Geneva Tops Arcadis' 2026 Construction Cost Index as Delivery Certainty Becomes Key
Event summary
- Geneva remains the most expensive city for construction in Arcadis' 2026 index, followed by London and Zurich.
- High-cost markets are concentrated in mature cities with constrained delivery capacity.
- Investors prioritize cost, schedule, and delivery confidence over upfront costs alone.
- Bengaluru ranks as the least expensive city, but lower costs do not guarantee easier delivery.
The big picture
Arcadis' 2026 index reflects a shift from inflation-driven uncertainty to selective investment, where delivery certainty is key. High-performing assets like data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities are favored, but financing costs and supply-chain constraints pressure project viability. The index highlights that lower construction costs in emerging markets do not necessarily translate into easier or more reliable delivery.
What we're watching
- Investment Shifts
- How capital will flow toward high-performing assets in markets with credible delivery.
- Delivery Resilience
- Whether lower-cost markets can overcome infrastructure and supply-chain challenges.
- Cost Intelligence
- The pace at which early cost planning becomes a competitive advantage in high-cost markets.