Global Scans · Construction · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: 65 per cent of global construction growth for the next decade will happen in emerging markets. Smart cities, sustainable construction, greater urbanization and pre-fabricated buildings will all play their part in future construction growth.

• [New] Dubai will be more than a city; it will be a global epicenter of construction innovation, shaping the future of urban living. Khaleej Times
• [New] Innovation Hubs: Dubai's embrace of 3D construction will propel it into the global spotlight as a hub for innovation in the construction industry. Khaleej Times
• [New] Sustainability: Dubai's commitment to sustainability will be mirrored in its 3D-printed buildings. Khaleej Times
• [New] A major 11 km section of the A16 motorway in Rotterdam achieved virtual commissioning prior to construction through a digital twin built on BIM and 3D design data, highlighting the potential for improved planning, validation and risk reduction. Default
• [New] The first international agreement to come out of Stargate pairs the construction of a large data center campus in Abu Dhabi, powered by local nuclear and solar energy sources, with Emirati investment in new data centers in the United States that will be equally as large and powerful. Foreign Affairs Magazine
• [New] U.S. data center construction spending nearly quadrupled in early 2026 versus a year earlier, driven by AI and cloud demand, and it accounts for almost all of the projected commercial growth. Thunderbird Products
• [New] The primary driver is data center construction which is expected to add 93 GW by 2029 and by 2035, data centers could account for ~20% of US electricity consumption. Last Week in ConTech
• [New] The construction industry needs 499,000 new workers by 2026 to meet equilibrium, and nearly half of the current workforce could retire within the decade. ABC Ohio Valley
• [New] As digital transformation continues to reshape construction workflows, wearable technologies are expected to become a standard component of connected job sites worldwide. openpr
• [New] As demand increasingly concentrates in the highest-quality buildings and future supply remains constrained, we remain highly confident in the long-term outlook for prime offices and continue to see opportunities to create value through repositioning and redevelopment across London and Europe. Mishcon de Reya LLP
• [New] As construction and extraction activity expands across South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, the demand for basic-to-intermediate workplace safety systems will likely rise in proportion. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Another focus is putting AI at the center of scientific research and instituting more aggressive national goals, such as recent pledges to deploy a powerful quantum computer by 2028 and have 10 new large nuclear reactors under construction by 2030 to boost electricity production. Mimir's Well
• [New] Construction inflation is forecast to reach 6% by mid-2026. Insurance Asia
• [New] A Canadian manufacturing operation could create construction and assembly jobs, generate orders for domestic suppliers and make use of underutilized industrial capacity. Policy Magazine
• [New] Dual UK has increased its construction capability capacity for project contractors all risks / renovation cover to over £25m with backing from Axa XL, Great American International Insurance (UK), and other A rated capacity partners. Insurance Age
• [New] Upgrading residential buildings will help Australia develop a clean energy grid and ultimately achieve net zero emissions. Climateworks Centre
• [New] Companies have increasingly referenced ageing populations and labour shortages in annual reports and earnings transcripts, while labour availability is becoming a bankruptcy risk for companies in Japan and a key bottleneck for construction and the new energy buildout. Bank of Singapore
• [New] The US wind industry is on track to connect more than 53 gigawatts of capacity through 2030, as a surge in construction activity prompts Wood Mackenzie to raise its five-year greenfield outlook by 5% quarter-on-quarter. WoodMac.Site.Features.Shared.ViewModels.Metadata.Publis
• [New] A nationwide shortage of skilled workers could slow the construction of new semiconductor manufacturing plants across the United States and limit future chip production unless industry and government take additional steps to strengthen the workforce. -
• [New] Under current conditions the construction of new nuclear power reactors would not be competitive, but could become profitable with lower construction costs, risk mitigation and state subsidies. Innovation News Network
• [New] Coordination between utilities and distributed options will be essential for New York City to meet its clean energy and climate goals, particularly as it looks to reduce emissions from buildings. Yahoo! Finance

Last updated: 05 August 2026