A Proposed Framework for Enhanced Interoperability in Smart Cities Through Unified City Information Modeling (UCIM)

Ebere Donatus Okonta¹, Farzad Rahimian¹, Sergio Rodriguez¹

1. Teesside University

Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 95 to 104. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_10.

Abstract

Smart cities represent a paradigm shift in urban development, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability. However, implementing City Information Modeling (CIM) faces significant challenges across technical, data-related, organisational, security, and privacy domains, hindering interoperability and effectiveness. This study proposes a Unified City Information Modeling (UCIM) framework as a comprehensive solution to standardise and harmonise data streams and operational processes within smart city ecosystems. Integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Semantic Interoperability Framework (SIF), UCIM bridges gaps between city management systems, facilitating seamless communication and collaboration across sectors such as transportation, healthcare, energy, and public services. The framework will enhance data exchange and system integration, support informed decision-making and resource optimisation, and pave the way for resilient, efficient, and sustainable urban development. This research underscores UCIM's potential to transform urban management practices and recommends further exploration through practical case studies to validate its application in diverse urban settings.

Keywords

Session

Presented in Recorded Presentations, Session II, Friday 8 November 2024, 16:30 to 19:00, room WG 201, Auckland University of Technology. Session chair Dr Kamal Dhawan.

How to Cite

Okonta, E. D., Rahimian, F., & Rodriguez, S. (2025). A Proposed Framework for Enhanced Interoperability in Smart Cities Through Unified City Information Modeling (UCIM). In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 95–104). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_10

About the Conference

Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.