Sustainability and climate action in the built environment: a UCEM panel

Several members of staff at UCEM took part in a panel discussing the institution’s role in sustainable education and governance. Here’s what they had to say. On Tuesday 23 April,…

What the built environment can do to champion EDI: a Q&A with UCEM Trustee Misa von Tunzelman

How can the built environment industries better support people from under-represented groups to enter, stay and thrive in the sector? Workplace equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is no longer being…

Diversity and data: a headache the built environment needs to address

It's not just outdated stereotypes and mindsets that hold back equality, diversity and inclusion in the built environment - it's also how businesses are able to capture and use data…

What on earth are sponge cities?

The concept of ‘sponginess’ has emerged in the urban planning discourse in recent years, but what does it actually mean? As the 2050 target of achieving net zero approaches, the…

10 heat pump myths, debunked

Here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions about heat pumps that have held back its adoption in the UK. Heat pumps are widely considered to be one…

A guide to retrofitting (and how it could help us reach net zero)

Retrofitting could be the answer to how the built environment addresses its role in the climate crisis whilst satisfying demand for new buildings and houses. The UK has a problem…

Are heat pumps just hot air?

Amid fierce debate in the UK, are heat pumps really the future of sustainable energy, heating and retrofitting in the built environment? If we are to achieve the 2050 net…

Be Part of the Change podcast episode 3 – mental health in the built environment

The built environment comprises a diverse and exciting range of sectors, but there is still a lack of representation at every level. We want this to change. ‘Be Part of…

Making waves as a female Building Surveyor: a Q&A with UCEM Alumni Annabel Huffer

We met with UCEM alumni Annabel Huffer to discuss her experiences as a female building surveyor and why she advocates so strongly for apprenticeships. Despite making up around half the…

Your guide to the golden thread: the cornerstone of building information

The golden thread is a hot topic in the construction industry as the Building Safety Act comes into effect. Here’s why. To most people, a building is purely a physical…

16 sustainable and cost-effective building materials

These 16 innovative and eco-friendly materials can help the construction industry address its role in the climate crisis. The built environment is one of the single most pollutive sectors in…

Could flexible working be the key to greater diversity in construction?

Flexible working could be the silver bullet that construction companies need to improve diversity and representation in the sector. Here's how. Flexible working has been steadily growing in popularity over…