Building Blocks: What the Indian construction sector can learn from Singapore

The Indian construction sector is at the cusp of a major transformation, aiming to become the world’s third-largest construction market. 

The construction sector has always been a significant part of India’s quest to be a USD 10 trillion economy. Aided by burgeoning housing economy, urbanization and the Government of India’s concerted infrastructure push the industry is set for exponential growth to emerge as the world’s third largest market, behind China and the US. The Union Budget FY 2024-25 also announced a slew of measures for both infrastructure and the housing sector to provide further fillip to the construction industry.

While the sector holds immense potentially both from its economic contribution and employment growth, it is also plagued by several challenges.

Challenges in Growth of the construction sector

Planning & Efficiency Issues: One of the major issues plaguing the construction industry has been consistently inconsistent efficiency leading to cost & time overruns and high risk of completion

Technology Usage: Adoption of technology and automation is picking up in India but adoption at scale would also require a skilled workforce proficient in operating and maintaining these technologies.

Manpower Skilling &  Retention: Current skill development programs fall short of industry requirements. Equipping workers with necessary technical and vocation skills remains a challenge. This is made even more challenging by the high attrition rates.

Sustainability Consciousness: While sustainability standards have started to get introduced in the industry there is still a significant gap in adoption and adherence, largely due to low sustainability consciousness.

Globally the construction industry has grown by leaps and bounds driven by technology and innovation. Singapore has been at the forefront of this growth, leading the way with their focus on information modelling, modular construction & strong sustainability focus

What we can imbibe from Singapore’s construction sector

Strategic Planning and Regulation: The Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Govt of Singapore has been shaping the foundation of Singapore’s urban development by developing and enforcing regulations and building codes ensuring high standards of safety, quality and sustainability while maintaining efficiency. We can take a leaf if not the whole book from BCA in maintaining world class construction standards

Integration Lifecycle Management to further Enhance Planning: Under the guidance of BCA, Singapore has effectively leveraged BIM technology across the construction lifecycle, from design and planning to construction and maintenance – significantly improving coordination, reduced errors, and enhanced project efficiency. 

Cutting Edge Infrastructure Project Development: The BCA has also been instrumental in developing cutting-edge infrastructure be it iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands or essential transport systems. The planning detailing and timely execution of each of these projects is a case study in itself.

Industry Collaboration for Technology Adoption & Capacity Building : The Construction Industry Transformation Map  (ITM) is a classic case study of industry government collaboration, a roadmap to transform the construction sector. Created by the BCA in close collaboration with Singapore’s Trade associations and chambers (TACs), institutes of higher learning (IHLs) as well as construction unions, the ITM is a roadmap for enhancing productivity, leveraging digitalization, and training professionals to accelerate adoption of advanced construction technologies like Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) and Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD).

Incorporation of technology & automation for enhancing efficiency: Singapore actively promotes prefabrication and modular construction techniques, leading to faster construction times, improved quality control, and reduced on-site labour requirements. 

Integrating Sustainability in every aspect of Urban Development: BCA has been instrumental in transforming Singapore into a hub for green buildings through the Green Building Masterplan

The BCA’s Impact on Singapore’s construction sector

Through its comprehensive approach, BCA has been central to creating a vibrant, sustainable, and efficient urban environment. Its initiatives have:

Positioned Singapore as a global model for smart and sustainable cities.

Elevated the construction sector to a more technology-driven and innovative industry.

Ensured long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits for the country.

How do we Adopt & Adapt for India’s construction sector

Singapore today is the benchmark for the global construction industry, and by adapting BCA’s initiatives with sensitivity to local contexts, India can significantly enhance its construction sector’s efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.

Some of the areas which could be looked at include

Governance and Regulatory Framework: Strengthen Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA) to emphasize sustainable and technology-driven construction.

Scaling up initiatives like the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat.

Develop localized building codes and standards that integrate modern practices while considering traditional techniques.

Promotion of the use of prefabricated components and modular construction to address labour shortages, reduce construction timelines and prevent overruns

Invest in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and encourage its adoption across projects for efficient planning and execution.

InCoBAN takes the lead in imbibing Singapore’s best practices

In line with its objective of elevating the construction ecosystem in India InCoBAN has been working with several world leading associations to facilitate greater exchange of ideas in technology.

While there has been a long-standing admiration for the Singapore construction industry in India, the need of the hour would be to develop partnerships with nodal bodies like the Building & Construction Authority to facilitate learning, knowledge and best practice exchange including globally recognised certifications and technologies.

Recognizing the valuable role of Singapore to accentuate construction standards in the country, InCOBAN has now collaborated with BCA International – the partnership arm of BCA, Govt of Singapore to create an opportunity for the Indian construction industry to imbibe adopt and adapt learnings to build faster, better and greener through

Pilot Projects: Implement BCA-inspired reforms in select cities or regions to demonstrate impact before scaling nationally.

Policy Integration: Embed these reforms into ongoing programs like Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT.

Public-Private Collaboration: Foster partnerships between the government, industry, and academia to drive innovation and adoption, skilling and capacity building

This is just the foundation, and we need to many such collaborations to make India the infrastructure and construction capital of the world.