Building future scenarios: a reflection for the research agenda

Abstract

Over the last decade, there has been numerous foresight studies conducted across countries and industries, including within the UK construction industry. While these studies help signpost future scenarios, it is questionable as to whether consideration of these scenarios actually translates into practice at grassroots level in the industry. This paper therefore reflects on the relevance of foresight studies in developing research agendas. Through a review of a selection of foresight studies, a number of shared future trends and implications for the built environment across the studies were elicited. The trends include an aging populating, flexible working and living, globalisation and a shift towards the service industry; while implications encompass increasing competition, move towards customer-centric models and investment in people. A workshop was conducted with practitioners and academics to validate these commonalities. Finally, the current research portfolio of the Salford Centre for Research and Innovation (SCRI) was mapped along these themes to establish gaps that the centre could develop as future research. Such an exercise if done regularly should prove useful to ensure that research is always kept abreast with current trends and that research is conducted to meet the challenges ahead.

Keywords: construction, future scenarios, research, workshop