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Built environment sector seeks government recognition for growth
Built environment sector’s economic significance and future highlighted by NLA CEO Nick McKeogh amidst challenges and need for collaboration
Built environment sector’s economic significance and future highlighted by NLA CEO Nick McKeogh amidst challenges and need for collaboration
– The built environment contributes 25% of GVA, supports one in eight jobs, and generates £168 billion in exports.
– The sector needs government recognition to unify efforts and create a long-term investment plan.
London’s built environment sector is a major driver of the UK economy, supporting millions of jobs and acting as a global hub for architecture, engineering, planning, and design.
Despite its scale and influence, leaders say it is not being fully recognised or strategically supported as a unified growth industry.
The sector continues to operate in silos, with organisations often working independently rather than speaking with one voice to government.
This fragmentation comes as the industry faces rising financing costs, planning delays, housing supply constraints, and weakening market confidence driven by broader economic uncertainty.
Industry leaders are now calling for official recognition of the built environment as a “growth sector,” alongside finance and technology, backed by a long term 10 year investment and policy framework.
They argue this would help unlock stability, align regulation, and support long term investment in housing and infrastructure.
Speaking with The Connector host Belinda Coates, NLA CEO Nick McKeogh highlighted the need for stronger collaboration across London’s built environment sector, saying a unified approach is essential to tackle challenges like climate change, AI disruption, and urban resilience while unlocking future growth potential.
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