Why Can’t Scotland Build Faster? – Episode #27
No Fluff. Just Real Industry Conversations
Scotland needs more homes, stronger communities and faster progress on retrofit, infrastructure and regeneration. Yet for developers, design teams and contractors, getting projects from ambition to delivery can still feel slower and more complex than it needs to be.
In this episode of The Hard Hat Talks, Kenneth Martin is joined by Dr Jocelyne Fleming of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Drawing on CIOB’s policy and advocacy work across the built environment, the episode takes a frank but constructive look at what is slowing construction delivery…and where more joined-up thinking could help Scotland and the construction industry move forward.
From the Scottish Government’s new More Homes Scotland agency (that the CIOB have been supporting) to better coordination across construction and project teams, the conversation looks at where positive change could come from to help reduce friction, delays, cost and lost opportunity before projects reach site.
It’s a discussion that looks at what needs to change to help Scotland move from hopeful ambition to delivery more quickly. Not through quick fixes or by adding more layers of process but through clearer direction, better coordination and (hopefully) a system that gives those trying to deliver projects simplier routes to get on with the job.
What you’ll discover from the podcast
- Why Scotland’s challenge goes beyond housing and into a wider construction-delivery issue
- How CIOB is helping bring policy, industry evidence and practical delivery closer together
- Why better links between planning, infrastructure, skills and funding could unlock progress
- What ‘More Homes Scotland’ could do to help coordinate housing delivery at greater scale
- How the industry can reduce unnecessary friction without losing sight of safety and quality
- Why viability, utilities and infrastructure need to be addressed earlier and more strategically
- How stronger collaboration across architects, consultants, contractors and public-sector teams could save time and cost
- Why retaining experienced people and improving skills pathways matters to Scotland’s ability to build more
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