# HBIM: Background, Current Trends, and Future Prospects
## 8 Conclusions  
The development of BIM technologies, their success in improving the construction and management of new buildings and infrastructures, and the growing concern for the preservation of architectural heritage, characterized by unique features that differentiate it from new constructions, led to the introduction of the concept of historic building information modeling (HBIM) in the early 2010s. Since then, HBIM has significantly influenced heritage management practices, with numerous BIM models built for relevant heritage assets and an increasing number of scientific studies and publications about the topic (seeing a 950% growth in the last 10 years). Initially focused on the technical aspects of 3D modeling and data collection, HBIM research has evolved into the development of comprehensive methodologies that encompass not only the digital representation of historical assets but also the management and preservation of these structures, a topic that currently represents about 40% of HBIM-related articlespublished every year. Over the past decade, HBIM has increasingly been seen as a tool not only for documentation but for the holistic management of historic buildings. Future research and development in HBIM are expected to focus on several key areas. One is the formal integration of HBIM into regulatory frameworks, similar to how BIM has been adopted for new construction projects. The standardization of procedures and the establishment of guidelines tailored to historical structures will help unify HBIM practices, ensuring consistency and reliability across projects. Another significant area of progress lies in the enhancement of data collection techniques, such as the use of LiDAR, drone-based photogrammetry, and laser scanning. While these technologies have already made substantial contributions, continued advancements will enable more efficient and accurate model generation, particularly for complex and large-scale heritage sites. Additionally, the development of open-access formats will be crucial for improving interoperability between different software platforms, thus facilitating wider use and more collaborative efforts in the field. The incorporation of real-time monitoring systems into HBIM models, coupled with the integration of data-driven analysis techniques, will further strengthen the ability to assess and maintain the structural integrity of heritage buildings. This trend, alongside the shift toward urban-scale HBIM models that include entire historic districts or archaeological sites, represents a significant evolution in heritage management. These advancements will position HBIM not just as a documentation tool but as a dynamic system capable of real-time asset management, ensuring the long-term preservation of built heritage. Conceptualization, F.A. ; methodology, F.A. ; validation, E.P. and R.G. ; formal analysis, F.A. and A.B.-H.; investigation, F.A. and A.B.-H.; data curation, F.A. and A.B.-H.; writing--original draft preparation, F.A. and A.B.-H.; writing--review and editing, E.P. and R.G. ; visualization, F.A. and A.B.-H.; supervision, E.P. and R.G. ; project administration, E.P. and R.G. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. This research is part of the project \"_Evaluacion de la vulnerabilidad estructural de patrimionion construido en tapia--VulTapia_\" (Evaluation of the structural vulnerability of heritage built in rammed earth), C-ING-134-UGR23, funded by Consejeria de Universidad, Investigacion e Innovacion and by ERDF Andalusia Program 2021-2027. This study was partially supported by a doctoral grant to [PERSON] within the program \"_Formacion de Investigadores--Contratos Predoctorales (FPU) Universidad de Granada-Banco Santander_\". The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results. The following abbreviations are used in this manuscript: