Welcome Message

A Welcome Message from the Conference Chair, Ralph Montague.

Pay Attention to What’s Important

At a practical level, what could be more important to humanity than the builtenvironment? Buildings and infrastructure are involved in almost every aspect of life,delivering almost everything we need as human beings, from clean drinking water, food,clothing, goods, energy, transport, communications, and shelter. Places and spaces tolive, love, laugh, cry, eat, sleep, learn, trade, play and pray. What we do, is important. Howwe do it, is also important.

Throughout history, the ‘heroes’ of Architecture, Engineering and Construction, have provided the buildings and infrastructure that supports almost everything that we do as a society. And we have achieved this because of our ability to communicate, collaborate, and share information. The knowledge we share, through communities and events like this, and our ability to create together, connects past, present and future. It has fuelled human progress. Since the beginning of time those who produce, manage and exchange information, have literally helped shape the environment for humankind to flourish.