As the world grapples with an unprecedented healthcare challenge, recent developments have redefined the contours of businesses and the way they are conducted. While clarity is yet to emerge on the extent of changes to protocols in the post-COVID world, the ongoing pandemic has had a debilitating effect on the infrastructure and construction sectors. Yet, for policymakers, urban planners, construction companies and architects, NOW is the time to reassess the requirements of infrastructure and construction projects and recalibrate accordingly since critical decisions need to be made to adopt to the new normal and prepare for any large scale eventuality in the future.
In such circumstances, the overall infrastructural milieu must be considered before making requisite plans. In recent decades, there has been an exponential increase in urban populations globally. Further, by 2050 when the world’s population reaches 10 billion, around 68% are likely to be living in cities. As a result, the infrastructure in cities, which is already bursting at it seems, will be overwhelmed by the massive additional demand. In such settings, the best way forward is through the creation of Smart Cities offering a more sustainable future for urban communities across geographies. In realizing this vision, the game-changers will be advance 3D based collaborative platforms, speedy construction leveraging IIOT, economical housing and industry digitalization.
The socio-economic environment, especially in the context of the ongoing pandemic, has taught us to accelerate towards a sustainable and stable environment by creating processes and systems that will enable us to create comfortable, beautiful, dynamic and sustainable structures and cities. This could be attained by leveraging collaboration on the cloud, simulation, automation, digital continuity, and virtual environments to reorient, reimagine and transform the traditional processes, which have so far designed and delivered our buildings, civil infrastructure and cities. However the Construction, Cities & Territories segment faces several challenges that it needs to combat in order to thrive in a post-COVID digital era.
The first challenge is ensuring sustainability, resiliency, and security of cities. With the rapid increase in population, changing demography, rising demand for services, paucity of space and concerns for environment along with advent of modern technology, city ecosystems have become even more complex. This presents huge challenges to the city planners in managing risk while improving the performance and quality of systems. To combat this, cities must integrate and synthesize various data points and turn them into actionable intelligence to improve efficiency and quality of life for citizens while addressing socio-economic and environmental challenges.
Since the requirements of property owners and occupants are evolving, ‘Experience’ has emerged as a strong driver in guiding projects toward a more artistic and personalized solution. Hence, it is a challenge for the designers to manage the balance of quality and cost. It is equally critical and challenging for the architects and their partners to retain strong control over the vision for the project while resisting value engineering and preventing budget overruns.
Apart from designing personalized experiences there is also a need to adopt sophisticated off-site manufacturing processes. Therefore, there is a need to transform project delivery. The rapid pace of urbanization and the expansion of cities is also putting strain on the aging infrastructure. With the government’s push to the infrastructure segment, the developers and city planners are striving hard to fill the development gaps. However, these efforts are hampered by the acute shortage of skilled labour faced by the construction industry. The solution to this problem lies in chalking out a new pathway from design to delivery.
Lastly, there is an urgent need to digitise project knowledge, add value through data. Data is emerging as a critical component and key facilitator in building management. With the help of data long-term savings on projects can be ensured and the development and maintenance of a physical asset can be managed effectively with accurate data that sets a baseline and clear trajectory for improvement.
At Dassault Systèmes, we have been driving digital transformation of cities, infrastructure and building construction projects worldwide. These challenges can be addressed through customized digital solutions for Civil Infrastructure Engineering, Creative Building Design, Inclusive Urban Future and Integrated Built Environment. To address key technology trends accelerating infrastructure projects in India, Dassault Systemes is hosting a virtual event- “The World After: Sustainable and Resilient Urban Future”.
Virtual Singapore Virtual Rennes
The event will bring together executive decision makers, influencers and CXOs from leading infrastructure companies, government department, smart city agencies, building construction and architectural fraternity. It will highlight the role of technology in diverse domains. These include Smart Cities and Government initiatives relating to 3D project management and pandemic planning; infrastructure such as highways, metros, roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, stadiums and other projects; as well as building constructions, commercial and residential real estate.
The event will guide stakeholders on how to transform complex, largely unplanned urban settings into Smart Cities & facilities and improve siloed construction operations in to well- coordinated and connected operations for efficiency. Governments, agencies, operators and construction enterprises can comprehend current scenarios, visualize “to be achieved” conditions and discover common ground between the two. 3D visualization technology lets stakeholders test ‘what if’ scenarios and plan ideal project roadmaps.
Please register in the link below to know more-
Date: 04 August 2020
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM IST
Location: The work desk @home (virtual conference)
