News analysis Sector review
Constructing
change
The appointment of a government
adviser on the construction industry
will herald in a major review of the
sector to check it is ‘fit for purpose’.
Carina Bailey reports
n
The appointment of a UK It is Clarke’s belief that, in the
chief construction adviser future, technology and the work of
to government is expected to have the CCA will change the job of the
a big impact on the role of building building services engineer, along with
services engineers. The Department CIBSE’s role in the sector.
for Business, Innovation and Skills ‘In the future you can’t see any of
(BIS) finally announced its decision our buildings having less design work
to create the post last month – more being done on the way they modify
than a year after the position was first the climate,’ explains Clarke. ‘It might
mooted for the sector. well be that we end up with a lot less
The remit for the new role is capital expenditure on plant as we
wide-ranging, and the appointee is design our buildings to be less and
expected to influence government less energy-intensive.’
policy in the construction industry. According to Clarke, this could see
The new chief construction adviser is
It will also provide a senior figure to less plant required, with more and
still to be appointed.
influence industry. more design work conducted on the
But one of the adviser’s most plant that’s left and the building fabric you should probably look at the
important responsibilities will be to itself, which could go straight to the change of emphasis in aerospace
assess the key barriers to growth in heart of what CIBSE does. and car manufacturing; 10 years Looking ahead, in
the UK’s low-carbon construction ‘Looking ahead, in 10 years’ time ago no one advertised their next
sector, as well as leading a low-carbon much of CIBSE’s work will be what we plane as being quieter and greener.
10 years’ time much
review of the construction industry to would now call building physics, and All the adverts now are about more of CIBSE’s work will
ensure it is ‘fit for purpose’. designing things like fabric and plant sustainable, more efficient planes, as
The Construction Innovation in a way that has fewer motors, fans opposed to faster and sexier.
be what we would
and Growth Team carrying out the and pipes – fewer things that have ‘That means a change of skills and
now call building
review is expected to meet prior to be run. And I don’t see that being change of emphasis. And building
to the chief construction adviser done without enormous skills from fabrics and the way they’re run are
physics
(CCA) officially being in post. During people that understand services. going to go through that same
– Keith Clarke
the interim period the review will ‘It’s absolutely inevitable that many change of emphasis.’
be chaired by Keith Clarke, chief people will be doing different things Clarke says a key benefit of this influencing government policy. CIC
executive of consulting and design to what they’re doing now. If you role will be the CCA’s seniority, which believes the role is vital if the industry
engineers Atkins and chairman of the believe the construction industry is will allow him or her to decide what’s is to reduce carbon emissions from
Construction Industry Council (CIC). immune from technological change relevant. construction.
A CIC spokesman says: ‘The
Fit-for-purpose sector check
Welcome design and engineering of our
CIBSE welcomes the plans to built environment is not only vital
The chief construction adviser will lead a review into the construction
appoint a CCA, particularly in light to our economy, well-being and
industry to determine whether it is fit to deliver a low-carbon future:
of the industry’s dependence on quality of life, but is also an essential
•
Assess the impact of the New construction industry can take government for bringing forward contributor to decarbonising our
Industry New Jobs agenda (a new forward the low-carbon agenda construction work during the economy. The role of the adviser is
plan by government to invest in and make recommendations recession. absolutely essential and we welcome
Britain’s economic and industrial to help the UK become a world Rob Manning of AECOM, and this commitment.’
future) on industry; leader in low-carbon construction CIBSE president-elect, says: ‘The The Confederation of British
•
Assess the strengths, weaknesses, and the built environment; and CCA can provide an internal focus Industry (CBI) also welcomes the
opportunities and threats to the UK
•
Produce an evidence-based for resolving cross-departmental move, but stresses it would like
construction industry; report of recommendations for issues and for providing the industry to see certain additional elements
•
Identify barriers to improving government and industry which can with a single point of contact to seek addressed, including reviewing
performance, and make be considered during policy making resolution of matters of concern.’ the government’s current capital
recommendations to combat these; and help produce an action plan for Similarly, the CIC is equally programmes with the Public Sector
•
Consider how the UK industry. enthusiastic about the prospect of Construction Clients’ Forum to help
having a respected industry figure deliver value for money.
18 CIBSE Journal October 2009
www.cibsejournal.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72