A BIM+Blockchain approach to ensure Transparency in the Strategic Housing Development Planning System

The introduction of the fast-tracking housing regulations in Ireland has modified the dynamics in which democratic participation is deployed in planning decisions. The resulting planning process has favoured inequality phenomena and has strengthened the position of construction lobbies in large-scale developments. This paper enforces citizen engagement in the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) framework using Building Information Modelling (BIM) and blockchain technologies to build digital trust. Digital tools have enormous potential to deliver more transparent planning by establishing proven accountability for building permissions and promoting trusted interactions between citizens and local administrations. This study first describes all the reasoning underpinning the de-democratisation process of Irish planning after introducing SHD regulations. Based on the previous findings, a theory-driven, inductive case study is proposed. The case study offers an integrated framework that combines the improved visualisation properties of BIM with the immutability characters of blockchain. Results indicate that such a methodology successfully addresses the problem of trust and transparency and brings additional intrinsic benefits due to the use of digital solutions in planning.