Construction vs. Development: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Construction is the act or process of building something, typically structures like buildings or roads. Development is a broader term encompassing overall planning, construction, and growth, often in real estate or business.
Key Differences
Construction specifically refers to the process of assembling structures or infrastructure, involving materials, labor, and machinery. Development, however, includes construction but also entails planning, design, financing, and often the legal aspects of creating a new structure, neighborhood, or business project.
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Construction is a phase within development, focused on the physical creation of buildings or infrastructure. Development encompasses a wider range of activities, including market research, architectural design, securing financing, and sometimes even marketing and selling the developed property.
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In construction, the focus is on methods, materials, and compliance with building codes. In development, the focus extends to the economic, social, and environmental impact of a project, including how it fits into the larger community or market.
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Construction is typically measured by its completion and adherence to plans, safety, and quality. Development is measured by the successful integration of the constructed project into its intended purpose, be it residential, commercial, or industrial, and its long-term viability.
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The skills required for construction are often technical, involving engineering, architecture, and project management. Development requires these skills too, but also necessitates expertise in areas like finance, legal matters, urban planning, and sometimes marketing.
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Comparison Chart
Scope
Building and assembly of structures
Planning, building, and growth of projects
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Focus
Physical creation of buildings or infrastructure
Broader project management including planning, design
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Key Activities
Material selection, labor management, construction
Market research, design, financing, legal processes
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Measure of Success
Completion, safety, adherence to plans
Integration into purpose, long-term viability
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Required Skills
Engineering, architecture, project management
Includes above plus finance, legal, urban planning
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Construction and Development Definitions
Construction
The process of building something, especially a large structure.
The construction of the new bridge took two years.
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Development
The process of developing or being developed, like a land area or project.
The development of the new housing estate is underway.
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Construction
The manner in which something is built or put together.
The building's construction withstood the earthquake.
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Development
An event constituting a new stage in a changing situation.
The latest development in the case surprised everyone.
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Construction
The industry involved in assembling buildings or infrastructure.
She works in construction, specializing in urban developments.
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Development
The process of converting land to a new purpose by constructing buildings.
The company specializes in the development of commercial properties.
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Construction
The art or trade of a construction worker.
His expertise in construction was evident in the quality of the work.
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Development
The act of bringing something to a more advanced or effective state.
The development of renewable energy sources is crucial.
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Development
The application of techniques or technology to the production of new goods or services.
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Construction
The art, trade, or work of building
An engineer trained in highway construction.
Worked in construction for seven years.
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Development
The business of constructing buildings or otherwise altering land for new uses.
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Development
A significant event, occurrence, or change
A news story covering the latest developments in the scandal.
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Construction
Something fashioned or devised systematically
A nation that was glorious in its historical construction.
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Development
A group of dwellings built by the same contractor
Bought a condo in a new development built by the river.
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Construction
An artistic composition using various materials; an assemblage or a collage.
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Development
The organized activity of soliciting donations or grants; fundraising.
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Construction
The way in which something is built or put together
A shelter of simple construction.
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Construction
The interpretation or explanation given to an expression or a statement
I was inclined to put a favorable construction on his reply.
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Development
The central section of a movement in sonata form, in which the theme is elaborated and explored.
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Construction
(Grammar) An arrangement of words forming a grammatical phrase, clause, or sentence.
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Development
(uncountable) The process of developing; growth, directed change.
The development of this story has been slow.
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Construction
The process of constructing.
Construction is underway on the new bridge.
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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.
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Construction
Anything that has been constructed.
The engineer marvelled at his construction.
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Development
(countable) Something which has developed.
Our news team brings you the latest developments.
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Construction
The trade of building structures.
He had worked in construction all his life.
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Development
A project consisting of one or more commercial or residential buildings.
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Construction
A building, model or some other structure.
The office was a construction of steel and glass.
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Construction
(arts) A (usually non-representational) structure, such as a collage etc.
"Construction in string and clockwork" took first prize.
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Development
(uncountable) The application of new ideas to practical problems (cf. research).
Our development department has produced three new adhesives this year.
