On 23 March, the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering has opened the 4th National (All-Russian) Scientific and Technical Conference "Prospects of Modern Construction". The event will run through 26 March and bring together young scientists, teachers, PhD and master's students, and representatives of the construction industry.
The conference aims to develop research and experimental-applied activities in the field of modern construction, as well as to foster professional dialogue between the academic community and industrial partners.
A platform for discussing industry challenges
Andrey Nikulin, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. He noted that the conference was a response to the current challenges facing the construction industry and emphasized the importance of consolidating the scientific and professional communities.
"Problems will always exist. Solving them is why we gather at conferences like these," said Andrey Nikulin.
Particular attention was paid to the university's role in training personnel: today, SPbGASU remains one of the key centers for training specialists in the construction industry, determining its development both in the Northwest region and in Russia as a whole.
In his speech, Vice-Rector for Research Evgeny Korolev emphasized that the construction industry's challenges are directly linked to the country's national priorities. These include implementing lean construction principles, improving energy efficiency, reducing construction waste, and developing new materials and technologies. According to the Vice-Rector, "the more people are involved in solving the problem, the faster and more effectively we can achieve results."
Interaction between science and practice
A key feature of the conference was the active participation of representatives from the professional community. In their welcoming speeches, they noted that such events contributed to the formation of a unified professional space where both scientific approaches and practical solutions were discussed.
Representatives of industry associations emphasized that the construction industry remained relatively conservative, but young professionals and researchers were capable of driving change. Participants were encouraged to more actively promote their developments not only within the scientific environment but also within the professional community.
Focus on youth and scientific results
One of the key features of the 2026 conference was the increased role of young scientists. A competitive presentation program was introduced for the breakout sessions, with the best presentations awarded diplomas.
Conference proceedings will be published in collections indexed in the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI). Furthermore, the most significant studies are recommended for publication in highly ranked scientific journals.
Modern technologies and new approaches
The plenary session featured presentations on current development trends in the industry. Specifically, the following topics were discussed:
- Digitalization of building inspection processes and creation of structured databases;
- Implementation of building information models (BIM);
- Application of artificial intelligence in construction project management;
- Methods for assessing the reliability of construction projects based on international experience.
Participants focused on the transition from traditional forms of data presentation to digital tools that could significantly improve the efficiency of engineers and designers.
A broad scientific agenda
The conference will continue in the format of breakout sessions on key areas of construction science, including:
- architectural and structural engineering;
- geotechnics;
- reinforced concrete, metal, and timber structures;
- construction management;
- structural mechanics;
- construction materials technology;
- technosphere safety.
The "Prospects of Modern Construction" conference is held annually and has become an important platform for knowledge sharing, discussing current industry issues, and fostering scientific and professional connections.
Exhibition
The conference also opened the "Safety in the Construction Industry" exhibition, which showcased modern solutions and technologies aimed at improving occupational safety in construction.
