BIM-Based Public Participation: Insights and Lessons Learned form a Case Study
Abstract
Public participation is critical to the success of construction projects as it enables citizens to influence and engage in planning processes.Traditional participation methods often rely on two-dimensional technical plans, which are frequently perceived as difficult to understand, particularly by non-experts.In recent years, digital visualization techniques, especially 3D models, have emerged as promising alternatives.These approaches promise to enhance communication among stakeholders and deepen engagement by offering clearer and more comprehensible representations of construction projects.This paper explores how public participation based on 3D BIM model data can be implemented and examines the user experiences associated with such an approach.The concept is built on a 3D BIM modelbased participation platform integrated with a Common Data Environment (CDE), which serves as the source for three different model variants.A prototype of the participation platform was tested in the context of public involvement for the redesign of a mobility space in a German city.Citizens were therefore invited to interact with the various model variants and actively participate in the process.Findings from this initiative demonstrate that guided textual information with 3D visuals enhances citizens' comprehension of the project.Users particularly valued the 3D models for enhancing their understanding, while expressing a preference for rather realistic models, even if they are more complex.In summary, the results suggest that BIM models can significantly enhance public participation by improving comprehension and engagement, ultimately contributing to social sustainability.
Authors 4
-
Jonathan Matthei Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University , Germany
-
Sven Mackenbach Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University , Germany
Cited by 0 stored of 0
No patents citing this paper on Lens.org (checked 2026-10-06).