Using City Information Modelling to Evaluate Urban Circularity Through Sustainability Indicators

Abstract

While promoting a holistic view of cities, sustainability assessment methods and the circular economy concept have gained attention among urban planners and policymakers. Those methods associated with information technologies can enable intelligent solutions to accelerate sustainability goals. City Information Modelling (CIM) can facilitate the assessment of urban sustainability and circularity. Continuing a previous study, this article examines whether traditional sustainability assessment tools may be adapted to CIM while promoting circular economy practices. Furthermore, the relationship between the most prioritized sustainability indicators and primary urban circularity concerns is examined through theoretical analysis. Therefore, a correlation matrix is proposed and indicators associated with each circularity concern are identified. In total, 24 indicators out of 48 are directly related to urban sustainability. Accordingly, this article discusses how urban circularity concerns can be determined using CIM, based on their correlation with the prioritized indicators. The findings indicate that a CIM-oriented strategy could be used to evaluate urban circularity concerns through sustainability indicators.