Government Approves Bill for Digitizing Construction and Built Environment Management

The Czech government has approved a proposed law aimed at standardizing and streamlining the management and sharing of information about buildings and their interrelations within the built environment. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO), was developed in collaboration with the Czech Office for Surveying, Mapping and Cadastre, the Czech Agency for Standardization, and numerous professional organizations and chambers.

Key Objectives and Features

1. BIM Integration:
   The law establishes the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a core method for optimizing project preparation, cost efficiency, and reducing the duration of project planning and execution.

   “BIM will transform project management, making construction faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally responsible,” stated Minister Lukáš Vlček.

2. Holistic Approach:
   The legislation emphasizes viewing construction projects not in isolation but as part of a broader context, focusing on their connections and impacts within the built environment. This approach is expected to enhance information sharing across public administration, improve urban and regional planning, and foster sustainable development.

3. Key Pillars:

   • Information Models for Buildings: Standards for the digital representation of construction projects.
   • Built Environment Models: Frameworks for capturing the relationships between structures and their surrounding environments.

4. Alignment with Construction 4.0 Vision:
   The law supports the Construction 4.0 initiative, which integrates modern technologies with sustainable development goals. Future updates to construction norms, including fire safety, electrical installations, and wood-based structures, aim to support faster, greener, and more affordable building practices.

5. Future-Proofing Construction:
   The bill sets the stage for adopting advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, and data-centric systems to address emerging challenges in construction and beyond.

Impacts and Next Steps

This legislation aligns with the government’s commitment to modernizing the construction industry and improving efficiency in managing the built environment. Its implementation will pave the way for faster, smarter, and more environmentally sustainable construction processes, setting a benchmark for innovation in public and private sector projects.

Minister Vlček emphasized that changes to construction norms, particularly for timber structures, will soon follow, further enhancing the sector’s efficiency and sustainability.

For more details, visit the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s official website.