INDUSTRY

We have seen increased digitization in recent years. In the years ahead, it will serve to make better use of the reams of data being collected.

Prefabrication, which is now more sophis- ticated than in its first generation, is also expected to grow, especially in countries like Canada that are facing severe skilled labour shortages and are in dire need of institutional buildings and infrastructure.

According to another study by McKinsey from 2019, prefab construction can speed up pro- ject delivery by 20% to 50%. Over time, it can also reduce project costs by more than 20%, by optimizing materials, design, fabrication, technology, logistics and assembly.

It also has significant environmental benefits, such as reducing the spills, noise and dust that inconvenience those living near con- struction sites, as well as the greenhouse gases generated by heavy truck traffic.

In addition, there will be an increase in collab- orative projects. Public-private partnerships are expected to see continued growth across the country.

General contractors have expanded their expertise and put it to work for clients, archi- tects and engineers at every stage of a project, and they are willing to share in the risk.

Lastly, the industry has a responsibility to build differently by, among other things, minimizing the environmental footprint of its projects. A 2018 report prepared for the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction said that up to 40% of the world s waste is believed to come from construction, which contributes 39% of greenhouse gases worldwide.

Builders must now master the highest environ- mental standards to meet market demands, including LEED, Zero Carbon, Passive House and Envision.

This transformation benefits not only the industry itself, but society as a whole. It will allow infrastructures to be built more quickly, at lower cost, more safely and better adapted to society to ensure sustainability.

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