Esri, the global leader in geographic information system (GIS) technology and location intelligence, launches ArcGIS for Autodesk Forma. The integration made from a collaboration between Esri and Autodesk, has the potential to transform the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) market by infusing geospatial data directly into the initial conceptual design process.
Esri, the global heavyweight in geographic information system (GIS) technology, has long advocated the value of spatial data in creating smarter cities and more resilient infrastructure. Now, by infusing ArcGIS capability into Autodesk Forma – the platform that leads with easy, AI-powered early-stage design – as Esri launches ArcGIS empowering AECO professionals to unlock tremendous potential.
Kathleen Kewley, director for AEC global business development at Esri, summed up the momentum: “We’re excited to strengthen our partnership with Autodesk in creating a more cohesive project experience for the AECO industry. This will improve operational efficiency and drive better business outcomes by bringing Esri’s rich collection of data into Autodesk Forma.”
Seamless GIS Integration Enhances Early-Stage Urban and Site Design
Gone are the days of switching between disparate systems to align design with site data. Esri launches ArcGIS for Autodesk Forma that integrates directly within the Forma platform, enabling the designers to seamlessly access Esri’s base maps, GIS layers, and datasets from the acclaimed ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World.
This real-time access to topographic, demographic, environmental, and infrastructure datasets delivers a step-change for early-stage design. Instead of guesstimating conditions or manually importing datasets, teams can now:
- Instantly visualise land use, zoning, or hazard zones
- Analyse solar exposure, terrain, and drainage
- Account for biodiversity and protected zones
- Take social and economic impact factors into consideration right from the beginning
And they can do all of this within the same design environment.
Integrating GIS from the Start Transforms Project Planning and Sustainability
Eric DesRoche, director of infrastructure business strategy at Autodesk, emphasised the shift: “AECO professionals who use Autodesk Forma will now be able to quickly update projects with the most up-to-date GIS data available. With access to the most accurate and current geographic information during the conceptual design stage, users can design with location in mind and ultimately deliver projects that are more sustainable, resilient and can better support local communities.”
That’s the key takeaway: this isn’t just a convenience upgrade. It’s a fundamental rethinking of the project starting point. To have GIS integrated into design right from the start provides firms with an advantage in:
- Sustainability planning
- Cost estimation
- Permitting and compliance workflows
- Stakeholder engagement
From the outset, projects are better informed, which ultimately means fewer surprises, reduced delays, and tighter budgets.
Enhancing Digital Building Design with Seamless Integration
As BIM (Building Information Modelling) continues to grow as a foundation of digital building, its full potential is more often released when combined with location intelligence. That’s where this new pairing excels. ArcGIS for Autodesk Forma makes it easy to take designs augmented with GIS information and seamlessly transfer them to applications such as Autodesk Revit and Civil 3D.
It’s not about maps anymore – it’s about spatially situating all the pipes, pylons, parks, and pathways. The extension simplifies how easy it is for engineers, planners, and architects to include everything from flood plains and elevation to traffic flow and local demographics.
Dana Chermesh-Reshef, founder and CEO of urban planning tech firm inCitu, said it best: “Our augmented reality technology hinges on visualisations that function as counterparts to the physical world, so the seamless use of public and proprietary spatial data is critical for customers. ArcGIS for Autodesk Forma’s interface is easy to use and responsive, while accessing data is intuitive for AECO professionals with even limited to no GIS experience.”
Embracing Integrated GIS and BIM for Future-Proof Infrastructure Development
The AECO industry faces daunting pressure: build faster, greener, and more cost-effectively, all while tackling labour shortages, urban density, and climate change. Digital change isn’t a choice – it’s about survival.
This partnership between two software titans represents more than just tech synergy. It symbolises a cultural shift. By giving all project stakeholders spatial intelligence from the very start, ArcGIS for Autodesk Forma enables more informed decisions throughout the entire project cycle.
What’s more, the move echoes a broader trend: the blurring lines between GIS and BIM. These technologies, once siloed, are now coming together to support:
- Real-time visualisation
- Predictive modelling
- Digital twin creation
- Smart city planning
It’s this sort of joined-up thinking that’ll be important for addressing the infrastructure challenges of the next ten years.
Future-Ready Urban Development with Enhanced Geospatial and Design Integration
Although the initial rollout is conceptual design-focused, Esri and Autodesk have not hidden their ultimate game. Look for increased integrations in the future, larger datasets, and more automated workflows connecting geospatial intelligence with built environment design.
As cities grow and climate pressures intensify, tools like ArcGIS for Autodesk Forma will likely become the industry standard. They don’t simply present information; they provide insight, foresight, and alignment across disciplines.
The AECO industry has long needed a way to ground its blue-sky ideas in real-world conditions without friction. With this integration, that vision is no longer a pipe dream – it’s already happening.
Embedding Geospatial Intelligence for Human-Centric, Collaborative Design
ArcGIS for Autodesk Forma doesn’t just put maps into design software. It embeds intelligence into the foundation of every project. By unlocking access to Esri’s rich geospatial data, AECO professionals are now empowered to plan, design, and build in ways that are more collaborative, context-aware, and ultimately more human.
The built environment is not in a vacuum. Neither are its design tools. And thanks to this visionary merger, the future of spatially intelligent design is brighter than ever.