Blockchain-Enabled City Information Modeling Framework for Urban Asset Management

Abstract

Object-based modeling has become an integral and more preferred design approach as against two-dimensional (2D) design representation. This is evident in the increased use of building information modeling (BIM) for building design and city information modeling (CIM) for city planning and development. However, the development and management of object-based city models are often siloed and do not coexist in a virtual environment. Urban infrastructure is often designed in isolation, yet it forms part of an integrated network of assets in real life. Blockchain is one of several technologies that has been integrated with BIM because of its transparent and tamper-proof features. This research proposes a framework for the lifecycle management of buildings and other urban assets by integrating blockchain technology (BCT) into a heterogenous CIM of multiowned assets using a nested, multilevel data environment. First, the BIM is synchronized into a GIS scene for geospecificity, then the BIM metadata is written onto a blockchain protocol distributing the model information across a network of project collaborators using a common data environment (CDE). The resultant CIM is then shared through an outer layered city level CDE. Use case scenarios are presented to validate the functionality of the proposed approach, and research limitations are discussed. The framework enables the critical interproject or interasset communication which is otherwise impossible in traditional approaches where individual assets are designed as stand-alone models. Nowadays, nearly every physical product pre-exists in digital form for purposes of design, testing, and optimizing the product before its creation. This research argues that the city can also exist in digital form beyond a mere representation of its geometry, but encompassing the intangible information flow that exists between physical assets in real cities. This study proposes using City Information Modeling (CIM) that is enabled through blockchain technology (BCT) to record all activities concerning physical assets throughout their lifecycle. This is achieved by harnessing the various digital models that predate the physical components of the city from their design stages. These records of activities are retrievable and easily visualized interactively. Such CIM models are useful to trace the origins of building parts for accurate asset valuation or to review the maintenance services carried out on an asset and its impact on the constituent parts. It also provides a real template to commence new design projects whereby existing surrounding features, which are only possible through a site visit, can now be considered. The study takes into consideration the multiple ownership structure of city assets by integrating various digital models.