CWA SURVEY: TERRORIST ATTACKS WILL BRING STEPPED-UP SECURITY, SLUGGISH ECONOMY TO CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
January, 2002
The construction industry has not been immune from the effects of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. But while other industries struggle to regain a sense of normalcy, the nation's contractors, design professionals, and material and equipment suppliers enter 2002 facing a new set of priorities and dealing with the realities of a stubborn economic recession.
That's the consensus of a survey recently conducted by the Construction Writers Association (CWA), a non-profit, non-partisan, international organization for professional journalists, writers, editors and publicists serving the information needs of the construction industry.
Asked to identify the key industry trends and influences in the post-September 11th world, most CWA survey participants cited increased attention on security for infrastructure systems and buildings, particularly among state and local governments. "Vulnerability assessments will become the norm, whether we are speaking about water supply systems, bridges, or the entire proposition of high-profile, high-density structures," says Crescent Wells, Senior Associate for Corporate Programs at AECOM Corporate Public Relations.
Similarly, the attacks will have a significant effect on the design of new facilities and infrastructure systems. CWA survey respondents predict more attention will be given to fire protection and alarm systems, structural reinforcement, and evacuation routes. Another outcome will be more widespread use of concrete as a primary building material. Continuing the trend following the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, "the move to increase protection around principal public buildings will be stepped up through oversized planters and other decorative barriers," predicts Don Marsh, editor of Concrete Products magazine.
And what of high-rise buildings? Did the collapse of the World Trade Towers herald an end to the era of the skyscraper? "The desirability of extremely tall buildings will be questioned more than it was before September 11th," says Gordon Wright, editor of Building Design & Construction magazine. "Donald Trump has already downsized his "world�s tallest building" project in Chicago to 78 stories. The jury is still out on whether a significant number of people will be reluctant to live and work in tall buildings."
As for the economy, the expected turnaround may not happen as soon or as rapidly as the industry would like. "The economy should begin to recover by the second half of 2002," says Christina Fisher, editor of ACP/Construction magazine, "but there will be delays before new projects proceed and workers are rehired." Those projects that do get underway, however, will almost certainly move quickly. "Speed to market is critical for many companies, particularly those in high-tech industries," Wright says. "Project teams that can deliver on a fast-track schedule will continue to have an edge, as will design/build."
While publicly financed projects are often the sole bright spot in hard economic times, CWA members disagreed on whether projects such as roads and educational facilities will stay on track. Some feel that states will take advantage of opportunities to keep their citizens employed. Kirk Landers, editor of Better Roads magazine, worries that the attacks will change the ground rules for government spending. "In the short term, there is less state government money for road construction and repair due to falling receipts," he says. "Long term, who knows? We have a war to pay for, not to mention the costs of increased security and infrastructure upgrades."
Perhaps the most interesting outcome of the September 11th attacks will be a renewed appreciation for the construction industry itself. News accounts have repeated spotlighted constructors and engineers of all disciplines for their work at Ground Zero and the Pentagon, while others contribute their expertise to mass media articles and features about building and infrastructure security. "The public has seen contractors in action and recognized their importance," says Bill Palmer of Hanley Wood's Concrete Construction magazine.
Founded in 1958, the Construction Writers Association is the nation's leading professional organization for construction industry journalists and communicators. Members include editors and key staff members from virtually every major industry publication, many of construction�s top freelance writers, representatives of key industry trade and professional associations, and those engaged in marketing and public relations for contractors, designers, industry suppliers, and service providers.
For more information
Deborah J. Hodges
Executive Director
P.O. Box 14784
Chicago, Illinois 60614
Telephone 773 687-8726
Fax 773 687-8627
info@constructionwriters.org