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Innovation

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Context

Innovation is the successful exploitation of new ideas to obtain competitive advantage. It is integral to developing new products for the market and new processes and ways of working. Greater sustainability should be at the heart of policy (like the Code for Sustainable Homes) and of standards and procurement to provide the signals to which the market can respond in an innovative and flexible manner.

The challenge for Government, industry and the knowledge base is to establish a framework within which innovation, research, development, demonstration, and knowledge transfer can thrive.

Actions and Deliverables

Overarching Target

To enhance the industry’s capacity to innovate and increase the sustainability of both the construction process and its resultant assets

List of Actions & Deliverables which contribute to Overarching Target Body Responsible for each action / deliverable Timescale
Complete and publicise the National Platform's Strategic Research Agenda shaping medium to long term research priorities in Reduced Resource Consumption; Client orientated value; and information technology and automation. The aim is to promote awareness and engagement with the research agenda and influence Research & Development (R&D) direction and support National Platform; MBE-KTN. By September 2008

Low Impact Building Innovation Platform - 1st stage – the development of collaborative R&D and Design challenge competitions.

2nd stage activities will develop demonstration and procurement opportunities.

 TSB Commenced in May 2008. Initial activity to 2011
To ensure the Knowledge Transfer Network attracts a critical mass of construction businesses, and identifies areas where it has added value with members successfully exploiting new technologies and techniques including learning from overseas and other industries. TSB and MBE-KTN Consortium to Summer 2009
NESTA to create a new annual innovation index to 'measure British innovation in the round'. NESTA Pilot published 2009
Develop a third phase of theSustainable Urban Environment Research Programme. Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 2008
Eco-towns initiative. Creating 10 new socially, economic and environmentally sustainable (zero-carbon) new settlements of up to 20,000 homes. Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) & Local Authorities

2016 (up to five Eco-Towns)

2020 (10 expected)
The Carbon Challenge Programme will help accelerate the home building industry's response to climate change by fast-tracking the creation of a number of new zero carbon communities initially on EP owned sites which will meet the zero carbon, water, waste and other targets of Code level 6. English Partnerships (EP) 2009 (first completed units). 2011 (First completed development)
Ensure UK co-develops relevant research studies and co-ordinates collaborative R&D support on sustainable construction with partners in the proposed new European Construction Research Area network: ERACOBUILD. TSB, BIS Autumn 2008 to Autumn 2011

 

What can industry do?

  • Find out more on how your trade or professional association supports innovative thinking.
  • Join the relevant Knowledge Transfer Network to receive information on emerging innovative emerging technologies and processes.
  • Engage with the work with the National Platform setting the agenda for research.

 

Further information:

Listed below are sources of information and assistance (including grants) to encourage innovation:

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