On 9 December, we are bringing together organisations from across Scotland’s built environment to help shape the development of a dedicated, industry-led Built Environment Cluster. This session at BE-ST marks the start of a wider engagement process to ensure that any future cluster reflects the real needs, priorities and opportunities within our sector.
What is a Cluster?
The Scottish Government’s Blueprint for Developing Clusters makes clear that Scotland’s Built Environment sector has a significant opportunity to form a nationally recognised, industry-led cluster capable of driving innovation, investment and economic impact. The intent is to bring together contractors, manufacturers, designers, digital specialists, academia, policymakers and supporting organisations into a coordinated ecosystem that can share knowledge, align priorities and accelerate Scotland’s transition to low-carbon, high-productivity construction.
The Blueprint emphasises the need for clear leadership, strong governance and an evidence-based understanding of the sector’s strengths and gaps, ensuring that any future cluster is industry-driven and positioned for international competitiveness.
For the Built Environment, this means creating the critical mass and collaborative structure required to attract funding, develop new markets, build skills, and enhance Scotland’s global profile while delivering environmental and social value across communities.
What is this event for?
The aim of the event and our engagement activity is to validate and build on the research already completed to map Scotland’s construction ecosystem, and to understand where industry believes the greatest potential lies. We are particularly interested in the four areas that continue to define Scotland’s transition:
Advanced materials
Low-carbon construction
Retrofit and refurbishment - including heat and energy-storage solution
Digital and data.
Who is this event for?
This workshop is an invitation for contractors, manufacturers, designers, technology providers and supporting organisations to contribute their insight. We want an honest picture of Scotland’s current readiness for coordinated cluster activity, the barriers that limit progress, and the opportunities where targeted investment from government and enterprise agencies could have the greatest economic and social impact.
By bringing together industry, academia, policymakers, and non-government partners, we have an opportunity to establish a shared framework that supports innovation, attracts funding, strengthens supply chains and helps Scotland grow its built-environment capabilities—whether through increased export potential or by reducing reliance on imported solutions.
The 9 December workshop will take place in person, with further online engagement, interviews and questionnaires available for those unable to attend. Broad participation is essential. The more perspectives we capture, the stronger and more representative the recommendations will be.
To stay updated, please register your interest here.
Date: 9th December 2025
Time: 9am - 1pm
Location: BE-ST Innovation Campus