The inaugural UK Construction Week is expected to draw more than 55,000 visitors to the Birmingham NEC on 6–11 October. The event brings together nine shows under one roof: the Build Show incorporating the Civils Expo, Timber Expo, the Surface and Materials Show, Kitchens and Bathrooms Live, Plant and Machinery Live, Energy 2015, HVAC 2015, Smart Buildings 2015 and Grand Designs Live.
Alongside more than 1,000 exhibitors, there will be a comprehensive seminar programme providing a wealth of sector-specific information at each of the individual shows’ dedicated hubs. A main-stage seminar theatre will tackle the bigger and broader construction industry topics and challenges that will have relevance for everybody.
The main theatre will be hosted by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme presenter, John Humphrys, Channel 4 News anchor man Krishnan Guru-Murthy and financial correspondent for the BBC, Steph McGovern.
UK Construction Week, on 6-11 October, at the NEC in Birmingham, brings together nine shows covering the spectrum of the construction sector. More than 55,000 construction professionals are expected to attend. In addition to CPD learning, they can benefit from more than 45 hours of BIM workshops, attend 12 awards ceremonies and visit 1,000 exhibitors, showcasing more than 10,000 products in 75,000 sq m of space.
For details of the full exhibition, seminar and social programme, and to book your FREE tickets, please go to:
www.ukconstructionweek.com
Dr David Hancock, head of construction at the Cabinet Office, is the headline speaker. His seminar, entitled “Making the government a more intelligent construction client”, will set out Whitehall’s plans and policies for the construction industry, and explain the government’s progress towards the Government Construction Strategy and Construction 2025 vision.
Also speaking on the main stage will be Dr Peter Hansford, the government’s chief construction adviser; Chris Chivers, president of the CIOB; construction economists Allan Wilén and Noble Francis, discussing future forecasts; and many more industry heavyweights.
The dedicated Build Show stage will host a range of lively debates on the future of the UK housing industry, self-build, custom build, digital manufacturing, 3D printing and Passivhaus, as well as a discussion on whether building on the green belt is inevitable.
The show will continue after hours with a variety of networking events, including award ceremonies, a beer festival, comedy nights, “rockaoke”, big breakfasts and a casino night.
The new show has been welcomed by industry leaders.
Matt McDermott, sales and marketing director at the RICS, said: “We are constantly working with individuals and government to develop a brighter future for the construction industry and all those employed within it. UK Construction Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to continue our conversations with professionals from across the industry, sharing best practice and gaining a greater understanding of the issues directly affecting our members’ businesses, as well as the wider economy.”
Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, added: “We are pleased to give UK Construction Week our full backing, as we believe the UK needs an event that caters for the needs of builders and contractors. We will be working closely with the organisers of the Build Show to ensure the event is a success.”
Why can’t we build a skyscraper in 14 days?
CIOB president Chris Chivers is one of five speakers who will debate “Why can’t we build a skyscraper in 14 days?” as part of UK Construction Week’s seminar programme. Following reports earlier this year that developer Broad Group, which is owned by Chinese air conditioning magnate Zhang Yue, built a 57-storey skyscraper in just 19 days in the south-eastern Chinese province of Hunan, the panel will discuss productivity in the UK’s construction industry.
The discussion takes place against a backdrop of decades of steadily rising productivity in manufacturing and other industries, while construction productivity has stagnated. The panel will ask what is holding the UK industry back and whether it can improve its performance.
Chivers will be joined by Kamran Moazami, director of WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff, who was chief engineer for the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai; Richard Ogden, chairman of Buildoffsite; architect Andrew Waugh, whose firm, Waugh Thistleton Architects, is building the world’s largest cross-laminated timber building; and John Pelton, strategic projects director at Crossrail.
Ogden, who built a modular McDonald’s outlet in two days, as vice-president of the fast-food chain’s development arm, believes the construction industry may not have the will to speed up delivery.
Speaking to Construction Manager about the debate he said: “Can [a skyscraper] be built in 14 days? Of course it can. It is not a question of whether it can be done. There are many examples of buildings being built at this speed, but people have to want to do it.” He predicted “a fantastically lively debate”.
The debate will take place in the main theatre at UK Construction Week at 15.30 on Wednesday 7 October.
Energy 2015: new show gives insight into latest trends
Energy 2015, one of the nine shows under the UK Construction Week umbrella, is a new event for the industry, aimed at energy specialists, civil engineers, architects and contractors. The show will provide a valuable insight into the latest industry trends and, following dramatic changes to the government’s energy policy, the seminars are likely to be extremely busy.
Industry, business and political leaders will join James Murray, editor of low-carbon website BusinessGreen, on stage to discuss the latest developments in energy production, zero-carbon housing and sustainable technologies.
Headlining Energy 2015 will be Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party, on a panel to discuss the future of sustainable transport. Focusing on how the construction sector can support the transition to more sustainable transport infrastructure, the speakers will discuss the revitalisation of public transport as the country reaches “peak car”, and whether electric or hydrogen cars can improve air quality in our cities and low-carbon aviation will ever be possible.
Another highlight will be a thought-provoking discussion entitled: “What will the energy landscape look like in 20 years?” A panel of experts led by Simon Crowe, founder of the Low Carbon Alliance, will explore how the range of renewable, nuclear, carbon-capture and energy-efficiency technologies could decarbonise power generation by 2030.
Murray will close with a round-up of case studies of sustainable energy-generating technologies in a selection of the UK’s most energy-efficient buildings.
Energy 2015 takes place on 6-8 October at UK Construction Week.
