How can digital building information modelling (BIM) facilitate climate transition in cities?

Abstract

Abstract Digitalization of the construction industry is considered important in combating climate change through more efficient use of resources and better control of energy calculations. Digital modelling of buildings is argued to make building’s energy use more efficient through better energy management. However, research regarding the use of the promising digital tool Building Information Modelling (BIM) has shown that BIM creates unclear roles, division of responsibilities and that cultural barriers between professional groups can be a problem. This paper focuses on how the work with BIM is organized and what conditions are needed to create effective workflows with BIM. The methodology consists of a literature study of digitalization processes in the construction industry and workshops with different professionals. Workshops as a research method provides an exploratory way to understand complex issues, as well as knowledge processes, in relation to digital tools. The co-productive format of the workshops facilitates conversations where different professional groups meet and share experiences of working with BIM. The study shows that several requirements needs to be met to fully make use of the BIM potential. Communication between different professions, knowledge transfer over project boarders, different standards and competence, both within and in relation to the clients, are important components when working with BIM. There is a need for interdisciplinary work practices which are complicated by the project organizational form most used in construction industry. For BIM to be utilized as a tool to combat climate change in cities through effective resource planning, the organizational settings and workflows needs to be interdisciplinary and communication between departments, clients and professions must be standardized while still flexible.