Introduction to the Built Environment and Construction Management

This article provides an introduction to the built environment and construction management. It covers the various sectors of the construction industry, professional bodies and professionals involved in the project, and benefits of the construction industry to the local communities and UK economy. The article also includes an example project and the project life cycle. Subject: Built Environment, Course Code: NA, Course Name: NA, College/University: NA.

Introduction to the Built
Environment

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Various Sectors of the construction industry..........................................................................1
Background of the project......................................................................................................3
Professional bodies and professionals involved in the project...............................................4
Benefits of the construction industry to the local communities and UK economy................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Built environment basically touches all the essential aspects of the lives, the various
distribution systems that offers electricity and water, transportation systems, bridges and roads
and also encompassing the buildings we live in. According to the concept of built environment, it
basically depicts that the towns, cities and built up areas should provide a healthy living, a good
environment and also contributing to a global and good regional environment. It also specifies
that the cultural assets need to be developed and protected. The concept of construction
management is basically considered as the professional service which generally uses project
management and specialized techniques for the purpose to construct a project or oversee the
planning design from its beginning to its end. The organization “Healthrow Airport” has been
chosen for the essay in order to deliver a better understanding about the construction
management. The organization is one of the major international airport in London, England. The
company basically offers services such as passenger service, handling, de-icing services, ramp
and freight and ticket sales. The present essay basically comprises of various sectors of the
construction industry, the main professional bodies and professionals involved in the project and
how they basically towards the selected project. In addition to that, the essay basically helps in
highlighting the benefits of the construction industry to the local communities and the UK
economy which further comprises of the financial benefits that the project has brought to the UK
economy and brief discussion of the various social benefits that the project has brought to the
local community.
MAIN BODY
Various Sectors of the construction industry
The construction industry plays a very important role in providing a range of wide variety of
products and also the companies working in the construction domain are equally diverse. In
reference to construction activity, it can be basically carried out as a public or private endeavour.
All the three fundamental sectors helps in delivering social and economic infrastructure to
various parts of the economy (Santamouris, 2021).
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The construction industry basically refers to the industrial branch of trade and manufacturing
related to the maintaining, repairing, building and renovating of the infrastructures. In context to
construction industry, it can be basically divided into three sectors including infrastructure,
building and industrial. All these can be further classified as engineering projects, residential,
non residential and various other projects (Manu and Akotia, 2021). Each and every sector is
basically characterized through different methods, means and materials of the construction. Each
and every sector basically requires familiarity and expertise for the purpose to optimize the
efforts of management and the operations of construction. In reference to builders, they generally
focuses on paying more attention on only one sector related to a market of the industry.
Residential Building: In reference to residential construction, it basically addresses the housing
needs of the society. In case of housing construction, it basically takes many forms such as
townhouses, individual homes, prefabricated units and much more (Raiden and King, 2021).
Commercial Building: Such type of sector basically addresses the needs of the government,
commerce and trade. It basically comprises of the shopping malls, banks, hotels, theatres,
government buildings, hospitals and much more.
Heavy Civil Construction: This sector of the construction industry basically impacts the society
in a very big way. It basically comprises of projects related to civil sector such as railways,
roadways, airports, bridges, dams, tunnels and much more. Such type of projects basically
involves huge funds and are really complex. Such type of projects are basically designed by the
civil engineers (Patil and Sharma, 2021).
Industrial Construction: Such type of sector is highly specialized and involves the firms with
significant construction and vast resources and also expertise of engineers. In such sectors, the
number of contractors who are actually qualified is really limited. It basically comprises of steel
mills, manufacturing plants, chemical processing plants, oil refineries and much more.
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Environmental Construction: This sector of the company basically comprises of the various
projects which helps in contributing to a community's quality of life, improving the environment
and also maintaining the public health.
