Leveraging BIM/IFC for the Registration of Spatial Plans and Compliance Checks and Permitting in Estonia Based on LADM Part 5 - Spatial Plan Information

Abstract

This research explores the integration of IFC with LADM Part 5 Spatial Plan Information (ISO DIS 19152-5) to standardize BIM-based permit checking processes, focusing on a case study from Estonia. Land Administration Systems (LAS) are crucial in spatial development, managing land-related information. Rapid urbanization necessitates efficient space management, promoting the adoption of digital technologies in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector. The integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) presents opportunities for enhanced collaboration and data management. The main aim is to enhance efficiency, interoperability, and standardization in the compliance checks between different plan levels (e.g., Detailed Plan vs Mater Plan) by incorporating LADM Part 5 into digital frameworks. Traditional permit processes are often manual, time-consuming, and prone to errors. By integrating LADM Part 5 with IFC data, this research aims to create a standardized approach that not only improves data management and facilitates seamless information exchange but also maximizes industry and technical support to ensure compliance with international standards.

The methodology involves several key steps. First, a country profile for Estonia using LADM Part 5 is developed, tailored to the specific needs of the Estonian LAS. This profile integrates with PLANK, the Estonian spatial plan database, incorporating how Estonia acquires, stores, and requires data in their spatial plans. Next, a PostgreSQL database is created to store this profile. Pilot Detailed Plan datasets encoded in IFC format are then imported into the database using FME scripts, mapping the data to relevant sections. This integrated database supports digital permitting processes, specifically plan compliance checks between different levels of spatial plans. Throughout the research, the country profile is refined based on the optimizations of the database, driven by the specific requirements of the input data processed through FME scripts. Given that LADM is a standardized model, the database enforces specific data structures, ensuring processed data is valuable and relevant. The FME scripts facilitate this process, ensuring the data extracted from the database is standardized and user-friendly. Constraints such as maximum building height restrictions are pre-processed and stored within the database, enabling users to access this information without manually reviewing raw plan data. Later, the database was sampled using pilot datasets, with the tools and scripts made available on the research’s GitHub repository. After storing the spatial plan data in the database, data can be directly accessed by scripts designed to execute compliance checks between Detailed Plans and Master Plans, as shown in the Estonia case study. Although developing these specific checks is beyond this research's scope, the work was structured to integrate smoothly with the processes used in the Estonia case study.

Preliminary findings show that combining LADM with IFC improves data representation, enhances interoperability, and establishes a consistent standard for compliance checks between Master and Detailed Plans. This research contributes to developing standardized, reliable, and efficient permit checking systems, with important implications for urban planning and land management.