Technology, Safety, and Regulatory Innovation in Built Environment Research

Abstract

This editorial frames the second issue of ABC2 around the convergence of technological innovation, safety management, and regulatory adaptation in the built environment. Despite the economic and social significance of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, persistent fragmentation, declining workforce levels, and safety risks continue to challenge industry performance. Against this backdrop, the editorial situates Industry 4.0 and the emerging Industry 5.0 paradigm as transformative forces capable of reshaping construction processes, infrastructure resilience, and decision-making through human-centric, data-driven, and sustainable approaches. The contributions demonstrate how advanced technologies—such as Digital Twins, artificial intelligence, machine learning, extended reality, and data analytics—are being operationalised to address real-world challenges. Case studies span regulatory innovation in modular construction, global smart home typologies, predictive modelling for infrastructure failures, and proactive safety management for utility and highway workers. Together, they reveal how digital tools must be accompanied by regulatory evolution, organisational learning, and professional competence to realise their full potential. The editorial highlights several cross-cutting themes: the necessity of aligning technological advancement with regulatory frameworks; the growing centrality of data-driven methodologies; the influence of geographical and institutional contexts on implementation; and the enduring importance of human factors in safety and design. By synthesising these insights, the editorial positions Issue 2 as a significant step in ABC2’s mission to cultivate evolving knowledge spaces at the intersection of technology, policy, and practice. It concludes by inviting further contributions that integrate analytical rigour with societal relevance to advance safer, smarter, and more resilient built environments.