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] For CRE developers and value-add investors, autonomous construction equipment, spatial AI for site monitoring, and AI-powered permitting tools could meaningfully reduce development timelines and costs over the next 3 to 5 years. The AI Consulting Network
• [New] Outside Phoenix, Arizona, TSMC (the world's largest chipmaker) is executing one of the largest construction projects in US history, a $165bn mammoth site featuring six chip plants where Apple will be the primary customer. Dedicated Follower of Tech
• [New] In 2026, we will see a significant increase in the scale and volume of 3D printed construction projects being completed. 3D Printing Industry
• [New] Construction and extraction occupations will add over 600,000 jobs by 2033. metaintro
• [New] By putting conditions in place to catalyze maximum investment while mainstreaming advanced methods of construction, Canada has the potential to cut building timelines by up to 50%, reduce costs by as much as 20% and lower emissions by approximately 20% during construction. SenCanada
• [New] Committed show estimations for low-emissions hydrogen production in 2025 and 2030 based on projects that are operational, under construction or that have reached a final investment decision. IEA
• [New] Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK2 lander will provide a second crewed landing capability beginning with Artemis V, and both SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing cargo variants of their landers to deliver habitats, power systems, and construction equipment. Rise of the Black Dragon
• [New] Projects like the deepwater port at Grays Bay are critical for resupplying the north and supporting naval operations, but construction is unlikely before 2030. Ainvest
• [New] Industry leaders and local partners are now pushing toward late 2026 through 2027 as realistic windows for initial operations, even as expertise, regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and vertiport construction are still progressing. Miami Today
• [New] WORK is set to begin on the construction of two new hospital helipads at Ysbyty Gwynedd - a project that will see the hospital gain one additional helipad, significantly improving emergency air access for some of the most seriously ill and injured patients in North Wales. North Wales Chronicle
• [New] RMK Marine has launched construction of a new yacht-focused shipyard - with full operational capacity targeted for 2027. Ocean Magazine
• [New] New Zealand's construction sector lost momentum in the December quarter, as fresh data showed a sharper-than-expected drop in building work put in place, driven by a steep fall in non-residential projects while housing activity broadly held its ground. Mortgage Professional
• [New] A rise of just 20 inches could put $17.9 billion worth of buildings statewide at risk, and that two-thirds of Southern California's beaches could vanish entirely by the century's end. Los Angeles Times
• [New] Six semiconductor fabrication plants have been approved with significant research funding, targeting a position among the world's top five semiconductor hubs by 2030. KPMG
• [New] At current estimates of SMR construction costs of $12 million to $15 million per megawatt, Holtec's 680-megawatt plant could be put into operation at a cost of $7 billion to $10 billion. Great Lakes Now
• [New] 2026 will see continued construction and development in urban centers like Chicago. Kitchen & Bath Business
• [New] Autonomous trucks equipped with SuperDrive 6.0 are already transporting commercial freight in Texas, with construction zone handling active and night driving expected to be released in the coming weeks. Automotive World
• [New] Construction technology vendors, including Trimble, are expected to accelerate efforts to enhance interoperability, delivering greater value to contractors through workflows and integrations between construction technology ecosystems. Notting Hill Surveyors
• [New] The Framework Agreement also states that North Macedonia will begin purchasing American liquefied natural gas after the construction of a new gas interconnector with Greece is completed. Center for Western Balkans Studies
• [New] The United States has significant opportunities to ensure buildings have clean indoor air. PubMed
• [New] Generative AI tools in construction could be worth $5bn by 2029, driven by tools that catalyze design, documentation and information search. Verdict
• [New] The Indian government has allocated 32.2 billion US dollars for capital expenditure in its 2026-27 budget, with part of the funding earmarked for the construction of new high-speed railway lines. AndyBTravels
• [New] In a direct reaction to Deep Seek's capital-efficient disruption, US technology leaders have massively increased AI infrastructure spending to create a competitive moat through scale, signaling a long-term, large-scale demand cycle for data center construction and energy supply. EnkiAI - Find the right insight

Last updated: 18 March 2026