Construction vs. Development — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 15, 2024
Construction focuses on the process of building structures, using physical labor and materials, whereas development involves broader activities including planning, financing, and building.
Difference Between Construction and Development
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Construction primarily refers to the physical act of building infrastructure like roads, buildings, and bridges. On the other hand, development encompasses a wider range of activities that include the conception, design, and implementation of a project.
In construction, the focus is on the use of tools, machinery, and materials to erect structures. Whereas development also involves aspects such as obtaining permits, conducting environmental assessments, and securing financing.
Construction is generally a phase within the larger development process. Whereas development begins much earlier than construction and continues even after the construction work has been completed.
Professionals involved in construction often include architects, engineers, and construction workers. On the other hand, development might involve urban planners, real estate developers, and financial analysts, in addition to construction professionals.
The outcome of construction is typically a physical structure or building. Whereas the outcome of development can also include increased property values, improved infrastructure, and even social and economic benefits for a community.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Physical building of structures
Planning, financing, and building
Key Activities
Using tools and materials
Includes permits, assessments, financing
Phase
One phase of the development process
Encompasses multiple phases
Professionals
Architects, engineers, builders
Planners, developers, analysts
Outcomes
Physical structures
Property value, infrastructure, benefits
Compare with Definitions
Construction
The act or process of building something, typically a large structure.
Construction of the new bridge will begin next month.
Development
A planned project involving construction of buildings or infrastructure.
The new housing development will include 200 units.
Construction
A field of work that involves building or assembling infrastructure.
She works in construction as a project manager.
Development
The act of improving an area or a project.
The city approved the development plan for the waterfront.
Construction
The manner in which something is built or formed.
The construction of the poem was unique, featuring reversed syntax.
Development
Progress in personal, social, or economic achievements.
The program aims for the development of local businesses.
Construction
The industry involved in assembling buildings or infrastructure.
The construction industry is facing challenges due to rising material costs.
Development
The process of developing; growth, expansion.
The development of the software took two years.
Construction
A building or structure that has been built.
The new office construction will house over 300 employees.
Development
Real estate activities involving land and the construction of buildings.
He works in development, focusing on commercial properties.
Construction
Construction is a general term meaning the art and science to form objects, systems, or organizations, and comes from Latin constructio (from com- "together" and struere "to pile up") and Old French construction. To construct is the verb: the act of building, and the noun is construction: how something is built, the nature of its structure.
Development
The process of developing or being developed
The paintings provide evidence of his artistic development
She traces the development of the novel
Construction
The act or process of constructing.
Development
An event constituting a new stage in a changing situation
I don't think there have been any new developments since yesterday
Construction
The art, trade, or work of building
An engineer trained in highway construction.
Worked in construction for seven years.
Development
The process of converting land to a new purpose by constructing buildings or making use of its resources
Land suitable for development
Construction
A structure, such as a building, framework, or model.
Development
The process of starting to be affected by an ailment or feeling
The development of brittle bones
Construction
Something fashioned or devised systematically
A nation that was glorious in its historical construction.
Development
The process of treating photographic film with chemicals to make a visible image
Agitation is carried out while a film is processed to ensure even development
Construction
An artistic composition using various materials; an assemblage or a collage.
Development
The process of bringing one's pieces into play in the opening phase of a game
I sought to take advantage of Black's defective development
Construction
The way in which something is built or put together
A shelter of simple construction.
Development
The application of techniques or technology to the production of new goods or services.
Construction
The interpretation or explanation given to an expression or a statement
I was inclined to put a favorable construction on his reply.
Development
The business of constructing buildings or otherwise altering land for new uses.
Construction
(Grammar) An arrangement of words forming a grammatical phrase, clause, or sentence.
Development
A significant event, occurrence, or change
A news story covering the latest developments in the scandal.
Construction
The process of constructing.
Construction is underway on the new bridge.
Development
A group of dwellings built by the same contractor
Bought a condo in a new development built by the river.
Construction
Anything that has been constructed.
The engineer marvelled at his construction.
Development
The organized activity of soliciting donations or grants; fundraising.
Construction
The trade of building structures.
He had worked in construction all his life.
Development
Elaboration of a theme with rhythmic and harmonic variations.
Construction
A building, model or some other structure.
The office was a construction of steel and glass.
Development
The central section of a movement in sonata form, in which the theme is elaborated and explored.
Construction
(arts) A (usually non-representational) structure, such as a collage etc.
"Construction in string and clockwork" took first prize.
Development
(uncountable) The process of developing; growth, directed change.
The development of this story has been slow.
Construction
The manner in which something is built.
A thing of simple construction.
Development
The process by which a mature multicellular organism or part of an organism is produced by the addition of new cells.
The organism has reached a crucial stage in its development.
Construction
(grammar) A group of words arranged to form a meaningful phrase.
Development
(countable) Something which has developed.
Our news team brings you the latest developments.
Construction
The act or result of construing the meaning of something.
American conservatives tend to favor strict construction of the Constitution.
Development
A project consisting of one or more commercial or residential buildings.
