Early this September, more than 12,000 visitors from more than 50 countries gathered in Singapore for the inaugural International Built Environment Week (IBEW). IBEW is the region’s first built environment event featuring innovative technologies from progressive firms across the entire built environment value chain.
The event was co-organised by BCA and Reed Exhibitions, and supported by 12 Trade Association Chambers.
An integrated platform for the built environment
Themed “Transforming the Way We Build”, IBEW focused on key transformation areas such as Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), digitalisation, sustainability, and smart facilities management.
Over the three days of the International Built Environment Conference, delegates gleaned from the insights of more than 100 distinguished speakers from Singapore and abroad. Customised journey maps for delegates helped them navigate the various conference tracks, and included recommended site tours, tracks, and exhibition booths.
Addressing urban challenges in the region
IBEW 2019 also featured BE Connect, a premier business platform bringing together Singapore-based urban solution providers, developers from the region, and the investment community to address urban challenges in the region. This was a major milestone helping buyers in China, India, and Southeast Asia to access fully integrated solutions across the entire built environment value chain for their building needs.
Through BE Connect, 16 Memoranda of Understanding were signed, with a total estimated contract value of close to $30 million.
Transforming professionals in the sector
At an IBEW breakfast talk for CEOs, top industry leaders gave their take on how focusing on innovation, instilling collaborative leadership, and a vision for internationalisation were crucial to realising a productive, high-tech, and future-ready built environment for Singapore. The sector also needs to be able to attract and retain talent by changing the culture, improving benefits, and offering development programmes.
Latest innovations and industry solutions
More than 550 companies participated in four tradeshows co-located with IBEW. The companies showcased their latest innovations in the built environment sector, including sustainable solutions, systems that maximise energy efficiency, and construction technologies that improve productivity.
Additionally, industry leaders shared their insights on the hottest technological trends at tech talk seminar areas. Delegations from different markets also came together to discuss and exchange ideas on the latest innovations for sustainable cities.
Curated site tours to a range of developments
Delegates also had the option to join eight curated site tours, ranging from lifestyle hubs and residential properties to university campuses and integrated developments. The tours featured the latest innovations in the built environment sector, which have enabled the sector to become sustainable, productive, and smart.
These innovations included Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and photovoltaic systems.
IBEW will return
IBEW will return in September 2020, providing a comprehensive platform to strengthen partnerships among industry stakeholders and push the boundaries of technology and innovation to transform the way we build in Singapore and beyond.
