ABSTRACT
Chapters 1 to 3 examine the development process, the construction industry and the design framework in which decisions are made in cost planning. These chapters provide the basic economic and organisational background for the cost planner. Knowledge of the economic and design environments are invaluable when working on a project with a client and design team. An appreciation of this setting will make the cost planner more aware of the effect of industry trends on his or her cost planning activities. This chapter is designed to make the cost planner aware of certain economic factors; however, it is not a comprehensive study of building economics. These studies are found in the more specialised texts noted in the Further Reading at the end of the chapter.
