Building a greener future

Sustainable growth means improving every aspect of the construction sector

Anyone who has driven around Dubai or Riyadh in recent months will be aware of an obvious fact: both cities are growing rapidly. According to the Dubai Statistics Centre, almost 100,000 people moved to Dubai in the past year, and the emirate’s 2040 Urban Plan 2040 envisages a population increase from 3.6 million to 7.8 million over the next 20 years. The booming economy of Riyadh, meanwhile, will continue to grow in line with a target to double its population to around 15-20 million by 2030.

These are the most obvious examples of economic and population growth that we see across the GCC. According to Strategy&industry report, this boom necessitates $2 trillion in new “built environments” by 2035. The study also suggests that the region could become a global leader in the use of innovative and sustainability-focused construction technologies. This is an outcome that the region aims to achieve, but what does it look like in practice?

Back to basics

The key word when we look at managing growth while striving toward net zero targets can be summed in one word: resilience. Landmark designs and new development plans are exciting and capture the most attention, but we must first and foremost ensure that our core infrastructure is fit for purpose. In the coming years, regardless of market growth, and economic cycles, there will be a simple but relentless demand for water, sanitation, and electricity.

This means finding more sustainable ways to create new supply. It also means decarbonising existing core sectors, a process that requires enhanced data analytics that allow us to run our existing infrastructure as efficiently as possible. To this end, there are tools that the construction sector can use as they work with project owners to assess emissions and develop retrofit suggestions that will make impactful savings through the management of ongoing assets.

There are many other ‘behind the scenes’ steps we can all take to improve our sustainability ratings. At AtkinsRéalis, we are working with Cambridge University to develop the world’s first zero-emissions cement on an industrial scale. There have also been various trials to utilise desert sand in concrete, which is important given a recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlighted the scarcity of the type sand that can be used for construction.

Improving supply chains is another vital step to developing a more sustainable construction sector. The transportation sector is responsible for about 20 percent of global CO₂emissions, making it the second-largest contributor to global carbon pollution. The development of a much bigger local manufacturing base in the GCC can help alleviate that challenge, while creating 150,000 jobs and offsetting 75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions according to a recent report.

A more developed manufacturing base would also mean investing in local capabilities, helping overcome supply chain constraints and addressing market skill gaps in advanced construction technologies. At AtkinsRéalis, we have a 12-month Saudi Graduate Program, launched in 2022, to offer graduates the opportunity to gain experience working on many of the Saudi Vision 2030 giga projects. To date, 69 graduates have joined the program including 22 females, 47 males. This is just one example of how local expertise can power the region to a more sustainable, hi-tech future.

Digital ready

Upskilling within the construction sector is vital given the wider adoption of new technologies, such as Augmented Reality (AR) and robotics that can accelerate the transition towards net zero emissions. For example, smart sensors and 3D laser scanners offer safer and more efficient data collection. Robotics and drones can also enhance data collection and machine learning processes while also helping projects finish quicker, with less material and energy waste, and fewer people onsite in potentially hazardous surroundings.

Digital design is also shifting from 2D to 3D modelling, with Virtual Reality (VR) tools enhancing the experience by providing walk-through project models accessible through a headset from anywhere in the world. This is beneficial in driving collaboration, workflow efficiencies and inspiring greener operations, and it also provides a virtual training tool in a safe learning environment.

Moving further head it would be good to see modular construction and 3D printing being used to create greener processes and more sustainable buildings. Although these techniques are in use within the region, they have not yet been adopted as widely as we might have hoped a few years ago. This is perhaps no surprise seeing as a McKinsey report showed that R&D spending in construction runs well behind that of other industries: less than one percent of revenues, versus 3.5 to 4.5 percent for the auto and aerospace sectors. This is changing as the industry grapples with the need to grow quickly while becoming more sustainable, but the question is how to speed that transition to demonstrably add value. Investment and education of all stakeholders is needed to encourage innovation and modern methods of construction (MMC).

Next steps

As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, there are a few other steps we should consider. Adopting a collaborative contracting model would help to enhance efficiency in the construction sector. The traditional FIDIC approach (the FIDIC suite of construction contracts is written and published by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers) typically means it is in the interests of the employer to select a contractor willing to take on most risk at the lowest price. Moving to a collaborative environment where the employer and contractor work closely together as an integrated team to co-operate for the benefit of the project in the long-term, rather than protecting self-interest, would ensure more sustainable outcomes.

Finally, we need to raise awareness about the benefits of generative design, where we use the learnings of previous designs, so that we are incrementally improving with every project with the benefit of experience. Essentially, it’s all about moving to ‘conscious development’ where we think far more about the implications of projects on people and the environment. Conversations around any new development should start with asking ‘why?’ rather than just focussing on an outcome. What will be the legacy for future generations?

In order to do this, we need to improve the business of today, making our existing facilities cleaner, and working responsibly to improve every aspect of our designs, our supply chains and our construction practices. This is the key to managing growth aligned with our communities and planet as the sector moves to a more sustainable future.

This article was authored by Campbell Gray, CEO, Middle East & Africa at AtkinsRéalis.