AI-Powered Technologies for Faster Building Permit Approvals

FASTER APPROVALS, HAPPIER CITIZENS

The influential thinker Yuval Noah Harari says that because of AI, “for the first time in history nobody has any idea how the world would look like in 10 years,” and that consequently, “We don’t know what skills will be needed. So, the most important skill is the skill to keep learning and keep changing throughout our lives, which is very, very difficult. To keep reinventing ourselves. Traditionally, people thought about education like building a stone house with very deep foundations. Now it’s more like setting up a tent that you can fold and move to the next place very, very quickly. Because that’s the 21st century.” Harari was talking about individuals, but the same logic applies to institutions. To face both AI’s opportunities and risks, companies, governments, and international organizations need to prepare themselves to learn and adapt to the coming wave.

In order to improve the overall outcome of a project by mitigating risks related to schedule, quality of deliverables, etc., and deliver value more efficiently and rapidly using a flexible, iterative, less linear approach, AEC projects are progressively leaning towards Agile Project Management.

AI-powered technologies such as natural language processing, image and audio recognition, and computer vision have revolutionized the way we interact with and consume media. With AI, we can process and analyze vast amounts of data quickly, making it easier to find and access the information we need.

With the global AEC industry valued at over USD 10.05 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2024 to 2032, reaching about USD 24.36 billion by the end of 2032, the industry has always been looking for approaches and methods to optimize resource usage, decrease project costs, enhance productivity, improve job site safety, and reduce project delivery time.

Delivery time for projects under the AEC umbrella has traditionally been and continues to be the single most important determinant of the project’s viability. Delivery time is, on the other hand, significantly impacted by various parameters such as timely availability of raw materials, timely availability and deployment of manpower and machinery, smooth flow of finances, timely decision-making, and ready availability of approved design and drawings. Of these, probably the most underrated deterrent factor is the timely availability of sanctioned drawings having cleared multiple layers of code compliance reviews involving the government/municipality. This is where AI-assisted programs have, of late, been able to bring about groundbreaking improvement in the entire scenario at every level.

It is useful to understand that the review process aimed at code compliance is a multi-level operation. At the bottom of the pyramid is the end user who indicates their requirements to the designer/architect. The designer/architect then uses available design software (CAD/REVIT, etc.) and their knowledge of local applicable building codes to arrive at a final design that is a good balance between the end user’s requirement and at the same time remains regulatory code compliant. The difficulty arises from there being innumerable codes relating to innumerable heads (structural stability, marginal setbacks, floor area ratios, parking ratios, landscape and environmental compliance, fire safety, electrical and plumbing, and many more). Then again, these codes vary for each locality (City/County), making it extremely difficult for the designer/architect to get it all right in one go. The process of scrutiny by the governmental/municipal sanctioning authorities is thus also a tedious time and manhour-consuming process. As a result of these complications, the paperwork is subjected to several time and manhour-consuming to-and-fro movements, which severely impact project time and hence adversely affect project cost, sometimes even rendering the project unviable.

This is where AI-assisted code review programs have come to the rescue, cutting time and hence costs significantly. At Blitz Permits, regulatory code compliance has been simplified using ethical AI-powered technologies. The best global talent in US architectural regulatory code compliance has been brought together with the best global talent in ethical AI practices to make available a complete comprehensive package that makes working with any government agency anywhere in the US almost as easy as casual online shopping.

Automated code review programs help applicants submit more quality-focused, complete, correct, and compliant applications. Ethical AI aids in more transparency, smoother communication, and an enhanced experience. Cities that have opted to adopt these programs have experienced a significant reduction in permit backlogs, improved customer satisfaction, and faster permit reviews and approvals. It’s a win-win situation at every level in this multilevel chain, ensuring that no project is rendered unviable due to delays in regulatory approval. Government agencies are better able to serve communities using modern software, garnering far better customer satisfaction. Reduction and resolution of code conflict can reduce code review time by approximately 70 percent. When factoring in project financing, and home and building construction loans, both at high loan interest rates, a reduction in overall project time is a direct positive contribution to significant economic gains across the board.

AI-assisted automated code review systems are here to stay as they bring real, tangible benefits to all stakeholders. At Blitz Permits, we are constantly innovating and improving our product with the help of our dedicated team, handpicked from global talent using feedback from our broad base of satisfied clients. We are easily reachable on our user-friendly, interactive website, and our team is always eager and waiting to listen to and help resolve issues.