Growth in metropolitan areas

Urbanisation is one of the megatrends of our century. The world’s metropolitan areas are constantly growing; more and more people are moving from the countryside to the cities. Metropolitan areas have limited space, presenting major challenges to urban developers.

The only way to meet the basic needs for accommodation, work, and mobility in the future is through three-dimensional growth. This includes bridges and tunnels for transport, and high‑rise buildings for offices and homes. All these constructions require a stable and durable building material: concrete – a mixture of cement, water, sand, and gravel – is the first choice. It is no coincidence that concrete is the second most commonly used substance on our planet after water.

The growth of metropolitan areas is also demanding for building materials producers and construction companies because concrete needs to be processed rapidly. The right quantity must be in the right place at the right time, despite urban traffic and congestion. Contracts are usually awarded to companies that can best fulfil these requirements.

Aware of this challenge, Heidelberg Materials deliberately focuses on vertical integration in metropolitan areas. By networking our own raw material deposits with strategically located terminals and local production sites, and by using IT‑supported logistics management, we are well positioned to support urban growth with reliable supply and short transport routes tailored to city projects.