction industry: statistics and policy |date=16 December 2019 |publisher=House of Commons Library |location=London}}</ref> just over one million small/medium-sized businesses, mainly self-employed individuals, worked in the sector in 2019, comprising about 18% of all UK businesses.<ref name="HoCbriefing2">{{cite book |last1=Rhodes |first1=Chris |title=Briefing Paper: Business statistics |date=16 December 2019 |publisher=House of Commons Library |location=London}}</ref> Women comprised 12.5% of the UK construction workforce.<ref name="GMB">{{cite news |title=Construction industry just 12.5% women and 5.4% BAME |url=https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/construction-industry-just-125-women-and-54-bame |access-date=30 April 2020 |work=GMB Union |date=24 October 2019}}</ref>

According to [[McKinsey & Company|McKinsey]] research, [[productivity]] growth per worker in construction has lagged behind many other industries across different countries including in the [[United States]] and in European countries. In the United States, construction productivity per worker has declined by half since the 1960s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21726693-and-how-governments-can-catalyse-change-construction-industrys-productivity-problem|title=The construction industry's productivity problem|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=2017-08-21}}</ref>

===Construction GVA by country===

{{Bar chart|float=none
| title = List of countries with the largest construction Gross Value Added in 2018
| bar_width = 30 <!-- must be an unformatted number -->
| data_max = 1500<!-- Upper bound on the values in the data fields -->
| label_type = Economy
| data_type = {{center|Construction GVA in 2018 (billions in [[USD]])}}
| label1 = (01) '''{{CHN}}''' | data1 = 934.2
| label2 = (02) '''{{USA}}''' | data2 = 839.1
| label3 = (03) '''{{JAP}}''' | data3 = 275.5
| label4 = (04) '''{{IND}}''' | data4 = 201.2
| label5 = (05) '''{{DEU}}''' | data5 = 180.5
| label6 = (06) '''{{GBR}}''' | data6 = 154.7
| label7 = (07) '''{{FRA}}''' | data7 = 138.7
| label8 = (08) '''{{CAN}}''' | data8 = 125.4
| label9 = (09) '''{{RUS}}''' | data9 = 121.2
| label10 = (10) '''{{AUS}}''' | data10 = 111.8
| label11 = (11) '''{{IDN}}''' | data11 = 109.7
| label12 = (12) '''{{KOR}}''' | data12 = 93.0
| label13 = (13) '''{{BRA}}''' | data13 = 92.6
| label14 = (14) '''{{MEX}}''' | data14 = 89.0
| label15 = (15) '''{{ESP}}''' | data15 = 80.0
| label16 = (16) '''{{ITA}}''' | data16 = 78.9
| label17 = (17) '''{{TUR}}''' | data17 = 55.3
| label18 = (18) '''{{SAU}}''' | data18 = 40.2
| label19 = (19) '''{{NED}}''' | data19 = 39.5
| label20 = (20) '''{{POL}}''' | data20 = 39.4
| label21 = (21) '''{{SWI}}''' | data21 = 36.3
| label22 = (22) '''{{UAE}}''' | data22 = 34.5
| label23 = (23) '''{{SWE}}''' | data23 = 33.3
| label24 = (24) '''{{AUT}}''' | data24 = 27.2
| label25 = (25) '''{{QAT}}''' | data25 = 27.0
| caption = {{resize|88%|The twenty-five largest countries in the world by construction GVA (2018)<ref>Source: National Accounts Estimates of Main Aggregates | United Nations Statistics Division. [http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?q=Gross+Value+Added&d=SNAAMA&f=grID%3a201%3bcurrID%3aUSD%3bpcFlag%3a0 Gross Value Added by Kind of Economic Activity at current prices – US dollars]. Retrieved 26 June 2020.</ref>}}
}}

===Employment===
[[File:Construction Workers.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ironworker]]s erecting the steel frame of a new building at [[Massachusetts General Hospital]] in [[Boston]]]]
[[File:Construction Workers.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ironworker]]s erecting the steel frame of a new building at [[Massachusetts General Hospital]] in [[Boston]]]]
[[File:Algamildj.jpeg|thumb|right|A truck operator at [[Al Gamil]], the largest construction company in [[Djibouti]].]]
[[File:Algamildj.jpeg|thumb|right|A truck operator at [[Al Gamil]], the largest construction company in [[Djibouti]]]]
There are many routes to the different [[career]]s within the construction industry. These three main tiers are based on educational background and training, which vary by country:
* Unskilled and semi-skilled&nbsp;– General site labor with little or no construction qualifications.
* Skilled&nbsp;– [[Tradesmen]] who've served apprenticeships, typically in [[labor union]]s, and on-site managers who possess extensive knowledge and experience in their [[craft]] or [[profession]].
* Technical and management&nbsp;– Personnel with the greatest educational qualifications, usually [[graduate degrees]], trained to design, manage and instruct the construction process.


Some workers may be engaged in [[manual labour]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/construction-worker|title=Construction worker definition and meaning {{!}} Collins English Dictionary|website=www.collinsdictionary.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-09}}</ref> as unskilled or semi-skilled workers; they may be skilled tradespeople; or they may be supervisory or managerial personnel. Under safety legislation in the United Kingdom, for example, construction workers are defined as people "who work for or under the control of a contractor on a construction site";<ref name="CDMRegs">{{cite web |title=Are you a construction worker? Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) – What you need to know |url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/areyou/worker.htm |website=Health and Safety Executive |publisher=HSE |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref> in Canada, this can include people whose work includes ensuring conformance with building codes and regulations, and those who supervise other workers.<ref name="CCOHS">{{cite web |title=Construction Worker – General |url=https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/occup_workplace/construction_worker.html |website=Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety |publisher=CCOHS |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref>
Skilled occupations include [[carpenter]]s, [[electrician]]s, [[plumber]]s, [[ironworker]]s, [[Brick mason|masons]], and many other manual crafts, as well as those involved in project management. In the [[UK]] these require [[further education]] qualifications, often in [[vocation]]al subject areas. These qualifications are either obtained directly after the completion of [[Secondary education|compulsory education]] or through "on the job" [[apprenticeship|apprenticeship training]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.thservices.co.uk/uk-construction-careers-certificationsdegrees-and-occupations/|title=UK Construction Careers, Certifications/Degrees and occupations|last=Wood|first=Hannah|date=17 January 2012|publisher=TH Services|accessdate=4 March 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304075330/http://blog.thservices.co.uk/uk-construction-careers-certificationsdegrees-and-occupations/|archivedate=4 March 2012|df=}}</ref> In the [[UK]], 8500 construction-related apprenticeships were commenced in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cskills.org/workinconstr/routesintoconstruction/apprenticeships/index.aspx|title=CITB Apprenticeships - CITB|website=www.cskills.org}}</ref>


