DB Mindbox - BIM for public participation

The importance of such public participation is constantly growing, as it helps to avoid planning changes and the associated costs as well as to implement projects more quickly by increasing public understanding and acceptance. DB is working on various levels to this end and is also integrating digital tools where citizens can obtain information on ongoing projects.

At the same time, the number of projects using Building Information Modeling (BIM) in planning is increasing rapidly. Unused potential needs to be utilized even more by better integrating and visualizing the model data in the platforms for public participation. At the same time, citizens' comments should be fed directly back into the planning models. This challenge needs to be solved!

BIM for public participation

Specific requirements must be met in order to exploit the untapped potential of BIM planning in the public participation process. The existing BIM planning of the construction projects should be prepared as automatically as possible and transferred to a public participation platform in order to minimize the effort and support communication with the public. The information from the BIM model should be presented in a way that is clear and easy for non-experts to understand. The platform should give the public the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and express concerns about the model, which will then be fed back into the BIM planning. We are looking for either a solution that optimizes the interface to an existing participation platform or a solution that includes this participation platform, meaning it is an all-in-one solution.

Procedure

This call is not only an opportunity to participate in the 100-day proof-of-concept, but also a challenge format. The special feature of this format is a two-week challenge format, which takes place before the pitch event.

What does this mean? After the candidate announcement, you will be invited to a two-week challenge which takes place on the offices of DB mindbox in Berlin. You are expected to be on site at the DB mindbox (Berlin) with at least two team members during the two weeks period or for at least three days (more on this below).

• 31.03.2025: Kick-off of the challenge. Problem definition, objective and procedure are explained. Data handover of a small test project.
  During the first week, the startups will receive consultation hours & contact persons who will also be on site at the DB mindbox.
• 08.04.2025: The DB project team simulates the public and is given access to the startups' platforms (work status) in order to simulate comments and objections.
  The transfer of the information back into the plan model is to be shown subsequently on the basis of these comments.
• 10.04.2025: Workshops are held for each startup to discuss the progress of the challenge and the results. In the afternoon, a joint pitch event takes place at which the startups present their vision for the 100-day-program and a winner is chosen.