ABSTRACT
Construction has fewer long-established traditions in North America than in many other countries. While North American construction practices reflect their European roots, they are also influenced by other cultural backgrounds. In general, the North American processes are considered more flexible and less regulated than in other regions such as Europe and Japan. Replacement is generally chosen over rehabilitation. Because emphasis tends to be on cost efficiency and speed of construction In North America, there have been numerous innovations in machinery, techniques and equipment. This tendency toward innovation and speed of construction, coupled with the continent’s abundance of raw materials, has ensured that the productivity and costs of North American construction are very competitive with other developed nations.
