Welcome to PBC Today May 2023. With parts of HS2 being “rephased” by two years due to inflationary pressures and increased costs, our cover story by Stephen Marcos Jones, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy & Engineering, warns of a damaging blow to the UK’s reputation for delivering major projects
Jones also warns that the delay may impact economic recovery and the
“levelling up” agenda – at a time when we need a robust, long-term policy on infrastructure.
Elsewhere, Sue Bridge FRPTI, chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, says that while social media has allowed planners to raise awareness of local issues and improve communication, new research shows it has also fuelled a rise in misinformation, leading to insults, harassment and even violent threats, putting further strain on a system already struggling to recruit and retain staff.
At the end of March, the latest Climate Change Committee warned that the UK is “strikingly unprepared” for the realities of climate change. Meanwhile, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that despite progress, the world is at a critical point.
With the government’s third National Adaptation Plan due later this year, David Smith of the Institution of Civil Engineers says that we are fast approaching make-or-break time. Infrastructure owners and the built environment industry have a key role to play in closing the data gap on climate adaptation and strengthening climate resilience.
We also hear from Tim Balcon, chief executive of the Construction Industry Training Board, Dr Andrew Minson of the Global Cement & Concrete Association and Cara Jenkinson of climate change charity Ashden, plus much more.
In MMC & Offsite, Jackie Maginnis of the Modular & Portable Building Association discusses its mission in promoting volumetric building technology, we look back on Futurebuild and ahead to UK Construction Week, and David Johnson of Volumetric Building Companies makes the case for a universal offsite design platform.
In BIM & Digital, Emily Scoones of Ramboll says the Spring Budget shows Britain is waking up to the potential of AI, while Trias Gkikopoulos of Innovate UK sets out the £100m BridgeAI programme, which will support the adoption of AI and machine learning.
What is in store in PBC Today May 2023?
1. HS2: Why the UK needs to rethink infrastructure delivery policy
Delays to HS2 damage the UK’s reputation for delivering major projects at a time when we need a robust, long-term policy to infrastructure policy, argues Stephen Marcos Jones, chief executive of the Association for Consultancy & Engineering and the Environment Industries Commission.
2. Social media, misinformation and the planning system
New research from the Royal Town Planning Institute shows nearly 9 out of 10 planners believe social media is fuelling misinformation about local planning issues, with some facing insults, harassment and even violent threats as a result. RTPI president Sue Bridge takes a look at a growing problem.
3. How industry can plug the climate adaptation data gap
Climate change is here, and the UK isn’t ready. But infrastructure owners and operators can play a key role in bridging the adaptation data gap, writes David Smith, fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
4. Supporting skills and productivity with the Industry Impact Fund
Putting employers in the driving seat with the Industry Impact Fund will be key to industry success in tackling labour shortages by advancing productivity and promoting diversity, says CITB chief executive Tim Balcon.
5. Mental Health Awareness Week: Understanding and addressing anxiety
Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) takes place on 15-21 May. Charlie Hughes of the Mental Health Foundation discusses this year’s focus on anxiety, one of the most common mental health issues in the UK.
6. How gender inequality in planning fails to address women’s fear of crime
Rectifying gender inequality in urban planning can play a significant role in addressing women’s fear of crime – and create safer environments for everyone, says Olivia Docker of Boyer.
7. Taking a proactive approach to tackling modern slavery in the supply chain
From 1 April 2023, government departments were issued with new guidance on identifying and managing the risk of modern slavery in their supply chains. Alex Minett, head of products and markets at CHAS, explains more.
8. MPBA: On a mission to promote volumetric modular technology
MPBA chief executive Jackie Maginnis discusses the evolution of volumetric modular technology, and what’s needed to continue driving the sector forward.
9. Spring Budget: The UK is waking up to AI’s potential in AEC
AI investment is coming. How can the AEC industry take advantage? Emily Scoones, head of digital innovation (buildings) at Ramboll, takes a look.
10. BridgeAI: Supporting the UK’s adoption of AI and machine learning
Innovate UK, the UK government’s innovation agency, has created a BridgeAI programme to act upon the UK government’s National AI Strategy to increase the adoption and diffusion of artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions in high growth but low AI maturity sectors, including construction.
