Disruptive Technologies in the Construction Sector and Their Relevance to Pakistan

The global construction industry is steadily transforming due to disruptive technologies like modular construction, 3D printing of buildings and Building Information Modelling Software (BMIS). Now, construction companies must quickly adopt these technological developments to remain competitive. Technology in the construction sector of Pakistan has enormous potential for growth and development. But teething problems related to lack of funds and government facilitation affect the industry’s ability to grow and remain competitive. The Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies (IIPS) conducted a webinar titled “Disruptive technologies in construction and their relevance to Pakistan” to discuss how disruptive technologies can change the conventional construction methods in Pakistan and bring positive change in the industry.

The world is changing at a swift pace, with technology is accelerating its growth. Since the 1980s, computers have come a long way and can be termed the second biggest invention of humanity. The introduction of computers has taught organisations to do things better, with lesser cost and higher efficiency and speed. Later, the internet added connectivity to the world. Technology has now taken deep roots in human societies, and things like Wi-Fi and cell phones are considered a necessity in the modern age. As computation and technology bring change in every part of human life and society, the construction sector also stands primarily affected by this change. Quality assurance, standardisation, and time-saving mechanism are key objectives of the construction industry. Emerging technologies in the construction sector can have massive implications for all three areas. The construction industry is also the most prominent catalyst of reviving economic activity in a country. However, its productivity can be increased manifold by introducing technologies like artificial intelligence that help analyse past trends and mistakes. The technology can also play a significant role in calculating building design, estimating different costs, and monitoring inventory and workers using image recognition. This is where another major disruptive technology comes in. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a platform that lets all the stakeholders related to a construction project collaborate on a single platform. It has transformed the decision-making system and radically reduced errors, making construction more efficient and cost-friendly.

In recent years, the idea of prefabricated housing and commercial units has also taken the ground in the construction industry. The concept is prevalent in Western countries; however, it requires high levels of mechanisation, standard frameworks, and standard materials, making it a challenge for developing countries to adopt. The methodology also requires a robust transportation network, logistics, and durability standards. Things are now changing with the advent of 3D printers, which can print standalone buildings. Developing countries should start by teaching technological skills to their youth to adopt technology in the future. Furthermore, smart cities and safe cities have also emerged that use sensors and internet of things (IoT) devices to capture large amounts of data related to several metrics, providing better services and efficient resource allocation. The technology requires high-speed connectivity to transmit all the data to large databases that store information on performance, temperature, traffic conditions, safety, and security. It has now become possible to do so over 5G networks. Another technology called virtual reality and augmented reality has also opened a broader audience to experience the final product before laying a single brick on the construction site. Many technologies challenge the status quo of the construction industry standards; however, the most critical aspect of implementing and adopting such technologies is investing in human capital. Not only is it required in quantity, but it also must be quality human capital. China has a large population compared to Singapore but investing in human capital has allowed both countries to achieve strong economic growth and speedy adoption of disruptive technologies in the construction sector. The government must take an active part in introducing programs that help the young generation learn these technologies and work on plans for regulating the construction sector.

Any innovation that disrupts the normal working of an organisation can be termed disruptive technology. Therefore, the term is not negative; rather, it encompasses those innovative technologies that can potentially impact any industry positively. However, for any disruptive technology to produce positive impacts, it must be adopted and adapted to the industry. In the construction sector, innovation can drive benefits for consumers as well as allied sectors. As disruptive technologies try to sweep away past habits and methods that have stuck for a long time, a more educated and research-based effort is needed to prepare the human resource, equipment, and technical requirements. It is often perceived that the adoption of new technologies can be very costly; however, with computers increasing in their power and efficiency, even small startups with limited resources can adopt disruptive technologies in the construction sector. 3D printing, virtual reality, robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, drones, 5G technology, cybersecurity development, augmented reality, and IoT applications are all examples of disruptive technologies that have the potential to revolutionise the construction industry. Self-monitoring and analysis reporting technologies (SMART) are also making a significant impact in the construction industry. The idea behind them is that devices embedded with sensors can gather information and transmit it back to databases to be analysed by artificial intelligence algorithms. Big Data analytics is also an important part of the process as the amount of information gathered is often in very large volumes.

Smart monitoring and control frameworks are classic examples of using disruptive technologies in the construction industry. Different technologies are used for smart monitoring systems such as drones, photogrammetry, and laser scanning. However, sometimes these systems have a large cost impact, making them impractical for small-scale developers and companies. Also, in terms of adoption, there is a lack of human capital which can operate and manage such devices. Therefore, a revolutionary advancement in this area is the smart progress monitoring of construction sites using videography-MATLAB-BIM integration. In this method, video cameras are installed in predesignated sites that can record high-quality video while transmitting it online to MATLAB-based services. The software can use image recognition to identify multiple aspects from the video and analyse it according to the use case. The subsequent information is then incorporated into business information modelling (BIM) systems for multiple stakeholders to collaborate. The technology allows for the identification of ongoing processes and comparison to planned strategies. Progressive reports can also be generated and shared with clients and allied sectors. The advantage of using video cameras for monitoring is significantly fewer costs and errors than other monitoring and human intervention forms. Administrative tasks can also be integrated with fieldwork to provide better resource management. Lastly, the system can also reduce conflicts as everything is recorded on multiple levels and stages.

One main reason for the hindrance of projects is the unavailability of human resources. Monitoring progress and human resource on-site is another major application of technology. The data collected can be used for surveys and data-driven models. Cloud-based data collected from construction sites can be analysed in real-time using AI to predict future outcomes and prevent disasters. Moreover, simulation is not enough to determine all the risks and opportunities associated with construction. Internet of Things (IoT) devices can be installed in buildings for a set period to gather data that gives more clarity for planning and forecasting purposes. Another major disruptive technology for the construction industry is immersive visualisation. Communication using graphs, images, mixed reality, augmented reality, and virtual reality are all part of this segment. There are many applications of immersive visualisation technology, such as construction planning, architecture design, cross-planning, and structure optimisation. Therefore, disruptive technologies in the construction sector can bring cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and higher productivity.

Technology adoption is one of the most rewarding yet difficult task for any organisation. When it comes to the construction sector, it has always been known for the slow adoption of technologies as there are large stakes involved in the process, and there are minimal chances for error. First, there is a need for capacity building and enhancement initiatives for increasing industry awareness and human resource development. Without effective strategies, it can be very arduous for different agencies. Also, instead of taking models from other countries, Pakistan should focus on research and development of indigenous solutions for adopting technology as the factors that influence technology adoption can vary significantly from developed countries. Industry academia linkage is also an important step towards adopting technology where the industry assumes the role of solution seeker and academia becomes solution provider. The industry must also be gauged in terms of its readiness for the adoption of disruptive technologies. Lastly, professionals with strong technical knowledge, open minds, and hearts towards innovation must play explicit roles in policy-making forums and regulatory agencies.

Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies. (2021). The Role of Real Estate in Pakistan’s Economic Development. Islamabad: IIPS. Available at https://www.facebook.com/iipstudies/videos/2069802823158329