1. Building at the heart of new issues

What can we learn from this representation? Three major elements can be observed.

First of all, the issue of buildings is inextricably linked to the urban question. Two new dimensions need to be considered. On the one hand, the future of construction is assured by the phenomenon of urbanization. This must be reflected in an increasingly sustained demand for the built environment, whether the city is rebuilding on itself or calling for new territorial developments. What's more, this phenomenon is unfolding on every continent and requires the same efforts.

At the same time, however, this global trend is leading to new competition between metropolises. The resulting attractiveness of the living environment may or may not contribute to metropolitan development.

Construction is now a guarantee of competitiveness, provided...