CIRIA
Encyclopedia
CIRIA is a member-based research and information organisation dedicated to improvement in all aspects of the construction
industry. Members include representatives from all parts of the supply chains of the modern built environment, covering building and civil engineering
as well as transport and utilities infrastructure. CIRIA is a not-for-profit company, with all membership subscriptions, earnings and external funding being invested back into industrial and public seminar events, training courses and research assignments with the overall goal:
In 2008, over 70 projects were run, nearly 130 events organised, 12 books published and almost 60 theme-based training courses delivered to top industry stakeholders.
in 1960. In recent times the organisations' name has been shortened to CIRIA. Today, CIRIA is now known solely by its abbreviated name. CIRIA's mission is to improve the performance of those in the construction and related industries. CIRIA now has offices in London, Scotland
and Hong Kong
.
The Scottish offices of CIRIA were officially opened for business on 4 October 2005 by Nigel Griffiths
, MP, and are based at the University of Dundee
.
(CPD) and the content is continuously updated to reflect industry and legislative changes.
The training modules are designed for all levels of knowledge from less experienced professionals fairly new to construction through to professionals who have extensive knowledge and experience.
In 2010 CIRIA launched the UK's first online training course in contaminated land.
CIRIA also manages a number of more focused networks including:
From 2003 to August 2007, CIRIA also managed the Network for Construction Collaboration Technology
Providers, before it moved to become a member grouping within Constructing Excellence
.
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
industry. Members include representatives from all parts of the supply chains of the modern built environment, covering building and civil engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
as well as transport and utilities infrastructure. CIRIA is a not-for-profit company, with all membership subscriptions, earnings and external funding being invested back into industrial and public seminar events, training courses and research assignments with the overall goal:
"To champion performance in construction and to improve the quality, efficiency and safety of the modern built environment."CIRIA Mission Statement Annual Review 2008
In 2008, over 70 projects were run, nearly 130 events organised, 12 books published and almost 60 theme-based training courses delivered to top industry stakeholders.
History
The Construction Industry Research and Information Association was founded in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1960. In recent times the organisations' name has been shortened to CIRIA. Today, CIRIA is now known solely by its abbreviated name. CIRIA's mission is to improve the performance of those in the construction and related industries. CIRIA now has offices in London, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
The Scottish offices of CIRIA were officially opened for business on 4 October 2005 by Nigel Griffiths
Nigel Griffiths
Nigel Griffiths is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South from 1987 to 2010.-Early life:...
, MP, and are based at the University of Dundee
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....
.
Research
CIRIA’s research spans the market sectors of buildings and facilities, water and sustainability, environment, civil and ground engineering, process and management, and technology. Working both within and across these market sectors, the themes of work cover a wide remit related to construction including: technical issues, legislation, regulation, training, management and economics. While much of the work benefits from public sector funding, CIRIA also maintains ‘club-funded’ projects aimed at building understanding between contributors in key areas of concern. Many of CIRIA's research projects and activities culminate in the publishing of guidance documents, many of which have been adopted as the standard for excellence in their respective areas. The outputs of research projects have also taken the form of training seminars and workshops.Training
CIRIA provides a range of training courses. Each course is based on a CIRIA area of expertise and an accompanying CIRIA publication, where applicable, is distributed to course delegates . All courses are certified for Continuing Professional DevelopmentContinuing Professional Development
Continuing professional development or Continuing professional education is the means by which people maintain their knowledge and skills related to their professional lives.-CPD research:...
(CPD) and the content is continuously updated to reflect industry and legislative changes.
The training modules are designed for all levels of knowledge from less experienced professionals fairly new to construction through to professionals who have extensive knowledge and experience.
In 2010 CIRIA launched the UK's first online training course in contaminated land.
Networks
CIRIA manages a number of Learning Networks, including The Construction Productivity Network (CPN) and the Construction Industry Environmental Forum (CIEF). They are events-based networks, and between them provide around 70 workshops and seminars each year across the UK. The seminars involve industry-practitioner speakers and the transmission of event summaries to all registered members of the networks.CIRIA also manages a number of more focused networks including:
- LANDFORM (Local Authority Network on Drainage and Flood Risk Management) – a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise in flood risk management and sustainable drainage
- Buildoffsite - an industry-wide campaigning organisation that promotes greater uptake of offsite techniques by UK construction
- SAFESPUR – to share for supplier good practice for nuclear defence sites
- EMSAGG (European Marine Sands and Gravel Group) – to provide the marine aggregate industry with the opportunity to discuss the issues affecting this sector
- LACL (Local Authority Contaminated Land Network) – working together to deliver sound contaminated land management throughout the UK.
- BRMF (Brownfield Risk Management Forum) - promoting sustainable and good practice in brownfield projects in the UK.
- Clients’ Sustainability Club – a club for major construction clients who want to share their experiences in developing solutions to sustainability challenges and learn from leading sustainability experts.
From 2003 to August 2007, CIRIA also managed the Network for Construction Collaboration Technology
Construction collaboration technology
Construction collaboration technology refers to software applications used to enable effective sharing of project-related information between geographically dispersed members of a construction project team, often through use of a web-based Software as a service platform.-History:The terms...
Providers, before it moved to become a member grouping within Constructing Excellence
Constructing Excellence
Constructing Excellence is a UK-based construction industry membership organisation. In the UK, it is unique insofar as its member organisations are drawn from across the industry supply chain, ranging from clients, through contractors and consultants, to suppliers and manufacturers of building...
.
Ownership
CIRIA’s owners include representatives from all parts of the supply chains of the modern built environment, covering building and civil engineering as well as transport and utilities infrastructure. CIRIA is led by a member-wide council. Bill Healy was appointed as CEO in 2007. Membership of CIRIA’s Executive Board currently comprises:- Peter Gammie (Chair) – Chief Executive, Halcrow Group LimitedHalcrow Group LimitedHalcrow Group Limited is an engineering consultancy company, based in the United Kingdom.Halcrow is one of the UK's leading consultancies, with a pedigree stretching back to 1868. The UK-based consultancy specialises in the provision of planning, design and management services for infrastructure...
- Ginny Clarke – Director of Safety, Standards and Research, Highways AgencyHighways AgencyThe Highways Agency is an executive agency, part of the Department for Transport in England. It has responsibility for managing the core road network in England...
- Professor David Balmforth – Technical Director, MWH
- Professor John Miles – Chair, Global Consulting Business, ArupArupArup is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom which provides engineering, design, planning, project management and consulting services for all aspects of the built environment. The firm is present in Africa, the Americas, Australasia, East Asia, Europe and the...
See also
CIRIA staff also play a supporting role in the following CIRIA partnerships:- CEEQUALCEEQUALCEEQUAL, is an assessment and awards scheme for improving sustainability in civil engineering and public realm projects, based in the United Kingdom. It is promoted by the Institution of Civil Engineers and a group of civil engineering organisations including CIRIA, CECA and ACE...
- Buildoffsite
- SCCSCC-Companies:* Secure Computing Corporation* The Sirius Cybernetics Corporation, a fictional company from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* Specialist Computer Centres, British-based IT consulting company...
- Construction Industry CouncilConstruction Industry CouncilThe Construction Industry Council is the representative body for the professional bodies, research organizations and specialist business associations in the construction industry in the United Kingdom...