Opinion
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CommentThe urban heat island is actually pretty cool
There is a lot of fuzzy thinking about the higher temperatures experienced in urban areas. The benefits could be life-saving and should not be dismissed, says Barny Evans at Turley
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CommentISG’s collapse: a huge blow to construction that raises urgent and difficult questions
This is the biggest collapse to hit the sector since Carillion – as we absorb the grim news, people will want some answers and fast
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CommentBuilding inclusion – it’s your professional obligation
Everyone says an inclusive organisation is important, but too few people are ready to invest the time and money to make it so. That has to change, says Marsha Ramroop
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CommentTop 150 Consultants 2024: There’s renewed optimism across the construction sector
Challenges persist but the industry appears to have turned a corner and the outlook has notably improved since last year, says Nick Gray of Currie & Brown
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CommentEuropean CE mark extension gives UK manufacturers the chance to remain competitive
The recent extension to the UK’s acceptance of the European CE mark offers an overdue opportunity to drive the construction products industry towards increased safety, performance and trade, says Peter Caplehorn of the Construction Products Association
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CommentHang on, what about the margins?
Welcome as it is, Laing O’Rourke’s return to profit sparks familiar concerns about how much money firms in this industry are actually making, says Dave Rogers
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CommentHow can construction rebuild trust after the Grenfell Inquiry found so much evidence of ‘dishonesty’ and ‘incompetence’?
Last week’s report proposed root and branch reforms - now industry and government must come together to bring about real and lasting change
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CommentFrom data to knowledge to insight to wisdom
Most industries generate data and some turn this into knowledge. Iain Parker considers how to turn that knowledge into insight or, indeed, wisdom that adds demonstrable value to clients
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CommentA vision for a construction project in 2030
We need to stimulate new thinking, debate and research directions to carry the industry into the next decade, says Dr Brian Sheil
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CommentGrenfell shames us all – but our politicians are just as culpable
Those named and blamed in Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s report largely got what they deserved, but they were not alone in the way they operated. We may have learnt and changed since 2017, but there is still a long way to go, says Richard Steer
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CommentSeven years after Grenfell: We have come a long way, but there is still a huge amount to do
Andrew Mellor reflects on the Grenfell Inquiry’s demand for radical reforms. The message is clear: urgent action is needed to protect lives
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CommentShock and shame: the Grenfell report has exposed construction’s deadly failures
Now we know the full and terrible truth, only urgent and fundamental change will ensure mistakes are not repeated, writes Denise Chevin.
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CommentGrenfell: a tale of systemic failures
A legal overview setting out the findings of the inquiry’s final report, its recommendations and the potential ramifications for construction
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CommentRayner’s ‘new homes accelerator’ is the right kind of big thinking to speed up housing delivery
The government’s new homes accelerator highlights how pragmatic action is needed to kickstart housing delivery. It looks like an excellent initiative that should tackle an intractable problem, says Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis
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CommentWhen it comes to productivity, construction needs to sharpen up
The sector needs to act now if it is to address the other challenges it is facing, writes Andrew Jackson, chief executive, construction, Mace
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CommentIt’s time to take control of construction waste
We have the technology to radically redesign our approach to waste. The government should act to make sure that we use these digital tools, says Chris Clarke at Scape
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CommentSkills England proves Labour is serious about its development and growth ambitions
Keir Starmer’s government has got off to a good start but we need a revolution in the way we attract talent to the industry, says RICS president Tina Paillet
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CommentLabour must urgently tackle the skills shortage if it is to meet decarbonisation promises
Only by investing significantly in education and training can the government hope to achieve its net zero targets, says James Fiske of the Building Cost Information Service
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CommentPartnerships and location are key to success of government’s new towns ambitions
New town developments have had mixed results in the past and there are lessons to be learnt. Four essential factors should be considered if this latest initiative is to work, says Oliver Steele