Construction
The word construction stems from the Latin term constructio, which combines com meaning together and struere meaning to pile up. Old French also contributed the noun form to describe how something is built or the nature of its structure. The first huts and shelters were constructed by hand using simple tools before cities grew during the Bronze Age. As urban centers expanded, a class of professional craftsmen like bricklayers and carpenters appeared on the scene. Occasionally slaves performed construction work in ancient times while artisan craftsmen organized into guilds during the Middle Ages. Steam-powered machinery emerged in the 19th century followed later by diesel- and electric-powered vehicles such as cranes excavators and bulldozers. Fast-track construction has become increasingly popular throughout the 21st century with some estimates suggesting that 40% of projects now use this method.
Global expenditure on construction activities reached about $4 trillion in 2012 according to available data. By 2022 spending exceeded $11 trillion annually representing approximately 13 percent of global GDP. Broadly three sectors define the industry: buildings infrastructure and industrial. Building construction divides further into residential and non-residential categories where local zoning policies determine mixed-use developments. Infrastructure includes large public works like dams bridges highways railways water systems and utility distribution networks. Industrial construction encompasses offshore energy installations mining operations refineries chemical processing plants and manufacturing facilities. Engineering News-Record compiled data splitting contractors into nine market segments including transportation petroleum buildings power industrial water manufacturing sewage waste telecom hazardous waste and other projects. The Standard Industrial Classification system categorizes companies performing construction into building construction heavy civil engineering and specialty trade contractors.
A proposed construction project must comply with local land-use planning policies including zoning requirements before work begins. Municipal authorities assess potential impacts on neighboring properties and existing infrastructure such as transportation social services and utilities. Data gathering occurs through site analysis surveys and geotechnical investigations prior to obtaining planning permission. Design finance and legal aspects interrelate throughout the process ensuring structural soundness financial feasibility and legal compliance. Traditional design-bid-build arrangements involve architects designing works while separate main contractors construct them under direct contractual links. Design-build contracts emerged from the late 20th century allowing clients to contract single entities for both design and construction phases. Construction management approaches let clients enter separate contracts with designers managers and individual trade contractors. Work may commence once designs advance sufficiently though some preliminary tasks like foundation laying occur earlier. Commissioning verifies subsystems function as intended while defects liability periods allow owners to identify shortcomings after handover.
Global construction output reached an estimated $10.8 trillion in 2017 with forecasts projecting growth to around $14.8 trillion by 2030. The sector accounts for more than 10% of global GDP employing approximately 7% of the total workforce worldwide. China became the world's largest single construction market since 2010 while the United States ranks second with 2018 output at $1.581 trillion. In the US alone construction employed around 11.4 million people in 2020 representing just over 8% of the total workforce. Women remain substantially underrepresented comprising only 10.3% of the US construction workforce despite holding 25.9% of professional service roles. Productivity per worker has declined by half since the 1960s according to McKinsey research covering multiple countries including the US and European nations. Large-scale projects require collaboration across disciplines involving project managers budget oversight and engineering supervision. Laborers comprise a large grouping within most national industries alongside skilled tradespeople who serve apprenticeships or receive technical training.
Construction remains one of the most dangerous occupations globally incurring more fatalities than any other sector in both the United States and European Union. About 20% of all private industry fatalities occurred in construction during 2019 totaling 1,061 deaths. Falls accounted for more than a third of US construction fatalities in 2017 with 366 out of 971 total deaths attributed to this cause. Half of average annual UK fatalities between five years ending 2021 resulted from falls from height. Proper safety equipment like harnesses hard hats guardrails procedures securing ladders and inspecting scaffolding can reduce injury risks. Other major causes include electrocution transportation accidents trench cave-ins hearing loss chemical exposure musculoskeletal injuries and high stress levels. Air pollution exposure significantly affects construction-related injuries especially nitrogen dioxide according to a 2022 study. The National Institute for Occupational Safety Health identifies construction as a priority sector requiring intervention strategies regarding occupational health issues.
The World Green Building Council states buildings and infrastructure worldwide could achieve 40% less embodied carbon emissions through urgent transformation. Achieving Paris Agreement targets limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C above industrial levels requires rapid industry-wide change. Net zero transformation presents challenges but also opportunities demanding action from governments standards bodies the construction sector and engineering profession. The National Engineering Policy Centre published Decarbonising Construction outlining around 20 recommendations including six system levers for rapid decarbonisation. These levers involve setting progressive carbon reduction targets embedding whole-life carbon assessment into public procurement increasing design efficiency materials reuse retrofitting buildings improving skills for net zero and adopting joined-up systems approaches. Progress occurs internationally with improvements to sustainable procurement practices such as CO2 performance ladders in the Netherlands and Danish Partnership for Green Public Procurement. Circular economy principles apply practically through demonstrations like Circl ABN AMRO's sustainable pavilion and Brighton Waste House projects.
Common questions
What is the origin of the word construction?
The word construction stems from the Latin term constructio, which combines com meaning together and struere meaning to pile up. Old French also contributed the noun form to describe how something is built or the nature of its structure.
When did steam-powered machinery emerge in the history of construction?
Steam-powered machinery emerged in the 19th century followed later by diesel- and electric-powered vehicles such as cranes excavators and bulldozers. Fast-track construction has become increasingly popular throughout the 21st century with some estimates suggesting that 40% of projects now use this method.
How much global expenditure on construction activities was recorded in 2022?
By 2022 spending exceeded $11 trillion annually representing approximately 13 percent of global GDP. Global construction output reached an estimated $10.8 trillion in 2017 with forecasts projecting growth to around $14.8 trillion by 2030.
Why is construction considered one of the most dangerous occupations globally?
Construction remains one of the most dangerous occupations globally incurring more fatalities than any other sector in both the United States and European Union. About 20% of all private industry fatalities occurred in construction during 2019 totaling 1,061 deaths.
What percentage of the US construction workforce were women in 2020?
Women remain substantially underrepresented comprising only 10.3% of the US construction workforce despite holding 25.9% of professional service roles. In the US alone construction employed around 11.4 million people in 2020 representing just over 8% of the total workforce.