[[Laborers]] comprise a large grouping in most national construction industries. In the United States, for example, in May 2021 the construction sector employed just over 7.5 million people, of whom just over 820,000 were laborers, while 573,000 were [[carpentry|carpenters]], 508,000 were [[electrician]]s, 258,000 were equipment operators and 230,000 were construction managers.<ref name="USBLS-con">{{cite web |title=Construction: NAICS 23 |url=https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag23.htm |website=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |publisher=United States Department of Labor |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref> Like most business sectors, there is also substantial [[white-collar worker|white-collar]] employment in construction – 681,000 US workers were recorded by the [[United States Department of Labor]] as in 'office and administrative support occupations' in May 2021.<ref name="USBLS-tables">{{cite web |title=Tables – Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: National industry-specific and by ownership |url=https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm |website=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |publisher=United States Department of Labor |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref>
Technical and specialized occupations require more training as a greater technical knowledge is required. These professions also hold more legal responsibility. A short list of the main careers with an outline of the educational requirements are given below:
* [[Architect]]&nbsp;– Typically holds 1, undergraduate 3-year degree in architecture + 1, post-graduate 2-year degree (DipArch or BArch) in architecture plus 24 months' experience within the industry. To use the title "architect" the individual must be registered on the [[Architects Registration Board]] register of Architects.
* [[Civil engineer]]&nbsp;– Typically holds a degree in a related subject. The [[Chartered Engineer]] qualification is controlled by the [[Engineering Council]], and is often achieved through membership of the [[Institution of Civil Engineers]]. A new university graduate must hold a [[master's degree]] to become chartered; persons with [[bachelor's degree]]s may become an [[Engineering technologist|Incorporated Engineer]].
* [[Building services engineering|Building services engineer]]&nbsp;– Often referred to as an "M&E Engineer" typically holds a degree in mechanical or electrical engineering. Chartered Engineer status is governed by the [[Engineering Council]], mainly through the [[Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers]].
* [[Project manager]]&nbsp;– Typically holds a 4-year or greater [[higher education]] qualification, but are often also qualified in another field such as architecture, civil engineering or quantity surveying.
* [[Structural engineer]]&nbsp;– Typically holds a bachelor's or master's degree in structural engineering. A P.ENG is required from the Professional Engineers Ontario (Canada). New university graduates must hold a master's degree to gain chartered status from the [[Engineering Council]], mainly through the [[Institution of Structural Engineers]] (UK).
* [[Quantity surveyor]]&nbsp;– Typically holds a bachelor's degree in quantity surveying. Chartered status is gained from the [[Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors]].
* [[Civil estimator]]s are professionals who typically have a background in civil engineering, [[construction management|construction project management]], or construction [[supervisor|supervision]].


Large-scale construction requires [[collaboration]] across multiple disciplines. A [[project manager]] normally manages the budget on the job, and a [[Construction management|construction manager]], [[design engineer]], [[construction engineer]] or [[architect]] supervises it. Those involved with the design and execution must consider zoning requirements and legal issues, [[Environmental impact assessment|environmental impact]] of the project, [[Scheduling (production processes)|scheduling]], [[budget]]ing and [[Construction bidding|bidding]], [[construction site safety]], availability and transportation of [[building material]]s, logistics, and inconvenience to the public, including those caused by [[construction delay]]s.
In 2010 a salary survey revealed the differences in remuneration between different roles, sectors and locations in the construction and built environment industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-11582-uk-website-launches-salary-comparison-tool/|title=UK website launches salary comparison tool|accessdate=2011-07-04}}</ref> The results showed that areas of particularly strong growth in the construction industry, such as the [[Middle East]], yield higher average salaries than in the UK, for example. The average earning for a professional in the construction industry in the Middle East, across all sectors, job types and levels of experience, is £42,090, compared to £26,719 in the UK.<ref name="Salary Benchmarker">{{cite web|url=http://salarybenchmarker.careerstructure.com/?WT.mc_id=B_A_EM_SB_GPR|title=Salary Benchmarker|accessdate=2011-07-04}}</ref> This trend is not necessarily due to the fact that more affluent roles are available; however, as [[architects]] with 14 or more years' experience working in the Middle East earn on average £43,389 per annum, compared to £40,000 in the UK.<ref name="Salary Benchmarker"/> Some [[construction worker]]s in the US/Canada have made more than $100,000 annually, depending on their trade.


Some models and policy-making organisations promote the engagement of local labour in construction projects as a means of tackling [[social exclusion]] and addressing skill shortages. In the UK, the [[Joseph Rowntree Foundation]] reported in 2000 on 25 projects which had aimed to offer training and employment opportunities for locally based school leavers and unemployed people.<ref>Joseph Rowntree Foundation, [https://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/default/files/migrated/migrated/files/n80.pdf Local labour in construction: tackling social exclusion and skill shortages], published November 2000, accessed 17 February 2024</ref> The Foundation published "a good practice resource book" in this regard at the same time.<ref>Macfarlane, R., [https://www.jrf.org.uk/using-local-labour-in-construction-a-good-practice-resource-book Using local labour in construction: A good practice resource book], ''The Policy Press/Joseph Rowntree Foundation, published 17 November 2000, accessed 17 February 2024</ref> Use of local labour and local materials were specified for the construction of the Danish [[Storebaelt bridge]], but there were legal issues which were challenged in court and addressed by the [[European Court of Justice]] in 1993. The court held that a [[contract]] condition requiring use of local labour and local materials was incompatible with [[Treaty on European Union|EU treaty principles]].<ref>Heard, E., [https://www.bevanbrittan.com/insights/articles/2016/evaluation-and-the-audit-trail/ Evaluation and the audit trail], ''[[Bevan Brittan]]'', published 8 June 2016, accessed 31 December 2023</ref> Later UK guidance noted that social and employment clauses, where used, must be compatible with relevant EU regulation.<ref>[[Dawn Primarolo]], [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2004-04-19.164886.h Construction Industry: Treasury written question – answered at on 19 April 2004], ''[[TheyWorkForYou]]'', accessed 29 April 2024</ref> Employment of local labour was identified as one of several social issues which could potentially be incorporated in a sustainable procurement approach, although the interdepartmental ''Sustainable Procurement Group'' recognised that "there is far less scope to incorporate [such] social issues in public procurement than is the case with environmental issues".<ref>Sustainable Procurement Group, [http://www.igpn.org/focus_on/kit/GP&GPP_Starter_Kit/resources/SustainableProcurementGroup.pdf REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT GROUP, January 2003], paragraph 8.4, accessed 29 April 2024</ref>
==Safety==

There are many routes to the different [[career]]s within the construction industry. There are three main tiers of [[construction worker]]s based on educational background and training, which vary by country:

====Unskilled and semi-skilled workers====
Unskilled and semi-skilled workers provide general site labor, often have few or no construction qualifications, and may receive basic site training.

