Pek Lian Guan: Improvement of construction technology helps resource sustainability

Smart city development involves a wide range of issues. Pek Lian Guan, Managing Director & CEO of Tiong Seng Group, Singapore, discussed it from the perspective of sustainable architecture and construction technology. Regarding sustainable architecture, he said that green buildings are not only limited to the building itself, but also the effective use of resources in various stages such as construction, operation, renovation and demolition. It is a balance between man-made buildings and the natural environment while taking building efficiency, building practicality and comfort into consideration, so as to achieve sustainable development.

With regard to construction technology, Pek mentioned several new trends, including application of information technology, modularization of tasks, and construction automation. Construction information models provide precise, accurate and real-time information throughout the construction cycle, extending beyond other emerging construction technology. At the same time, smart technologies and information communication are closely linked to drive the digitalization, modularization and automation of construction tasks, meeting safety requirements while ensuring high quality, as well as reducing the industry’s need for labour while improving construction productivity. In addition, he believes that applying information technology to construction can help maximize the potential of resources while reducing the waste caused by ineffective information flow and non-standardized tasks, which is in line with the needs of sustainable development in today's society.