Innovation in construction industry

We would like to look at the innovations in construction industry. Firstly, we are currently trying to segregate the innovations into different categories so that it would be easier to study them. On the onset the process could be divided into several steps: conception, design, building materials, construction of the building, adoption by the people and also regulation at each step. But on further study there might be other steps. Then we would be focusing on the segment we find most interesting. Few questions for consideration:

• What are the new trends that have been adopted? What can be done in India for adopting the innovations? From personal experience, there aren't many regulations that have to be adhered to during construction (at least at small level). 
• At the same time small scale is possibly the avenue where some unseen innovations may have been incorporated (for example the local remedy of discoloration due to fungi on the outer wall that Sir mentioned in the class). What are the other examples of such innovations?
• What is the direction of academic study in this field?

Regards
Saumye and Ainara