Integrating information across built environment boundaries

Abstract

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses two types of information integration: vertical and horizontal. It focuses on integration across digital system boundaries but also covers integration across organisational boundaries and how one can support the other. The book explores the need for horizontal and vertical integration of data, information and knowledge within and across organisations involved in the social housing sector. It presents a step further by exploring the hurdles of turning information and knowledge into actions that change practices. The book demonstrates the issue through four case studies from Norway that explores different approaches to integrating information while balancing the needs and drivers of different stakeholders. It also discusses the challenges associated with benchmarking benefits from different stakeholders and proposes a new system that builds on crowdsourcing principles.