Explores common and highly topical issues related to construction in a litigious society

Shows how environmental, economic, political, and social factors can affect construction projects

Includes numerous examples of projects successfully completed under extremely difficult circumstances

Explains the various concerns construction professionals are likely to face and how to develop a strategic plan for minimizing their adverse effects

Today's construction environment is more complex than any previous era. The possible impediments to a project's successful completion include not only "bricks and mortar" issues like material availability or curtain wall testing, but a broad array of concerns involving the economic, political, social, environmental, archeological, community, and historic preservation aspects of the project. Costly delays are common; regulatory processes can be prohibitive; stakeholders have more say. All of the people involved in an urban construction project must be knowledgeable about, and conversant with these conditions.

Bringing together over 500 years of combined professional experience, Construction in Cities: Social, Environmental, Political, and Economic Concerns provides you with a compendium of knowledge with which to solve problems and propel your projects. Beginning with an overview of the regulations governing construction in cities, the book continues with concrete, practical advice for below-ground work such as tunnels, roadways and foundations. It follows with an examination of five actual projects to explore ways to complete elaborate urban buildings. Finally, the book takes you deep into the murky waters of issues that often halt construction projects.

Since the unexpected always happens in construction, you need a book on your shelf to reach for when it does - a source that delineates clean and concise recipes for successfully dealing with such diverse conditions as unexpected archeological finds, dying trees, and toxic air. If you play a role in ensuring the delivery of capital projects in an urban environment, Construction in Cities serves as a handy reference of actions and methods for overriding these barriers.

Not Just Bricks and Mortar
The Challenges of Constructing Major Tunnels in Central London
How Things You Can't See Can Cause Problems
The Contest with Groundwater for Underground Space
Mobilization for a Tunnel Project in an Urban Environment
Siting the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant
Getting Along with the Existing Infrastructure
Exterior Wall Renovation in Urban Areas
Community Relations and Urban Design: The New York Psychiatric Institute Case Study
Building under a City Street
We've Got an Historic Landmark, Now What Do We Do?
Turning Archaeological Problems into Assets
Trees in Urban Construction
Building for High Performance
Construction Labor in the Urban Setting
Women in Construction
University of Washington Case Study
Appendix: The International Perspective
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Covers the gamut of today's building environment, written articulately by well-known industry professionals. An excellent resource for everyone in design, construction, and real estate."
- Richard T. Anderson, President, New York Building Congress