Sing, M C P; Cao, N; Liu, H J and Choy, Y N (2025) Digitalization in Hong Kong building surveying: Advancements in building plan scrutiny process. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 15(4), pp. 827-843. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
This study seeks to unpack the digitalization of building surveying practices, focusing on the contribution of building information modelling (BIM) to the building plan scrutiny process (BPSP). It aims to evaluate and propose enhancements to the existing BIM-enabled building plan scrutiny practices in Hong Kong by comparing current practices with global standards and identifying actionable improvements. A mixed-method approach, incorporating a case study and professional interviews, is employed to examine BPSP practices in Hong Kong and compare them with international counterparts. The case study provides in-depth insights into implementation barriers and opportunities, while the interviews offer complementary perspectives, analyzed thematically to identify key themes. The results reveal that BIM implementation in Hong Kong’s BPSP is still in its early stages, yet it holds substantial potential to enhance efficiency, compliance and innovation in building surveying practices. The study also identifies key barriers to adoption, such as industry reluctance and systemic inertia, and provides strategic recommendations to overcome these challenges. While focused on Hong Kong, the findings may have broader implications for other regions seeking to adopt BIM-based digitalization in construction. This study offers novel insights into the role of BIM in transforming BPSP, filling a research gap in the application of digital technologies within surveying practices. It emphasizes the importance of modernizing building surveying practices to foster a more efficient and innovative construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM; building codes; building plan scrutiny; building surveying practices; digitalization; regulatory compliance |
| Index terms: | case study, building information modelling, Hong Kong, efficiency, construction industry, implementation, building surveying, digitalization, surveying, interview, compliance, digital technology, building code, regulatory compliance |
| Subjects: | Geography, health safety and environment, digital technology, environmental policy, contractual arrangements, performance management, professional development, industry analysis, regulatory law, information systems, data collection methods, computing systems, health monitoring assessment and metrics |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Quality Management, Sustainability, Procurement, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Digital Applications, Information Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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