The AEC – Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry sector has been adopting new technologies aimed at minimizing change orders, increasing efficiency, improving productivity and enhancing the quality of new built infrastructure.

In 2019 (Oudjehane et al 2019.) it was already acknowledged that the use of advanced technologies such as drones and other unmanned systems had disrupted some construction practices. In part due to being a traditional and old industry going back several centuries, the way we design, plan and build infrastructures has been slow to change and adopt new innovation and technology. The rationale to build differently and for disruptive changes to construction practices could be related to wider availability and further development of technology and integrated software tools with various automated systems. In addition, climate change and environmental pressures have also transformed the way we build, in an effort to reduce the overall impact of the construction sector on GHGs and carbon emissions. Most recently, and in accordance with a Forbes Technology Council Post from May 2021(Forbes 2021) the construction sector is prioritizing on one hand new technologies such as AI – artificial intelligence, VR virtual reality, VDC virtual design and construction with big data, whilst on the other hand, putting an emphasis on resiliency and sustainability in construction practices with the use of recyclable, low carbon emitter and environmental friendly building materials or the design of building systems capable of sustaining major weather events with lower carbon impacts. One such example in North America is the fast growth of mass timber and tall wood construction driven by the sustainable advantage of wood construction vis a vis traditional construction methods.

This special issue of JCCEE calls for papers featuring recent research and case studies highlighting new and innovative civil construction materials, systems, methods and practices. The contributions could include the themes described below as keywords.