Representatives from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) of the UK and the National Research Council of Canada met in Ottawa today (29 June) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to strengthen collaboration on digital construction. The agreement establishes a framework for the countries to work together on adopting and advancing Building Information Modelling (BIM), to improve how infrastructure is designed, delivered and operated.

BIM is a coordinated set of processes, supported by technology and standards, that allows built environment professionals to manage information throughout all stages of a built asset’s lifecycle. Working in this way can increase productivity, drive efficiency and make it easier to identify opportunities to improve sustainability. The technique is covered by an international standard (ISO 19650), first developed in the UK, which is set to be updated later this year to reflect the latest developments in this space. The collaboration between the UK and Canada will focus on aligning approaches to BIM, including through ISO 19650, supporting more consistent adoption across policy, procurement and project delivery.

This collaboration has been made possible through the Digital Construction International Programme, which is delivered by Connected Places Catapult on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom. As part of this work, the UK will bring expertise in advancing BIM adoption and digital transformation in construction to support shared learning and innovation.

“This agreement will bring together our shared expertise to deliver infrastructure that is faster to build, more efficient to run, and built to last. Working with the National Research Council Canada and Connected Places Catapult, we are creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation and future joint projects – giving businesses in both countries the lead in this growing global sector.”

Chris Bryant, UK Trade Minister

“By working together to implement the latest in digital construction techniques, both countries can benefit from the productivity boost, efficiency gains and sustainability benefits that these solutions offer. This work will also ensure that businesses from the UK and Canada remain at the vanguard of infrastructure project delivery internationally.”

Gavin Summerson, Head of Construction at Connected Places Catapult

The MOU signed today creates a platform for future joint projects and deeper collaboration, subject to further arrangements between partners. It will enable practical collaboration through workshops, knowledge exchange and joint exploration of projects, connecting UK and Canadian public and private sector stakeholders. Following the signing ceremony, senior representatives from the two countries got to work straight away beginning a 2-day working session to further develop plans and activities aligned to the countries’ shared objectives set out in the MOU.