BIM SQUARE: BLOCKCHAIN AND I-CORE-ENABLED MULTI-STAKEHOLDER BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING PLATFORM FOR CONSTRUCTION LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG

Modular integrated construction (MiC) has been adopted by Hong Kong and many cities as a strategy to deal with housing shortage and construction productivity problems. Because of labour shortage and production costs, MiC modules have to be manufactured across the border and transported to Hong Kong for just-in-time assembly at the construction site. However, guaranteeing the quality and efficiency in the offsite production, cross-border transportation, and on-site assembly processes presents great challenges to MiC, especially when the MiC project is outsourced to factories in mainland China, it becomes much more expensive and difficult to monitor inspections. A remote MiC digital transformation system (DTS) is then designed for smart secured digitalized quality supply chain management with a particular focus on cross-border MiC production and transport. DT refers to the primary change process that incorporates technologies and human-related strategies to improve operational efficiency and optimize decision-making process and value chain for all entities involved. The innovative MiC DTS includes i-Core, e-InStar and e-TranStar, and e-InstalStar Apps and a blockchain-based backend system, utilizing internet of things, global positioning system and blockchain technology to facilitate the project logistic and quality control. The system has been recognized by the construction industry and obtained recognition by government departments. An iconic MiC project – HKU Wong Chuk Hang student residence with about 1000 modules for two 17-floor towers to accommodate over 1,200 students, has implemented the technology and received very positive customer feedback. However, existing regulations and laws are infeasible to guide the entire manufacturing, transportation and construction processes. Therefore, we call for an extension of the pandemic DTS expediency to common practice in a post-pandemic era through the development of robust technological instruments and the amendment of relevant regulations.