5 minutes

Building and construction in the era of sustainability and rationalization

Muhammad Salem Al Ali

30 June 2022

It is true that the construction industry plays a major role in the economic and social development of various countries of the world, but throughout its long history it has left catastrophic effects on various environmental aspects.

Especially since the traditional approach that it has always been based on was based on achieving returns and meeting the needs of consumers at the expense of a massive depletion of natural resources, water and various energy sources;

It suffices for us to know that the construction sector annually consumes approximately 40% of the raw materials extracted globally, such as raw stones, gravel and sand, and 25% of virgin wood, in addition to accounting for a third of the demand for water.

Not only that, but this sector, according to the Global Status Report of Buildings and Construction, issued in 2021 by the United Nations Environment Program, was responsible for 37% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to 11.7 gigatonnes, not to mention the The amount of solid waste it generated, which reached one third of the global waste.

What increased the effects of this sector is the fact that it is the least digitized in the world, which explains the difficulty of addressing its problems and challenges, but the solution is available and comes from the heart of the same suffering, that is, at a time when the construction sector is under more pressure in order to make its operations more sustainable. Artificial intelligence brings him a lifeline that offers him all solutions;

Whereas, through the big data it processes, it offers innumerable possibilities for enhancing sustainability and increasing productivity;

On the cost side, AI can reduce the budget and predict its potential overruns.

In terms of consumption, it saves energy and water and reduces waste. In terms of design, it uses its own algorithms and 3D printers to reach the best and most environmentally friendly architectural options;

In addition, by analyzing several factors such as the size of the project, the type of contract and delay factors, including the efficiency of management and implementation, the artificial intelligence can visualize all scenarios, and therefore is able to correct, correct and respond to emergencies, no matter how sudden and unexpected.

And because artificial intelligence systems must use cameras, drones and other modeling and simulation systems, they are able to watch what is happening on site 24/7, and therefore they will inevitably be able to improve operations and predict all risks, in addition to their ability to monitor the performance of workers highlighting those who do not observe safety measures;

Also, the smart sensors installed on the equipment can monitor its effectiveness and range of movements, as well as its mechanical and electrical condition and the extent of its need for maintenance;

This in particular leads us to more and more opportunities and possibilities, which are self-driving construction machines that are capable of performing some tasks with unrivaled efficiency, such as concrete pouring, welding, installation, painting and many more.

Perhaps the ultimate saying here is that technology always helps the world when it comes to calamities, so what about if you live in the UAE and under its wise leadership, which possessed of proactive visions that exceeded sight and hearing;

It adopted artificial intelligence first and integrated it in various fields;

She is the one who turned to environmental sustainability and applied it to all activities, including the building and construction sector, and there is no more pioneering example than the "Dubai Expo City", which Dubai gave to the whole world as a model for anyone who wanted to talk about the cities of the future.

Founder of Suhail Smart Solutions 

To read the previous articles of the writer please click on its name.  

The construction sector annually consumes approximately 40% of the raw materials extracted globally.