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A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment
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A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 8958

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Syed Mahmood Ahmed

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Building Construction Science, College of Architecture, Art & Design, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Interests: construction science and management; contemporary civil engineering techonologies; higher education for the building and construction industry; construction and management; policies and procedures for construction management sustainability; trends of vernacularism in construction techonologies; curricula building for construction industry-related education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yasmeen Ahmed

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Building Construction Science, College of Architecture, Art & Design, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Interests: sustainability in architectural design & planning; post occupancy building comfort management; hazard management & planning by architects; affordable housing; theories of architecture & evolution of architectural character in post–industrialization era; landscape architecture; architectural theories & crit; disaster risk reduction (DRR) & management; interior architecture; urban design
Dr. Rizwan Farooqui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Building Construction Science, College of Architecture, Art & Design, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Interests: construction management; sustainable built environment; construction safety; construction contracts and claims; use of Construction 4.0 technologies for smart; safe and sustainable built environment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is an absolute pleasure to invite your participation to the Section titled “Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization”, as this will generate categorically significant conclusions on the feasibility, comparisons, and actualities of construction management practices executed all around the world. With the contemporary tools of visualization in construction management, the specific areas related to energy efficiency, indoor comfort, scheduling, and project management will be more precise than in the past. However, the regional trends and concepts of construction practices do bring along their own benefits and repercussions. I look forward to a thoughtful array of publications towards the need and assessment of optimum construction practices through the use of digitization to meet the growing demand of professionalism in the construction industry in order to achieve subsequent quality in the built environment. In the due valuable discourse of discussing construction management, the local and historic trends of construction and architectural design are integral to take into context so that the successful integration of both active and passive strategies is efficiently achieved during construction.

Prof. Dr. Syed Mahmood Ahmed
Dr. Yasmeen Ahmed
Dr. Rizwan Farooqui
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • management of contracts in construction projects
  • public–private partnerships in construction project
  • laws and logistics in construction management
  • construction science and management
  • tenders and documents in project management
  • innovation in structural design and visualization
  • contemporary civil engineering technologies
  • higher education for the building construction industry, construction, and materials science
  • policies and procedures for construction management sustainability in construction technology
  • trends of vernacularism in construction technologies
  • curricula building for construction industry-related education
  • retrofitting and energy efficiency in buildings through modern tools
  • sustainability in architectural design and planning
  • interior architecture
  • post-occupancy building comfort management
  • hazard management and planning by architects
  • affordable housing
  • theories of architecture and the evolution of architectural character in the post-industrialization era
  • landscape architectural theories and criticism
  • disaster risk reduction (DRR) and management
  • landscape architecture
  • interior architecture
  • information communication technologies
  • regional trends and practices in construction management
  • collaboration in construction management

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 4046 KB  
Article
A Deep Learning Framework for Predicting Psycho-Physiological States in Urban Underground Systems: Automating Human-Centric Environmental Perception
by Guanjie Huang and Hongzan Jiao
Buildings 2026, 16(7), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16071328 - 27 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 543
Abstract
Traditional Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is static and incompatible with dynamic systems like Digital Twins, creating a digital gap in managing health-oriented urban environments, especially in Urban Underground Spaces (UUS). This paper bridges this gap with a deep learning framework that automates the continuous [...] Read more.
Traditional Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is static and incompatible with dynamic systems like Digital Twins, creating a digital gap in managing health-oriented urban environments, especially in Urban Underground Spaces (UUS). This paper bridges this gap with a deep learning framework that automates the continuous prediction of human physiological arousal. We created a novel multimodal dataset from in situ experiments, synchronizing first-person video, environmental data, and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) as a real-time physiological arousal proxy. Our dual-branch spatial–temporal model fuses these data streams to predict GSR with high accuracy (Pearson’s r = 0.72), effectively mapping objective environmental inputs to continuous human physiological dynamics. This framework provides an automated, human-centric analysis engine for urban planning, design validation, and real-time building management. It establishes a foundational ‘human dynamics layer’ for urban Digital Twins, evolving them into predictive tools for simulating human-environment interactions and embedding physiological perception into intelligent urban systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment)
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28 pages, 12082 KB  
Article
Simulation-Based Heat Transfer Optimization for Mass Concrete in Nuclear Power Station Construction: A Case Study
by Jie Xiong, Degui Wang, Liping Xie, Zhu Fan and Zhongli Yao
Buildings 2026, 16(3), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030606 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 669
Abstract
The construction of mass concrete foundations for nuclear power plants faces significant challenges in controlling hydration heat and preventing early-age thermal cracking. This study develops an integrated framework combining high-fidelity thermal–mechanical simulation, real-time temperature monitoring, and construction process optimization to address these issues. [...] Read more.
