Landscaped areas are an integral part of the building design. Likewise squares, parks and other open spaces are vital in urban design. Implementing BIM will facilitate the design process in many ways that complement visualization to enhance comprehension and communication of the projects’ stakeholders.

When integrating BIM tools and applications for site design and landscape architecture, landscape analysis can be explored, developed, and documented for design planning and construction management.

BIM models’ objects act as placeholders and provide access to data related to hardscape materials, planting elements, outdoor equipment and lighting, irrigation networks, water features, parking and vehicular circulation and parking etc.

As an example, plant data description and specifications can be used to ensure that the right plants are used in the right places, a drought tolerant plant may be used when there are major issues with water availability, sun loving plants may be used in open areas, and natural growing plants could be used in chemical controlled areas.

Combined with contemporary reality capture techniques, modeling of the existing terrain, however irregular and rugged this may be, can be perfectly accurate and utilized as a reliable basis for the development of the designed toposurface.