Keywords

1 Introduction

According to the International Energy Agency [1], decarbonising the buildings and construction sector is critical to achieving the Paris Agreement commitment. Governments and private companies alike have pledged to achieve a net-zero carbon emissions building sector and have set a goal of mobilizing USD 1 trillion in developing countries by 2030. In addition to the environmental concerns, the energy crisis squeezed budgets as prices soared in 2022. Government interventions moderated the extent to which higher commodity prices fed through to higher household energy bills, nevertheless, there were increases in natural gas, petrol and retail electricity prices in various parts of the world [2]. Through digitalization, the Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Operations industry (AECO) can: i) reduce costs by automating tasks, reducing waste, and improving communication and collaboration; ii) improve the quality of work by providing better tools to visualize designs, track progress, and identify and resolve problems early on in the project lifecycle; iii) design and build more sustainable buildings and infrastructure and iv) improve safety on construction sites by providing better tools for hazard identification and risk assessment. In addition to these benefits, digitalization can also attract and retain top talent, with younger generations being increasingly drawn to industries that are using cutting-edge technologies [3]. According to the NBS Digital Construction Report [4] 80% of the AECO companies agree that digitalization is helping to create better buildings and places; 75% agree that it is having a positive impact on environmental sustainability and that it is helping to create a safer built environment. Modern building practices are increasingly defined by three pivotal elements: Digital Building Permits (DBP), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Sustainability. DBP transitions the permit process from traditional paper-based methods to a streamlined online system, improving efficiency and stakeholder collaboration. BIM transforms design and construction by creating detailed 3D digital models of buildings, promoting better decision-making, communication, and early identification of design conflicts. Sustainability in construction focuses on environmental responsibility and efficient resource use, incorporating eco-friendly materials, renewable energy, waste reduction, and water conservation, thereby improving the built environment’s quality. This study aims to merge the dimensions of sustainability, BIM, and DBP. The approach involves a literature review leading to a matrix development. The goal is a nuanced understanding to address challenges and delineate potentials in the integration of BIM, DBP, and sustainability, providing a comprehensive foundation for future studies.

2 Research Methodology

The research methodology was chosen to comprehensively analyse the integration of BIM, DBPs, and sustainability within the construction industry and it is twofold: first, conducting a detailed literature review, and second, developing a matrix to systematically evaluate and integrate the findings. The literature review was divided into three phases: i) establish a baseline understanding of BIM, DBPs, and sustainability; ii) identify challenges in integrating these areas; and iii) explore existing solutions and benefits of this integration. After the review, a matrix based on cluster analysis was created to systematically categorize challenges, potentials, and solutions, focusing on various aspects such as education, standards development, government incentives, collaboration, research, leadership, and technology integration. This methodology was instrumental in providing a comprehensive understanding of the current state and challenges in integrating sustainability with BIM and DBPs. It also helped in proposing structured solutions, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable construction practices. The approach enabled a nuanced discussion on the potential for integrating sustainability into BIM-enabled DBPs, setting a foundation for future research and practical applications in the field. Figure 1 presents schematically the research methodology adopted within the paper.

Fig. 1.
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Methodology Diagram for Sustainability integration in BIM-enabled DBP.

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3 General Findings and Basic Overview

Today’s building permit issuance is mainly a manual, document-based process with a high dependency on the legal framework and governmental processes. This makes the process extremely complex, prone to errors, non-transparent, and unpredictably lengthy [5]. Model checking based on data extracted from the model is a largely explored area with many software developments since the broad adoption of BIM in construction. To support transparent information transfers, buildingSmart focuses its efforts to develop openBIM [6], a collaborative process that extends the benefits of BIM by improving the interoperability, accessibility, usability, management, and sustainability of digital data. The value of openBIM is significant providing the fact that it promotes a vendor agnostic real-time data visibility and access to digital models throughout a building’s lifecycle for different actors. OpenBIM can be seen as a supporting instrument that can be integrated into DBP. BIM maturity level 2 relies heavily on openBIM [7] for visualization, collaboration, data management, and complete data integration in a cloud-based environment.

From the sustainability point of view, to achieve the required emissions reduction for sustainable and resilient buildings given by the UN Environment Programme [8], decision-makers must urgently put in place concrete actions. For this, increased funding is required for public-private research partnerships to accelerate the development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovations. Furthermore, regulations and assessment of emissions need to take a life cycle approach that considers both materials’ embodied and operational carbon emissions. Through digitalization and BIM, the IEA Net Zero Emissions can be met by 2050 [9], but all countries need to establish building energy codes with the vision to transition to zero-carbon-ready buildings. This will require more than doubling the annual energy efficiency renovation rates globally, from the current level of less than 1% up to 2.5% by 2030. According to the NBS Sustainable Futures Report 2022 [10], achieving ‘net-zero operational carbon’ is the most important sustainable project outcome. The use of BIM to get BSA (Building Sustainability Assessment) certification is possible with some adaptations to allow simultaneous analysis and better performance [5].

