1. Perceptions ARBE121 - CHANGE & THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY “I tell you this tale, which is strictly true Just by way of convincing you How very little, since things were made Things have altered in the building trade” Rudyard Kipling, A truthful song A reputation deserved or undeserved?

2. The drivers of change ARBE121 - CHANGE & THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY  Technological factors  Organisational factors  Economic factors  Governmental influences  Societal/cultural influences  Clients have changed!  Many overlaps and interactions

3. Technological Change ARBE121 - CHANGE & THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY  The industry and its buildings Structure and fabric – since mid 19 th C Building services – especially last 50 years Construction methods – mechanisation, industrialisation  Society and industry generally Information technology Manufacturing, business processes etc taking place in buildings

4. Organisational Change ARBE121 - CHANGE & THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY  Increasing specialisation Driven by technology, business strategy, legislation etc…  Separation of function Especially design from construction Growth of professional boundaries – 19 th C The professional “hierarchy” Pressures for reintegration – 1970’s onwards

5. Economic factors ARBE121 - CHANGE & THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY  The importance of the industry 6 to 7% of UK economic activity, >£50, 000 million p.a. 4 to 6% of UK employment  The economic cycle – “boom and bust” Why construction suffers more and for longer  The industry as economic regulator Governmental intention often overstressed General economic controls affect industry hard

6. Governmental Influences ARBE121 - CHANGE & THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY  Control of economy See previous section  As client of the industry Approx. 25% of output is commissioned by public sector Current changes in procurement – PPP & PFI  Legislation & taxation Direct impact - Planning, building regulations, safety Indirect impact - Tax concessions, development areas etc…

7. Societal Influences ARBE121 - CHANGE & THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY  Greater influence of general public Less accepting of “authority” – government, professions… Environmental consciousness – protest, “NIMBY’s” (Slightly?) more even distribution of wealth  Broader cultural influences Changing population, easier world travel  Entrepreneurial attitudes Have varied with time Increase in small businesses since late 70’s

8. Changing clients ARBE121 - CHANGE & THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY  Growth of the corporate client Compare 19 th C importance of individual & sole trader  Globalisation Changing market for business & clients they generate  Business priorities Increasing concentration on time & cost performance Less tolerant of failings – more litigious  Transfer of management methods Project management, procurement methods…

9. Further reading ARBE121 - CHANGE & THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Many texts cover the technological changes in buildings and their influence on the industry’s structures, practices, social change etc e.g. two books by Bill Risebero, The story of western architecture, and Modern architecture & design: an alternative history. Consideration of the specific role of the Architect in these changes may be found in, amongst others: Saint, The image of the Architect, Yale UP and Kostof, Architecture, Oxford UP. The current economic influences within and on the industry and the current state of the professions is covered by: Harvey & Ashworth, The construction industry of GB, Newnes A venerable (1966) but venerated work on change and the industry as a whole is: Bowley, The British building industry, Cambridge UP worth a look if the topic interests you.