The construction of mass concrete foundations for nuclear power plants faces significant challenges in controlling hydration heat and preventing early-age thermal cracking. This study develops an integrated framework combining high-fidelity thermal–mechanical simulation, real-time temperature monitoring, and construction process optimization to address these issues. Focusing on the VVER-1200 reactor raft foundation in the Xudapu NPP Phase II Project, an innovative center-to-periphery synchronous pouring method is proposed, departing from conventional inclined or layered pouring by strategically utilizing stage time lags to moderate the radial temperature gradient. Numerical simulations demonstrate that this method significantly reduces the peak temperature and thermal stress. Field validation shows that the maximum core-to-surface temperature difference is controlled within 19.8 °C, well below the critical threshold of 25 °C, and the peak concrete temperature remains at 66.7 °C, safely below the risk level for delayed ettringite formation (82–85 °C). The cracking risk coefficient K remains below 0.65, indicating a low probability of thermal cracking. Post-construction inspection confirms the absence of thermal cracks in the 5240 m3 monolithic pour. The proposed methodology offers a reliable, science-based approach for thermal crack mitigation and serves as a valuable reference for similar large-scale mass concrete structures in nuclear and other critical infrastructure projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment)
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21 pages, 1022 KB  
Article
Contemporary Pedagogical Techniques in Studio Instruction to Enhance Quality in Construction Management and Built Environment Education Programs in the United States
by Yasmeen Ahmed, Rizwan U. Farooqui and Syed Mahmood Ahmed
Buildings 2026, 16(3), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030603 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 622
Abstract
The Construction Industry-related degree programs in higher education institutions are substantially significant platforms for mandating the excellence of Construction Management Education (CME). The quality enhancement in the built environment is achieved through CME, where contemporary education and research yield advanced construction methods for [...] Read more.
The Construction Industry-related degree programs in higher education institutions are substantially significant platforms for mandating the excellence of Construction Management Education (CME). The quality enhancement in the built environment is achieved through CME, where contemporary education and research yield advanced construction methods for Industry. The education delivery in Building Construction Science/Technology/Management disciplines is planned through the designated policies of the State and regulatory authorities in the United States of America, in addition to the individual vision and mission of the institutions. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence, the rubrics and teaching methodologies have shifted to an advanced mechanism in higher education. In this research, concentrating on the same aspect of transformations in Construction Education allied with the use of modern tools, various undergraduate programs like Building Construction Science or Construction Management, use of modern education has been focused on; thereby concentrating on ‘Studio’ education as the key objective of this research. The continuing education goal in CME is to deliver life-long learning skills to students, so that they achieve sustainable development as qualified professionals later on. Henceforth, Studio teaching is discussed in this research for its impact on students’ expertise, knowledge development and life-long learning. Studio education is a unique dimension in technical disciplines such as Architecture and Construction Science, and, therefore, to achieve the essential objectives of ‘Studio Instructional Technology’, the students are introduced to real-world challenges, so that they can visualize and ultimately innovate solutions for the industry. This paper determines the effectiveness of teaching practices that instructors are expected to utilize while formulating the concepts and skills in students during Design or Structural Studios at the undergraduate level. Utilizing a structured and methodologically robust analytical research, the study formulates evidence-based recommendations for optimizing Studio-instruction pedagogies within undergraduate degree programs of CME. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment)
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25 pages, 6739 KB  
Article
Current Possibilities of Using BIM Models for Compiling Cost Estimates in the Design Phase of Residential Buildings
by Stanislav Vitásek and Daniel Macek
Buildings 2026, 16(1), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010203 - 2 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1571
Abstract
This article focuses primarily on the current possibilities of using data and information from BIM models to estimate costs using identified methods and pricing systems for apartment buildings with different construction technologies. The authors analyse buildings with a built-up space of 3600–5300 m [...] Read more.
