CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES; LESSONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

This paper deals with the development of the construction industry, with a particular focus on developing countries. The paper brings together some of the lessons learned from the national programmes around the world, and explores the opportunities for enhancing the role of research infrastructure and national laboratories in supporting such change. The paper notes that in those countries that have adopted national initiatives to develop the construction industry, opportunities exist for the research infrastructure (the universities and research laboratories) to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the industry. In fact, it is likely that any national activity cannot succeed without the active support and participation of the research infrastructure. Specifically, research organisations underpin the development of the construction industry in any country.