MIT Technology Review Narrated The surprising barrier that keeps us from building the housing we need
11 snips
Jun 11, 2025 The podcast dives into the escalating housing affordability crisis in the U.S., linking it to inefficiencies in the construction industry. It highlights how rising costs stem from outdated practices rather than just red tape. Historical examples, like the rapid construction of the Empire State Building, showcase better management techniques. The discussion advocates for embracing modern technologies such as data science and AI to revolutionize construction productivity and meet today's housing demands.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Construction Productivity Decline
- Construction productivity in the U.S. has stalled or declined since 1970, unlike other industries that improved significantly.
- This stagnation contributes heavily to high building costs and slower project completion times.
Inefficient Industry Practices
- Construction projects often start from scratch without reusing plans, limiting learning and efficiency.
- Misaligned financial incentives mean longer projects can be more profitable, hindering productivity improvements.
Improve with Digital and Standardization
- Embrace digital technologies and standardize processes to improve construction productivity.
- Streamline business practices to reduce time and cost overruns in projects.