Digital Transformation in the Built Economy

Nairobi, Thursday May 25, 2023

KNA by Peace Muthoka/Emma Jolly Wambui

State department for Public works, Institute of quantity surveyors of Kenya (IQSK), Kenya national bureau of statistics and the national housing corporation have launched the Construction Cost Handbook that provides insights into the cost of construction projects in Kenya.

Public works Principal Secretary (PS) Joel Arumonyang highlighted that Digital Transformation reduces overall cost, cuts down on human error, enhances time efficiency on jobs, eliminates instances of repeat jobs, promotes easy calculation verification and improves collaboration between stakeholders.

“Digital Transformation in the Built Environment is not only timely, but also appropriate in view of the current situation in the construction industry, where the use of technology is inevitable in the country and globally and improves the project’s clarity as it tracks how information is shared among the various stakeholders involved in the project,” he reiterated.

The PS emphasized that use of technology improves the way buildings and infrastructure are designed, constructed and managed through digital tools and technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, drones and data analytics.

“BIM creates digital representation of a building or infrastructure project used to manage its design, construction, and operations. It enhances collaboration amongst stakeholders which supports identification of potential issues before construction begins,” stated Arumonyang.

The PS also said that people need to embrace and adapt to changes that arise as a result of Digital Transformation in the industry to increase efficiency, uphold a competitive advantage and increase profitability.

Speaking during the event at a Nairobi Hotel, the Director General, Communications Authority of Kenya, Ezra Chiloba said that they had partnered with IQSK to ensure there was enough connectivity between them.

“The theme of IQSK, Digital Transformation in the Built Environment appears to the same as that of Government of Kenya which aims to transform the country into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens by 2030 in a clean and secure environment,” said Chiloba.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Communication Director, Multimedia services, Leo Boruette, the Director General said that as ICT they value the increased connectivity by giving licenses to operators

“For us we control the operators and develop ICT infrastructure through guidelines that make them comply,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chiloba said that ICT has infused energy efficiency in the building environment through advanced technology, efficient occupancy in office by use of smart devices, thus requiring less space in the office and fast maintenance.

Courtesy ; K. N. A