Top 5 Challenges in the Construction Industry for Urban Development

An urban setting is made to fit as much as possible within the given space. For your construction site, it means there’s little room for crew members to maneuver around. With limited space, there are increased risks of injury. 

One example is a crew member bumping into the scaffolding while someone is on it. Objects falling, vehicles coming in and out, and large openings or holes are other  ways that crew members can get hurt on the job. 

Just as there are disruptions because of the construction site, there are similar and more intensified distractions on the site. Large amounts of dust and loud noises can cause crew members to mishear information or not be able to see clearly where they are going. 

Loud noises can be reduced with a modular office on the construction site. You’ll have a space to collaborate, work through blueprints, and for crewmembers to take a break. This can help minimize human error throughout the entire construction project. 

Even though you may have things marked off, a busy city walker may not realize where they’re going before it’s too late. Unknown or unauthorized members coming onto the job site puts them at risk along with the rest of your crew. 

Britco can also provide breezeways and storage containers for further safety of your crew and citywalkers. Breezeways are secure walkways that can be used outside and within your construction site. 

Storage containers are available to store and secure construction tools that your crew isn’t using at the moment. Renting a storage container will not only allow your building tools to stay secure, but will keep crew members safe from loose materials.

Although the frustration of a congested traffic area is a problem within itself, you must also consider the implications of building materials and equipment being delayed due to these congestions. Even your crew members may be hindered, which will cut into valuable working time. 

Almost every industry is seeing some sort of labour shortage, but the construction industry is seeing high negative impacts. Nearly half of the industry, or 49.5%, is under pressure to find qualified and skilled workers. 

Globally, the workforce is becoming more diversified in their work ethic and behaviour, and less and less of the workforce is looking for employment in the construction industry. So, on a construction site, you may find yourself overworking the few crew members you have which could lead to common mistakes and delays. 

In every industry, you’ll find advancements and innovations. The construction industry is no different, and therefore is susceptible to project delays due to project complexities. Comparing manufacturing and construction productivity levels, manufacturing productivity levels are increasing at 3.6% annually, whereas construction levels are only at 1% annually. 

A common challenge in the construction industry is going through zoning laws and regulations. The process of obtaining permits can initially push back your project start date and cause an extended timeline. 

Your timeline is crucial in your construction project, and you need all the time you can get to make things happen. On an urban worksite, you’re limited to operating during certain hours, and these become even more limited with logistical errors and delays. 

Another significant challenge you have very little control over is the weather. Depending on where you’re located, you may receive excess amounts of snow or rain. Storms can create notable delays that keep your crew members from finishing the project on time.

We’ve already discussed the increasing amount of dust that is created on a construction site, which will ultimately turn into air pollution. This dust can also stay on buildings and facilities which can reduce the overall quality of life and mental health of the city. 

Plus, consider all the vehicles transporting goods and the number of emissions that come from just transportation alone. Transportation makes up 2.4% to 5.5% of the total carbon emissions that are released during your construction project. 

During a construction project, it is also likely that the land will be altered when you’re clearing out vegetation. As a result, this causes high amounts of pollution in surrounding areas. Overall, the construction industry contributes significant amounts to air pollution, water pollution, and climate change. 

This is one of the everlasting challenges of the construction industry that should not be taken lightly. Building in an urban environment takes a lot of energy and materials in order to be successful.

The basis of modular construction is the ability to reuse throughout each project. So, if necessary, you can continue to use your modular structure time and time again. This reduces the amount of energy and materials needed for starting a new project each time. 

The construction practices of modular buildings produce less waste and release fewer emissions since a majority of the work is done in a controlled factory environment. This means that the potential of trapped moisture and on-site waste is significantly decreased. 

Since almost all modular construction is produced off-site, you also reduce the need for construction vehicles and equipment which already produce a high amount of carbon emissions. Because of the sustainability efforts of modular structures, they regularly meet high Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

The modular construction process is well-supervised and more sophisticated than traditional methods. And having a controlled environment like this helps reduce the risk of mistakes that can slow a project’s progress.

Typically, timelines are 30-50% faster compared to traditional construction. Since there is a faster timeline, modular commercial building costs are consistently more cost-efficient.

Most of the top challenges in the construction industry can be alleviated with off-site construction. Modular commercial buildings are constructed off-site, so you can worry less about community disruption and congested areas in your urban environment. 

Plus, it minimizes on-site construction, which can increase crew member safety. There are a lot of moving parts that can be hard to juggle within a construction site, but in a factory setting, everything has a place and a job that keeps things in line. A majority of modular workers also utilize wearable technology that helps improve worker safety. 

Additionally, weather delays are not an issue in a controlled environment. So your project can be completed on time regardless of the forecast.

When it comes time to install a modular structure onto the site, about 90% of the work is completed. This means you will need only a few crew members on-site to complete the project. 

With on-site construction, a lot of training and experience comes once you’re already well into a project. This deters potential workers away from the construction industry because there is more of a risk of injury and mistakes made due to inexperience. 

On the other hand, modular construction is a more industrialized experience that requires a different set of skills. These skills can be more easily taught. There are a lot of enticing attributes working in the modular industry. 

At Britco, you’ll find that logistical errors, extended timelines, and project delays are diminished due to the nature of modular commercial buildings.