Construction

• Main Authors: Carter, Frederick, Davis, Jr , Robert, Flores, Michael, Kerr-McKown, Margaret, Kilrain, Colin, Kreider, Steven, Liptak, Thomas, Menio, Peter, Morton, Douglas, Newberry, Charles
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: CASE STUDIES; Civil Engineering; CONSTRUCTION; CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY; CONTRACTORS; INFRASTRUCTURE; NATIONAL SECURITY; PRIVATIZATION

Constructed mega-projects are readily recognizable for their form and function, and in many cases, are awe-inspiring. Major buildings and bridges give identities to cities and nations and evoke a sense of pride in the people. The construction industry is a vast system of engineers, architects, laborers, craftsmen, material, equipment and tool suppliers, and project owners responsible for building these structures. The scope of the industry is all encompassing, including every type of facility imaginable. Roads, bridges, mass transit, airports, schools, retail and commercial buildings, industrial and manufacturing facilities, drinking water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, dams and power generation, solid waste facilities, and hazardous waste treatment and disposal projects all benefit society and bolster our national security. The construction industry seminar focused on projects and issues that have a potential mobilization involvement. At $3.4 trillion annually, construction represents a large contribution to the world's economy. Construction is a fiercely competitive industry; both domestically and internationally, reputation means everything. It is a conservative and risk-averse industry; change is gradual. Although the construction industry does not have a significant surge capability in healthy economic times, it is adaptable to national priorities and history verifies that it can shift work to meet national security objectives.