Built and Natural Environment Consulting Market Size - By Service Type (Urban & Regional Planning, Architecture & Design, Civil Engineering, Environmental & Sustainability, Landscape Design, Sustainability & Green Building, Geospatial & GIS), Application, End User, Global Forecast 2023 – 2032

Built and Natural Environment Consulting Market Size - By Service Type (Urban & Regional Planning, Architecture & Design, Civil Engineering, Environmental & Sustainability, Landscape Design, Sustainability & Green Building, Geospatial & GIS), Application, End User, Global Forecast 2023 – 2032

Built and Natural Environment Consulting Market Size

Built And Natural Environment Consulting Market size was valued at USD 63.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 5.5% by 2032 due to the rapid pace of urbanization.

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As more people flock to urban areas, the demand for infrastructure, real estate, and sustainable urban development will skyrocket. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 57% of the world's population resides in urban areas. This statistic highlights the ongoing trend of global urbanization with many people living in cities and metropolitan regions. Consulting firms specializing in architecture, engineering, and environmental sciences play a pivotal role in planning, designing & managing these urban transformations. Moreover, urbanization leads to increased regulations and compliance requirements, necessitating the expertise of consultants to navigate through complex zoning laws, environmental impact assessments, and sustainable building practices.

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The rising service demand from the infrastructure and real estate sectors is a significant factor driving the industry gains. These sectors require expertise in urban planning, architectural design, and environmental sustainability. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, the construction market is expected to reach USD 1.42 trillion by 2027. Under the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), infrastructure projects with a combined value of USD 1.3 trillion are in their various stages of implementation. These projects encompass a wide range of sectors including transportation, energy, and urban development, aiming to bolster the country's infrastructure and promote economic growth & development.

Evolving environmental regulations and sustainability standards present challenges in the market. As standards change, consulting firms must stay updated, thus incurring additional costs. Meeting stringent regulations and sustainability criteria can be complex & costly.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the market as it led to project delays, cancellations, and a decrease in client budgets. Social distancing measures disrupted on-site work, affecting project timelines. Moreover, uncertainty in the economic environment caused clients to reassess their construction & infrastructure plans.

Built and Natural Environment Consulting Market Trends

The rising emphasis on sustainable and green design & construction practices is a prominent trend in this market. With the growing awareness of environmental issues, clients are prioritizing eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible projects. This trend is driving consulting firms to provide expertise in green building practices, renewable energy integration, and environmentally sustainable urban planning. As regulatory requirements and consumer preferences align with sustainability, consulting firms are adapting to offer innovative solutions for designing & constructing eco-conscious infrastructure.

The emergence of smart cities is a notable trend in the built and natural environment consulting market. Smart cities leverage technology & data to enhance urban living, improve infrastructure, and optimize resource usage. Consulting firms are instrumental in helping cities implement smart initiatives, from intelligent transportation systems to efficient energy management, thus meeting the evolving needs of urban populations for sustainable, interconnected & efficient urban environments. For instance, in June 2023, Toyota Mobility Foundation, in partnership with Challenge Works and World Resources Institute, initiated a USD 9 million Global City Challenge, spanning three years, to promote safe, inclusive & sustainable innovation in urban mobility.

Built and Natural Environment Consulting Market Analysis

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Based on service type, the market is divided into urban & regional planning, architecture & design, civil engineering, environmental & sustainability consulting, landscape design, sustainability & green building consulting, and geospatial & GIS consulting. The civil engineering segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 7% by 2032. As infrastructure needs expand globally, the demand for civil engineering expertise in the designing & managing of critical projects, such as transportation, water resources, and urban development, increases. Consulting firms specializing in civil engineering offer innovative solutions to address urbanization, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure.

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Based on end user, the built and natural environment consulting market is categorized into government & municipalities, private sector, nonprofit & environmental organizations, and individuals. The private sector segment was valued at over USD 27 billion in 2022. Private entities are increasingly investing in infrastructure & real estate projects, propelling the need for planning, design, and sustainability consulting services. The progression of this segment is being driven by the active involvement of the private sector in urban development, property construction, and sustainability initiatives.

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North America held a dominant built and natural environment consulting market share of over 35% in 2022. region's evolving infrastructure needs, demand for smart city initiatives, and compliance with environmental regulations are driving consulting services in the region. Additionally, investments in renewable energy and urban development projects contribute to industry gains. For instance, in March 2023, BAES Infrastructure was officially launched as an energy company that specializes in the development, construction, and operation of energy transition projects. The newly formed company will focus on renewable energy, hydrogen infrastructure, low-carbon hydrogen & ammonia projects, and advanced-stage solar development. Its initial assets include Swift Current Energy, OneH2, Bear Head Energy, and other solar projects.

Built and Natural Environment Consulting Market Share

Major players operating in the built and natural environment consulting industry are

• AECOM
• Arup
• Cardno
• CDM Smith
• HDR, Inc.
• Jacobs Engineering Group
• Mott MacDonald
• Ramboll
• Stantec
• WSP Global

AECOM and Jacobs Engineering Group are dominant players, holding over 10% market share in 2022 in global market due to their expertise, global presence, and diversified service offerings. They provide comprehensive solutions in architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting, addressing complex infrastructure & development projects.

Built and Natural Environment Consulting Industry News

• In June 2023, FCM Consulting, in collaboration with the Centre for Aviation and Envest (CAPA) Global, introduced a unique approach for clients to address their environmental objectives in business travel.

The built and natural environment consulting market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments

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By Service Type, 2018 – 2032

• Urban & regional planning
• Architecture & design
• Civil engineering
• Environmental & sustainability consulting
• Landscape design
• Sustainability & green building consulting
• Geospatial & GIS consulting

By Application, 2018 – 2032

• Transportation planning
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Sustainable development
• Historic preservation
• Landscape & outdoor spaces

By End User, 2018 – 2032

• Government & municipalities
• Private sector
• Nonprofit and environmental organizations
• Individuals

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Nordics
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• MEA
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much is the built and natural environment consulting market worth?

Global market size for built and natural environment consulting was USD 63.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to witness over 5.5% CAGR between 2023 and 2032 due to the rapid pace of urbanization worldwide

How is the demand for built and natural environment consulting driven across private sector?

Built and natural environment consulting industry size from the private end user segment exceeded USD 27 billion in 2022 owing to the rising number of infrastructure & real estate projects, propelling the need for planning, design, and sustainability consulting services

What factors are driving North America built and natural environment consulting industry?

North America recorded over 35% revenue share of the industry in 2022 owing to the rising demand for smart city initiatives

Which are the major built and natural environment consulting companies?

Some of the prominent built and natural environment consulting market players are AECOM, Arup, Cardno, CDM Smith, HDR, Inc., Jacobs Engineering Group, Mott MacDonald, Ramboll, Stantec, and WSP Global