Construction
The meaning or interpretation of a text, action etc.; the way something is viewed by an observer or onlooker.
Development
The building of such a project.
Construction
(geometry) A geometric figure of arcs and line segments that is drawable with a straightedge and compass.
Development
(uncountable) The application of new ideas to practical problems (cf. research).
Our development department has produced three new adhesives this year.
Construction
The process or art of constructing; the act of building; erection; the act of devising and forming; fabrication; composition.
Development
The active placement of the pieces, or the process of achieving it.
White's development is good, but black's has been hampered by the pawn on e5.
Construction
The form or manner of building or putting together the parts of anything; structure; arrangement.
An astrolabe of peculiar construction.
Development
(music) The process by in which previous material is transformed and restated.
Construction
The arrangement and connection of words in a sentence; syntactical arrangement.
Some particles . . . in certain constructions have the sense of a whole sentence contained in them.
Development
(music) The second section of a piece of music in sonata form, in which the original theme is revisited in altered and varying form.
Construction
The method of construing, interpreting, or explaining a declaration or fact; an attributed sense or meaning; understanding; explanation; interpretation; sense.
Any person . . . might, by the sort of construction that would be put on this act, become liable to the penalties of treason.
Strictly, the term [construction] signifies determining the meaning and proper effect of language by a consideration of the subject matter and attendant circumstances in connection with the words employed.
Interpretation properly precedes construction, but it does not go beyond the written text.
Development
(math) The expression of a function in the form of a series.
Construction
The act of constructing or building something;
During the construction we had to take a detour
His hobby was the building of boats
Development
The act of developing or disclosing that which is unknown; a gradual unfolding process by which anything is developed, as a plan or method, or an image upon a photographic plate; gradual advancement or growth through a series of progressive changes; also, the result of developing, or a developed state.
A new development of imagination, taste, and poetry.
Construction
The commercial activity involved in constructing buildings;
Their main business is home construction
Workers in the building trades
Development
The series of changes which animal and vegetable organisms undergo in their passage from the embryonic state to maturity, from a lower to a higher state of organization.
Construction
A thing constructed; a complex construction or entity;
The structure consisted of a series of arches
She wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons
Development
The act or process of changing or expanding an expression into another of equivalent value or meaning.
Construction
A group of words that form a constituent of a sentence and are considered as a single unit;
I concluded from his awkward constructions that he was a foreigner
Development
The elaboration of a theme or subject; the unfolding of a musical idea; the evolution of a whole piece or movement from a leading theme or motive.
Construction
The creation of a construct; the process of combining ideas into a congruous object of thought
Development
A tract of land on which a number of buildings have been constructed; - especially used for tract on which from two to hundreds of houses have been constructed by a commercial developer{4} for sale to individuals.
Construction
An interpretation of a text or action;
They put an unsympathetic construction on his conduct
Development
Act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining;
He congratulated them on their development of a plan to meet the emergency
They funded research and development
Construction
Drawing a figure satisfying certain conditions as part of solving a problem or proving a theorem;
The assignment was to make a construction that could be used in proving the Pythagorean theorem
Development
A process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage);
The development of his ideas took many years
The evolution of Greek civilization
The slow development of her skill as a writer
Development
A recent event that has some relevance for the present situation;
Recent developments in Iraq
What a revolting development!
Development
The act of making some area of land or water more profitable or productive or useful;
The development of Alaskan resources
The exploitation of copper deposits
Development
A district that has been developed to serve some purpose;
Such land is practical for small park developments
Development
A state in which things are improving; the result of developing (as in the early part of a game of chess);
After he saw the latest development he changed his mind and became a supporter
In chess your should take care of your development before moving your queen
Development
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level;
He proposed an indicator of osseous development in children
Development
Processing a photosensitive material in order to make an image visible;
The development and printing of his pictures took only two hours
Common Curiosities
How do construction and development differ in terms of outcomes?
Construction results in physical structures, while development leads to broader outcomes like improved infrastructure and economic growth.
Who are typically the professionals involved in construction?
Construction involves architects, engineers, and builders among others.
What roles do developers play in development?
Developers oversee the entire project process, including investment, design, and building, ensuring the project meets its goals.
What is construction?
Construction is the process of building or assembling structures, involving manual labor and the use of materials.
How do technological advances affect construction and development?
Technological advances can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety in construction projects, while also offering new opportunities for innovative development designs and sustainability.
What role does government play in construction and development?
Government bodies often regulate, permit, and sometimes fund construction and development projects, ensuring they meet local, state, and federal standards.
What does development involve?
Development involves a series of activities from planning and design to financing and building, aimed at completing a project.
What is sustainable development and how does it relate to construction?
Sustainable development seeks to meet present needs without compromising future generations and often involves eco-friendly construction practices and materials.
How do construction and development impact the economy?
They both significantly contribute to the economy through job creation, infrastructure improvements, and increased property values.
How is project management different between construction and development?
Project management in construction focuses on timelines, budgets, and material management for building projects, while in development, it involves broader scope management including market analysis, financing strategies, and long-term planning.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
