Scotland’s built environment cluster
Bringing together our built environment ecosystem to accelerate Scotland’s transition to low-carbon, high-productivity construction.
Cluster organisations are the backbone of Scotland’s innovation strategy.
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.
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.
Why do we need clusters?
For the construction and built environment sector, cluster management will:
Help scale up innovations in sustainable building practices and digital construction.
Strengthen Scotland’s global competitiveness by branding its built environment expertise as world-leading.
Connects industry with academia, government, and international partners to speed decarbonisation.
Ensures procurement, investment, and R&D align with net zero goals.
Role of Cluster Management Organisations (CMOs)
The Blueprint strongly reinforces the importance of CMOs, describing them as:
Intermediaries and boundary spanners – connecting industry, academia, investors, and government across silos
Leaders of delivery – CMOs will not only convene but also deliver on cluster action plans, coordinate funding bids, and represent clusters internationally.
Storytelling and branding agents – tasked with building a compelling international narrative for Scotland’s clusters to attract FDI and skilled talent.
Relevance to the Built Environment
The Built Environment cluster is central to national goals on net zero, productivity, and internationalisation. BE-ST’s role will be critical in:
Coordinating Scotland-wide retrofit and low-carbon construction markets.
Connecting SMEs to procurement pipelines and innovation funding.
Ensuring Scotland’s construction innovation ecosystem matures into a globally recognised cluster.
Representing Scotland at international cluster networks (e.g., EUCLES, TCI Network).
