Data centres are among the the top three performing construction sectors in 2021, according to Turner & Townsend’s International Construction Market Survey 2021.
Data centres; transport; and industrial, manufacturing, and distribution comprise the top three performing industries across the world for the year so far, the survey says.
The top performing sector across all participating markets is data centres, driven by a continued growth in technology and digitalisation.
This is the first year that data centres has made it into the top five performing sectors, moving up five places from sixth position in 2020.
The second highest performing sector is transport (roads, rail and ports), which took the top spot in 2020.
Globally, infrastructure investment has been a key focus for governments trying to stimulate a COVID-19 recovery.
This investment is expected to continue going into 2022.
Moving from sixth to third on the list is industrial, manufacturing, and distribution, whose growth has been driven by the rapid growth in e-commerce over the past year.
Rising construction costs
The survey also looked into the biggest challenges facing the construction sector.
COVID-19 was reported as being the biggest concern for organisations within the sector, with many regions still seeing high case numbers and tight restrictions.
Labour shortages was ranked as the second biggest challenge; while government red tape, bureaucracy, and delayed approvals came in at number three.
One of the most notable changes in this year’s survey is the growing problem of rising construction costs, which climbed six places to sixth position.
The concern has been driven by supply bottlenecks and global constraints.
Image: Vink Fan/Shutterstock
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