New Global BIM Network for Public Sector

A NEW Global BIM Network for the public sector has been launched today in 100 countries.

Today’s Global BIM Summit, convened by the Centre for Digital Built Britain, signals the official launch of the Global BIM Network. The new international community aims to respond to today’s global infrastructure challenges. It wants to realise the benefits of digital delivered by BIM through public policy, procurement and projects.

Global BIM Network

The Global BIM Network aims to connect international public sector representatives, organisations and infrastructure funders to advance the digitalization of the global built environment. The network will build on its members’ progress to transition towards a digital built environment that delivers socio-economic benefits for people and places. The network is supported by the Construction Innovation Hub and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Digital transformation is a critical enabler for the public sector, which manages public expenditure on community services, utilities and infrastructure. The benefit of digital is not limited to new construction projects; it also includes refurbishment of aged infrastructure. Additionally, it goes beyond the construction stage to include operation and maintenance, enabling the information management for digital twins and smarter cities.

The worldwide community network is the outcome of international collaboration between governments and organisations on digitalization in the construction sector and built environment.  The Network will connect members working on similar developments in different parts of the world with similar challenges to share insights, resources and lessons learned.

UK Construction Minister Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP said: “The digitalisation of construction will create better, more resilient infrastructure, while minimising the impacts of climate change. This requires close collaboration between governments and industry, and the launch of the Global BIM Network is a vital next step.

“By bringing together policymakers from across the globe, the Network is committed to addressing the digital capability of the public sector in creating infrastructure that supports our ambition to build back greener and improve prosperity for all people and places.”

The Global BIM Network will guide the development of the Global BIM platform, an open-access online repository for global public sector and infrastructure funders. It offers guidance, documentation, protocols, operational manuals, evidence, tools, training materials and other resources to facilitate the strategic introduction of BIM worldwide. It is open to anyone.

Gonzalo Rivas, Chief of the Competitiveness, Technology and Innovation Division at the Inter-American Development Bank said: “We believe that the most important thing is to level out the digital playing field, in such a way that all countries can begin to take part gradually, with bigger and bigger benefits for the digitalisation of construction. And we know that BIM is the first and big step in this direction.”

Those who would like to join the Network can express their interest on the Global BIM Platform here.