This article focuses primarily on the current possibilities of using data and information from BIM models to estimate costs using identified methods and pricing systems for apartment buildings with different construction technologies. The authors analyse buildings with a built-up space of 3600–5300 m3, representing hundreds of projects currently available on the market. The applied methods include Pricing of Buildings Using a Spreadsheet Program, IFC-Supported Pricing Software, Pricing of Buildings in Design Software, and Pricing of Buildings Using a Design/Construction Library to compile cost estimates in the Czech URS, German Baupreislexikon, and British Spon’s Architects’ and Builders’ Price Book pricing systems. The usability of the BIM model with respect to the selected pricing system, construction technology, and methods ranges from 50% to 85%, with labour intensity ranging from 64 to 159 h. The key aspects for a wider application of BIM models include the completion of standardization at the level of graphic and non-graphic requirements related to the intended use of the data and information. The average cost per cubic metre of built-up space is EUR 469 in the Czech Republic, EUR 617 in Germany, and EUR 671 in Great Britain. This study brings new and distinctive insights compared to previous research by providing specific values for labour intensity and extractability, defining the limits of BIM use for cost estimation, and proposing recommendations to increase the applicability of the obtained data in practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment)
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24 pages, 6964 KB  
Article
Space Unfolding Along the Storyline: Research on Key Technologies for Gamified Conservation of Traditional Village Cultural Heritage
by Yuxuan Zhou and Zhihong Liu
Buildings 2026, 16(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010084 - 24 Dec 2025
Viewed by 573
Abstract
Digital preservation of traditional villages predominantly focuses on structural data restoration, struggling to integrate historical context, ecological wisdom, and spatial integrity. This study explores sustainable applications of gamified digital media in safeguarding traditional village cultural heritage. Taking Sanshan Island on Lake Taihu in [...] Read more.
Digital preservation of traditional villages predominantly focuses on structural data restoration, struggling to integrate historical context, ecological wisdom, and spatial integrity. This study explores sustainable applications of gamified digital media in safeguarding traditional village cultural heritage. Taking Sanshan Island on Lake Taihu in Suzhou as the case study, oblique photography collected foundational spatial data. Combined with Revit, this data constructed a high-precision 3D village model, which was then gamified through the Unity interactive platform. Findings indicate that gamification technology, centred on real-time 3D interaction, not only demonstrates superior performance in application interactivity, visual stability, and environmental integration but also transcends the limitations of static data recording. By constructing immersive narrative spaces, it deeply integrates fragmented historical information, ecological wisdom, and physical spaces, propelling heritage conservation from ‘data restoration’ to ‘living narratives’. This gamified conservation methodology, integrating interdisciplinary technologies, offers a groundbreaking perspective for the digital preservation of traditional village cultural heritage. It simultaneously highlights the unique potential of games as a novel digital medium in the contemporary translation of heritage value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment)
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20 pages, 6489 KB  
Article
A Decentralized Framework Integrating BIM 5D and Blockchain for Transparent Payment Automation in Construction
by Hai Chien Pham, Si Van-Tien Tran and Quy Lan Bao
Buildings 2025, 15(22), 4029; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15224029 - 8 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1359
Abstract
The construction industry faces significant payment processing challenges characterized by delays, disputes, and cash flow constraints affecting contractors. Traditional systems rely on fragmented, paper-based processes lacking transparency and real-time integration between project progress and financial transactions. This paper proposes a decentralized application that [...] Read more.
The construction industry faces significant payment processing challenges characterized by delays, disputes, and cash flow constraints affecting contractors. Traditional systems rely on fragmented, paper-based processes lacking transparency and real-time integration between project progress and financial transactions. This paper proposes a decentralized application that integrates BIM 5D capabilities with Solana blockchain technology for automated construction payment processing, called DB5D. The framework consists of several components: a web-based 3D viewer utilizing Autodesk Forge for BIM visualization, construction schedule integration from planning software, Solana blockchain programs using Program-Derived Address (PDA) and Cross-Program Invocation (CPI) for secure payment processing, and decentralized document management through InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) with Content Addressable Archives (CAR) compression. The system enables direct linkage between measurable project progress and automated payments by allowing stakeholders to extract quantities from BIM models, record construction task completion with supporting documentation, and trigger blockchain-based token transfers upon client approval. Comprehensive validation involving construction industry professionals confirms the framework’s practical viability. It demonstrates significant improvements in payment transparency, administrative efficiency, and scalability compared to existing blockchain implementations, while enabling economically feasible micro-payments throughout project lifecycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment)
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20 pages, 1528 KB  
Article
A Framework for Evaluating Cost Performance of Architectural Projects Using Unstructured Data and Random Forest Model Focusing on Korean Cases
by Chang-Won Kim, Taeguen Song, Kiseok Lee and Wi Sung Yoo
Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3799; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203799 - 21 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1076
Abstract
Cost is a key performance indicator for evaluating the success of architectural construction projects. While previous studies have relied on quantitative data and statistical models to evaluate cost performance, recent advancements in methods have enabled analysis using unstructured data. Unstructured data, particularly in [...] Read more.
