Global Scans · Construction · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: 65 per cent of global construction growth for the next decade will happen in emerging markets. Smart cities, sustainable construction, greater urbanization and pre-fabricated buildings will all play their part in future construction growth.

• [New] Construction fleet telematics adoption currently stands at 32% of large equipment operators as of 2024, with Association of Equipment Manufacturers surveys projecting 60-65% adoption by 2027. Discovery Alert
• [New] The Australian construction industry is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.3% from 2026 to 2029, supported by public and private investments in transport, data centers, renewable energy and housing projects. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Data centers are expected to account for more than 6% of all nonresidential construction spending in 2026, up from about 2% in 2023. MCAA
• [New] Spending on construction of data centers will rise by 23% in 2026 compared with the year prior. Last Week in ConTech
• [New] The current boom in datacenter construction is only likely to slow if AI investment trails off or the current bubble bursts - which the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee warned about last year. The Register
• [New] Vietnam's construction industry presents significant opportunities supported by rising FDI, state infrastructure investments, and energy initiatives like PDP8. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] Heavy construction on the 218-mile Brightline West rail line is expected to kick off in 2026. Railway Age
• [New] The AI boom is creating six-figure opportunities for electricians, plumbers, and construction workers. Fortune
• [New] Digitalization, automation, and AI are becoming core components of new operating models in construction, and in 2026, we expect accelerated adoption of technologies that enhance predictability, efficiency, and sustainability while strengthening overall competitiveness. The QMJ Group Ltd
• [New] The Climate Resilient Buildings and Core Public Infrastructure initiative, led by the National Research Council of Canada, has introduced engineering guidance that goes beyond historical weather data by using future climate models that project performance over a 50 to 75-year service life. / Canada On-Site Magazine
• [New] The European Union's construction sector will see production increase by 1.5% in 2026, as it finally exits a prolonged slump. KHL Group LLP
• [New] The construction sector is projected to shift from stagnation to growth in 2026, with residential construction showing promise as new permits increase steadily. Yahoo Finance Canada
• [New] Autodesk Construction Cloud is gaining serious traction with owners, general contractors, and designers seeking to reduce project risk and increase efficiency. TIKR.com
• [New] Globally, construction output is expected to grow 3.3% in 2026, helped by easing financial conditions and gradual residential recovery, though civil engineering and non-residential growth may moderate under fiscal pressure. alcircle
• [New] Data center and power generation construction activity alone will generate more than $215 billion in activity, growing at a combined rate of 9.6% in 2026. Default
• [New] The majority of new labour demand in 2026 will stem from 20% of U.S. workers approaching retirement and from an ageing workforce, rather than new construction activity. RKL
• [New] Many investors continue to view the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index as a bellwether for domestic fixed income, yet its construction reflects a narrow and increasingly incomplete opportunity set. Thornburg Investment Management
• [New] Construction: New retail construction is projected to fall by 37% in 2026 as developers remain cautious amid persistent economic uncertainty. Knowledge Leader - Commercial Real Estate Content Hub
• [New] Coastal chiefs say they will use every tool available to stop construction if Ottawa pushes ahead with a North Coast pipeline. National Native News
• [New] China will step up efforts to upgrade its construction industry by prioritizing quality, innovation and safety, as part of its push to build an upgraded version of the Chinese Construction brand during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Bastillepost
• [New] Renovation-focused construction activity and sustainability policies are forecasted to influence the demand for variable refrigerant flow systems in Europe. SkyQuest Technology Consulting

Last updated: 11 February 2026