From pioneering phase to implementation: digitalisation in Design, Construction and Engineering

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The signing of the ‘2027 Digital Built Environment administrative agreement’ (Bestuursakkoord Digitale Gebouwde Omgeving 2027) marks an important step towards accelerating digitalisation in the Design, Construction and Engineering (OBT) sector. In mid-October of last year, 39 supply chain partners committed to collaborate. According to Otto Schepers, head of Digital Engineering Experience (DEX) at Witteveen+Bos and a member of the Digitalisation community of NLingenieurs, this is a decisive moment.

‘With the signing of the implementation agreement, we have reached the implementation phase’, Otto points out. As a representative of NLingenieurs, he worked with the core group to write the administrative agreement. The signing of the agreement marks the transition from the pioneering phase to the actual implementation phase.

The administrative agreement includes the commitment to develop and implement a uniform digital system, with 21 specific policy measures to support this phase. One of these is ensuring that asset information can be shared with all stakeholders in the supply chain in a simple and uniform way.

Standardised digital collaboration

The system will play a crucial role in transforming many individual digital innovations into collaborative digital services, which will greatly accelerate the supply chain. Digital applications that can be used repeatedly and that allow all supply chain partners to collaborate in a standardised digital environment are an important part of this.

Promoting reuse of applications and standardised digital collaboration are also at the heart of the philosophy that Witteveen+Bos follows when developing digital products and services. In almost all cases, this means harnessing the tried-and-trusted strength of the engineering firm: combining technology with domain-specific knowledge.

Environment and Planning Act digital system (DSO)

Otto: ‘The digital tools used for the Environment and Planning Act and DSO (Environment and Planning Act digital system), including the Permit Tool and the Harmonisation Tool, are a good example.’

The Permit Tool is used to manage complex permit application processes. It makes it easier to maintain a clear overview of all the permits required for projects and keeps the action owner alert, even once applications have been submitted. This ensures that the competent authority is always contacted promptly if a permit has been pending for an excessively long time.

The Harmonisation Tool helps municipalities combine all rules for the physical living environment into a single local environment plan. It selects, analyses and structures the rules in many existing zoning plans and transforms them into uniform, traceable rules.

Domain-specific knowledge and the power of AI

In 2025, DEX will explicitly focus on smart solutions that support people, organisations and systems during complex projects and processes in the built environment and industry.

‘We are working on intelligent engineering assistants in the form of products, services and data services. Our unique strength is the combination of our experts’ domain-specific knowledge, (historical) data from previous projects and services and the power of AI,’ explains the head of Digital Engineering Experience at Witteveen+Bos.

‘During the development process, we ask our UX and CX specialists to design user interfaces that prioritise user friendliness. At DEX, we’re passionate about our contribution to faster, integrated solutions to tackle the major challenges facing society in the physical living environment.’

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