As the new year approaches, we’ve compiled the top 10 construction stories of 2022 as chosen by our readers
2022 was another rollercoaster year for the UK construction industry. Almost as soon as Covid-19 restrictions lifted, the industry, and the country as a whole, was hit by runaway inflation, a political and cost-of-living crisis, and the war in Ukraine.
Perhaps the most pressing issue of all has been the intensification of climate change impacts across the globe. From floods in Pakistan that inundated one third of the country, to Europe’s worst drought in living memory, climate change is surely the macro challenge for 2022 and no doubt our entire generation.
These challenges are a stark reminder that a sustainable built environment is no longer a nice-to-have but a must have.
On a positive note, 2022 has seen the advancement of approaches, polices, technologies and organisations that are shaping a sector fit for the future.
Perhaps most notably was the passing of the landmark Building Safety Act 2022 which is set to transform the way buildings are designed, constructed and operated in the UK. We also saw a continued drive toward modern methods of construction (MMC), digital transformation and a doubling down on net zero carbon commitments.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 construction stories for 2022 as chosen by our readers.
We will continue publishing throughout the festive break, with full daily news service resuming on January 4.
We wish all our readers, members, stakeholders, and followers Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
1. Saudi Arabia breaks ground on The Line megacity
Undoubtedly the biggest and most controversial construction story of the year…
2. Scott Base redevelopment: Offsite construction at the edge of the world
We explored the nuts and bolts of the Scott Base redevelopment and its broader implications at a time of unprecedented global change…
3. Gleeds, Mace deploy AI tech on £780m Peru school build programme
A consortium led by Gleeds and Mace teamed up with OpenSpace to roll out construction site capture technology across 75 live building sites in Peru…
4. Contech startup Buildots lands $60m
In one of the biggest construction technology fundraises of the year, Buildots secured $60m to expand its US business…
5. Mace employs ‘Dave’ the robot dog for Heathrow tunnel job
Mace trialled a robotic dog on its ongoing refurbishment of a tunnel at Heathrow Airport…
6. UK’s first 3D printed housing development set for Lancashire
3D-printing entire communities in no longer a pie in the sky…
7. Sizewell C nuclear plant gets the go ahead
After much delay and speculation, the UK’s newest and biggest nuclear project was given the green light…
8. Orlando unveils digital twin of entire region
Orlando, Florida, unveiled a “first-of-its-scale” digital twin of its metro region that will use real-time data to improve decision-making…
9. The world’s tallest mass timber building
This year the Ascent building in Milwaukee, US, was crowned the tallest timber and concrete hybrid structure ever built…
10. TopHat to open new megafactory in Northamptonshire
The site will cover approximately 11 football pitches — making it the biggest modular housing factory in Europe…
Note: All image credits can be found within each article
Read next: Digital construction trends: what to expect in 2023
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