Cost is a key performance indicator for evaluating the success of architectural construction projects. While previous studies have relied on quantitative data and statistical models to evaluate cost performance, recent advancements in methods have enabled analysis using unstructured data. Unstructured data, particularly in construction supervision reports, can be considered the significant variables for performance evaluation, as they represent independent third-party monitoring of the construction project’s execution. This study aims to present a framework that supports cost performance evaluation using unstructured data and random forests (RFs), a representative method of machine learning. Specifically, association rule analysis and social network analysis were used to identify the main keywords, and an RF model was applied to these data to evaluate cost performance. The tuning of hyper-parameters in the RF was implemented by the Bayesian optimization technique with the augmentation of the original dataset. The accuracy of cost performance evaluation was 59% for the traditional logistic regression (LR), 74% for the regularization-based logistic regression (BLR) designed to prevent overfitting, and 76% for the RF model utilizing augmented data. The complementary utility of the models consisting of the proposed framework can be useful for deriving various evaluation explanations about cost performance. The applicability is expected to increase as more data become available in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment)
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19 pages, 1036 KB  
Article
Unlocking the Mechanism of Technological Innovation Cooperation in Megaprojects: A 3C Theory Perspective
by Zhenxu Guo, Qing’e Wang and Xiaoping Cao
Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2185; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132185 - 23 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1250
Abstract
In the context of green development and digital transformation, the technological innovation cooperation in megaprojects requires a spanning from policy guidance, technological breakthroughs, and localized pilot projects to driven demand, integrated innovation (i.e., collaborative innovation across sectors, stages, and stakeholders), and comprehensive promotion. [...] Read more.
In the context of green development and digital transformation, the technological innovation cooperation in megaprojects requires a spanning from policy guidance, technological breakthroughs, and localized pilot projects to driven demand, integrated innovation (i.e., collaborative innovation across sectors, stages, and stakeholders), and comprehensive promotion. Despite the potential benefits, many megaprojects face challenges related to complex relationships, behavioral uncertainties, low performance, and technological innovation risks. A question of practical and theoretical significance is how to facilitate technological innovation cooperation in megaprojects. This study proposes the 3C Theory, which integrates cooperative relationships, behaviors, and performance, and investigates how technological innovation risks moderate these interactions. Using data from 19 megaprojects, we employ a mixed-methods approach involving hypothesis testing through regression analysis. The findings reveal that strong cooperative relationships positively influence cooperative performance through cooperative behaviors and that technological innovation risks play a significant moderating role. This study offers several practical recommendations for megaproject managers, including enhancing cooperative relationships, promoting effective behaviors, managing innovation risks, and developing cooperative innovation platforms. This study introduces the 3C Theory to megaprojects and provides novel insights into how collaboration and risk management can drive sustainable innovation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment)
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Other

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27 pages, 4497 KB  
Systematic Review
Enhancing Construction Project Resilience Through Emerging Technologies: A Research-to-Practice Framework
by Abubakar S. Mahmoud, Ali Istanbullu, Victor Olabode Otitolaiye and Faris Omer
Buildings 2026, 16(10), 1925; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16101925 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 283
Abstract
This study presents an integrated bibliometric analysis (BA) and systematic literature review (SLR) of construction safety research (CSR) to examine its evolution and emerging technological directions. It aims to move beyond descriptive mapping by linking long-term research trends with recent technological advancements to [...] Read more.
This study presents an integrated bibliometric analysis (BA) and systematic literature review (SLR) of construction safety research (CSR) to examine its evolution and emerging technological directions. It aims to move beyond descriptive mapping by linking long-term research trends with recent technological advancements to provide a structured understanding of how construction safety is transitioning toward data-driven and resilient systems. Utilising the PRISMA-guided approach, 1979 publications were analysed, revealing an average annual growth rate of 18%, driven by increasing safety concerns and the rapid implementation of digital technologies. The findings demonstrate that conventional safety research, centred on hazard identification, safety culture, and management commitment, is gradually being complemented by advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), extended reality (XR), and digital twins. These technologies enable predictive risk assessment, real-time monitoring, and immersive training, supporting a shift from reactive to proactive safety management. Despite these advancements, critical gaps remain, including limited real-world validation of AI-based systems, insufficient integration of technologies into cohesive frameworks, and underexplored socio-cultural factors influencing adoption. These challenges were addressed by proposing a research-to-practice framework for integrating emerging technologies into construction safety management. The framework incorporates technological, organisational, and human factors to enhance adaptability, risk management, and overall construction project resilience. Additionally, the research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive and analytically grounded framework that bridges the gap between research and practical implementation, while also identifying future research directions to support the development of intelligent, resilient, and adaptive construction safety systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment)
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