If you know me, you know that the glass isn’t merely half-full but overflowing with opportunity. So it’s no surprise that I think 2022 promises to be a transformational year—or at least a bridge from the pandemic to the post-pandemic economy.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. In his 2022 Construction Economic Forecast—this issue’s cover story—ABC chief economist Anirban Basu makes the case for a recovery that continues to build on the gains of 2021. Basu notes “that stimulus persists, and that 2022 will be associated with ongoing reopening of the global economy. By themselves, those factors suggest that 2022 will be another year of economic growth.”
Companies that successfully take advantage of that growth will be those that have embraced the new realities of digital innovation. But while technology has become even more embedded in our professional lives thanks to the need to better connect during the pandemic, I believe there is still more value to be gained from it. This month’s Workforce column offers practical strategies for proactively cultivating the digital leadership required to optimize construction innovation, while the Hot Products special section spotlights some of the high-tech services and solutions that are pushing the industry past the cutting edge.
Another major component of the recovery is the concept of resilience in our companies, our communities and our infrastructure. It’s inevitable that we will continue to face natural disasters, terrorism and other catastrophic events—and knowing that, we can plan, design and build with this knowledge in mind. You can read more about the emergence of climate-resilient projects in this month’s Markets column.
Thank you for reading and supporting Construction Executive, and please accept my best wishes as we move forward in our planning for 2022. Let’s make it a safe, healthy and prosperous new year.
