While much of the world is experiencing an economic crisis, countries that had to slow down due to the pandemic are now trying to catch up with their infrastructure and building projects.

However, due to the current global economic situation, supply chains have slowed down immensely, materials costs have increased, contractors haven’t been able purchase most materials, prices are volatile, material is being hoarded and unprecedented currency fluctuations are causing severe hardships in the construction industry.

The short supply and high cost of materials such as cement, steel, fuel and spiralling inflation have increased the cost of building. Borrowing for construction projects has become more expensive and as a result, investors are preferring to hold back.

In addition to its economic woes, Sri Lanka is also experiencing an unstable political situation and acute foreign exchange shortage. People are also fed up due to the non-availability of fuel, gas, food and many other commodities. Meanwhile, even though the construction industry is slowly grinding to a halt, it has been always optimistic about the future.

Over the period of the pandemic, the global consultancy and engineering sectors have adopted new technologies, new best practices and found creative ways of addressing challenges around the world.

Today, building materials end up as waste when no longer needed and are destroying ecosystems, increasing environmental costs and creating risks of resource scarcity. To create a sustainable future, the industry needs to move towards a circular system where building materials are used, reused and recycled while buildings are adapted and rebuilt many times over.

Other future considerations should include efficiency of design and construction, and a wider knowledge of carbon emissions and their impact on the climate. Increasing awareness of sustainability and the circular economy, downcycling of construction and the demolition of waste and landfilling practices are some additional benefits.

It’s our duty as built environment professionals to see how the future will be shaped. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is changing environmental sustainability in emerging cities and regions, and shining a light on existing and future opportunities for these cities to harness innovation for sustainable outcomes.

As architects, we should be aware that if we learn to embrace new technologies and use them to our advantage, the future of our professionals will be sustainable. I firmly believe that our industry is the barometer of the economy and as architects, we are the future of the built environment.

– Prof. Chitra Weddikkara