Enhancing Digital Permitting through Improved Data Quality and Standardization

The global construction sector faces data fragmentation, lack of interoperability, and inefficient workflows, complicating building permitting and as such delaying projects. This research focuses on how digital transformation can enhance data interoperability, consistency, and quality using ontologies and Semantic Web technologies. Initial analysis suggests these technologies can streamline code compliance checking and improve building permit workflows. By using the Estonian Building Registry as a case, this research demonstrates that the public sector can drive digitalization in construction. It highlights the critical role of  high quality building data in enhancing building permit processes and addresses the current lack of a comprehensive data architecture. By adding a semantic layer to the e-construction platform we can address the data fragmentation and interoperability issues.