====Skilled tradespeople====
{{See also|List of construction trades}}
Skilled [[tradesmen|tradespeople]] have typically served [[apprenticeship]]s (sometimes in [[labor union]]s) or received technical training; this group also includes on-site managers who possess extensive knowledge and experience in their [[craft]] or [[profession]]. Skilled manual occupations include [[carpenter]]s, [[electrician]]s, [[plumber]]s, [[ironworker]]s, [[heavy equipment operator]]s and [[Brick mason|masons]], as well as those involved in project management. In the UK these require [[further education]] qualifications, often in [[vocation]]al subject areas, undertaken either directly after completing [[Secondary education|compulsory education]] or through "on the job" apprenticeships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.thservices.co.uk/uk-construction-careers-certificationsdegrees-and-occupations/|title=UK Construction Careers, Certifications/Degrees and occupations|last=Wood|first=Hannah|date=17 January 2012|publisher=TH Services|access-date=4 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304075330/http://blog.thservices.co.uk/uk-construction-careers-certificationsdegrees-and-occupations/|archive-date=4 March 2012}}</ref>

====Professional, technical or managerial personnel====
Professional, technical and managerial personnel often have [[higher education]] qualifications, usually [[graduate degrees]], and are trained to design and manage construction processes. These roles require more training as they demand greater technical knowledge, and involve more legal responsibility. Example roles (and qualification routes) include:
* [[Architect]]&nbsp;– Will usually have studied [[architecture]] to degree level, and then undertaken further study and gained professional experience. In many countries, the title of "architect" is protected by law, strictly limiting its use to qualified people.
* [[Civil engineer]]&nbsp;– Typically holds a degree in a related subject and may only be eligible for membership of a professional institution (such as the UK's [[Institution of Civil Engineers|ICE]]) following completion of additional training and experience. In some jurisdictions, a new university graduate must hold a [[master's degree]] to become chartered,{{efn|name=CEng|In the UK, the [[Chartered Engineer]] qualification is controlled by the [[Engineering Council]], and is often achieved through membership of the relevant professional institution (ICE, CIBSE, IStructE, etc).}} and persons with [[bachelor's degree]]s may become [[Engineering technologist|Incorporated Engineer]]s.
* [[Building services engineering|Building services engineer]]&nbsp;– May also be referred to as an "M&E" or "[[mechanical, electrical, and plumbing]] (MEP) engineer" and typically holds a degree in mechanical or electrical engineering.{{efn|name=CEng}}
* [[Project manager]]&nbsp;– Typically holds a 4-year or greater [[higher education]] qualification, but are often also qualified in another field such as architecture, civil engineering or quantity surveying.
* [[Structural engineer]]&nbsp;– Typically holds a bachelor's or master's degree in structural engineering.{{efn|name=CEng}}
* [[Quantity surveyor]]&nbsp;– Typically holds a bachelor's degree in quantity surveying. UK chartered status is gained from the [[Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors]].

== Safety ==
{{See also|Construction site safety}}
{{See also|Construction site safety}}
[[File:Construction workers not wearing fall protection equipment.jpg|thumb|right|At-risk workers without appropriate safety equipment]]
[[File:Construction workers not wearing fall protection equipment.jpg|thumb|right|At-risk workers without appropriate safety equipment]]
Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, incurring more occupational fatalities than any other sector in both the United States and in the [[European Union]].<ref name="niosh-topic">{{cite web|title=Construction Safety and Health|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/construction/|work=Workplace Safety & Health Topics|publisher=National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health|accessdate=3 August 2012}}</ref><ref name=eurostat>{{cite web|title=Health and safety at work statistics|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Health_and_safety_at_work_statistics|work=eurostat|publisher=European Commission|accessdate=3 August 2012}}</ref> In 2009, the fatal occupational injury rate among construction workers in the United States was nearly three times that for all workers, with [[falling (accident)|Falls]] being one of the most common causes of fatal and non-fatal injuries among construction workers.<ref name="niosh-topic"/> Proper safety equipment such as harnesses, hard hats and guardrails and procedures such as securing ladders and inspecting scaffolding can curtail the risk of occupational injuries in the construction industry.<ref name="osha-campaign">{{cite web|title=OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign|url=https://www.osha.gov/stopfalls/|publisher=Occupational Safety and Health Administration|accessdate=6 August 2012}}</ref> Other major causes of fatalities in the construction industry include electrocution, transportation accidents, and trench cave-ins.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Construction Chart Book: The US Construction Industry and its Workers|url=http://www.cpwr.com/sites/default/files/publications/CB%20page%2043.pdf|publisher=CPWR, 2013}}</ref>
Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, incurring more occupational fatalities than any other sector in both the United States and in the [[European Union]].<ref name="OSHA stats">{{cite web |title=Commonly Used Statistics: Worker fatalities |url=https://www.osha.gov/data/commonstats |website=Occupational Safety and Health Administration |publisher=United States Department of Labor |access-date=1 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="eurostat">{{cite web|title=Health and safety at work statistics|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Health_and_safety_at_work_statistics|work=eurostat|publisher=European Commission|access-date=3 August 2012}}</ref> In the US in 2019, 1,061, or about 20%, of worker fatalities in private industry occurred in construction.<ref name="OSHA stats"/> In 2017, more than a third of US construction fatalities (366 out of 971 total fatalities) were the result of falls;<ref name="Garza">{{cite web |last1=Garza |first1=Elizabeth |title=Construction Fall Fatalities Still Highest Among All Industries: What more can we do? (April 10, 2019) |url=https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2019/04/10/2019-standdown/ |website=NIOSH Science blog |date=10 April 2019 |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |access-date=1 March 2021}}</ref> in the UK, half of the average 36 fatalities per annum over a five-year period to 2021 were attributed to falls from height.<ref name="HSE2021">{{cite web |title=Construction statistics in Great Britain, 2021 |url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/construction.pdf |website=HSE |publisher=Health & Safety Executive |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126092736/https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/construction.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Proper safety equipment such as harnesses, hard hats and guardrails and procedures such as securing ladders and inspecting [[scaffolding]] can curtail the risk of occupational injuries in the construction industry.<ref name="osha-campaign">{{cite web|title=OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign|url=https://www.osha.gov/stopfalls/|publisher=Occupational Safety and Health Administration|access-date=6 August 2012}}</ref> Other major causes of fatalities in the construction industry include electrocution, transportation accidents, and trench cave-ins.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Construction Chart Book: The US Construction Industry and its Workers|url=http://www.cpwr.com/sites/default/files/publications/CB%20page%2043.pdf|publisher=CPWR, 2013|access-date=2014-04-08|archive-date=2016-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508201000/http://www.cpwr.com/sites/default/files/publications/CB%20page%2043.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Roofing-2.jpg|thumb|Roofing requires a very high level of safety]]
Other safety risks for workers in construction include [[hearing loss]] due to high noise exposure, [[musculoskeletal injury]], chemical exposure, and high levels of stress.<ref name=NIOSHblog/> Construction has been identified by the [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] (NIOSH) as a priority industry sector in the [[National Occupational Research Agenda]] (NORA) to identify and provide intervention strategies regarding occupational health and safety issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/const/default.html|title=CDC - NIOSH Program Portfolio : Construction Program|date=2018-04-05|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/councils/const/default.html|title=CDC - NIOSH - NORA Construction Sector Council|date=2017-12-01|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-04-07}}</ref>


