ACE January 2020

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Cover StoryThe Indian construction sector,traditionally, has been quite slowin adopting new technologies, andthis has been one of its biggestchallenges.Nejeeb Khan, Head Design andBusiness Strategy in India, KaterraThe importance of lean constructionmethodologies, the adoption oftechnology enabled constructionpractices can provide a major boostto construction sector.Paul Wallett, Regional Director, MiddleEast and India, Trimble SolutionsThe role of technology in constructionAccording to Nejeeb Khan, Head Design and BusinessStrategy in India, Katerra points out “The Indian constructionsector, traditionally, has been quite slow in adopting newtechnologies, and this has been one of its biggest challenges.Several surveys show how, over the years, real estatedevelopers have continued to under invest in technologydrivensolutions for construction, despite acknowledging themany benefits that these solutions can provide to run andmanage their construction projects.”The World Economic Forum too ascertains the role oftechnology in infrastructure development. It also pointsout certain issues in the procurement area if addressed canenhance the quality and efficiency in construction.Incorporating technology to get it right“The importance of lean construction methodologies, theadoption of technology enabled construction practices canprovide a major boost to construction sector,” says PaulWallett, Regional Director, Middle East and India, TrimbleSolutions. “Using the right mix of hardware, softwareand mobility technologies from leading constructiontechnology players like Trimble can help the constructionsector streamline communication, collaboration and projectexecution across the construction continuum. Connectingpeople, machines and projects deliver real time data toinfrastructure owners, architects, engineers, civil contractors,and each stakeholder for enhanced information aboutmaterial, people and asset utilization, thus resulting inimproved productivity and profitability.”The implementation of technologyInfrastructure developers, as a report by the World EconomicForum points out, face a dilemma in bridging the gapbetween the technological advances that can moderniseinfrastructure at all stages and the status quo of currentinfrastructure development practices.Infrastructure delivery is already benefiting tangentiallyfrom technological advances. AI tools are reorganising howtraffic flows are measured and managed, and the demandfor smart and smarter cities rightly dominates discussionsabout infrastructure technology priorities. In construction,technological advances can shorten completion timesand lower costs, providing muchneeded efficiency inproject delivery.(a)The procurement angleThese innovations, however, are primarily in the domainsof urban planners and the engineering and constructionindustries. Core infrastructure will remain structurallyresistant to the potentially dramatic benefits of technologyunless the entire infrastructure procurement cycle is radicallyaltered. Procurement is the core of the infrastructurecommunity; it starts when planners finish and ends justbefore construction professionals take over. Procurementprimarily revolves around finance – no blueprint canbecome a building without capital. This narrow yet criticalspace remains resistant to the technological revolution;indeed, it remains in the dark ages.How can infrastructure finance become the door throughwhich disruptively creative forces enter? First, considerhow infrastructure is financed. Generally the financingcomes directly out of the public coffers, whether withcurrent or borrowed capital or with private capital insome version of what is usually called a public-privatepartnership (PPP). This financial underpinning, which islargely one of debt over equity, is quite the opposite ofthe financial underpinnings of disruptive technologicalinnovation, which prizes equity over debt. A publiclyfinanced project is likely to be little more than aconstruction project unless the government has investedin an incubator of technological solutions, which is anunlikely scenario.A PPP should be the model that allows technologyentrepreneurs to unleash innovative forces. Sadly, thisis not the case.(b)Creating new procurement modelsCreating new procurement models will require wholesalechanges in the laws, regulations and cultures of theprocurement agencies in most countries. Nevertheless,unless agencies undertake this kind of full upending ofinfrastructure procurement, infrastructure will continue tolag behind the rest of the economy in reaping the benefitsof the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Every procurement doesnot need to be revised, however, for technology’s innovativepower to reform infrastructure development. Rather, thisis more likely to occur in selected pilot programmes thatdemonstrate new pathways forward. As many countries faceeconomic governance and capacity issues, these projects arelikely to be first piloted in countries with strong economicgovernance and later replicated around the world. Some willundoubtedly fail, as with any attempt at changing a staidstatus quo. This effort, however, can lead to new approachesin delivering solutions that current systems prevent and canbring about the digitally transformed infrastructure systemsso badly needed around the world.12 January 2020 ACE UPDATEARCHITECTURE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
Ar. Dikshu Kukreja goes one-on-one withAr. Patrik SchumacherUpdateThe highlight at the Foaid 2019 saw Dikshu Kukreja and PatrikSchumacher engage in a one-on-one conversation aboutresponsibly reshaping future cities. The stalwarts also broughtto forefront, the urgent requirement of reformed public policiesand tactical urbanism which can contribute to a fast paced changemaking.The Foaid event had the who’s who of architectural fraternity inattendance. The highlight of the event, however, remained the oneon-oneconversation between the Managing Principal of CP KukrejaArchitects, Dikshu Kukreja with the Principal of the world-renownedZaha Hadid Architects, Patrik Schumacher. The much awaited sessionsaw a harmonious confluence of the East and West architecturalideologies. The two stalwarts engaged in an enthralling discourserevolving around responsibly reshaping future cities bringing tothe forefront, aspects such as climate change and its effect on cityplanning, the importance and power of community participationin change-making and how responsible political involvement inarchitecture and planning can go a long way in benefitting theinhabitants of cities.ACE UPDATE JanuaryARCHITECTURE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING202013
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ACE January 2020

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