Breaking the Groundhog Day cycle for Singapore construction

IN THE cult classic Groundhog Day, Bill Murray’s character finds himself trapped in a time loop reliving the same day over and over again. Much like the cyclical pattern of the film, Singapore’s construction sector continues to be plagued by persistent challenges time and time again. From labour shortages to supply-chain issues, rising costs of raw materials and workplace accidents, the array of challenges remains wide-ranging.

Yet, amid these challenges, many construction professionals are sanguine as the economy continues to recover. Singapore’s total construction demand has been projected at between S$27 billion and S$32 billion in 2023 – and that’s before taking into account mega-infrastructure projects such as Changi’s Terminal 5 and Tuas Mega Port.

According to Procore’s How We Build Now 2023 benchmark industry report, which surveyed the sector’s decision-makers, 90 per cent of Singapore’s construction leaders are confident about their industry’s prospects in the next 12 months.