# Integration of BIM and GIS for the Digitization of the Built Environment
## 5 Conclusions  
BIM-GIS integration provides the ability to create robust contextual models that fuse geographic information and infrastructure design data to better understand asset interactions in real-world geographic contexts. To meet current macro-economic challenges and deliver more sustainable and flexible infrastructure, it is essential to simplify the exchange of data between BIM design processes and GIS systems. This will enable better planning and management of urban areas and infrastructure investments with less negative social, economic and environmental impacts. One of the most striking innovations in information technology in recent years has been the gradual emergence of OSS. In the field of geoinformatics and GIS, OSS has also played an important role, thanks to the possibility of revising and improving the source code, according to individual needs. QGIS is one of the most articulated Free Software projects in the world, offering versatility and potential in dealing with different environmental issues. In an era of digitization of construction and interoperability of data, the use of OSS is also becoming important in public administration, allowing data to be shared, processed and improved in virtually unlimited ways. However, it is important to recognize the importance of proprietary software such as ArcGIS, as vendors of such solutions can offer advanced spatial planning and control functionality. In a free market, each construction professional has the freedom to use his or her preferred application, while retaining the ability to read data on different platforms. Despite the progress made, there are still some limitations in BIM-GIS integration that require further attention; e.g., for discrepancies in LOD definitions between BIM and GIS, the development of standardized and automated mapping templates would be useful. The research involved the development and evaluation of two methodologies for the integration of BIM-GIS in the AECO sector. One, employed in OSE, uses QGIS and an online visualizer, whereas the other, adopted in CSE, employs Revit and ArcGIS for advanced visualization of BIM models in a GIS environment. The CSE platform is notable for its enhanced usability,enabled by its capacity to visualize 3D models and represents an advancement over the OSE approach, but, on the other hand, requires payment of a user license. Geo-DT represents a significant and natural development of this research in the digital transformation of the AECO sector, with highly efficient and sustainable management of smart cities and smart buildings. The Geo-Digital Twin (Geo-DT) concept represents a significant advancement in the synergistic integration of BIM models and GIS data, offering an unprecedented opportunity for intelligent and dynamic management of infrastructure and the built environment. A Geo-Digital Twin is a digital entity that can realistically replicate a physical environment or infrastructure by integrating geospatial data, information from BIM models and real-time data from IoT devices. This enables real-time simulation, analysis and management. The implementation of Geo-DT offers new avenues for enhancing urban planning, infrastructure design, and city management. It integrates real-time data from a multitude of detailed sources on infrastructure components to provide a comprehensive and dynamic view of the built environment. DT thus permits stakeholders to explore and monitor the urban environment through a virtual interface, thereby enabling complex data to be visualized and analyzed in an intuitive and accessible way. Furthermore, it is possible to perform simulations and predictive analysis to assess the impact of different decisions and scenarios on the infrastructure and the surrounding environment. From the perspective of infrastructure management and maintenance, Geo-DT could provide an advanced monitoring and control system, enabling the real-time detection of anomalies or problems and the timely implementation of corrective actions.