Transformation Pathways for Excellence in Digital Building Permitting and Automatic Code Compliance Checking

Abstract

The digital transformation of building permitting processes is increasingly recognised as a prerequisite for improving efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in the construction sector. However, despite growing policy attention and technological readiness, digital building permitting and automated code-compliance checking (ACCC) remain fragmented and unevenly implemented across jurisdictions. A central challenge is that transformation efforts are often approached as isolated technical upgrades, rather than as multi-actor socio-technical change processes involving regulatory, organisational, and technological dimensions. Drawing on a socio-technical transition perspective, this study conceptualises digital building permitting as a coordinated transformation across policy, authority, and industry domains. Methodologically, the research develops and applies a structured, collaborative roadmapping approach supported by expert input and national co-creation workshops conducted in multiple European contexts, with in-depth studies in Finland and Spain. In response to the identified challenges, the paper presents structured transformation pathways supported by a methodological toolkit comprising: (1) a four-level Manual–Digital–Automated–Advanced (MDAA) maturity model; (2) a transition matrix defining actor-specific development actions; and (3) a target (“to-be”) reference process map. The results illustrate how stakeholder-oriented roadmaps can support coordinated, context-sensitive transformation pathways towards digital building permitting and ACCC.