Automated code review

Cities' procedures for review of construction plans is often slow and costly, and does not leverage technology well. Plans are produced in digital format, converted to analog printouts for submission, manually reviewed by inspectors, and changes communicated and made through the same process. Rebooting NYC: An Urban Tech Agenda for the Next Administration calls for New York City to follow the lead of Singapore and South Korea to develop a digital version of the city's building code, create an online system for submitting construction drawings in digital format (Building Information Model), and to develop the software for automating much of the review process. The proposal targets 2032 as a potential date for requiring all new building permit applications to be submitted in a new standard BIM format.

This points towards a concerted push by cities to digitize and automate the code review process, which can improve compliance with safety codes, accelerate and reduce the cost of construction, and improve the effectiveness and job satisfaction of building inspectors.