Example of a project
Background of the project
Healthrow Terminal 5 is basically an airport terminal at the Heathrow airport and is one of the
main airport serving London. The terminal was opened in 2008 and the main building in the
complex is the largest free-standing structure in the United Kingdom. In reference to the
Terminal 5, it is basically and exclusively used by the two airlines which is Iberia and BA. In
context to the Terminal 5 project, it basically comprises of the two smaller satellite animals and
main terminal building. In reference to the Terminal 5, it was created with the basic premise of
making the air travel easy through one of the world's busiest airports hubs which is called as the
London Heathrow (Ebekozien, Aigbavboa and Samsurijan, 2022). The project was basically
designed for the objective to handle 35 million passengers a year. In the year 2018, the terminal
handled approximately 32.1 million passengers on 211,000 flights. As per the statistics, it is
considered to be one of the most busiest terminal at the airport as per the movements of the
flights and passenger numbers. The construction of the project was undertaken by Laing O
Rourke. The construction began in the month of September 2002 with earthworks for the
construction of the buildings foundation. Also the entire project involved 80,000 artefacts. In the
month of November, the work started on the steel superstructure of the main terminal building.
In the month of January 2005, the nine tunnels were needed in order to provide rail access and
road access and also to provide drainage. In the month of march, the final and the sixth section of
the main terminal roof was lifted into position and in the December month, the entire building
was made weatherproof. In addition to that, the roof was assembled on the ground using small
cranes. In reference to the construction site, approximately 8,000 individuals were working
during the peak and over the life of the project over 60,000 individuals were involved in the
construction. In September 2007, over 15,000 volunteers were recruited for a total of 68 trials
and until march 2008, the testing was done prior to its opening.
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The concept of project life cycle basically comprises of the different steps which are carried out
by the project managers for the objective to successfully manage a project from start to finish. In
reference to project life cycle, it basically comprises of 5 process groups which is initiating,
executing, planning, closing and controlling (Ferrari and Rae, 2019).
Professional bodies and professionals involved in the project
A main professional body can be basically defined as an organization with individual members
generally practising a occupation or profession in which the company or the enterprise basically
maintains an oversight of the skills, knowledge, practice and conduct of that particular
occupation or profession. In reference to the professional bodies, it basically operates within the
construction industry including both the outside and inside of the industry. In reference to the
professional bodies, they all have the same aims and objective but specific to their own members.
In reference to the construction industry, it basically comprises of the various professional bodies
who are basically responsible for ensuring construction professionals through maintaining
sufficient standards of ethics and training. In reference to professional bodies, they are basically
the companies with individual members who have a profession or occupation in which the
company maintains an oversight of the practice, conduct, skills and knowledge of that particular
profession. In case of professional bodies, they play a very crucial role in the construction
industry as they helps in improving and maintaining standards not only practical but also ethics
and behaviours. With the help and support of professional bodies, it helps in creating a culture
that basically is involved in promoting aspiration for all. In reference to the construction project,
it comprises of different professional involved in the project (Yin and Zhang, 2021).
Royal Institution of British Architects: It is basically the body which represents British architect
professionals who basically work within the built environment and also its a full member of the
construction industry council. In context to RIBA, it basically comprises of approximately
44,000 members and focuses on the promotion and advancement of the architecture and highly
committed for the customer service, maintaining high quality and design.
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Chartered Institute of Building: In reference to the Chartered Institute of Building, it is basically
the most impactful and influential and the world’s largest professional body for the leadership
and construction management. It was founded by “Builders Society” with the aim to promote
excellence in the construction of the buildings and honourable practice. In reference to
construction management professionals they basically works within the built environment and
comprises of 45,000 members who are the construction professionals with the same objective to
achieve standards (Geldermans, 2020).
Association for Project Management: It is a British professional company for the programme
management and project management. It basically comprises of over 550 corporate members and
37500 individuals and is considered to be the largest professional body of its kind in the United
Kingdom. It has its head office in Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire. It is also the
certification body in the United Kingdom for the International Project Management Association.
This professional body is considered to be having the highest importance when it comes to
industries and construction project.
Institute of Civil Engineers: The institution of Civil Engineers is basically an independent
professional association for the civil engineers and also a charitable body in the United Kingdom.
Based out in London, the ICE has around 92,000 members where the three-quarters are located
in the UK while the rest are located in more than 150 other countries. In reference to the
institution of civil engineers, it is generally the professional body for the civil engineering based
out in UK. Such type of professional body basically helps in supporting the civil engineers
throughout their careers and includes 95,000 members (Darko and Chan, 2021).
