Past Perfect: Historical Antecedents of Modern Construction Practices
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 133, Issue 9
Abstract
This paper describes initial research on a project designed to understand the experiences of past generations of constructors and make that knowledge accessible to future generations of engineering students and construction practitioners. Much in the same way as medical students can trace their lineage back to Hippocrates, this project aims to provide architecture, engineering, and construction students, and professionals alike, a sense of their professional history. The project was developed around five time epochs, four geographic regions, and three different project types. We investigated issues such as the flow of money, training of workers, sharing of design knowledge, and nature of contracts and agreements. The central question posed by this work is how should knowledge of the history and evolution of construction practices be incorporated in the dialog that educators have with students and with the larger professional community? This research has led to multifaceted results. On the one hand, the message to students should be pride in their professional heritage because throughout time constructors and designers have used knowledge, perseverance, and innovation to accomplish remarkable projects. On the other hand, we have shown that much of what is considered new in the industry (alternative project delivery methods, worker safety programs, public private partnerships, and globalization) have historical antecedents and are not new at all.
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Acknowledgments
The writer wishes to acknowledge the financial support of the University of Colorado-Boulder during his sabbatical year. He especially wants to acknowledge the moral support that he received from his friend and benefactor Stan Lewis and the financial support that he received from the K. Stanton Lewis Endowment. This paper is dedicated to Stan’s memory.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 133 • Issue 9 • September 2007
Pages: 652 - 660
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Apr 4, 2007
Accepted: May 2, 2007
Published online: Sep 1, 2007
Published in print: Sep 2007
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