For many years, the objective of spatial databases created using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology was to provide information about large spaces and areas outside of buildings. Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology focused mainly on small spaces, indoor and outdoor, targeted at other users and slightly different applications, was developed simultaneously for several dozen years. The significant development of GIS technology and new tools for quick data acquisition (e.g., laser scanning) and growing user needs resulted in the geoinformation modeling of the space inside buildings as well. BIM, on the other hand, began to be used for increasingly larger spaces outside buildings. Technology developers, users, and scientists started to notice that works turned out to be repetitive and that combining two different technologies is necessary; however, it is not simple. The research presented in the article is another attempt at connecting the world of BIM and GIS. The proposed integrated database environment of BIM/GIS spatial data makes it possible to store GIS and BIM data, enabling the use of the same data by both types of systems simultaneously and in a consistent manner. This allows BIM systems to to obtain simultaneous access to BIM and GIS data, which may be needed in, for example, the process of analyzing a building and its immediate surroundings. At the same time, GIS can obtain up-to-date building data necessary for spatial analyses, building management, or route mapping in navigation applications. The concept proposed in this article assumes a pragmatic approach, which is based on sharing Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and CityGML schemas from a single database for BIM and GIS applications in their practically original form using an additional integrated BIM-GIS schema, called BIGI-S. The research joins some other works in this field, complementing them and adding a new perspective. This paper describes the concept of this solution, including specific data structures, data conversion algorithms, and a prototype solution. The tests carried out by the authors prove the robustness of the adopted concept and its technical feasibility.

Land Information Modelling (LIM), increasingly popular among landscape architects and urban planners, is based on the use of urban space data that can be obtained from GIS systems. New models of buildings are simultaneously developed in BIM technology. This provokes an increasing need for integration of data from both areas for the use of shared BIM and GIS data in landscape design. The increasing popularity of the BIM technology not only forces designers to develop BIM models of buildings but also other land management objects, including infrastructure objects. Whereas it is possible to develop a model of an infrastructure object in specific BIM tools, the IFC data model for standardised exchange of BIM data does not offer the possibility to record data on objects other than buildings and their furnishings, and elements of land management are treated in a very general way. Transferring such a model by means of the IFC model requires the application of substitute classes of objects that are not relevant to the actual image of the model. Considering the above, the buildingSMART consortium conducts works on the expansion of the IFC model to permit modelling data on infrastructure objects. Provided the availability of valid spatial data from GIS systems and data concerning infrastructure objects already at the stage of design, systemic BIM and LIM can become a powerful landscape design tool based on current data and data concerning designed objects.

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Landscape information modeling (LIM) is a new trend in spatial projects made using BIM technology. Elements of land development are, not only in the opinion of the authors, just as essential as the element of a building object. In turn, GIS data can be used to model larger areas based on combined data from GIS and BIM models. The lack of the strict integration of BIM and GIS (ISO/TR 23262:2021 covers GIS/BIM interoperability, ISO 19166 is in preparation) prevents the modeling of land development objects, both existing and planned, in many cases. The modeling process using the current and known BIM tools and processes were presented to efficiently develop a model of a building object with its surroundings. Modeling took place using best practices that are collected and used in the Polish reality. The work presents an object-oriented approach to modeling elements of spatial development with the preservation of the so-called occupational hygiene. By applying the above principles, it is possible to develop a “good” LIM model that fits the current trends and developments in BIM.