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Unit 23 Construction Economics & Sustainability (H/618/8136) Assignment Brief 2026

Posted: June 1, 2026/Under: Uncategorized/By:

Unit 23 Construction Economics & Sustainability Assignment Brief

Qualification	Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals Construction
Unit Number	23
Unit Title	Construction Economics & Sustainability
Unit code	H/618/8136
Unit level	4
Credit value	15

Introduction

Construction is both a major influence on, and is influenced by, the economy. The construction sector has considerable impact on local, regional and national economies. However, it is also highly dynamic and responds to fluctuations in broader global economies.

When considering construction economics, we must also consider other factors that will influence the cost and viability of construction projects. Both political and social factors have a role in shaping the way that construction projects can be achieved. Thus, during the planning and execution phases of a project, a quantity surveyor must be aware of and seek to integrate the influence that social, political and economic factors will have on project costs, procurement and design.

Students will gain insight into the ways that political, social and economic factors influence construction. Through this, they will consider the relationship between these factors and how they are reflected in a project and in the broader economy. To integrate this knowledge, students will examine projects to evaluate the way that construction economics, combined with societal and political factors, may influence construction costs and procurement route.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

LO1 Discuss the political, economic, social and environmental factors that influence the construction industry

LO2 Assess the relationship between economic factors, material and labour costs

LO3 Explore strategies for construction procurement that address economic, social, environmental and political challenges

LO4 Present an analysis of an existing or proposed development in relation to the economic, social and political factors influencing its success.

Essential Content

LO1 Discuss the political, economic, social and environmental factors that influence the construction industry

Construction sector
Supply and demand
Equilibrium
Stakeholders
Political influences
Legislation
Taxation
Tax credits, deductions and subsidies
Political uncertainty
Economic influences
Economic model (e.g., free market economy, command/planned economy)
Investment (e.g., investor types, investment types, return on investment (ROI))
Economic indicators (e.g., GDP, Retail Price Index, manufacturing activity, employment statistics)
Economic subsidies
Market influence (e.g., inflation/deflation, recession/depression)
Interest rates
Regional variations
Profit
Social influences
Demographic changes
Social trends
Attitudes
Environmental influences
Environmental impact (e.g., carbon emissions, materials and scarcity, energy use)
Environmental initiatives (e.g., industry goals, government targets)

LO2 Assess the relationship between economic factors, material and labour costs

Factors influencing material costs
Material type (e.g., raw, processed, product)
Material supply (e.g., local, international, import taxes, tariffs, customs)
Transport
Availability (e.g., scarcity, sustainability, renewable)
Factors influencing labour costs
Labour availability (e.g., demographics, trades, professions, skills shortages)
Labour relations (e.g., unionised labour, casual labour, professionals)
Labour practices (e.g., working hours, role definitions)

LO3 Explore strategies for construction procurement that address economic, social, environmental and political challenges

Procurement types
Traditional
Design-Build (e.g., single-stage, two-stage)
Management
Private Finance Initiative/Public-Private Partnership (e.g., Design-Build-Operate (DBO), Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT))
Other (e.g., framework agreements, engineering procurement and construction (EPC), fast-track construction, partnering, prime contracting)
Procurement in response to
Economic factors (e.g., cost, time, ROI)
Social factors (e.g., stakeholders (individual, public, private, institutional), employment, environmental factors, political factors)

LO4 Present an analysis of an existing or proposed development in relation to the economic, social and political factors influencing its success

Presentation type
Report
Audio/visual
Audience
Professional
Non-professional
Peer
Project/development type
Residential
Commercial
Institutional
Procurement
Procurement route
Contract type
Drivers/influences
Economic
Political
Social

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass	Merit	Distinction
LO1 Discuss the political, economic, social and environmental factors that influence the construction industry		D1 Critically evaluate the ways that global economics influences construction.
P1 Explain the ways that economic models may influence construction projects. P2 Describe the relationship between political decisions and construction costs.	M1 Analyse the impact of the economic ‘market’ on construction costs.
LO2 Assess the relationship between economic factors, material and labour costs		D2 Critically analyse the dynamic relationships between material and labour costs with inflation.
P3 Review a set of general arrangement drawings, selected details and door/window schedules to determine the factors that influence material and labour costs. P4 Produce an outline bill of quantities related to a given project.	M2 Compose a Schedule of Works.
LO3 Explore strategies for construction procurement that address economic, social, environmental and political challenges
P5 Discuss the ways that different procurement routes respond to social, political, and economic drivers. P6 Examine the relationship between procurement route and sustainability.	M3 Analyse the influence of government policy on the procurement route for public projects.

Pass

Merit

Distinction

LO4 Present an analysis of an existing or proposed development in relation to the economic, social and political factors influencing its success

D3 Present a critique of a project’s procurement route in response to political, social and economic drivers.

P7 Examine the ways in which a construction project responds to political, social and economic influences.

P8 Present the outcomes of

the analysis of a construction project.

M4 Justify an approach to presenting project analysis in meeting audience needs.

Recommended Resources

Print resources

GRUNEBERG, S., FRANCIS, N. (2019), The Economics of Construction, (Economics of Big Business), Agenda Publishing
HIGHAM, A., BRIDGE, C., FARRELL, P. (2016), Project Finance for Construction, Routledge
MCDONOUGH, W., BRAUNGART, M. (2010), Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, North Point Press
MYERS, D. (2016), Construction Economics, Taylor & Francis
STAIGER, R. (2015), Foundations of Real Estate Financial Modelling, Routledge

Unit 23 Construction Economics & Sustainability (H/618/8136) Assignment Brief 2026