The Role of City Information Modelling in supporting Collaboration and Co-Creation in Norwegian Cities
Author
Grabow, Fabian
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-06-04
Pages
68
Abstract
Global climate change and rapid urbanization are major societal challenges, while digitalization is reshaping city life. City Information Modelling (CIM) describes digital representations of cities that bring together Building Information Modelling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Internet of Things (IoT) on a single platform. This study examines how CIM can be developed as a tool for collaboration and co-creation (CCC) in Norway. We analyzed ten interviews with Norwegian stakeholders and two international case studies (Helsinki and Zürich). Using the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), a framework for understanding how innovations move from niche to mainstream, we assessed CIM’s position. We then built a Transition Management (TM) framework that outlines strategies for future development. Findings show that CIM is at an early stage in Norway: no applied cases were identified, and many interviewees were unfamiliar with the term. By contrast, the Urban Digital Twin (UDT)—a digital copy of a city used for analysis and simulation—is well known and applied, especially for traffic management and climate resilience planning. Collaboration occurs between municipalities and private or other public actors, but co-creation plays a limited role in planning. Interviewees highlighted benefits of CIM and CCC, such as interdisciplinary thinking, better data management, more sustainable planning, and improved collaboration. However, interpersonal, technical, and organizational challenges persist. Lock-in mechanisms in the Norwegian planning regime—siloed and traditional organizational structures, reliance on consultancies, and municipal power relations—create barriers for CIM to grow from a niche into routine practice. The TM framework shows how frontrunners, including Norwegian ministries and municipalities, can steer sustainable change through strategic, tactical, operational, and reflexive activities. To advance CIM as a CCC tool, these actors should initiate experiments in policy (mandating BIM and co-creation locally and nationally), technology (AI, IoT, and modeling), and planning (using co-creation and AI in urban planning). Further research should compare more CIM cases and examine how power relations can hinder CIM development.
Globale klimaforandringer og hurtig urbanisering er store samfundsudfordringer, samtidig med at digitalisering forandrer livet i byer. City Information Modelling (CIM) beskriver digitale repræsentationer af byer, der samler Building Information Modelling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) og Internet of Things (IoT) på én platform. Dette studie undersøger, hvordan CIM kan udvikles som et værktøj til samarbejde og samskabelse (CCC) i Norge. Vi analyserede ti interviews med norske interessenter og to internationale casestudier (Helsinki og Zürich). Med Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), en ramme for at forstå, hvordan innovationer bevæger sig fra niche til mainstream, vurderede vi CIMs position. Derefter opstillede vi en Transition Management (TM)-ramme, der skitserer strategier for fremtidig udvikling. Resultaterne viser, at CIM er på et tidligt stadie i Norge: Der blev ikke identificeret konkrete anvendelser, og mange interviewpersoner kendte ikke begrebet. Derimod er Urban Digital Twin (UDT) – en digital kopi af byen til analyse og simulering – velkendt og i brug, især til trafikstyring og klimatilpasningsplanlægning. Samarbejde foregår mellem kommuner og både private og andre offentlige aktører, men samskabelse spiller en begrænset rolle i planlægningen. Interviewene pegede på fordele ved CIM og CCC, såsom tværfaglig tænkning, bedre datahåndtering, mere bæredygtig planlægning og styrket samarbejde. Samtidig består udfordringer af interpersonel, teknisk og organisatorisk karakter. Lock-in-mekanismer i den norske planlægningspraksis – siloiserede og traditionelle organisationsstrukturer, afhængighed af konsulenthuse og magtforhold i kommuner – hæmmer, at CIM kan gå fra niche til almindelig praksis. TM-rammen viser, hvordan frontløbere, herunder norske ministerier og kommuner, kan lede bæredygtig forandring gennem strategiske, taktiske, operationelle og refleksive aktiviteter. For at udvikle CIM som et CCC-værktøj bør disse aktører igangsætte eksperimenter i politik (krav om BIM og samskabelse lokalt og nationalt), teknologi (AI, IoT og modellering) og planlægning (anvendelse af samskabelse og AI i byplanlægning). Fremtidig forskning bør omfatte flere CIM-cases til sammenligning og undersøge, hvordan magtforhold kan bremse CIMs udvikling.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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