Converging Futures: Technology, Business Models and People in the Built Environment

Abstract

The built environment is entering a period of significant change. For decades, digital transformation has often been framed around the adoption of individual technologies. That framing is no longer sufficient, as value is increasingly being created through technology convergence. This is changing how projects are conceived, delivered and operated. It is also beginning to reshape relationships across the construction value chain and challenge traditional business models. This keynote explores the problem through the lens of construction and the wider built-environment professions. It argues that innovation increasingly lies not simply in adopting new technologies, but in connecting technology with data and decision-making across the asset lifecycle. At the same time, human judgement, leadership and the ability to work across professional boundaries will become even more important as technology convergence accelerates. Drawing on industry evidence and the author’s research on technology convergence and business models, the keynote considers how better integration of technology, organisations and people can create a more productive, resilient and sustainable built environment.