Page 14 - Issue 27

14 Feature

“Are we

ready to

hang our

hard heads

and work

from our

devices of

choice from Ms Sethebe Manake : Vantage Properties

anywhere ?” the built environment are time, money and quality. Built environment

therefore has a role to come up with solutions digitally with 4IR. She
goes on to argue that; do we still need 6 weeks for plans to be approved
he built environment was one of the hardest hit sectors when there are so many collaboration tools with comments and
during the Lockdown period in Botswana from the 2nd continuous communication online. She talked about 3D printing for
Tof April 2020 to mid-May. Projects started on a slow design fluidity, tours using VR and Augmented reality. Even calculating
path but have now moved on to full swing though time will risk and large data using artificial intelligence and machine learning
tell the impact of this down time. A webinar was sponsored to duplicate our experiences and recreating our production levels
by REAC and Minnacle academy termed - Built Environment by 1000 factor with more accuracy and consistency than humans.
post COVID-19; Driving transformational change and Vantage properties has a valuation platform which is a well-received
opportunities. Sithabile Mathe who is a practicing architect industry solution. Sithabile emphasized that, “Locally we can come up
for her company Moralo Designs and chair of Botswana with local solutions”.
Housing Corporation Board was moderator. It’s a new season that requires a new way of thinking. People are
On the webinar was a panelist Ms Sethebe Manake of no longer a part of production but benefactors of production. Work
Vantage properties. She spoke about the Fourth Industrial was created as essential to provide basic needs. If we use tech for
Revolution (4IR), Economic crisis as well as digital and broader work/production it allows us to live a life not anchored on work.
technology revolution. She started by explaining how all WHAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPORTANT IS THE VALUE WE PUT THE
these factors she will be discussing are more relevant than NEXT PERSON. Humanity needs to realise that its better when we are
ever due to the current pandemic . working together than competing. Its time should now to look for
“4IR is where we are because its charecterised by use of solutions. Yes as a way forward economies will change, money will
technology. This was way before Covid-19 and now we have change and may be digital but we will survive.
been forced to recognise the value of tech and its capability. “The future of 4IR for built environment will possibly look at green
Especially now traditional methods that are not efficient can building since we will be spending more time at home, faster
be foregone. For me the 4IR is now,” she said. development time lines, mindful building and informed innovation.
She went on to explain how in the built environment we have With technology you have information in your hands and with
to view challenges and identify existing solutions relevant information comes unlimited possibilities. Are we ready to hang our
today in our environment. An example of challenges faced in hard heads and work from our devices of choice from anywhere? ,”

Issue 27 - May /June 2020 www.engineerbw.com