Leveraging digital technologies for circular economy in construction industry: a way forward

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the literature related to the use of digital technologies for promoting circular economy (CE) in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive approach was adopted, involving bibliometric analysis, text-mining analysis and content analysis to meet three objectives (1) to unveil the evolutionary progress of the field, (2) to identify the key research themes in the field and (3) to identify challenges hindering the implementation of digital technologies for CE.FindingsA total of 365 publications was analysed. The results revealed eight key digital technologies categorised into two main clusters including “digitalisation and advanced technologies” and “sustainable construction technologies”. The former involved technologies, namely machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning, big data analytics and object detection and computer vision that were used for (1) forecasting construction and demolition (C&D) waste generation, (2) waste identification and classification and (3) computer vision for waste management. The latter included technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and building information modelling (BIM) that help optimise resource use, enhance transparency and sustainability practices in the industry. Overall, these technologies show great potential for improving waste management and enabling CE in construction.Originality/valueThis research employs a holistic approach to provide a status-quo understanding of the digital technologies that can be utilised to support the implementation of CE in construction. Further, this study underlines the key challenges associated with adopting digital technologies, whilst also offering opportunities for future improvement of the field.

Barriers to Adopting Digital Technologies to Implement Circular Economy Practices in the Construction Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

“…The construction industry practices are highly resource-intensive; they deplete vast amounts of natural resources; and they produce massive amounts of waste. They are also incredibly energy-intensive, causing significant environmental effects by raising carbon emissions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The industry's status quo further exacerbates ecological problems and compromises the environment's capacity for sustaining future generations [8].…”

“…Digital technologies are revolutionising the value of co-creation and collaboration beyond historical industry boundaries, with the potential to significantly impact the construction industry's ability to realise the importance of applying circular economy principles [2][3][4]6,9,14,16,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Advanced digital tools are being implemented across industries, owing to the boost given by the fourth industrial revolution [4].…”

“…Significant technological developments have recently opened the chance for the construction industry to invest in state-of-the-art technologies [25]. Thus, the construction sector is undergoing a gradual yet continuous transformation to adopt novel technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, BIM (building information modelling), material passport (MP), IoT (internet of things), digital market place (DMP), big data analytics, blockchain [3,4,9,12,14,21,24,26], radio frequency identification (RFID) [2,24], 3D printing [4,19], cloud computing and augmented and virtual reality [4], object detection and computer vision [9] and geographic information system (GIS), and modelling and simula-tion [24] to commit to the built environments' circularity, efficiency, productivity, precision, and safety. As a result, to facilitate this digital transformation, enormous amounts of data are generated, and systematic data analysis and predictive modelling can be used to produce creative structural and architectural designs, increase construction speeds, improve payback periods, lower construction and operational costs, and reduce embodied and operational energy requirements [21].…”

Editorial: Breaking the mold, circular construction for a greener and more efficient built environment

“…In order to transition to CC, researchers seek ways to promote CC and discover better methods to do so efficiently. For instance, Rodrigo et al (2024) provide a comprehensive analysis of how digital technologies are being utilised to advance CE practices in the construction industry. Victar et al's (2023) findings emphasise the pivotal roles and competencies of quantity surveyors in aligning construction practices with the principles of sustainability and circularity in the built environment.…”

Guest editorial: Blockchain and building information management: digital construction transformation

“…Rodrigo et al (2024) address the broader application of digital technologies, advocating for their role in advancing the principles of the circular economy within the construction industry. Their research presents a forward-looking approach, suggesting how the industry can leverage digital tools to create more sustainable and efficient processes, thereby contributing to a more resource-conscious world.…”