Translating the traditional permitting process into an automated DBP is not a straightforward process since the analysis of regulation, understanding the workflows within an administration, and creating or translating legal texts into machine-readable are nearly impossible to implement. Still, DPB is in focus for many countries. For example, the authorities from Singapore have required that for new buildings that are more than 5000 m2 digital BIM models to be submitted since 2015. In Korea, BIM has been compulsory for all public sector projects since 2016. In Norway, BIM submission was introduced in 2010 for all public sector projects, while in UK, BIM level 2 models have been required for all public projects since 2016. To create a BIM-based building permit checking service within the Building Registry for the Estonian Government, the BIM-based Building Permit Process project team [13] has developed a comprehensive list of recommendations, best practices and lessons learned. Dubai Municipality has started a project aimed to design and implement a roadmap for BIM to design unified BIM standards with Geographic Information System (GIS) integration, to enable authorities to apply rule-based automatic code compliance checking and develop specialized tools to improve the process of issuing building permits. The first phase of the BIM standard for building permit has already been published, and the second phase is planned for 2024 [14]. Finland is planning to accept Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) for archiving by 2025. The archival materials include letters that have been arranged into groups according to content (classification code) [15].

One of the major adoption challenges is the organizational resistance, that often originates from a lack of understanding of the benefits of BIM, concerns about its implementation costs, and fears of job displacement [16]. To address these concerns, future-oriented organizations usually focus on i) education to provide comprehensive understating to employees on the principles and benefits of BIM, showcasing the application of BIM in real-world projects [6, 18]: ii) defining clear goals and measurable objectives in alignment with organization’s global business objectives, while establishing a BIM implementation plan with clear steps, resources, and timeline for adoption; iii) employing change management strategies to address concerns about job displacement and workflow disruptions, by providing training and upskilling opportunities for employees to better adapt to BIM-based workflows. In the same time, fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication to address resistance and concerns. Another significant barrier to BIM adoption is the lack of skilled professionals. To address this challenge, organizations usually i) invest in training or implement internal training programs for BIM standards, processes, and software; alternatively, they ii) partner up with universities or professional associations that offer BIM-related courses and certifications and iii) foster a culture of learning within the organization.

On a technical level, the adoption of BIM requires a robust software infrastructure that supports the creation, management, and exchange of information. To streamline BIM adoption, companies have to i) carefully evaluate and select BIM software platforms that align with the organization’s project types, workflows, and budget and consider functionality, interoperability, and vendor support [19]; ii) establish clear data management standards to follow, define data naming conventions, file formats, and metadata requirements; iii) invest in adequate hardware and IT infrastructure that supports BIM software and data management, ensure the bandwidth and storage capacity that can handle the demands of BIM-based projects.

4 Challenges of Integrating Sustainability in BIM-Enabled DBP

In a familiar work environment where the intricacies of a project are not appropriately interconnected, grasping the broader significance of change concerning digitalization, automation, BIM integration, and sustainability becomes challenging [20, 21]. As building projects advance, it is crucial to embrace appropriately scaled workflows. A fundamental barrier to the implementation of BIM use cases for DBP is the lack of understanding that most of the projects are facing. In most cases, BIM is considered as a methodology with a theoretical basis, but it lacks an understanding of the practical parameters [22,23,24,25,26]. Proficiency in this matter can be acquired through practical, hands-on experience. In terms of technical integration of BIM methodologies, there is a need for primary solution support, rather than conscientious theoretical knowledge. There are several challenges in adopting and implementing advanced technologies which serve sustainability, and this requires specialized knowledge and expertise [27,28,29,30]. Local authorities need to be aligned with the technical aspects of sustainable design. To achieve this, adequate technological infrastructure is necessary to support the DBP implementation. The authorities need to invest in secure and reliable systems, which can handle the complexity of data processing. Stakeholders might face challenges in adapting new sustainable practices in their work due to resistance to change [30, 31]. To mitigate this, the traditional working methods need to be challenged by user-friendly sustainable design practices. Meanwhile, reliable data on the environmental impact of construction practices as well as the traditional materials, are lacking or are inconsistent and, for a consistent DBP process, accurate information and assessments are needed. A possible solution would be sustainable and BIM-based projects, with a clear objective to continuously leverage and consolidate best practices and lessons learned. Additionally, there is also a strong need for investing in training, such as the development of training programs for BIM standards, processes, and software platforms. Although the potential awareness of sustainability integration into BIM-enabled DBP is increasing, the process is extremely slow. The UK and numerous European countries such as Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and Slovenia are fervently urging the need for integration of BIM use in public building projects. Additionally, a proposed European project which took place in 2018 included different European countries for mandatory adoption of BIM integration in further new public building projects as regulations [33]. There were similar approaches at the municipality level, where local authorities are adopting decisions to use BIM in large construction projects. In most cases, the transition from paper-based documents to digital files, even if technologically feasible, presents legal issues. There is also a lack of universal standards for electronic signatures that presents a complex adoption process due to the interoperability of different systems and platforms.

