Integrated BIM-GIS system for the enhancement of urban heritage

The integration between GIS and BIM is not novel. The GIS was born as tool for the knowledge and management of spatial data used in small-scale representation. However, since the first applications it became necessary to use the GIS also in large-scale representation for architectural analysis: in this field, the instrument presented significant limitations especially in the 3D editing processing. Nevertheless, the great potential of GIS, given by an unlimited and continuously updated database suggested to develop a new tool for the architectural approach named BIM. The criterion is the same: both the systems are based on the geo-referencing of the real objects and on the possibility of joining the database with a cartographic or architectural graphic model. Currently, GIS and BIM are being used separately: the first widely deals with to improve the safety and efficiency of urban structures and infrastructures and to analyze the environmental data and the natural risks; the second one is being employed in the design of new buildings and infrastructures. The simultaneous use of both the systems is nowadays fundamental for instance for the management of smart cities or historical towns; the informative digital model of cities, that includes both land and building data, would indeed be very useful. This contribution describes the integration between BIM and GIS exploiting the interoperability of the systems ensured by some software as Autodesk InfraWorks. The paper highlights in fact the importance of such integration especially in the fields of decision making and management of “land” and buildings data.