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Construction
The manner in which something is built.
A thing of simple construction.
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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.
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Construction
(grammar) A group of words arranged to form a meaningful phrase.
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Development
(music) The process by in which previous material is transformed and restated.
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Construction
The act or result of construing the meaning of something.
American conservatives tend to favor strict construction of the Constitution.
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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.
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Construction
The meaning or interpretation of a text, action etc.; the way something is viewed by an observer or onlooker.
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Construction
(geometry) A geometric figure of arcs and line segments that is drawable with a straightedge and compass.
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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.
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Construction
The process or art of constructing; the act of building; erection; the act of devising and forming; fabrication; composition.
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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.
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Construction
The form or manner of building or putting together the parts of anything; structure; arrangement.
An astrolabe of peculiar construction.
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Development
The act or process of changing or expanding an expression into another of equivalent value or meaning.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Construction
The act of constructing or building something;
During the construction we had to take a detour
His hobby was the building of boats
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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
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Construction
The commercial activity involved in constructing buildings;
Their main business is home construction
Workers in the building trades
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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
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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
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Development
A recent event that has some relevance for the present situation;
Recent developments in Iraq
What a revolting development!
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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
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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
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Construction
The creation of a construct; the process of combining ideas into a congruous object of thought
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Development
A district that has been developed to serve some purpose;
Such land is practical for small park developments
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Construction
An interpretation of a text or action;
They put an unsympathetic construction on his conduct
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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
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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
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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
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Construction
The action or method of constructing.
Innovative construction techniques were used in the skyscraper.
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Development
Processing a photosensitive material in order to make an image visible;
The development and printing of his pictures took only two hours
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Development
The systematic use of scientific or technical knowledge to meet specific objectives.
The development of this software took three years.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What safety measures are important in construction?
Safety measures include wearing protective gear, adhering to safety regulations, and regular inspections to prevent accidents.
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What are the key stages in construction?
Construction typically involves planning, design, procurement, building, and post-construction phases.
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What is construction?
Construction refers to the process of building or assembling structures, such as buildings, bridges, or roads.
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What is green construction or sustainable construction?
Green construction aims to minimize environmental impact by using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs.
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What is the purpose of a construction permit?
A construction permit is required by authorities to ensure that a construction project complies with local building codes and regulations.
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What is the difference between residential and commercial construction?
Residential construction involves building homes and housing units, while commercial construction focuses on structures like offices, retail spaces, and industrial facilities.
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What is development in a general context?
Development refers to the process of growth, progress, or improvement in various aspects, such as economic, social, or personal.
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What is the role of a construction contractor?
A construction contractor is responsible for managing and executing construction projects, including labor, materials, and equipment.
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What is a construction project manager responsible for?
A construction project manager oversees the planning, execution, and completion of a construction project, including budget management.
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What is a punch list in construction?
A punch list is a checklist of incomplete or defective work that needs to be addressed before a construction project is considered finished.
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What are blueprints or construction plans?
Blueprints are detailed drawings or plans that provide instructions for construction, including dimensions and specifications.
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What is community development?
Community development focuses on improving the quality of life within a specific community through various initiatives, including housing, education, and healthcare.
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What is personal development?
Personal development involves self-improvement and self-awareness to enhance one's skills, knowledge, and overall well-being.
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What is urban development?
Urban development deals with the planning and growth of cities and urban areas, including infrastructure, transportation, and housing.
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What are development goals or objectives?
Development goals are specific targets set to achieve desired outcomes, such as poverty reduction, education improvement, or environmental conservation.
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What is the difference between rural and urban development?
Rural development focuses on improving the quality of life in rural areas, while urban development deals with cities and metropolitan regions.
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What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development seeks to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often in environmental contexts.
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What is the role of a development planner?
A development planner is responsible for creating and implementing strategies to achieve development goals, often in the public or private sector.
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What is international development?
International development involves efforts by countries and organizations to assist less developed nations in improving their economic, social, and political conditions.
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What is economic development?
Economic development involves enhancing the economic well-being and prosperity of a region or country, often through job creation and infrastructure improvement.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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