Future cities in the making: overcoming barriers to information modelling in socially responsible cities

Building and City Information Modelling (BIM and CIM) could potentially facilitate better planning outcomes, more efficient service provision, and more inclusive community engagement. In doing so, these technologies could help deliver on some of the goals common amongst aspiring smart cities, using data to improve efficiency, services and quality of life. However, BIM and CIM uptake has been slow, and most cities do not incorporate BIM or CIM in their planning processes. Looking beyond BIM and CIM, planning systems worldwide have been slow to adapt to the digital future: most planning systems have not yet digitalised, and lack the tools and incentives to help local authorities and planners make use of emerging technologies. This research explores the barriers to and opportunities for using BIM and CIM in planning in the UK, and probes the ethical questions around how cities and local authorities can use data while protecting citizens’ right to privacy.