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: It is basically a UK based professional body for the
surveyors which was founded in London in 1868 and this professional body works with the aim
to enforce and promote the highest international standards in the valuation of the development
and the management of the construction, land, real estate and the infrastructure.
This professional body basically enforces and promotes the highest professional standards and
qualifications in the management and the development, infrastructure, management of land and
real estate. In reference to this professional body, it is basically a representative and independent
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professional body which generally regulates over 118,000 property and construction
professionals.
Benefits of the construction industry to the local communities and UK economy
In case of UK economy, construction is considered to be the largest sector and contributes
to the maximum extent to the UK economy and 10 % of the employment. Also the construction
industry had a great impact on the economy and the society. In year 2018, the construction
industry contributed approximately 117 billion to the UK economy and comprises of
productivity, business growth and influenced employment (Aston and et.al, 2021).
Increasing Business Opportunities: The different types of construction projects and construction
industry helps in boosting the sales of the local companies from the members of the building
team who have been bought to that particular area. In context to the main companies and sector
who will get benefit includes hospitality, convenience, gas, food services and also enjoys a
increased sales. In reference to organizations, it is very important to do a well research, building
a sales funnel, increasing customer retention, participating in the networking events, forming
strategic partnerships and focusing on paying emphasis on practicing corporate social
responsibilities.
Serving Communities: Community service is basically an unpaid work which is performed by a
group of individuals or a person for the betterment and benefit of their community without any
form of compensation. In reference to the various completed construction projects, it generally
offers vital services to the different communities. With the support of different construction
projects includes recreation centres, apartment complexes, new schools and hospitals, all these
basically helps in assisting the current residents of the different communities but also attracts the
new residents to the areas (Ding, Cao and Wang, 2018).
Boosting the local economy: Economic growth is basically driven often times by the business
investment and consumer spending. The rebates and tax cuts are used for the purpose to retrun
money to the customers or boost spending. With the support of new construction projects, it
helps in aiding the local economy. With the support of new industries, it brings new job
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opportunities and access to the large variety of goods and services and also brings new money
into the local economy. The injecting revenues and fresh ideas helps in bringing a lot of benefits
and values to the local communities and society (Patil and Sharma, 2021).
Consumer Demand: The consumer demand is basically an economic measure of a group’s desire
for a service or product based on the availability. In reference to the construction sector, it
generally comprises of the different and wide range of sub sectors which comprises of consumer
preferences, engineering manufactures, civil engineering and house building that might vary
from different parts of the sector. A consumer is basically the ultimate user of resources such as
goods and services and the party which derives the advantages related with them (Ebekozien,
Aigbavboa and Samsurijan, 2022).
Demographic Change: In context to the ageing population and change in the entire well being of
the population has brought forward the provision of the infrastructure, housing, health care
facilities and education. The world is majorly undergoing a demographic upheaval with three key
components which comprises of mortality, population growth and changes in fertility and also
the various associated changes in the population age structure. Due to demographics factors,
there are major changes that the construction project is basically facing which comprises of
limited skills, lack of structure, inadequate risk management, delayed cash flow, poor
communication and much more.
Drivers of long term growth: In reference to the numerous drivers of the growth in the
construction sector, it basically helps in achieving success to the foreign market and also helps in
increasing the chances of the export activity. The drivers of growth basically comprises of three
main factors which comprises of increase in the labor inputs, accumulation of the capital stock
and number of working hours or technological advancement (Ferrari and Rae, 2019).
In reference to the construction project, there are various financial and social benefits the projects
has given to the UK economy and it plays really important role and involves a wide range of
services, various technologies and ocean of products. In reference to the Terminal 5, the
construction project holds a lot of opportunities and considerable growth of the globalisation.
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When it comes to UK economy, the construction industry is considered to be one of the
important sectors and contributes a huge amount to the UK economy and contributes a total of
10% of the total UK employment. In Reference to the UK, the construction industry plays a
significant role in the economic growth and has a huge impact on the economy and also the
society. In the year 2018, the construction industry contributed 117 billion to the UK economy
and comprises of productivity, business growth and influenced employment (Yin and Zhang,
2021).