Other safety risks for workers in construction include [[hearing loss]] due to high noise exposure, [[musculoskeletal injury]], chemical exposure, and high levels of stress.<ref name="NIOSHblog">{{cite web |url = http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2013/05/13/womens-health-at-work/ |title = Women's Health at Work |publisher = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |access-date = 21 January 2015 |date = 13 May 2013 |first1 = Naomi |last1 = Swanson |first2 = Julie |last2 = Tisdale-Pardi |first3 = Leslie |last3 = MacDonald |first4 = Hope M. |last4 = Tiesman}}</ref> Besides that, the high turnover of workers in construction industry imposes a huge challenge of accomplishing the restructuring of work practices in individual workplaces or with individual workers.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} Construction has been identified by the [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] (NIOSH) as a priority industry sector in the [[National Occupational Research Agenda]] (NORA) to identify and provide intervention strategies regarding occupational health and safety issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/const/default.html|title=CDC – NIOSH Program Portfolio : Construction Program|date=2018-04-05|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/nora/councils/const/default.html|title=CDC – NIOSH – NORA Construction Sector Council|date=2017-12-01|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-04-07}}</ref> A study conducted in 2022 found “significant effect of air pollution exposure on construction-related injuries and fatalities”, especially with the exposure of [[nitrogen dioxide]].<ref name="lse2023">{{cite web | title=Air pollution increases the likelihood of accidents in construction sites | website= London School of Economics Business Review | date=6 Sep 2023 | url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/businessreview/2023/09/06/air-pollution-increases-the-likelihood-of-accidents-in-construction-sites/ | access-date=15 Sep 2023}}</ref>
==History==
{{Main article|History of construction}}
{{See also|History of architecture}}


=== Sustainability ===
The first [[hut (dwelling)|huts]] and shelters were constructed by hand or with simple tools. As [[cities]] grew during the [[Bronze Age]], a class of professional [[Artisan|craftsmen]], like [[bricklayer]]s and [[Carpentry|carpenters]], appeared. Occasionally, [[Slavery|slaves]] were used for construction work. In the [[Middle Ages]], the artisan craftsmen were organized into [[guild]]s. In the 19th century, steam-powered machinery appeared, and, later, diesel- and electric-powered vehicles such as [[Crane (machine)|cranes]], [[excavator]]s and [[bulldozer]]s.
{{Main|Sustainability in construction}}
Sustainability is an aspect of "green building", defined by the United States [[Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) as "the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://archive.epa.gov/greenbuilding/web/html/about.html|title=Basic Information {{!}} Green Building {{!}}US EPA|website=archive.epa.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-12-11}}</ref>


=== Decarbonising construction ===
[[Fast-track construction]] has been increasingly popular in the 21st century. Some estimates suggest that 40% of construction projects are now fast-track construction.<ref>Knecht B. [http://archrecord.construction.com/resources/conteduc/archives/0202fast-track-1.asp Fast-track construction becomes the norm]. ''Architectural Record''.</ref>
The construction industry may require transformation at pace and at scale if it is to successfully contribute to achieving the target set out in [[The Paris Agreement]] of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C above industrial levels.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Paris Agreement |url=https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement |publisher=[[United Nations]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Donati |first1=Angelica Krystle |title=Decarbonisation And The Green Transition In Construction: Logical, Cost-Effective, And Inevitable|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelicakrystledonati/2023/02/06/decarbonisation-and-the-green-transition-in-construction-logical-cost-effective-and-inevitable/?sh=5145a5a3609f |work=[[Forbes]] |date=February 6, 2023}}</ref> The [[World Green Building Council]] has stated the buildings and infrastructure around the world can reach 40% less embodied carbon emissions but that this can only be achieved through urgent transformation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bringing embodied carbon upfront |url=https://worldgbc.org/advancing-net-zero/embodied-carbon/ |publisher=[[World Green Building Council]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bringing embodied carbon upfront |url=https://worldgbc.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/22123951/WorldGBC_Bringing_Embodied_Carbon_Upfront.pdf |publisher=[[World Green Building Council]]}}</ref>


Conclusions from industry leaders have suggested that the [[net zero]] transformation is likely to be challenging for the construction industry, but it does present an opportunity. Action is demanded from [[government]]s, standards bodies, the construction sector, and the [[engineering]] profession to meet the decarbonising targets.<ref name=nationalengineeringpolicycentre />
==Construction output by country==
{{Bar chart|float=none
| title = List of countries with the largest construction output in 2015
| bar_width = 30 <!-- must be an unformatted number -->
| data_max = 1850<!-- Upper bound on the values in the data fields -->
| label_type = Economy
| data_type = {{center|Construction output in 2015 (billions in [[USD]])}}
| label1 = (01) '''{{CHN}}''' | data1 = 1849
| label2 = (02) '''{{USA}}''' | data2 = 599
| label3 = (03) '''{{JAP}}''' | data3 = 569
| label4 = (04) '''{{IND}}''' | data4 = 333
| label5 = (05) '''{{FRA}}''' | data5 = 147
| label6 = (06) '''{{DEU}}''' | data6 = 143
| label7 = (07) '''{{SIN}}''' | data7 = 131
| label8 = (08) '''{{CAN}}''' | data8 = 131
| label9 = (09) '''{{AUS}}''' | data9 = 115
| label10 = (10) '''{{RUS}}''' | data10 = 111
| label11 = (11) '''{{BRA}}''' | data11 = 109
| label12 = (12) '''{{ITA}}''' | data12 = 107
| label13 = (13) '''{{ESP}}''' | data13 = 104
| label14 = (14) '''{{IDN}}''' | data14 = 93
| label15 = (15) '''{{MEX}}''' | data15 = 92
| label16 = (16) '''{{KOR}}''' | data16 = 58
| label17 = (17) '''{{TUR}}''' | data17 = 35
| label18 = (18) '''{{UAE}}''' | data18 = 34
| label19 = (19) '''{{VEN}}''' | data19 = 34
| label20 = (20) '''{{NED}}''' | data20 = 34
| label21 = (21) '''{{POL}}''' | data21 = 34
| label22 = (22) '''{{CHE}}''' | data22 = 33
| label23 = (23) '''{{SAU}}''' | data23 = 32
| label24 = (24) '''{{IRN}}''' | data24 = 29
| label25 = (25) '''{{COL}}''' | data25 = 29
| caption = {{resize|88%|The twenty-five largest countries in the world by construction output (2012)<ref>Figures from the United Nations' ''UN National Accounts Database''. [http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?q=GDP&d=WDI&f=Indicator_Code%3aNY.GDP.MKTP.CDFigures for the countries of the world]. Retrieved 1 February 2014.</ref>}}
}}


In 2021, the [[Royal Academy of Engineering|National Engineering Policy Centre]] published its report ''Decarbonising Construction: Building a new net zero industry,''<ref name=nationalengineeringpolicycentre>{{cite web |title=Decarbonising construction |url=https://nepc.raeng.org.uk/policy-work/net-zero/decarbonising-construction |publisher=National Engineering Policy Centre}}</ref> which outlined key areas to decarbonise the construction sector and the wider [[built environment]]. This report set out around 20 different recommendations to transform and decarbonise the construction sector, including recommendations for [[engineer]]s, the construction industry and decision makers, plus outlined six-overarching ‘system levers’ where action taken now will result in rapid decarbonisation of the construction sector.<ref name=nationalengineeringpolicycentre /> These levels are:
==See also==
* Setting and stipulating progressive targets for carbon reduction
* Embedding quantitative whole-life carbon assessment into public procurement
* Increasing design efficiency, materials reuse and retrofit of buildings
* Improving whole-life carbon performance
* Improving skills for net zero
* Adopting a joined up, systems approach to decarbonisation across the construction sector and with other sectors

