CRISP – Construction Research Priorities 2000: knowledge creation and its application for rethinking and sustainability

Citation

(2001), "CRISP – Construction Research Priorities 2000: knowledge creation and its application for rethinking and sustainability", Facilities, Vol. 19 No. 1/2. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2001.06919aab.006

CRISP – Construction Research Priorities 2000: knowledge creation and its application for rethinking and sustainability

CRISP – Construction Research Priorities 2000: knowledge creation and its application for rethinking and sustainability

Keywords: Construction industry research

At a special event on 19 July 2000, the Construction Research and Innovation Strategy Panel launch Construction Research Priorities 2000.

CRISP's purpose is to identify and communicate research and innovation priorities to funders and others, while facilitating a culture of innovation across the industry. Building on work started during 1999, Construction Research Priorities 2000 underlines CRISP's determination to make long lasting and significant improvements within the industry, while providing firm foundations for the future and creating an effective research base for the benefit of all those concerned.

Chairman, Turlogh O'Brien CBE, said of CRISP's work that:

achieving the objectives in "rethinking construction" depends not only on the effective application of existing knowledge, but on the development of new approaches which support both step changes and continuous improvement.

A closer relationship needs to be forged between industry and the research community, which enables the research done to be perceived to be relevant, and for the outcomes to be applied. The CRISP "Construction research priorities 2000" document provides a framework for this.

The supporting work has been made widely available through the CRISP Website (www.crispuk.org.uk). It is equally accessible to clients as well as to the different parts of the supply side of the industry. This underlines the importance of all participants seeking to secure competitive advantage from these developments.

CRISP welcomes the strategic review of the Construction Industry Board, which has seen due prominence being given to research and innovation.

Details on Construction Research Priorities 2000 are given below and further information can be obtained on the CRISP Web site: www.crisp-uk.org.uk

Construction Research Priorities 2000 identifies three broad drivers for industry improvement:

1. 1.

   customer needs;

2. 2.

   respect for people; and

3. 3.

   sustainable construction.

Within industry improvement, CRISP has selected six industry-related topics and three related priorities for particular attention:

1. 1.

   design – as the integrator between customer needs and completed works;

2. 2.

   technologies and components – the materials, products and systems which make up buildings and works;

3. 3.

   management of the development process;

4. 4.

   performance of buildings and works;

5. 5.

   information technology; and

6. 6.

   housing.

The three related priorities are:

1. 1.

   motivation and communication;

2. 2.

   the regulatory framework; and

3. 3.

   the fiscal and financial framework.

Another important area for CRISP support is the health of the research base that underpins much of the work identified and being confident that it can play its full part in the research agenda.

For longer-term needs, CRISP has collaborated in the current round of foresight by helping to organise an "associate programme" for construction, actions and findings of which will play a crucial role in shaping the way society uses and benefits from the products of our industry.

Under the aegis of CIB, and with continuing support from DETR, CRISP will continue to work closely with the Movement for Innovation and the Construction Best Practice Programme to ensure that there is a single set of research and innovation priorities for the industry.

Details and additional information, including requests for copies of Construction Research Priorities 2000 should be directed to Jim Meikle or Martin Lockwood, CRISP Management Support Unit, Davis Langdon Consultancy, Princes House, 39 Kingsway, London WC2B 6TP. Tel: +44 (0)20 7379 3322; Fax: +44 (0)20 7379 3030; E-mail: martin.lockwood@davislangdon-uk.com