DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL PROJECT FRAMEWORK FOR BLOCKCHAIN-ENABLED HERITAGE BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (HBIM) IN MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i43.2104Keywords:
Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM), Blockchain Technology, Blockchain-HBIM framework, MalaysiaAbstract
The challenges in heritage building documentation and management in Malaysia highlight the need for a more secure and integrated digital framework. Although Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) has improved digital documentation and lifecycle management, current practices remain constrained by data fragmentation, limited transparency, and inefficient stakeholder collaboration. While blockchain technology offers considerable potential to enhance data security and trust, its integration with HBIM in heritage conservation projects remains underexplored. This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework in exploring the interrelated themes influencing the implementation of blockchain integration with HBIM in Malaysian projects. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with industry professionals, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The proposed conceptual framework is empirically informed by practitioner interviews, allowing the study to capture both technological possibilities and implementation realities within the Malaysian heritage project context. The findings suggest that blockchain-enabled HBIM has the potential to strengthen data integrity, transparency, traceability, stakeholder accountability, and lifecycle decision-making, although these benefits require further validation through pilot implementation. Future research should further validate the proposed framework through pilot projects, and blockchain governance guidelines tailored to the Malaysia’s heritage conservation sector.
Downloads
References
Adegoriola, M., Lai, J., Chan, E., & Darko, A. (2021). Heritage building maintenance management (HBMM): A bibliometric-qualitative analysis of literature. Journal of Building Engineering, 42, 102416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102416
Agwa, T. C., & Celik, T. (2025). From barriers to breakthroughs: A deep dive into BIM integration challenges. Buildings, 15(7), 1116. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071116
Ali, M., Ismail, K., Hashim, K., Suhaimi, S., & Mustafa, M. (2018). Historic building information modelling (HBIM) for Malaysian construction industry. Planning Malaysia, 16(7). https://doi.org/10.21837/pmjournal.v16.i7.522
Baharuddin, M. N., Bahardin, N., Nawawi, A., Harun, S., & Hussin, A. (2023). Conservation digitalization through heritage building information modelling (HBIM): Online database theoretical review. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 33(1), 317–332. https://doi.org/10.37934/araset.33.1.317332
Baharuddin, M. N., Bahardin, N. F., Nawawi, A. H., Harun, S. N., & Hussain, A. H. (2024). Digitalisation in built heritage towards promoting a conservation management plan by National Heritage Act 2005: Assessing the difficulties in managing data information during conservation process of heritage building in Malaysia. Planning Malaysia, 22(34). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v22i34.1611
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications. https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/thematic-analysis/book248481
Ismail, E., Said, S., Jalil, M., & Ismail, N. (2021). Benefits and challenges of heritage building information modelling application in Malaysia. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 6(SI4), 179–184. https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6isi4.2917
Ismail, N. H., Abd Rahim, S. A., Abdul Latip, N. S., Wan Ahmad Nizar, W. ‘Iffah, & Abd Rahim, S. A. (2026). The digital documentation of heritage buildings using historic building information modelling (HBIM) tools. Planning Malaysia, 24(41). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i41.2003
Jabareen, Y. (2009). Building a conceptual framework: Philosophy, definitions, and procedure. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 8(4), 49–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940690900800406
Jalaluddin, N. (2025). Building information modelling three-dimensional reconstruction and condition assessment of historical buildings in Malaysia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1577(1), 012014. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1577/1/012014
Lovell, L., Davies, R., & Hunt, D. (2025). A systems thinking approach to the development of historic building information modelling: Part 2—Definition of requirements. Heritage, 8(3), 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8030093
Lovell, L. J., Davies, R. J., & Hunt, D. V. L. (2023). The application of historic building information modelling (HBIM) to cultural heritage: A review. Heritage, 6(10), 6691–6717. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6100350
Rubino, F., Agostino, D., & Spallazzo, D. (2024). Strategizing blockchain adoption in public cultural services: A comprehensive scoping review. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 38(1), 77–97. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijpsm-12-2023-0383
Salleh, H., Jee, Y., Abdul-Samad, Z., Hanid, M., & Sabli, N. (2022). Implementation of heritage building information modelling (HBIM) for construction and demolition waste management. Planning Malaysia, 20. https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v20i24.1207
Salleh, N., Kassim, S., Muhammad, N., Yusoff, S., Mahadi, N., & Ariffin, K. (2023). Application of blockchain technology in the management of waqf institutions: Concepts, challenges and recommendations, 369–374. https://doi.org/10.1109/icoco59262.2023.10397676
Sampaio, A., Gomes, A., Lite, A., Pérez, P., & González-Gaya, C. (2021). Analysis of BIM methodology applied to practical cases in the preservation of heritage buildings. Sustainability, 13(6), 3129. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063129
Trček, D. (2022). Cultural heritage preservation by using blockchain technologies.
Vacchio, E., & Bifulco, F. (2022). Blockchain in cultural heritage: Insights from literature review. Sustainability, 14(4), 2324. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042324
Yusoff, S., & Brahim, J. (2021). Implementation of building information modeling (BIM) for social heritage buildings in Kuala Lumpur. International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering and Technology, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.30880/ijscet.2021.12.01.009
Zhou, C., Dong, X., Zou, Y., Hao, Y., Zhi, J., & Ren, Z. (2024). A historical building information modeling-based framework to improve collaboration and data security in architectural heritage restoration projects. Buildings, 14(5), 1431.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Unported License.
Copyright & Creative Commons Licence
eISSN: 0128-0945 © Year. The Authors. Published for Malaysian Institute of Planners. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
The authors hold the copyright without restrictions and also retain publishing rights without restrictions.
