Data Discovery for Digital Building Logbook (DBL): Directly Implementing and Enabling a Smarter Urban Built Environment

Digital Building Logbooks (DBLs) are the EU repositories for all building-related data. Logbook implementation conveys challenges, but it must be recognised that relevant things already exist. This article bridges the gap at the data discovery level by assessing the existing data and comparing it with EU DBL studies. Action research is the methodology, employing Portugal as an example. A deductive approach and interpretivism are used, supporting the data discovery journey. When evaluating existing datasets with DBL EU guidelines data requirements, the findings demonstrate a match from 90.6% to 82.6%, depending on the level: cadastral parcel, building or building unit. Several additional observed datasets suit the DBL framework, constituting a path for future research. Insights into the dataset landscape from a specific perspective are offered. Given the deliverables’ characteristics, the study results can be generalised. The data discovery journey led to the understanding that duplicates and inconsistencies exist. A strategic approach for data sharing, governance and usage should be established to solve them, increasing digital maturity, integration and interoperability. Revising the legal framework is found to be paramount. Working from the existing elements and aligning them with data space assumptions can make DBL implementation more straightforward.