# HBIM: Background, Current Trends, and Future Prospects
## 6 Future Directions  
Since its emergence in 2009, interest in HBIM methodologies for heritage management has steadily grown, leading to the development of numerous models and a significant increase in published research. This trend has remained consistent over the past decade and is expected to continue in the near future. While early research primarily focused on tools for creating 3D models and data collection techniques, recent years have seen a growing interest in utilizing HBIM as a comprehensive tool for managing historic buildings. This includes not only data acquisition and model development within HBIM software but also the ability of these models to exchange information with other software and perform various types of analyses on the assets under consideration. Accordingly, terms like structural analysis, digital twin, building preservation, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and building sustainability have become more prevalent in HBIM publications in recent years [28]. Similarly, terms related to data collection and modeling techniques, such as laser scanning or point cloud, have also gained prominence in the last few years. Considering this and the studies analyzed in the present review, it is reasonable to assume that these will be some of the most relevant directions that HBIM research will follow in the coming years:  
* Inclusion of BIM for historic structures in national and international regulations, similar to what has occurred over the past few decades for new constructions, along with the development of standards and protocols to help standardize HBIM procedures. * Increased use of HBIM models for the comprehensive management of architectural heritage, with a special focus on preventive preservation and incorporating the environmental sustainability component in management practices. * Improvement of data collection methods (laser scanning, drone photogrammetry, and LiDAR) and data conversion into entities recognizable by BIM software. Although significant progress has already been made in these areas in the last few years, technology continues to advance, offering ongoing improvements and new possibilities. * Development of open-access formats (similar to those initiated with IFC) and software solutions to enhance the interoperability of HBIM models, along with improvements in the ability to export HBIM models across various platforms. * Real-time or near-real-time updating of the structural condition of historic buildings within an HBIM environment, improving the interaction between HBIM models and computationally efficient analysis models (in the form of a digital twin of the structure). The process would enable us to integrate continuous monitoring data, assess the structural condition of the building and the potential occurrence of damage, generate alerts in case of detected issues, and update the HBIM model accordingly. * Development of urban-scale HBIM models, expanding beyond individual heritage assets to cover larger areas such as historic city centers and archaeological sites, encompassing multiple historic buildings. These future directions align with overcoming significant limitations currently affecting HBIM's practical utility. The integration of HBIM into national and international regulations, as well as the development of standards and protocols, directly addresses the lack of uniformity in HBIM procedures, which has hindered broader adoption and consistent application across projects. Establishing a regulatory framework would not only encourage the use of HBIM models in practice but also reinforce their legitimacy and relevance in heritage preservation. Furthermore, advancements in data collection methods and model interoperability will help to enhance the practical application of HBIM by streamlining the capture, processing, and sharing of complex heritage data.