Progress is being made internationally to decarbonise the sector including improvements to sustainable procurement practice such as the CO2 performance ladder in the [[Netherlands]] and the Danish Partnership for Green Public Procurement.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is the Ladder |url=https://www.co2-prestatieladder.nl/en/what-is-the-ladder |publisher=The CO2 Performance Ladder}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Strategy for green public procurement |url=https://oes.dk/indkoeb/strategy-for-green-public-procurement/ |publisher=Economy Agency of Denmark}}</ref> There are also now demonstrations of applying the principles of circular economy practices in practice such as Circl, [[ABN AMRO]]'s sustainable pavilion and the [[Waste House|Brighton Waste House]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Forum on Sustainable Procurement |url=https://eng.mst.dk/sustainability/sustainable-consumption-and-production/sustainable-procurement/forum-on-sustainable-procurement/ |publisher=Ministry of Environment Denmark |access-date=2023-05-24 |archive-date=2023-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524123645/https://eng.mst.dk/sustainability/sustainable-consumption-and-production/sustainable-procurement/forum-on-sustainable-procurement/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chua |first1=Geraldine |title=Designing the Dutch way |url=https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/sustainability-awards/designing-the-dutch-way |publisher=Architecture & Design |date=May 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wainwright |first1=Oliver |title=The house that 20,000 toothbrushes built |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/jul/07/future-housing-rubbish-architecture-waste-sustainable-homes |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=7 July 2014 }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{wiktionary}}
{{wiktionary}}
* [[Agile construction]]
* {{annotated link|Agile construction}}
* {{annotated link|Building material}}
* [[Index of construction articles]]
* {{annotated link|Civil engineering}}
* [[List of construction trades]]
* [[Outline of construction]]
* {{annotated link|Commissioning (construction)}}
* {{annotated link|Environmental impact of concrete}}
* [[Real estate development]]
* {{annotated link|Impervious surface}}
* [[Site survey]]
* {{annotated link|Index of construction articles}}
* [[Structural robustness]]
* {{annotated link|Land degradation}}
* [[Umarell]]
* {{annotated link|List of tallest structures}}
* {{annotated link|List of tallest structures built before the 20th century}}
* {{annotated link|Modern methods of construction}}
* {{annotated link|Outline of construction}}
* {{annotated link|Real estate development}}
* {{annotated link|Structural robustness}}
* {{annotated link|Umarell}}
{{portal-inline|Architecture}}
{{portal-inline|Engineering}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Library resources box}}
{{Library resources box}}
{{Construction overview}}
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Construction industry by country}}
{{Construction industry by country}}
{{Tallest buildings and structures}}
{{Tallest buildings and structures}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Construction| ]]
[[Category:Construction| ]]

Latest revision as of 11:50, 26 November 2024

Construction site and equipment prepared for start of work in Cologne, Germany (2017)

Construction is a general term meaning the art and science of forming objects, systems, or organizations.[1] It comes from the Latin word constructio (from com- "together" and struere "to pile up") and Old French construction.[2] To 'construct' is a verb: the act of building, and the noun is construction: how something is built or the nature of its structure.

In its most widely used context, construction covers the processes involved in delivering buildings, infrastructure, industrial facilities, and associated activities through to the end of their life. It typically starts with planning, financing, and design that continues until the asset is built and ready for use. Construction also covers repairs and maintenance work, any works to expand, extend and improve the asset, and its eventual demolition, dismantling or decommissioning.

The construction industry contributes significantly to many countries' gross domestic products (GDP). Global expenditure on construction activities was about $4 trillion in 2012. In 2022, expenditure on the construction industry exceeded $11 trillion a year, equivalent to about 13 percent of global GDP. This spending was forecasted to rise to around $14.8 trillion in 2030.[3]

The construction industry promotes economic development and brings many non-monetary benefits to many countries, but it is one of the most hazardous industries. For example, about 20% (1,061) of US industry fatalities in 2019 happened in construction.[4]

History

[edit]

The first huts and shelters were constructed by hand or with simple tools. As cities grew during the Bronze Age, a class of professional craftsmen, like bricklayers and carpenters, appeared. Occasionally, slaves were used for construction work. In the Middle Ages, the artisan craftsmen were organized into guilds. In the 19th century, steam-powered machinery appeared, and later, diesel- and electric-powered vehicles such as cranes, excavators and bulldozers.

Fast-track construction has been increasingly popular in the 21st century. Some estimates suggest that 40% of construction projects are now fast-track construction.[5]

Construction industry sectors

[edit]
Industrial assemblage of a thermal oxidizer in the United States

Broadly, there are three sectors of construction: buildings, infrastructure and industrial:[6]

  • Building construction is usually further divided into residential and non-residential.
  • Infrastructure, also called 'heavy civil' or 'heavy engineering', includes large public works, dams, bridges, highways, railways, water or wastewater and utility distribution.
  • Industrial construction includes offshore construction (mainly of energy installations), mining and quarrying, refineries, chemical processing, mills and manufacturing plants.

The industry can also be classified into sectors or markets.[7] For example, Engineering News-Record (ENR), a US-based construction trade magazine, has compiled and reported data about the size of design and construction contractors. In 2014, it split the data into nine market segments: transportation, petroleum, buildings, power, industrial, water, manufacturing, sewage/waste, telecom, hazardous waste, and a tenth category for other projects.[8] ENR used data on transportation, sewage, hazardous waste and water to rank firms as heavy contractors.[9]

The Standard Industrial Classification and the newer North American Industry Classification System classify companies that perform or engage in construction into three subsectors: building construction, heavy and civil engineering construction, and specialty trade contractors. There are also categories for professional services firms (e.g., engineering, architecture, surveying, project management).[10][11]

Building construction

[edit]
Military residential unit construction by U.S. Navy personnel in Afghanistan

Building construction is the process of adding structures to areas of land, also known as real property sites. Typically, a project is instigated by or with the owner of the property (who may be an individual or an organisation); occasionally, land may be compulsorily purchased from the owner for public use.[12]

Residential construction

[edit]
Units under construction in Brighton, Victoria, Australia

Residential construction may be undertaken by individual land-owners (self-built), by specialist housebuilders, by property developers, by general contractors, or by providers of public or social housing (e.g.: local authorities, housing associations). Where local zoning or planning policies allow, mixed-use developments may comprise both residential and non-residential construction (e.g.: retail, leisure, offices, public buildings, etc.).

Residential construction practices, technologies, and resources must conform to local building authority's regulations and codes of practice. Materials readily available in the area generally dictate the construction materials used (e.g.: brick versus stone versus timber). Costs of construction on a per square meter (or per square foot) basis for houses can vary dramatically based on site conditions, access routes, local regulations, economies of scale (custom-designed homes are often more expensive to build) and the availability of skilled tradespeople.[13]

Non-residential construction

[edit]
Construction of the Federal Reserve building in Kansas City, Missouri

Depending upon the type of building, non-residential building construction can be procured by a wide range of private and public organisations, including local authorities, educational and religious bodies, transport undertakings, retailers, hoteliers, property developers, financial institutions and other private companies. Most construction in these sectors is undertaken by general contractors.

Infrastructure construction

[edit]
Shasta Dam under construction in June 1942

Civil engineering covers the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, tunnels, airports, water and sewerage systems, pipelines, and railways.[14][15] Some general contractors have expertise in civil engineering; civil engineering contractors are firms dedicated to work in this sector, and may specialise in particular types of infrastructure.

Industrial construction

[edit]
The National Cement Share Company of Ethiopia's new plant in Dire Dawa

Industrial construction includes offshore construction (mainly of energy installations: oil and gas platforms, wind power), mining and quarrying, refineries, breweries, distilleries and other processing plants, power stations, steel mills, warehouses and factories.

Construction processes

[edit]

Some construction projects are small renovations or repair jobs, like repainting or fixing leaks, where the owner may act as designer, paymaster and laborer for the entire project. However, more complex or ambitious projects usually require additional multi-disciplinary expertise and manpower, so the owner may commission one or more specialist businesses to undertake detailed planning, design, construction and handover of the work. Often the owner will appoint one business to oversee the project (this may be a designer, a contractor, a construction manager, or other advisors); such specialists are normally appointed for their expertise in project delivery and construction management and will help the owner define the project brief, agree on a budget and schedule, liaise with relevant public authorities, and procure materials and the services of other specialists (the supply chain, comprising subcontractors and materials suppliers). Contracts are agreed for the delivery of services by all businesses, alongside other detailed plans aimed at ensuring legal, timely, on-budget and safe delivery of the specified works.

Design, finance, and legal aspects overlap and interrelate. The design must be not only structurally sound and appropriate for the use and location, but must also be financially possible to build, and legal to use. The financial structure must be adequate to build the design provided and must pay amounts that are legally owed. Legal structures integrate design with other activities and enforce financial and other construction processes.

These processes also affect procurement strategies. Clients may, for example, appoint a business to design the project, after which a competitive process is undertaken to appoint a lead contractor to construct the asset (design–bid–build); they may appoint a business to lead both design and construction (design-build); or they may directly appoint a designer, contractor and specialist subcontractors (construction management).[16] Some forms of procurement emphasize collaborative relationships (partnering, alliancing) between the client, the contractor, and other stakeholders within a construction project, seeking to ameliorate often highly competitive and adversarial industry practices. DfMA (design for manufacture and assembly) approaches also emphasize early collaboration with manufacturers and suppliers regarding products and components.

Construction or refurbishment work in a "live" environment (where residents or businesses remain living in or operating on the site) requires particular care, planning and communication.[17]

Planning

[edit]
Digging the foundation for a building construction in Jakarta, Indonesia

When applicable, a proposed construction project must comply with local land-use planning policies including zoning and building code requirements. A project will normally be assessed (by the 'authority having jurisdiction', AHJ, typically the municipality where the project will be located) for its potential impacts on neighbouring properties, and upon existing infrastructure (transportation, social infrastructure, and utilities including water supply, sewerage, electricity, telecommunications, etc.). Data may be gathered through site analysis, site surveys and geotechnical investigations. Construction normally cannot start until planning permission has been granted, and may require preparatory work to ensure relevant infrastructure has been upgraded before building work can commence. Preparatory works will also include surveys of existing utility lines to avoid damage-causing outages and other hazardous situations.

Some legal requirements come from malum in se considerations, or the desire to prevent indisputably bad phenomena, e.g. explosions or bridge collapses. Other legal requirements come from malum prohibitum considerations, or factors that are a matter of custom or expectation, such as isolating businesses from a business district or residences from a residential district. An attorney may seek changes or exemptions in the law that governs the land where the building will be built, either by arguing that a rule is inapplicable (the bridge design will not cause a collapse), or that the custom is no longer needed (acceptance of live-work spaces has grown in the community).[18]

During the construction of a building, a municipal building inspector usually inspects the ongoing work periodically to ensure that construction adheres to the approved plans and the local building code. Once construction is complete, any later changes made to a building or other asset that affect safety, including its use, expansion, structural integrity, and fire protection, usually require municipality approval.

Finance

[edit]

Depending on the type of project, mortgage bankers, accountants, and cost engineers may participate in creating an overall plan for the financial management of a construction project. The presence of the mortgage banker is highly likely, even in relatively small projects since the owner's equity in the property is the most obvious source of funding for a building project. Accountants act to study the expected monetary flow over the life of the project and to monitor the payouts throughout the process. Professionals including cost engineers, estimators and quantity surveyors apply expertise to relate the work and materials involved to a proper valuation.

Financial planning ensures adequate safeguards and contingency plans are in place before the project is started, and ensures that the plan is properly executed over the life of the project. Construction projects can suffer from preventable financial problems.[19] Underbids happen when builders ask for too little money to complete the project. Cash flow problems exist when the present amount of funding cannot cover the current costs for labour and materials; such problems may arise even when the overall budget is adequate, presenting a temporary issue. Cost overruns with government projects have occurred when the contractor identified change orders or project changes that increased costs, which are not subject to competition from other firms as they have already been eliminated from consideration after the initial bid.[20] Fraud is also an issue of growing significance within construction.[21]

Large projects can involve highly complex financial plans and often start with a conceptual cost estimate performed by a building estimator. As portions of a project are completed, they may be sold, supplanting one lender or owner for another, while the logistical requirements of having the right trades and materials available for each stage of the building construction project carry forward. Public–private partnerships (PPPs) or private finance initiatives (PFIs) may also be used to help deliver major projects. According to McKinsey in 2019, the "vast majority of large construction projects go over budget and take 20% longer than expected".[22]

[edit]
Construction along Ontario Highway 401, widening the road from six to twelve travel lanes

A construction project is a complex net of construction contracts and other legal obligations, each of which all parties must carefully consider. A contract is the exchange of a set of obligations between two or more parties, and provides structures to manage issues. For example, construction delays can be costly, so construction contracts set out clear expectations and clear paths to manage delays. Poorly drafted contracts can lead to confusion and costly disputes.

At the start of a project, legal advisors seek to identify ambiguities and other potential sources of trouble in the contract structures, and to present options for preventing problems. During projects, they work to avoid and resolve conflicts that arise. In each case, the lawyer facilitates an exchange of obligations that matches the reality of the project.

Apartment complex under construction in Daegu, South Korea

Procurement

[edit]

Traditional or Design-bid-build

[edit]

Design-bid-build is the most common and well-established method of construction procurement. In this arrangement, the architect, engineer or builder acts for the client as the project coordinator. They design the works, prepare specifications and design deliverables (models, drawings, etc.), administer the contract, tender the works, and manage the works from inception to completion. In parallel, there are direct contractual links between the client and the main contractor, who, in turn, has direct contractual relationships with subcontractors. The arrangement continues until the project is ready for handover.

