The data, which measures the construction of new homes and apartments, is a slightly lower drop than the annual rate of 985, 000 units that economists polled by Thomson Financial had expected.

FORBES: Worst Of Both Worlds

The ONS measures construction output from the activity of business in Britain, not including Northern Ireland, which conducts its own equivalent survey.

BBC: Cranes in London

Over lunch we discussed "green" buildings (this megadeveloper thought the best environmental measures are those applied during construction).

FORBES: Magazine Article

Mr Stevenson also announced measures to minimise disruption during the construction of the new bridge, including reducing working hours for the building of associated roads.

BBC: Forth bridge passes first hurdle

These draconian measures could lead to a ban on the construction of private residences, particularly on the suburban fringe.

FORBES: California Wages War On Single-Family Homes

Some parts of the new regulations simply reiterate rules that were already in place -- such as requirements for dust-control measures at construction sites -- but have been poorly implemented because the environmental authorities have lacked clout.

CNN: Beijing tries to clean up its act

The EU has identified construction and demolition waste as a priority waste stream which means that policies and measures ensuring increased recycling of CND waste versus landfill and incineration will take priority.

FORBES: Coming Soon: Intelligent Recycling Robots

More recently, measures from the Chinese government to control rising real estate prices will further suppress sales of construction equipment and machinery in the country, and thereby impact Caterpillar.

FORBES: China Will Drive Caterpillar's Long-Term Growth Despite Recent Weakness

Further, the government's nuclear regulatory body "did not require Tepco to take specific measures, such as additional construction, after they received simulation results from Tepco in 2008 and early in 2011 regarding the impact of tsunamis on their facilities".

BBC: Fukushima accident: disaster response failed - report