Geographic information systems (GIS)--a central repository of geographic data collected from various sources, including satellites and GPS--is emerging as one of the most intriguing and promising high-tech fields. This easy-to-understand resource provides technical and nontechnical professionals, regardless of their background, with an accessible and practical guide to important GIS know-how.

The selected papers in this book deal with Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Design, Construction and Operations. Application of BIM throughout the construction industry is progressing at an accelerated rate, with the development of new software tools. BIM has the potential to alter the way in which different specialities interact before, during and after the construction project. BIM carries the data set for a particular asset through its full life cycle which has important consequences for operations and maintenance as well as for infrastructure planning. BIM emergence has been the result of advanced surveying techniques, powerful computer systems, better visualisation tools and new communication infrastructures. The papers included in this book demonstrate the interdisciplinary character of BIM, bringing together contributions from experts in industry, practice and academia.