CONCLUSION
From the above essay, it can be concluded that built environment plays a very important role
when it comes to carrying out a construction project. With the help of built environment, it helps
in contributing to the good regional and global environment, providing a healthy living and also
a good environment. Also it helps in specifying why it is important for the cultural assets need to
be protected and developed. In addition to that, the report helps in deep understanding about the
concept of construction management and various techniques which are required in order to
construct a project. In addition to that, it comprises of a brief discussion about the different
sectors which are involved in the construction industry and also helps in deeper knowledge and
better understanding about the different professional bodies and main professionals involved in
the construction project of “ Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport”. Furthermore, it helps in
highlighting the different advantages and benefits of the construction industry to the local
communities and how the construction industry basically provides different financial and social
benefits to the UK economy. Also, the entire essay helps in knowledge and understanding related
to the different benefits which the construction project brings to the local communities.
Moreover, the construction management brings cohesion for the purpose to build methodologies
and much more. Also the construction management allows the construction project to be
effectively and coordinated administered by the functioning in the role of marshaller of forces
and also about the construction project that involves various phases such as beginning with the
planning, continuing, procurement of the subcontractors, moving on to the actual on-site
construction and labour and materials.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Santamouris, M., 2021. Present and Future Challenges and Opportunities in the Built
Environment. Bioclimatic Approaches in Urban and Building Design, pp.111-116.
Manu, E. and Akotia, J., 2021. Introduction to secondary research methods in the built
environment. In Secondary Research Methods in the Built Environment (pp. 1-15). Routledge.
Raiden, A. and King, A., 2021. Social value, organisational learning, and the sustainable
development goals in the built environment. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 172,
p.105663.
Patil, G.R. and Sharma, G., 2021. Overweight/obesity relationship with travel patterns,
socioeconomic characteristics, and built environment. Journal of Transport & Health, 22,
p.101240.
Ebekozien, A., Aigbavboa, C. and Samsurijan, M.S., 2022. An appraisal of blockchain
technology relevance in the 21st century Nigerian construction industry: perspective from the
built environment professionals. Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing, (ahead-of-
print).
Ferrari, E. and Rae, A., 2019. GIS for Planning and the Built Environment: An Introduction to
Spatial Analysis. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Yin, L. and Zhang, H., 2021. Building walkable and safe neighborhoods: Assessing the built
environment characteristics for pedestrian safety in Buffalo, NY. Journal of Transport &
Health, 22, p.101129.
Geldermans, B., 2020. Securing healthy circular material flows in the built environment: The
case of indoor partitioning. A+ BE| Architecture and the Built Environment, (06), pp.1-284.
Darko, A. and Chan, A.P.C., 2021. Applying science mapping in built environment research.
In Secondary Research Methods in the Built Environment (pp. 117-132). Routledge.
Aston, L., Currie, G., Delbosc, A., Kamruzzaman, M. and Teller, D., 2021. Exploring built
environment impacts on transit use–an updated meta-analysis. Transport reviews, 41(1), pp.73-
96.
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Ding, C., Cao, X. and Wang, Y., 2018. Synergistic effects of the built environment and
commuting programs on commute mode choice. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and
Practice, 118, pp.104-118.
Patil, G.R. and Sharma, G., 2021. Overweight/obesity relationship with travel patterns,
socioeconomic characteristics, and built environment. Journal of Transport & Health, 22,
p.101240.
Ebekozien, A., Aigbavboa, C. and Samsurijan, M.S., 2022. An appraisal of blockchain
technology relevance in the 21st century Nigerian construction industry: perspective from the
built environment professionals. Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing, (ahead-of-
print).
Ferrari, E. and Rae, A., 2019. GIS for Planning and the Built Environment: An Introduction to
Spatial Analysis. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Yin, L. and Zhang, H., 2021. Building walkable and safe neighborhoods: Assessing the built
environment characteristics for pedestrian safety in Buffalo, NY. Journal of Transport &
Health, 22, p.101129.
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