Challenges persist in the case of sustainable policies with many countries that are lacking developed frameworks. Current building codes and regulations fail to meet incentivized sustainable practices [34]. Consequently, there is a need to update the existing regulations in the municipalities, adapting them to sustainable methods, to encourage and reward sustainable design without supporting bureaucratic barriers. To support this, various standards are emerging, including well-established ones like BREEAM, widely used in the UK, and LEED, a prevalent green building rating system based on certificates. On a local regulatory level, there is still a need for the definition and standardisation of sustainability criteria. Additionally, the obligatory consideration of sustainable BIM usage at the national level is currently missing, but it could be imposed through regulations. The changes in the regulations can be very difficult to take by the permit authorities, and the complexity of integrated sustainable solutions in building permits together with BIM adoption would be a lot to take for physical work. On this line, there is a strong need for cross-country cooperation to facilitate a smoother integration, allowing nations to learn from each other through shared experiences. Merging BIM adoption and sustainable standard solutions, in a well-defined DBP would serve as a comprehensive solution [35]. Sustainable implementation costs into the DBP can be excessive and may include software acquisition, hardware upgrades and training [36]. Simultaneously, the process can get excessively intricate. A high input is required from the administrative part of the public sector, which should offer continuous support for the integration of sustainability in a BIM-based DBP. This is why it is necessary to approach sustainable issues on a national and international level, rather than local [37]. Additionally, the integration of new systems into the existing ones can be very challenging, in particular, the existing databases, and GIS [19]. A potential solution for this would be a modular approach, which could ensure backward compatibility with existing systems. Also, a phase-based adoption would reduce implementation costs. The collaboration for digitalization between the authority and the private sector would reduce the need for extensive physical infrastructure.

As the adoption of sustainable materials can be more expensive than traditional building materials, there is a need to demonstrate the long-term economic benefits of sustainable practices. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort between multiple industries, simultaneously implementing supportive sustainable policies and practices, and providing educational resources [38, 39] for the integration of sustainability and BIM into the DBP system [40].

5 Potential BIM Benefits for DBPs Sustainability Assessment

Use of electronic documents for the building permit process provides opportunities for cost savings, elimination of archiving costs, improved workflow efficiency, reduced shredding costs and fewer trips by the contractor’s representative to the building department [41]. Transitioning from paper documents to electronic documents is not easy, quick nor cheap. It is, however, efficient and will shorten the turn-around time for processing most permits. Furthermore, using a digital system can create additional benefits like i) use of digital signatures; ii) documents transmitted online that can be submitted and collected 24/7, iii) documents stored on a network server, allowing controlled access by authorized individuals. Furthermore, according to Local Authority Services for Ontario municipalities [42], implementing a DBP process allows municipalities to issue permits 80% faster than paper-based systems and allows building inspectors to leverage technology (e.g., tablet, phone, or laptop) to complete reports in the field, upload photos, and schedule building inspections online. A study conducted on the topic of Digital Twins (DT) [43] described them as a BIM use case for Smart City planning (in Vienna). As a starting point, BIM model, with geometry and metadata, is submitted for approval, enabling automated checks for building code compliance. Also, a Design/Concept Phase, DT enhances citizen involvement. Post-construction, the updated model aids in project change assessment by building authorities. By federating these DT, an urban DT (UDT) can be created, which is a virtual replica of an entire city. The UDT can be used to simulate and optimize various aspects of city development, such as transportation, energy consumption, and waste management, to support sustainable development [44] and can also be used to monitor the city in real-time, enabling city officials to respond quickly to emergencies and other events [45]. The World Economic Forum [46] has launched a three-year initiative to make DT technology accessible to the public and jointly shape the future of DT city development.

6 Proposed Solutions and Concluding Remarks

Table 1 outlines the general solutions, challenges, and potentials, and proposes a series of specific solutions for integrating sustainability with BIM and DBP.

It is designed to provide a holistic view of the aspects related to BIM in the context of DBP with a focus on long-term sustainability and is based on a thorough literature review and a cluster analysis to ensure that its content is reliable and relevant.

The objective of this paper was to synthesize the concepts of sustainability in the context of BIM-enabled DBP, and further to categorize and propose specific solutions and potential research directions. This was achieved through a comprehensive literature review and concluded with the development of a matrix based on a cluster analysis that presents potential solutions for integrating these three concepts. The matrix can be used by organizations, authorities, and the scientific community to define a roadmap and help them navigate the challenges of BIM adoption and harness its benefits as it provides valuable insights into the intricacies of the process, enabling communities and organizations to more effectively navigate the challenges of BIM for the specific use case of DBP towards sustainability. It also emphasizes the role of BIM in promoting sustainability, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and efficient construction industry with the main benefits of improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing the overall quality of construction projects. Future studies can build upon this research to further explore and validate the solutions proposed in the matrix, and to delve deeper into the integration of sustainability with BIM and DBP in different sectors and domains.

Table 1. Sustainable BIM-enabled DBP overview.
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