Rethinking Construction: Jerry Ryan Talks Innovation, MMC and Urban Planning on the Breaking Ground Podcast

We were delighted to see our Chair, Jerry Ryan, join Carol Tallon on the Breaking Ground: Construction News podcast, hosted by iProperty Radio, to share his insights on some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the built environment today.

In a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation, Jerry spoke about the global housing crisis and the urgent need for change across the construction and architecture industries. With demand for homes outpacing delivery in many regions, Jerry outlined why traditional construction methods are no longer sufficient to meet the scale and speed required — and why now is the time for bold innovation.

The discussion explored how digital transformation, modern methods of construction (MMC), and new materials can help unlock greater efficiency, sustainability, and quality in building design and delivery. Jerry also emphasised the importance of rethinking how and where we build, including the case for creating new towns along Ireland’s Dublin–Belfast corridor to alleviate housing pressures and support balanced regional growth.

Drawing from his experience delivering €2 billion megaprojects in the Middle East, Jerry also reflected on the evolving role of architects and the growing need for interdisciplinary collaboration and long-term urban strategies.

“We need to stop solving yesterday’s problems with yesterday’s tools,” said Jerry. “This is an opportunity to reimagine the way we design and build for future generations — but we must be willing to innovate, experiment, and think beyond conventional boundaries.”

Listen to the full podcast episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/65i0QOsUK4gzLr6M3Wv6rS?si=415e9b3a44704f70&nd=1&dlsi=5cf6eb71649c488e

Watch the interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_BMvix04g0