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CIB Conferences

Abstract

The construction industry is undergoing a paradigm shift focused on innovation leading to increases in producitivity and sector sustainability. This paper explores opportunities for innovation and collaboration to influence productivity within the construction sector, encompassing project delivery and organizational structures, project management practices, and the development of construction materials and products. Recent innovations include the adoption of modern construction methods like prefabrication and modular construction, which have been proven to increase producitvity, minimize waste and reduce emissions while enhancing worker safety and product quality. Digital technologies play a crucial role in improving management and planning accuracy, coordination, and the optimization of labour and energy usage throughout a structure's lifecycle. Efforts to promote both productivity and sustainability in construction represent disruptive innovation, necessitating fundamental changes to products and processes. The research draws on economics and construction engineering management perspectives to analyze how innovation initiatives can drive transformative outcomes in the industry. It discusses ongoing research activities in the Canadian construction sector, focusing on themes like construction digitization and productivity, and highlights the need for collaboration among academia, industry, and government agencies to address knowledge gaps and facilitate knowledge mobilization. The paper concludes with insights gleaned from a recent environmental scan, which identified opportunities to strengthen national research clusters, address research gaps, and enhance knowledge dissemination efforts to overcome barriers to innovation. Overall, this paper contributes to the body of knowledge on construction innovation and productivity.

The paper will be presented:

In-person

Primary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Secondary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Sustainable Cities and Communities - - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Primary CIB Task Group OR Working commission

W121 – Offsite Construction

Secondary CIB Task Group OR Working commission

TG96 – Accelerating Innovation in Construction

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