Andy Jowett

Manchester

Editor at Planning and Building Control Today

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

Managing editor @PBC_Today, BIM Today & @DigitalConToday. Tweeting news, opinions & features on planning, BIM and construction.

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Articles

Beyond visualisation: Why the future of 4D planning is active

2 days ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

It’s time to turn 4D from a misused asset into a vital element of planning and production control, writes David Hernandez, managing director of Elecosoft4D simulation has long promised better planning and clearer communication in construction. It is defined in PBC Today as “the process of using 3D models combined with time and schedule-related information…to create a virtual construction sequence”. Unfortunately, the industry has been stuck using it passively. We visualise. We validate.
The changing face of cost estimating

2 days ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

Chris Curling, enterprise sales manager, EMEA at Bluebeam, explores how tech can improve cost efficiency and cost management during projectsIt is no secret that construction is a low margin industry. Subject to heavy external price pressures, a highly competitive landscape and a challenging procurement environment, there are many factors putting pressure on the accurate costing of construction jobs.
Concrete’s carbon footprint problem and what you can do about it

3 days ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

Concrete is the most consumed material on Earth after water. It shapes our cities, infrastructure and homes – but at a significant environmental cost, writes Sarah Walker, senior architect product specialist at VectorworksConcrete production is responsible for over 7% of annual global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. Most of these emissions — about 90% — come from Portland cement, the binding agent that gives concrete its strength.
Bridging the gap between BIM and smart buildings

4 days ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

The Digital Building Council’s BIM to Smart initiative aims to bridge the gap between building information modelling and smart building technology. Project lead John Clarke discusses the project ahead of the DBC’s BIM to Smart panel at Digital Construction WeekThe digital transformation of the built environment is undeniable, yet a significant chasm often separates the world of Building Information Modelling (BIM) from the burgeoning realm of smart buildings.
The construction payment process is broken. Here’s how to fix it

4 days ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

Construction payment infrastructure is hopelessly outdated – but the momentum is shifting, writes Mateo Zimmerman of Cemex VenturesWhile payment technology has rapidly modernised industries like retail and healthcare, construction remains a holdout. Despite the size and complexity of modern projects, most contractors still rely on manual, paper-based payment processes. The result is a system riddled with delays, inefficiencies and financial strain across the value chain. That’s starting to change.
Future of building services: Investing in the next generation

5 days ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

CIBSE is Building for the Future: Find out how you can shape the future of building services engineeringAt the heart of the journey to net zero lies the building services sector, where engineers play a pivotal role in creating the sustainable infrastructure of tomorrow. Recognising this vital responsibility, CIBSE is embarking on an ambitious journey of its own: the Building for the Future campaign.
Restoration of Parliament and the floating solution

6 days ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

Restoring the Houses of Parliament is a monumental task fraught with physical, planning and even political challenges. Petr Mitev of Chaos examines the complexity of restoring such a historical site, the role of technology and the reality of building a floating temporary home for the “mother of parliaments” on the ThamesIn January 2025, the UK Houses of Parliament marked their 224th year.
Flood maps reveal higher risk to commercial properties

6 days ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

Property investors and owners in England are facing a fundamental shift in how they understand and manage flood risk, as the Environment Agency’s updated flood risk mapping reshapes future development and climate resilience planningThe government has estimated that around 6.3m properties in England are in areas at risk of flooding. The total number of properties in areas at risk from rivers and the sea or surface water could increase to around 8m by mid-century.
Balancing innovation and investment: The digital crossroads for FM professionals

1 week ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

Facilities managers (FM) are no strangers to complexity. From juggling compliance, sustainability goals and high workloads to navigating a rapidly shifting tech landscape, today’s FM leaders are being asked to do more, with less.
Why Britain’s nuclear planning reforms are a game-changer for energy-intensive industries

1 week ago | pbctoday.co.uk | Andy Jowett

The UK’s nuclear planning reforms could mark a major turning point in the journey to decarbonise energy-intensive sectors, writes Hannah Manson of NewcleoThe global nuclear renaissance is well and truly underway. Nuclear power generation is set to reach record levels this year, with over 70GW of new capacity currently under construction worldwide – one of the highest levels in the last three decades.