Design-build

[edit]

Design-build became more common from the late 20th century, and involves the client contracting a single entity to provide design and construction. In some cases, the design-build package can also include finding the site, arranging funding and applying for all necessary statutory consents. Typically, the client invites several Design & Build (D&B) contractors to submit proposals to meet the project brief and then selects a preferred supplier. Often this will be a consortium involving a design firm and a contractor (sometimes more than one of each). In the United States, departments of transportation usually use design-build contracts as a way of progressing projects where states lack the skills or resources, particularly for very large projects.[23]

Construction management

[edit]

In a construction management arrangement, the client enters into separate contracts with the designer (architect or engineer), a construction manager, and individual trade contractors. The client takes on the contractual role, while the construction or project manager provides the active role of managing the separate trade contracts, and ensuring that they complete all work smoothly and effectively together. This approach is often used to speed up procurement processes, to allow the client greater flexibility in design variation throughout the contract, to enable the appointment of individual work contractors, to separate contractual responsibility on each individual throughout the contract, and to provide greater client control.

Design

[edit]

In the industrialized world, construction usually involves the translation of designs into reality. Most commonly (i.e.: in a design-bid-build project), the design team is employed by (i.e. in contract with) the property owner. Depending upon the type of project, a design team may include architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, structural engineers, fire protection engineers, planning consultants, architectural consultants, and archaeological consultants. A 'lead designer' will normally be identified to help coordinate different disciplinary inputs to the overall design. This may be aided by integration of previously separate disciplines (often undertaken by separate firms) into multi-disciplinary firms with experts from all related fields,[24] or by firms establishing relationships to support design-build processes.

The increasing complexity of construction projects creates the need for design professionals trained in all phases of a project's life-cycle and develop an appreciation of the asset as an advanced technological system requiring close integration of many sub-systems and their individual components, including sustainability. For buildings, building engineering is an emerging discipline that attempts to meet this new challenge.

Traditionally, design has involved the production of sketches, architectural and engineering drawings, and specifications. Until the late 20th century, drawings were largely hand-drafted; adoption of computer-aided design (CAD) technologies then improved design productivity, while the 21st-century introduction of building information modeling (BIM) processes has involved the use of computer-generated models that can be used in their own right or to generate drawings and other visualisations as well as capturing non-geometric data about building components and systems.

On some projects, work on-site will not start until design work is largely complete; on others, some design work may be undertaken concurrently with the early stages of on-site activity (for example, work on a building's foundations may commence while designers are still working on the detailed designs of the building's internal spaces). Some projects may include elements that are designed for off-site construction (see also prefabrication and modular building) and are then delivered to the site ready for erection, installation or assembly.

On-site construction

[edit]
On-site foundation construction.

Once contractors and other relevant professionals have been appointed and designs are sufficiently advanced, work may commence on the project site. Typically, a construction site will include a secure perimeter to restrict unauthorised access, site access control points, office and welfare accommodation for personnel from the main contractor and other firms involved in the project team, and storage areas for materials, machinery and equipment. According to the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction's definition, construction may be said to have started when the first feature of the permanent structure has been put in place, such as pile driving, or the pouring of slabs or footings.[25]

Commissioning and handover

[edit]

Commissioning is the process of verifying that all subsystems of a new building (or other assets) work as intended to achieve the owner's project requirements and as designed by the project's architects and engineers.

Defects liability period

[edit]

A period after handover (or practical completion) during which the owner may identify any shortcomings in relation to the building specification ('defects'), with a view to the contractor correcting the defect.[26]

Maintenance, repair and improvement

[edit]

Maintenance involves functional checks, servicing, repairing or replacing of necessary devices, equipment, machinery, building infrastructure, and supporting utilities in industrial, business, governmental, and residential installations.[27][28]

Demolition

[edit]

Demolition is the discipline of safely and efficiently tearing down buildings and other artificial structures. Demolition contrasts with deconstruction, which involves taking a building apart while carefully preserving valuable elements for reuse purposes (recycling – see also circular economy).

Industry scale and characteristics

[edit]

Economic activity

[edit]
Helicopter view of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Operations Support Facility (OSF) construction site

The output of the global construction industry was worth an estimated $10.8 trillion in 2017, and in 2018 was forecast to rise to $12.9 trillion by 2022,[29] and to around $14.8 trillion in 2030.[3] As a sector, construction accounts for more than 10% of global GDP (in developed countries, construction comprises 6–9% of GDP),[30] and employs around 7% of the total employed workforce around the globe[31] (accounting for over 273 million full- and part-time jobs in 2014).[32] Since 2010,[33] China has been the world's largest single construction market.[34] The United States is the second largest construction market with a 2018 output of $1.581 trillion.[35]

  • In the United States in February 2020, around $1.4 trillion worth of construction work was in progress, according to the Census Bureau, of which just over $1.0 trillion was for the private sector (split roughly 55:45% between residential and nonresidential); the remainder was public sector, predominantly for state and local government.[36]
  • In Armenia, the construction sector experienced growth during the latter part of 2000s. Based on National Statistical Service, Armenia's construction sector generated approximately 20% of Armenia's GDP during the first and second quarters of 2007. In 2009, according to the World Bank, 30% of Armenia's economy was from construction sector.[37]
  • In Vietnam, the construction industry plays an important role in the national economy.[38][39][40] The Vietnamese construction industry has been one of the fastest growing in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years.[41][42] The market was valued at nearly $60 billion in 2021.[43] In the first half of 2022, Vietnam's construction industry growth rate reached 5.59%.[43][44][45] In 2022, Vietnam's construction industry accounted for more than 6% of the country's GDP, equivalent to over 589.7 billion Vietnamese dong.[46][47] The industry of industry and construction accounts for 38.26% of Vietnam's GDP.[48][49][50] At the same time, the industry is one of the most attractive industries for foreign direct investment (FDI) in recent years.[51][52][53]

Construction is a major source of employment in most countries; high reliance on small businesses, and under-representation of women are common traits. For example:

  • In the US, construction employed around 11.4m people in 2020, with a further 1.8m employed in architectural, engineering, and related professional services – equivalent to just over 8% of the total US workforce.[54] The construction workers were employed in over 843,000 organisations, of which 838,000 were privately held businesses.[55] In March 2016, 60.4% of construction workers were employed by businesses with fewer than 50 staff.[56] Women are substantially underrepresented (relative to their share of total employment), comprising 10.3% of the US construction workforce, and 25.9% of professional services workers, in 2019.[54]
  • The United Kingdom construction sector contributed £117 billion (6%) to UK GDP in 2018, and in 2019 employed 2.4m workers (6.6% of all jobs). These worked either for 343,000 'registered' construction businesses, or for 'unregistered' businesses, typically self-employed contractors;[57] just over one million small/medium-sized businesses, mainly self-employed individuals, worked in the sector in 2019, comprising about 18% of all UK businesses.[58] Women comprised 12.5% of the UK construction workforce.[59]

According to McKinsey research, productivity growth per worker in construction has lagged behind many other industries across different countries including in the United States and in European countries. In the United States, construction productivity per worker has declined by half since the 1960s.[60]

