This paper critically reviews sustainability strategies and building certification systems in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on sustainable healthcare assessment. It examines the environmental impact of the AEC industry, highlighting its role in greenhouse gas emissions and the need for intervention. The study evaluates Saudi Arabia’s green building codes, standards, and certification systems, including the updated Saudi Building Code (SBC) and Saudi Green Building Code (SBC 1001-CR). It also explores Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) techniques, emphasizing the need for a certification system that aligns with emerging trends and the local context.

The Engineering Science Institute (ESI) in Saudi Arabia offers a hub for professional training and certification across various engineering disciplines. The institute provides specialised courses and programs designed to enhance technical expertise, improve industry skills, and support career growth. ESI certifications are recognised in the region and globally, equipping professionals with the knowledge and credentials to meet the evolving demands of the engineering sector. The hub facilitates access to quality education, hands-on training, and up-to-date industry standards to prepare individuals for leadership roles and technical challenges in engineering.

On 5th October 2017, an agreement was signed by public road and rail administrations from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden to establish a common Nordic approach to BIM (Building Information Modelling). The agreement, called the Nordic Road and Rail BIM Collaboration, aims to exchange BIM experiences and influence international standards. The agreement was signed by representatives responsible for BIM implementation from each organisation, with Ingemar Lewén from the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) elected as chairman.

Nordic Road and Rail BIM Collaboration

Regional

The Goverment of the Republic of Lithuania approved the mandatory application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) methods. Resolution defines the cases (the value of the project, type of construction, type of structure) in which public contracting authorities will have to specify in the procurement documents the requirements and (or) criteria for the application of mandatory BIM methods. 

The link to the legal act (resolution) in the Register of Legl Acts: 

An archive version of this information article has been created if the original is no longer accessible (Archive information from January 2024)

This decision notice titled ‘The Building Information Models (BIM) for facility building and operating management activitiesÂ’ was approved by the Prime Minister on December 22, 2016 under the Decision No. 2500/QD-TTg. The objectives of this decision are that through the application of BIM, Vietnam can strive to achieve the objective of saving at least 30% of convertible general expenses for entities concerned during such application, enhance transparency and convenience in management and control of quality of facility building and operating management activities. Including: cutting down about 10% of construction cost (including reducing overuse of building materials by approximately 20%); decreasing construction time by about 10% compared with the approved progress; reducing duration of design and design modification by about 10%… The decision mentions the need to prepare necessary conditions and skill training sessions for the application of BIM, including duties such as improve awareness and encourage entities, institutions or enterprises to implement BIM; outline the legal framework for application of BIM, system of technical regulations, standards or economic and technical norms where relevant; build instructions for BIM and develop the framework for training of knowledge about BIM and make arrangements for providing training to construction authorities exercising their delegated powers. From 2018 to 2020, initiate pilot application of BIM at several projects, including duties such as conduct utilization of BIM in project design, construction and management operations for at least 20 new construction packages ranging from the first to higher level in investment and construction projects financed by the state and other sources (on a voluntary basis); utilize BIM for operation management of at least 10 important projects which are subject to technical complicated requirements and developed by state funds, and from 2021, based on the review and evaluation report on application of BIM, the Ministry of Construction shall introduce the Circular and Detailed Guidance on universal utilization of BIM in facility construction and operating management activities.

