Portugal Mandates BIM for All Construction Projects by 2030
A major construction project announcement has been made by the Portuguese government, which has approved the 'PortugalBIM' national strategy, mandating the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for all public construction projects by 2030. This developer and construction company project announcement is part of a broader push to digitalize and modernize the nation's construction sector. The government projects that this move will lead to capital expenditure savings of between 10% and 20% on building and infrastructure projects, a significant efficiency gain that could help address the country's housing crisis. The project specifications, size, and scope details are outlined in the national strategy document, which aims to position Portugal at the forefront of digital innovation in construction.
The construction timeline and completion phases for the transition to mandatory BIM are ambitious, with the 2030 deadline requiring a rapid upskilling of the workforce and significant investment in technology. The architectural design and building features of future projects will be heavily influenced by this digital-first approach, enabling more complex designs and greater precision. The financing arrangements and investment partnerships for this transition will involve both public and private sector funding, with the government providing incentives for companies to adopt the new technology. Regulatory approvals and planning permissions will also be streamlined through the use of digital models, which is expected to accelerate project delivery times.
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The strategy also emphasizes environmental impact and sustainability features. BIM allows for better analysis of a building's energy performance and lifecycle costs, promoting the use of sustainable materials and construction practices. The local employment and economic impact are expected to be positive, although it will require a shift in the labor market towards more digitally skilled professionals. There is already significant pre-sales activity and market interest in new, innovative construction systems that are compatible with BIM, such as the 'SKINIUM' façade system developed by a consortium of Portuguese companies. The infrastructure requirements and utility connections for new developments will also be more efficiently planned using integrated digital models.
The government and industry bodies will be working to establish clear quality standards and construction methodologies for BIM-based projects. An upcoming industry conference, 'The Ongoing Revolution – New Construction Systems and BIM,' will bring together key stakeholders, including technical directors from Mapei Portugal, the CEO of Civilria, and representatives from the Portuguese Association of Designers and Consultants, to discuss the path forward. Monitor new development opportunities at realestate-lisbon.com.