Use of GIS to consider spatial aspects in construction planning process

A construction planner mentally visualises two-dimensional (2D) drawings into a three-dimensional (3D) model and links its components with the respective activities to examine the developed network for missing activities, logical errors and space conflicts. This traditional planning practice does not consider locational and spatial aspects of a construction project which forms the basis in developing an executable construction plan and framing correct implementation strategies. Literature suggests the use of 3D visualisation, four-dimensional (4D) modelling, virtual reality (VR), construction simulation and building information modelling (BIM) to consider the spatial aspects of a project. However, these systems represent 3D virtual model of a building to be developed without considering consequences of surroundings on a construction plan. In this study, the impact of site topography and existing facilities in the surroundings on a construction plan has been considered using geographic information systems (GIS). The use of GIS in the construction planning process facilitates location-based analysis, modelling site constraints and spatial and non-spatial analyses on a single platform. The construction site in India has been modelled along with its site topography and all existing facilities, as the case study, to see their impact on the construction plan.