5 trends for designers in civil engineering, fall 2024
What to keep an eye on for the future of the industry.
This fall brings both challenges and opportunities in civil engineering! The construction industry is impacted by the expected decline in building projects due to high interest rates and inflation, but at the same time, the focus is shifting to innovative new residential developments like Stockholm Wood City.
In Sweden, 2024 has also been dubbed ”the big infrastructure year”: this summer, the government decided to prepare major projects such as the freight corridor through Bergslagen, the E4 highway in Västerbotten, and the construction of so-called Sydostlänken starts in 2027–2029.
Amidst this are the vital designers, ensuring that projects meet both technical and environmental standards. Here are some key trends that are shaping the work of design engineers this fall!
Trend 1: Gain an edge with digital tools & technologies – BIM, AI, VR & IoT
The use of advanced digital tools such as BIM, AI, VR, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming increasingly critical. As design engineer, you’re expected to have a solid understanding of these technologies and be able to implement them in your projects.
With these tools, you can simulate various scenarios and optimize the construction process from design to maintenance, identifying and addressing potential issues early on. In addition to saving time, energy, and money, IoT and AI can also be used to monitor and optimize operations and maintenance of infrastructure projects, leading to significant time and cost savings.
Demonstrating your expertise in these areas can set you apart from other designers, showcasing your ability to deliver high-quality projects.
More and faster projects, or fewer workers?
With the help of AI and other digital tools, one key question arises: will we ramp up production, or will we become so efficient that fewer people are needed? The future is uncertain, but it’s clear that preparing for it now and investing in professional development is the best strategy.
What do design engineers want?
By collecting data and conducting thousands of candidate interviews each year, we can see that:
• 47% of designers want to deepen their expertise
• 44% want to broaden their skills to work cross-functionally
• 38% want to share knowledge with colleagues
• 35% want to advance in their roles
There is a strong desire among design engineers to grow and continue developing – are you at a workplace that supports this?
Trend 2: Boosting efficiency with prefabrication & modular construction
To meet increasing demands for faster construction and higher quality, prefabrication and modular construction are now gaining traction. Prefabrication ensures quicker timelines and better quality control, as more work can be completed in controlled factory environments.
This requires designers to adapt buildings and structures to accommodate prefabricated components, with meticulous planning and coordination among all project stakeholders.
While prefabrication offers advantages for railway, bridges, water infrastructure, and buildings, it also presents challenges in transportation and requires precise measurements for proper site adjustments.
Trend 3: Strong, smart, and affordable
Given the economic challenges of rising interest rates and material costs, design engineers are expected to focus on cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.
This might involve finding alternative – yet equally sustainable – materials to keep projects within budget. Designers will need to leverage their expertise and innovative thinking to save money while maintaining quality and meeting all regulatory requirements.
New materials like self-healing concrete and the growing use of wood as a construction material are on the rise. These innovations can reduce costs and environmental impact, which is particularly important in infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges that endure heavy wear and demand high safety standards.
The need for integrating energy-efficient measures and reducing environmental impact is becoming increasingly urgent. This includes improved insulation, energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy sources like solar panels and green roofs in buildings. Design engineers must incorporate these sustainability considerations into their solutions.
Trend 4: More communication than ever
A trend toward increased collaboration and partnering among various actors in the construction process is influencing how design engineers plan and execute projects. This means designers need to work more closely with other professionals, such as contractors and subcontractors, to ensure project goals are met effectively.
This development places new demands on their ability to communicate and coordinate their work with other stakeholders. By actively engaging in collaboration, design engineers can benefit from each other’s expertise and experiences, leading to better solutions and a more efficient construction process.
For design engineers, it’s essential to develop strong relationship-building skills, negotiation abilities, and the capacity to compromise to navigate this increasingly collaborative environment.
Trend 5: Companies investing in training & recruitment
The shortage of competence continues to pose a significant challenge in the construction industry. To address this growing need in workforce shortages and lack of competence development, companies are investing heavily in training and recruitment to fill open positions.
The labor shortage varies by region: while some areas lack enough qualified candidates, others have an oversupply of candidates relative to available jobs. This has led to higher unemployment, as few people are willing to relocate for work.
However, it’s encouraging that more companies are focusing on skills development – a positive trend for design engineers striving to grow professionally.
A challenge to overcome
These changes point out the increasingly important need to be flexible, adaptable, and to stay updated on the latest technologies and trends in sustainability and efficiency. While the market may be more competitive, there are significant opportunities for design engineers ready to embrace new challenges.
By thinking strategically, adapting to changes, and leveraging new technologies and insights, design engineers can play a key role in shaping the built environment of the future.
Want more career tips, inspiration & insights into the design engineering industry? Find more on our blog!
