Abstract: This paper is based on historical and current activities in the UK but does, where appropriate make reference to developments and parallells elsewhere. It starts with and acknowleges the realisation that we must do something about the depletion of our planet's resources and finishes with a suggestion that by joining the appropriate data together we stand a better chance of doing that. In terms of the construction industry, it starts with a quote from a leading architect of 90 years ago to a world where we are enveloped in data and undergoing an attitude change. The paper proposes that as much data as possible should be freely avaialbe to enrich social life and enterpise collaboration.The role of the built environment and particularly the construction industry that produces it is the main focus of the paper, tracing that industry's relative failings in communications, teamwork and adoption of technology. BIM is the current push and there are high expectations for its capacity to enable the necessary changes and the UK is taking this very seriously, so much that the eyes of the world are now turned towards it and by considered measures it is now generally regarded to be leading as it is highly likely that standards and guidance prepared for the UK market will become internationalised.It will be up to the industry to capitlaise in this situation.