Construction GVA by country

[edit]
List of countries with the largest construction Gross Value Added in 2018
Economy
Construction GVA in 2018 (billions in USD)
(01)  China
934.2
(02)  United States
839.1
(03)  Japan
275.5
(04)  India
201.2
(05)  Germany
180.5
(06)  United Kingdom
154.7
(07)  France
138.7
(08)  Canada
125.4
(09)  Russia
121.2
(10)  Australia
111.8
(11)  Indonesia
109.7
(12)  South Korea
93.0
(13)  Brazil
92.6
(14)  Mexico
89.0
(15)  Spain
80.0
(16)  Italy
78.9
(17)  Turkey
55.3
(18)  Saudi Arabia
40.2
(19)  Netherlands
39.5
(20)  Poland
39.4
(21)  Switzerland
36.3
(22)  United Arab Emirates
34.5
(23)  Sweden
33.3
(24)  Austria
27.2
(25)  Qatar
27.0

The twenty-five largest countries in the world by construction GVA (2018)[61]

Employment

[edit]
Ironworkers erecting the steel frame of a new building at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston
A truck operator at Al Gamil, the largest construction company in Djibouti

Some workers may be engaged in manual labour[62] as unskilled or semi-skilled workers; they may be skilled tradespeople; or they may be supervisory or managerial personnel. Under safety legislation in the United Kingdom, for example, construction workers are defined as people "who work for or under the control of a contractor on a construction site";[63] in Canada, this can include people whose work includes ensuring conformance with building codes and regulations, and those who supervise other workers.[64]

Laborers comprise a large grouping in most national construction industries. In the United States, for example, in May 2021 the construction sector employed just over 7.5 million people, of whom just over 820,000 were laborers, while 573,000 were carpenters, 508,000 were electricians, 258,000 were equipment operators and 230,000 were construction managers.[65] Like most business sectors, there is also substantial white-collar employment in construction – 681,000 US workers were recorded by the United States Department of Labor as in 'office and administrative support occupations' in May 2021.[66]

Large-scale construction requires collaboration across multiple disciplines. A project manager normally manages the budget on the job, and a construction manager, design engineer, construction engineer or architect supervises it. Those involved with the design and execution must consider zoning requirements and legal issues, environmental impact of the project, scheduling, budgeting and bidding, construction site safety, availability and transportation of building materials, logistics, and inconvenience to the public, including those caused by construction delays.

Some models and policy-making organisations promote the engagement of local labour in construction projects as a means of tackling social exclusion and addressing skill shortages. In the UK, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported in 2000 on 25 projects which had aimed to offer training and employment opportunities for locally based school leavers and unemployed people.[67] The Foundation published "a good practice resource book" in this regard at the same time.[68] Use of local labour and local materials were specified for the construction of the Danish Storebaelt bridge, but there were legal issues which were challenged in court and addressed by the European Court of Justice in 1993. The court held that a contract condition requiring use of local labour and local materials was incompatible with EU treaty principles.[69] Later UK guidance noted that social and employment clauses, where used, must be compatible with relevant EU regulation.[70] Employment of local labour was identified as one of several social issues which could potentially be incorporated in a sustainable procurement approach, although the interdepartmental Sustainable Procurement Group recognised that "there is far less scope to incorporate [such] social issues in public procurement than is the case with environmental issues".[71]

There are many routes to the different careers within the construction industry. There are three main tiers of construction workers based on educational background and training, which vary by country:

Unskilled and semi-skilled workers

[edit]

Unskilled and semi-skilled workers provide general site labor, often have few or no construction qualifications, and may receive basic site training.

Skilled tradespeople

[edit]

Skilled tradespeople have typically served apprenticeships (sometimes in labor unions) or received technical training; this group also includes on-site managers who possess extensive knowledge and experience in their craft or profession. Skilled manual occupations include carpenters, electricians, plumbers, ironworkers, heavy equipment operators and masons, as well as those involved in project management. In the UK these require further education qualifications, often in vocational subject areas, undertaken either directly after completing compulsory education or through "on the job" apprenticeships.[72]

Professional, technical or managerial personnel

[edit]

Professional, technical and managerial personnel often have higher education qualifications, usually graduate degrees, and are trained to design and manage construction processes. These roles require more training as they demand greater technical knowledge, and involve more legal responsibility. Example roles (and qualification routes) include:

Safety

[edit]
At-risk workers without appropriate safety equipment

Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, incurring more occupational fatalities than any other sector in both the United States and in the European Union.[4][73] In the US in 2019, 1,061, or about 20%, of worker fatalities in private industry occurred in construction.[4] In 2017, more than a third of US construction fatalities (366 out of 971 total fatalities) were the result of falls;[74] in the UK, half of the average 36 fatalities per annum over a five-year period to 2021 were attributed to falls from height.[75] Proper safety equipment such as harnesses, hard hats and guardrails and procedures such as securing ladders and inspecting scaffolding can curtail the risk of occupational injuries in the construction industry.[76] Other major causes of fatalities in the construction industry include electrocution, transportation accidents, and trench cave-ins.[77]

Other safety risks for workers in construction include hearing loss due to high noise exposure, musculoskeletal injury, chemical exposure, and high levels of stress.[78] Besides that, the high turnover of workers in construction industry imposes a huge challenge of accomplishing the restructuring of work practices in individual workplaces or with individual workers.[citation needed] Construction has been identified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a priority industry sector in the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) to identify and provide intervention strategies regarding occupational health and safety issues.[79][80] A study conducted in 2022 found “significant effect of air pollution exposure on construction-related injuries and fatalities”, especially with the exposure of nitrogen dioxide.[81]

Sustainability

[edit]

Sustainability is an aspect of "green building", defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as "the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction."[82]

Decarbonising construction

[edit]

The construction industry may require transformation at pace and at scale if it is to successfully contribute to achieving the target set out in The Paris Agreement of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C above industrial levels.[83][84] The World Green Building Council has stated the buildings and infrastructure around the world can reach 40% less embodied carbon emissions but that this can only be achieved through urgent transformation.[85][86]

Conclusions from industry leaders have suggested that the net zero transformation is likely to be challenging for the construction industry, but it does present an opportunity. Action is demanded from governments, standards bodies, the construction sector, and the engineering profession to meet the decarbonising targets.[87]

In 2021, the National Engineering Policy Centre published its report Decarbonising Construction: Building a new net zero industry,[87] which outlined key areas to decarbonise the construction sector and the wider built environment. This report set out around 20 different recommendations to transform and decarbonise the construction sector, including recommendations for engineers, the construction industry and decision makers, plus outlined six-overarching ‘system levers’ where action taken now will result in rapid decarbonisation of the construction sector.[87] These levels are:

  • Setting and stipulating progressive targets for carbon reduction
  • Embedding quantitative whole-life carbon assessment into public procurement
  • Increasing design efficiency, materials reuse and retrofit of buildings
  • Improving whole-life carbon performance
  • Improving skills for net zero
  • Adopting a joined up, systems approach to decarbonisation across the construction sector and with other sectors

Progress is being made internationally to decarbonise the sector including improvements to sustainable procurement practice such as the CO2 performance ladder in the Netherlands and the Danish Partnership for Green Public Procurement.[88][89] There are also now demonstrations of applying the principles of circular economy practices in practice such as Circl, ABN AMRO's sustainable pavilion and the Brighton Waste House.[90][91][92]

See also

[edit]

icon Architecture portal icon Engineering portal

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c In the UK, the Chartered Engineer qualification is controlled by the Engineering Council, and is often achieved through membership of the relevant professional institution (ICE, CIBSE, IStructE, etc).

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