World Economic Forum WEF
The World Economic Forum (WEF) was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland and is independent, impartial and not tied to any special interests. It is committed to improving the state of the world, and describes itself as ‘the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation’, providing a platform for leaders from all stakeholder groups from around the world to come together.
It focuses on three key strategic challenges:
- Mastering the fourth industrial revolution.
- Solving the problems of the global commons.
- Addressing global security issues.
The Forum holds four major annual meetings:
- The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, shapes global, regional and industry agendas at the beginning of the calendar year.
- The Annual Meeting of the New Champions, the Forum’s annual meeting on innovation, science and technology.
- The Summit on the Global Agenda, brings together the world’s leading knowledge community to share insights on the major challenges facing the world today.
- The Industry Strategy Meeting brings together Industry Strategy Officers to shape industry agendas and explore how industries can shift from managing change to pioneering change.
In addition, it holds regional meetings and national strategy days and an ongoing programme of workshops, seminars and meetings.
Articles on Designing Buildings Wiki posted by the World Economic Forum include:
- The Fourth Industrial Revolution is about to hit the construction industry. Here’s how it can thrive.
- The world is ‘awash with cash’, so why aren’t we investing in infrastructure?
- Norway could build the world’s first floating tunnel
- The Trillion Dollar Business Opportunity in Infrastructure
- There’s a paradox at the heart of global innovation and productivity
- We’re less productive than in the past. Here are five potential explanations
- What is productivity, and how do you measure it?
- How the circular economy drives a healthier future in the built environment
- From Gotthard to Guadarrama – these are the world’s longest railway tunnels
- What is green infrastructure, and how do we include it in urban planning?
- This is how cities can fight climate change
- How can we make affordable, sustainable housing a reality?
- Can real estate go from villain to hero?
- Shaping the Future of Construction: A Breakthrough in Mindset and Technology
- Self-healing concrete and sweaty roofs: is this the future of buildings?
- Can the circular economy transform the world’s number one consumer of raw materials?
- Will Brexit shake UK construction?
- Modernise or die : the need for change in construction
- Construction : an industry ripe for tech disruption
- To attract the right talent, offering flexibility and work-life balance will be essential
- Procuring Innovation – Leading practices from British Columbia
- Top 4 Challenges Facing The Construction Industry
- The Future of Construction – Thoughts by Pedro Rodrigues De Almeida, PhD
- Call for feedback about the draft International Construction Measurement Standards.
- Building Information Modelling 101 – A brief introduction.
- On the road to ruin: How America’s infrastructure is failing.
- 10 construction industry trends to watch in 2017
- Impact of the Sharing (gig) Economy on Construction Craft Labour and Equipment Markets
- THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION – BIM
- The Future of Construction – Thoughts by Ibrahim Odeh, PhD, MBA
- Eight ways to win the fight for talent in construction
- India needs to build more infrastructure fast. Here’s how
- The world’s fastest mode of transport could soon be here
- Jeffrey D. Sachs: Why we need to invest for sustainable development
- Are we doing the right thing? Shaping well-being into the future of our urban communities
- 2 hours to 30 minutes. This is what our technology could do to your commute
- Dubai plans Hyperloop trains that will be faster than planes
- These giant infrastructure projects are set to reshape Africa
- Why so many women leave engineering.
- Tired of the commute? It might be time to take cars underground
- Cosmic insights - 10 ways aerospace can shape the future of construction
- Disposable Houses
- 5 things leaders can do to create a truly circular economy
- Wien, Austria – Known for its Schnitzel and for its Inflatable Concrete
- Two steps towards a more resilient world
- The key trends making our cities greener, safer and smarter
- Engineering the Secret Engines of Off-Grid Living
- Innovation in engineering and construction, a sleeping sector awakens in Davos
- Urban mining to reinvent concrete
- On-Site Generation of Heat and Power
- Megaprojects Set to Explode to 24% of Global GDP Within a Decade
- Flexibility in PPP Contracts: Best practices from countries where Abertis operates
- Advancing the Outcome of Challenging Infrastructure Projects through Project Alliancing
- Understanding Uncertainty for Performance Improvement
- Unprecedented Innovation and New Technologies on the Horizon
- Scoping Project Approach in the Developing World
- Project Controls in a post-BIM World
- Forecasting Future Performance with Confidence
- Expanding the Use of Lessons Learned to the Global Project Environment
- Advancing the Outcome of Challenging Infrastructure Projects through Project Alliancing
- A New Theory for Managing Large Complex Projects
- The Three Secrets of Great Projects
- Our critical infrastructure is more vulnerable than ever. It doesn’t have to be that way
- How to rebuild using the debris from disasters
- How do we tell which infrastructure projects will work?
- The skyscrapers of the future will be made of wood.
- Can we build cities that anticipate the future?
- 6 buildings that are revolutionizing the construction industry
- The world needs roads and bridges, but first it needs checks and balances
- The future of the built environment in a revolutionary age
- Is Disruptive Innovation possible in the Construction Industry?
- How to encourage women into engineering
- How business can bridge the infrastructure gap
- Five building blocks for the homes of the future
- A vision of the Future – A blueprint for the Industry from Canada’s West Coast
- What’s the key to sustainable construction?
- This article was originally published on the Future of Construction Knowledge Sharing Platform and the WEF Agenda Blog.
- 3D printing Michelangelo’s David in Concrete! – What’s your boldest goal?
- 2050 and the Future of Infrastructure
- Smart homes will be smarter than you think
- Industry Disruption: 10 ways real estate is changing
- More than 2 million people die at work each year. Here’s how to prevent it
- New World Economic Forum report: Insights to redesign the industry
- How Elon Musk and other pioneers are shaking up the construction industry
- 4 ways to recruit and retain the best talent in construction
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.