Given the increased frequency and destructive nature of seismic events, the exigencies for enhanced management protocols for urban edifices in the milieu of seismic disaster scenarios have intensified. The role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the governance of seismic-induced disasters is integral and merits recognition. The synergistic application of BIM and GIS technologies empowers the strategic articulation of measures that substantially abate the potential hazards associated with seismic events. The present manuscript conducts a comprehensive review of the applications of BIM-GIS synergy in the domains of seismic disaster prevention, emergency response, and in the evaluative and recovery phases following such calamities. It also examines the associated data paradigms and advancements in data interoperability techniques while addressing the prevailing limitations within the scope of contemporary research. This study endeavors to enhance the acumen of urban disaster management operatives in discerning and capitalizing on the collective strengths of BIM and GIS, with the aim of optimizing urban strategies for managing seismic disasters and diminishing the resultant losses sustained by the populace. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).