The Use of Drones un Urban Construction: Technological Applications, Operational Benefits, and Implementation Challenges

Abstract The rapid expansion of urban areas generates an urgent need to adopt innovative technologies capable of optimizing engineering processes and addressing current demands for sustainability, safety, and accuracy. In this context, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs – drones) emerge as promising technological solutions in the field of urban construction, owing to their versatility, accessibility, and ability to provide high-resolution data within a short timeframe. This study analyzes the role of drones in various stages of urban construction projects in Romania, with a focus on applications such as digital mapping, photogrammetry, 3D modeling, progress monitoring, and technical inspections of infrastructure. The adopted methodology includes a combination of documentary analysis and qualitative interviews with experts, which underpin a conceptual model for UAV–GIS–BIM integration. The paper also proposes a four-dimensional matrix correlating technological applicability with levels of complexity, operational risks, and associated costs, providing an analytical framework useful for the strategic evaluation of UAV implementation in urban environments. The results indicate increased efficiency in data collection and processing compared to traditional methods, as well as significant potential for optimizing construction project management. Concurrently, current challenges are highlighted, including legislative, logistical, and professional training issues. The conclusions support the necessity for developing a standardized operational framework and suggest future directions for research and innovation in the domain of smart construction.