Sustainability, Emergency Preparedness Among IFMA’s Forecast Facility Trends
Eight trends that will impact the future built environment were recently identified by panelists at the International Facility Management Association’s (IFMA) forecast workshop.
Eight trends that will impact the future built environment were recently identified by panelists at the
International Facility Management Association’s (IFMA) forecast workshop.
Panelists represented industries such as corporate real estate, government policy, energy, security and technology. The eight trends identified are expected to impact building design and facility operations throughout the 21st century.
The top trends of 2007 that will most impact the built environment of the future are: linking facility management to strategy, emergency preparedness, change management, sustainability, emerging technology, globalization, broadening diversity in the workforce and aging buildings.
For facility executives, the first trend highlights the importance of developing a clear understanding of their organization’s long-term business strategy — not just focusing on short-term problem solving, says IFMA.
Emergency preparedness, the second trend, has taken on a more visible role in recent years. Disaster planning and recovery have come to the forefront, as dramatic emergency situations such as Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina have occurred during the past decade.
The concept of sustainability, a trend which continues to grow in importance, now has a broader scope. Beyond environmental responsibility, it now includes aspects of energy management, indoor air quality and high performance systems, according to IFMA.
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