Akindele, O; Ajayi, S; Oyegoke, A S; Alaka, H A and Omotayo, T (2025) Application of geographic information system (GIS) in construction: A systematic review. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 14(1), pp. 210-236. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: Notwithstanding the Geographical Information System (GIS) being a fast-emerging green area of a digital revolution, the available studies focus on different subject areas of application in the construction industry, with no study that clarifies its knowledge strands. Hence, this systematic review analyses GIS core area of application, its system integration patterns, challenges and future directions in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review approach was employed, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. A total of 60 articles published between 2011 and 2022 were identified, thoroughly reviewed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The analysis revealed spatial planning and design, construction-task tracking, defect detection and safety monitoring as its four main application-based areas. The findings showed that the adoption of GIS technology is rapidly expanding and being utilised more in building projects to visual-track construction activities. The review discovered an integrated pattern involving data flow from a device and window-form application to GIS, the pathways to data exchange between platforms to platforms, where ArcGIS is the most used software. Furthermore, the study highlighted the lack of interoperability between heterogeneous systems as the crux impediment to adopting GIS in the built environment. Originality/value: The research provides a deep insight into possible areas where GIS is adopted in the construction industry, identifying areas of extensive and limited application coverage over a decade. Besides, it demystifies possible pathways for future integration opportunities of GIS with other emerging technologies within the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM; digital construction; GIS; GIS and BIM integration; project planning; systematic literature review |
| Index terms: | platform, construction activity, emerging technology, construction industry, systematic literature review, digital construction, built environment, spatial planning, monitoring, meta-analysis, information system, geographic information system, project planning, window, methodology, integration, interoperability, system integration, data exchange, thematic analysis |
| Subjects: | construction operations, control systems, systems and processes, research methods, methods and analysis, organizational theory, urban design, information systems, innovation and technology management, digital design, research evaluation and metrics, data exchange, infrastructure and transport systems, geographical techniques and analysis, industry analysis, architectural elements, organizational analysis |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context, Digital Applications, Site Management, Design Practice, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here