LAHORE: A seminar on ‘Innovative Construction Techniques’ was held on Monday to discuss the impact of technological innovations on the construction industry of Punjab through cross sharing of information. The seminar was organised by the Punjab Planning and Development Department (P&DD) along with Urban Unit at a local hotel. Punjab Communication and Works Secretary Mian Mushtaq Ahmed chaired the seminar where Planning and Development Department Board Chairman Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, P&DD Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, P&DD Infrastructure Board Member Dr Abid Bodla and Urban Unit CEO Dr Nasir Javed also spoke on the occasion. The seminar was attended by engineers, architects, contractors, academia, government departments, urban planners, developers and environmentalists working in private sector organisations. The seminar had four technical session discussing global applications of innovative construction techniques in contemporary construction industry, including micro-tunneling, building information modeling (BIM), segmental bridge construction, advanced construction management techniques, use of reinforced earth technologies for slopes stabilisation and control of landslides, use of geo-grid for pavement optimisation, rubber dams-pilot project for revival of degraded river channels in Punjab, light gauge steel, reinforced earth-retaining walls and bridge abutments. The presenters included known experts from the construction industry of Pakistan and abroad including Vinci Construction Project Manager Gary J Hall, Korean Institute for Health Architecture Vice President Bong Hwan Lee, Economic Advisor to Punjab CM Dr Ijaz Nabi, Geo-Technical and Geo-Environmental Engineering Division Vice President Sohail Kibria, NESPAK Chartered Engineer Murtaza Khan, Associated Consulting Engineers (ACE) Deputy Regional Head Dr Tabassum Zahoor and FrameCAD Solutions Director Nader Elhajj. Speaking on the occasion, the C&W secretary said technology is the only solution to address modern day issues faced by the construction industry. We are realising the necessity to improve the performance of domestic construction industry at both provincial and national level. We aim to equip domestic construction industry, consultants, contractors, and clients with latest tools and techniques matching the highest contemporary standards of quality, proficiency, cost effectiveness, disaster resilience, and engineering economy in related areas of planning, preparation, execution, implementation, and operationalisation of development portfolios.” Dr Abid Bodla in his address said, “There is dire need that our stakeholders enhance their knowledge about latest developments in construction industry focusing inter-alia, seismic, flooding and multi-hazards risks reduction and mitigation of climate change impacts through use of innovative construction techniques and adaptations. Shared information is the way to enhance knowledge and such seminars and discussions will help us bridge this gap,” he added.