CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR LASER SCANNING ADOPTION IN HBIM FOR HERITAGE ASSET AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA

Authors

  • Choy Poh Keong Centre for Building, Construction & Tropical Architecture (BuCTA), Faculty of Built Environment, UNIVERSITI MALAYA
  • Zulkiflee Abdul-Samad Centre for Building, Construction & Tropical Architecture (BuCTA), Faculty of Built Environment, UNIVERSITI MALAYA
  • Micheal Lee Ting Sheng Centre for Building, Construction & Tropical Architecture (BuCTA), Faculty of Built Environment, UNIVERSITI MALAYA
  • Muhammad Hadi Mustafa Centre for Building, Construction & Tropical Architecture (BuCTA), Faculty of Built Environment, UNIVERSITI MALAYA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i43.2120

Keywords:

Heritage asset management, Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM), Laser scanning technology, Digital adoption, Malaysia

Abstract

This study examines the adoption of laser scanning technology within Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) workflows for heritage asset management in Malaysia. Although laser scanning and HBIM have the potential to improve documentation accuracy, information integration, and lifecycle-oriented management, their practical application in Malaysian heritage projects remains limited and fragmented. A qualitative research approach was adopted through semi-structured interviews with seven stakeholders involved in heritage asset management, including conservators, architects, HBIM specialists, laser scanning practitioners, quantity surveyors, and government representatives. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key adoption challenges and strategic responses. The findings reveal that adoption is constrained by high implementation costs, limited technical expertise, fragmented organisational workflows, weak stakeholder coordination, and insufficient policy or contractual support. In response, the study highlights the need for financial support mechanisms, capacity-building programmes, standardised scan-to-HBIM workflows, clearer project requirements, and stronger institutional support. The study contributes to planning and heritage-management practice by demonstrating how laser scanning and HBIM can support conservation documentation, maintenance planning, condition monitoring, adaptive reuse assessment, and more evidence-based decision-making for heritage assets. The findings provide practical insights for planners, policymakers, local authorities, and industry practitioners seeking to strengthen digital adoption in Malaysian heritage asset management.

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Published

2026-08-09

How to Cite

Keong, C. P., Abdul-Samad, Z., Sheng, M. L. T., & Mustafa, M. H. (2026). CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR LASER SCANNING ADOPTION IN HBIM FOR HERITAGE ASSET AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 24(43). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i43.2120

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