Sustainable construction is transforming the industry. Professor Sarah Hitt explores why future-ready construction managers are key to driving this change.
When you think of the word “sustainability,” the first thing that springs to mind is probably not a building site. After all, the construction industry has the stereotype of being dirty, noisy, and maybe even somewhat old-fashioned in its way of doing things. But what you might not know is that the construction industry is on the forefront of revolutionary changes to the way we design and build, paving the way for a more sustainable future. How? And why can a construction manager with serious sustainability credentials make such a big difference?
With buildings and construction amounting to around 35% of global energy use and carbon emissions, any change toward more sustainable practices can make a huge impact. Clients know this, and they depend on construction managers to make sure that their projects are built efficiently and cost-effectively. Approaches like off-site manufacturing can help achieve these goals while simultaneously reducing construction waste and lowering energy consumption. New technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twins allow designers to model ways to make buildings more sustainable and the impacts of their design choices on building performance.
Coupling these innovative technologies and approaches with sustainable and renewable materials will revolutionise construction in the years to come. For instance, building with homegrown forest-certified timber locks carbon into a built asset for decades to come but also creates a reliable supply chain and benefits local economies. This is important because sustainability doesn’t just mean what’s good for the environment; it means what’s good for humans and their communities, making sure people and places aren’t left behind as we enter this rapidly changing era of construction. Construction managers who are on the forefront of these changes need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required by modern construction professionals and understand how they come together to enable a sustainable future..
With 250,000 people needed in the industry by 2030, jobs are plentiful. But these aren’t just the jobs on the work sites—they’re the project managers, design team members, safety and risk consultants, and sustainability leads who will help us build healthy communities, make innovative technologies a reality, and achieve Net Zero goals. This is why sustainable construction is cutting-edge work that is drawing international investors and savvy innovators, along with tons of economic opportunity.
The construction industry is poised to change quickly and in really exciting ways. Technology is exciting, but it could fall flat if there aren’t the right people in place to implement it and ensure it works for positive outcomes. This is why the industry needs leaders and changemakers with the courage, grit, and mindset that can make a difference. Future graduates of NMITE’s BSc Construction Management will be in demand and have serious sustainability credentials as well.