The adapt or die scenario of construction
Watch the episode on YouTube right here!
From rethinking education to transforming how we build—digitization is no longer optional.
It’s the cornerstone of a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future. And the next generation is already stepping into a world many industry veterans struggle to navigate.
So how do we make sure they’re not walking alone?
We created a podcast episode, “The adapt or die scenario of construction,” featuring Dr. Bola Abisogun OBE, founder of the Digital Twin Skills Academy and Honorary Doctor at London South Bank University (LSBU). Join us as we dive into the future of construction and the changing role of the quantity surveyor.
New business models are emerging.
The old ones are eroding.
And the traditional quantity surveyor model, founded on reactive processes and manual measurements, is being replaced by strategic advisors working with data-rich, API-driven digital twins.
It’s a pivotal moment.
A paradigm shift.
And the question is not whether we need to digitize: It’s whether we’re ready.
Ready to help shape the future and to support the new generation.
But how?
In the following article, we’ll discuss:
- Digitalization is no longer up for debate
- LSBU is disrupting the educational status quo
- A new mindset for a new era
Let’s begin.
Digitalization is no longer up for debate
Once, digital models and smart construction were optional.
They were upgrades that companies could choose to make. But that time is gone now. Especially in the UK, where the Building Safety Act now mandates a “golden thread” of information from design to operation.
Simply put: If you’re not building with digital in mind, you may not be building legally.
Dr. Bola, originally trained as a quantity surveyor, sees this shift as an opportunity.
An opportunity to completely rethink the profession.
What used to be a reactive, manual discipline is evolving into a forward-looking, data-driven advisory role. Digital twins, API-led workflows, and automated quantity generation are now part of the toolkit.
So what does this mean in practice?
It means:
- Upskilling is essential—if you can’t interpret data, you can’t lead projects.
- Digital twins aren’t just visual—they’re real-time, data-powered tools.
- The “intelligent client” is now a critical part of the delivery model.
- Clients can no longer delegate legal responsibilities to consultants.
The result:
Efficiency, accountability, and a real chance to transform the industry from the inside out.
But we’ll only gain this if we’re willing to change how we work.
And change who’s leading this work.
This is where London South Bank University gets interesting.
But why LSBU?
LSBU is disrupting the educational status quo
The future is digital, but our universities are still analog. Leaving the next generation stuck in the middle.
LSBU is determined to change the old ways. Even though many universities are still teaching as if it’s 1995, Dr. Bola, as Chair of LSBU’s Industry Advisory Board, is helping the university challenge traditional educational frameworks. He’s pushing for curricula that embed digital thinking into every layer of learning.
Pushing for an education where digital isn’t a bolt-on. But a place where it’s the foundation of it all.
His message is clear: We cannot train tomorrow’s professionals with yesterday’s methods.
Now, let’s take a look at how LSBU is setting new standards:
- They introduce new MSC and undergraduate programs focused on digital construction.
- They use guest lectures and external experts to upskill both students and faculty.
- They’re championing digital twin technology as core to 21st-century learning.
- They collaborate directly with the industry to ensure real-world relevance.
Sadly it’s not easy to implement this in the universities.
Many lecturers aren’t digitally fluent. Red tape slows down curricular reform. And traditional accreditation processes can delay meaningful change for years.
In a world where talent shortages and sustainability goals intersect, that commitment is critical.
How can we make a shift in the entire industry, and not only for the students coming out of LSBU?
A new mindset for a new era
What’s missing in the industry right now?
- A new mindset.
The regulation is here, the technology exists, and the next generation is ready.
Digitization isn’t just about tools. It’s about how we share knowledge, how we collaborate, and how we redefine professional identity. In a fully digital ecosystem, the quantity surveyor of 2030 may no longer measure quantities.
They may be strategic advisors for material flow, circular economy, and embodied carbon impact.
And for that to happen, everyone (educators, clients, consultants) must shift perspective.
A part of changing the old mindset is to:
- Be aware that quantity surveyors may soon become “Material Flow Assessors” focused on circularity and lifecycle thinking.
- Let students see digital practice during their studies and not five years after graduating.
- Use technology to collaborate earlier within projects in order to beat later conflicts.
- Share data because it’s essential to project delivery.
- Evolve traditional roles with technology.
Young people are often more prepared than their employers.
They adapt fast, they understand APIs, and they live in the cloud.
So why aren’t we letting the young people lead?
Let’s not just update our tools.
Let’s update our thinking.