ABSTRACT
The volume of resources needed to provide and maintain the built environment is greater than is generally available (Chapter 5). As a result potential demand for the built environment exceeds supply and standards are lower than is generally thought desirable. The evidence available points to a considerable backlog of desirable construction work, particularly maintenance and rehabilitation (Chapter 5). At the same time the construction industry is under-employed. Because of inadequate maintenance some built assets eventually cost much more to maintain than necessary, give a poorer service or cease to be useful at a prematurely early age. This chapter considers why the allocation of resources is inadequate and why some resources are used in an uneconomic way.