The decision notice 942/QD-TTg has been published to develop BIM adoption in Vietnam with an aim to strive to reduce least 20% of administrative procedures of state agencies by 2025. On June 15, 2021, the Government published the Decision No. 942/QD-TTg approving the e-Government development strategy towards the digital Government in the 2021 – 2025 period, with a vision to 2030. The decision also sets targets towards 2025 include: At least 80% of administrative procedure records are processed completely online and people are only required to declare data once; 100% of state agencies provide services 24/7 and are ready to provide online services at any time; 100% of officials have digital identities for work; At least 20% of administrative procedures of state agencies are reduced compared to the current number; Each citizen has a digital identity and QR code, striving so that all citizens have smartphones; etc. The decision sets out the governments digital strategy and vision with the key tasks in the Strategy being: Researching on and proposing amendments to the Law on E-Transactions and guiding documents; Developing and operating stable, safe and uninterrupted specialized network infrastructure that connects administrative levels from the central to commune level based on specialized data transmission networks; Developing and completing the national public service portal so that people and enterprises can access online public services of ministries, sectors and localities; etc. This Decision takes effect on the signing date. An English version of the decision is available here: https://english.luatvietnam.vn/decision-no-942-qd-ttg-dated-june-15-2021-of-the-government-approving-the-e-government-development-strategy-towards-the-digital-government-in-the-20-203675-Doc1.html

Decision No. 950/QD-TTg is all about the scheme for development of smart sustainable cities in Vietnam. On August 1st, 2018, the Prime Minister issues the Decision No. 950/QD-TTg as part of a move to increase the use of ICT an other digital technologies in order to improve the competitiveness, innovation, creation, transparency, good organizational structure and effective management of city governments, enhance efficiency in use of land, energy and other resources, improve and enhance quality of life in urban environment as well as encourage socioeconomic growth and development. Several objectives of the smart cities scheme illustrated within this decision notice, working toward 2020 include: – To formulate the general legal framework for development of smart sustainable cities; – To formulate the master plan for establishment of national standards serving the development of smart sustainable cities in Vietnam; – Pilot smart city ICT reference framework in building smart cities, build spatial urban data infrastructure; – To assist at least 03 new urban areas in investment, construction and pilot application of solutions for smart citiesÂ… Accordingly, a number of tasks need to be operated such as Apply intelligent technologies; develop smart city infrastructure, utilities and facilities; intensify mobilization of investment and technical support. This Decision takes effect on the signing date. An English version of the decision is available here: https://english.luatvietnam.vn/decision-no-950-qd-ttg-dated-august-01-2018-of-the-prime-minister-on-approving-the-scheme-for-development-of-smart-sustainable-cities-in-vietnam-in-165701-Doc1.html

Prepared by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, and approved by the Goverment of the Republic of Lithuania. This document was published on the 20th May 2020 and is the decision of the Government on the mandatory application of BIM methods.

An archive version of this information article has been created if the original is no longer accessible (Archive information from January 2024)

The Ministry for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a state authority of the Republic of Kazakhstan leading in the sphere of industry and industry-innovation development, scientific-technical country development and construction. This is the order of the Minister for Investments and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 11, 2017 No. 197. The topic of the order is the approval of the Action Plan for the implementation of information modeling technology in the design of construction projects (BIM technologies) (as amended on February 27, 2018). This includes Carrying out preparatory activities for the introduction of information modeling technologies, Development of normative technical documents on the application of building information modeling technology, making appropriate changes and additions to normative legal acts and normative technical documents, Development (adaptation) of BIM standards and related documents in the field of information modeling of industrial and civil construction of buildings and structures, Development of a BIM-oriented classifier and harmonization with the existing resource method classifier, Training of specialists for the practical application of information modeling technologies in the construction industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Implementation of pilot projects on information modelling, Creation of the State Bank of Information Models (GBIM), Digitization of the architectural, urban planning and construction catalog, and further steps for the development of information modeling technology in the Republic of Kazakhstan

An archive version of this information article has been created if the original is no longer accessible (Archive information from January 2024)

From new construction to renovation, from digital models to connected objects, the building sector is fully involved in digital transformation. The public authorities support the digital transition of buildings, to improve the comfort of use and the quality of life in housing, schools or offices. This page describes the major public sector activities related to digital transformation from the Digital Transition in Building Plan (Plan Transition Numérique dans le Bâtiment, PTNB) to the BIM 2022 Plan which followed PTNB and commenced in 2019.

This site also references guidance for project owners and voluntary charters to encourage digital transformation and commitment to the objectives of the BIM 2022 Plan.

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