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Circular economy (CE) is a structured model of production and consumption involving sharing, leasing, reusing, recycling, repairing and refurbishing existing products or materials sustainably. Despite the numerous benefits of CE adoption, the construction and demolition (C&D) sector still struggles to comprehensively understand, integrate and adopt this approach. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of CE within the C&D sector and proposes a structured conceptual framework for an effective construction and demolition waste management (CDWM) program.

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) framework to search for articles across three databases: Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO. EndNote software and Excel spreadsheets were used to analyze and synthesize the articles up to 2024. A total of 102 articles were included in the study. Various key facets of the CE in CDWM, including barriers and mitigation actions, enablers, tools and techniques, benefits, strategies and frameworks, have been thoroughly reviewed and analyzed for the C&D sector to understand their nature and effectively adopt the CE approach in CDWM operations.

The findings provide a comprehensive analysis of different facets of CE in CDWM and a structured conceptual framework for the effective adoption of CE. This will contribute to improving the management of CDWM in the C&D sector. The outcomes offer a comprehensive knowledge base of CE in CDWM to managers, planners, decision-makers, stakeholders and researchers, enabling effective deployment.

This study offers a substantial knowledge base to researchers by examining various key facets of CE in CDWM, aiding further exploration of research in the same domain. Additionally, it assists C&D managers, planners, stakeholders and decision-makers by furnishing a structured conceptual framework of CE, thereby enhancing effective implementation. Furthermore, this study supports society by providing a pathway to improve C&D waste circularity through the execution of CE.

This study is the first to comprehensively review the various facets of CE from a CDWM perspective and to propose a structured conceptual framework for the effective adoption of CE in the C&D sector. Additionally, it not only advances theoretical knowledge of CE adoption in the CDWM field but also provides practical guidance to stakeholders on how to implement a comprehensive CE approach to enhance C&D waste circularity.

The literature shows that the current Australian waste management framework does not meet industry and government expectations. This study, therefore, seeks the key construction and demolition (C&D) stakeholders' insights on various issues identified. It aims to understand the main barriers to effective C&D waste management, examining the role of the federal government and exploring perceptions around waste regulations, policies and schemes.

An online survey was conducted in 2019 to capture stakeholder perceptions. One hundred and thirty-two participants from various industries and government agencies representing Australian jurisdictions took part in the survey. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected.

The results show that the main barriers are “overregulation, tough acceptance criteria and increased testing requirements”, “lack of local market” and “culture, poor education and low acceptance”. The main areas of improvement include “providing a guideline that determines the accepted level of contamination for reusing C&D waste”, “preparation of guidelines on requirements of using recycled C&D materials in different industries” and “setting a target for reduction, reusing and recycling C&D waste”.

Some research findings may not be generalisable beyond Australia, but there are interesting insights for an international audience. The results inform policy development within the Australian states and territories context, to support the design and implementation of a circular economy model in the construction industry. The findings are evidence for a broader discussion to solve prevailing issues in C&D waste management, notably in the context of construction materials' end of life management.

The study highlights that policy development needs to be further expanded to include new/current waste management schemes including manufacturer's shared responsibility of waste generation, subsidies for C&D waste recycled materials and the proximity principle.

This paper provides a clear insight into C&D waste management stakeholders' perceptions towards the current waste management system in Australia.

This study aims to address the research gaps in the application of circular economy (CE) principles within the construction demolition industry (CDI) by providing an updated overview of key themes, trends and challenges. Using a bibliometric approach, it seeks to highlight the transformative potential of CE adoption in CDI, focusing on strategies for waste reduction, resource efficiency and supply chain optimization to support sustainable development.

Bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database was employed to systematically review the literature on CE principles in the CDI from 2014 to 2023. The analysis involved a four-step assessment, including qualitative reviews and quantitative evaluations, to identify key themes, trends, challenges and opportunities in CE research within the CDI. The intricate relationship between CE principles with a specific emphasis on CDI, building practices and supply chain management was explored.

The findings underscore a significant emphasis on circularity principles, interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of emerging technologies for efficient waste management. Experiencing a remarkable annual growth rate of 60.58%, particularly evident over the past five years, the escalating volume of relevant publications reflects an expanding interest in the CE within the CDI and related supply chain subjects. This underscores academia’s pivotal role in advancing the transition toward a circular construction economy.

The study recommends refining CE strategies by exploring the circular design paradigms, optimizing supply chains, integrating digital technologies, establishing standardized metrics and scrutinizing CE’s impact within the CDI.

This study aims to enhance our understanding of sustainable water management in construction through a life-cycle embodied water assessment of a villa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It provides insights and recommendations for improving the water efficiency by identifying areas for potential embodied water saving and reduction in environmental impacts in the construction industry.

This study uses a life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach and focuses on a UAE villa as a case study. It analyses the embodied water consumption during construction (initial embodied water) and maintenance (recurrent embodied water) using an input–output-based hybrid analysis. Additionally, it compares the embodied water observations with the operational water usage and comprehensively evaluates the water consumption in the villa’s life-cycle.

The initial (28%) and recurrent embodied water (42%) represent significant proportions of a building’s life-cycle water demand. The structural elements, predominantly concrete and steel, contribute 40% of the initial embodied water consumption. This emphasises the importance of minimising the water usage in these materials. Similarly, internal finishes account for 47% of the recurrent embodied water. This emphasises the importance of evaluating the material service life.

These findings indicate the efficacy of using durable materials with low embodiment and water-efficient construction methods. Additionally, collaborative research between academia, industry, and the government is recommended in conjunction with advocating for policies promoting low embodied-water materials and transparency in the construction sector through embodied water footprint reporting.

Previous studies focused on the operational water and marginally addressed the initial embodied water. Meanwhile, this study highlights the significance of the initial and recurrent embodied water in the life-cycle water demand. It emphasises on the need for adaptable buildings with reduced embodied water and more durable materials to minimise the requirement for frequent material replacements.

The purpose of this paper is to review the use of various construction procurement systems in the past and present, specifically within the Australian construction industry and to overview the historical development of procurement both globally and in the Australian context through the existing literature.

The paper is an in-depth literature review of various construction procurement systems used in the past and present, both in general and within the context of Australian construction industry.

The findings suggest that even though relationship-based procurement (RBP) systems offer significant benefits to all project participants, they are unproved by many decision makers because of lack of robust theoretical concept and inability in demonstrating value for money (VfM) for public projects, which would be one of the factors causing move away from RBP in the future.

This review is one of its kind. There is no such review done before within the context of Australian construction industry in such a detail. This review is a part of a recently completed PhD study.

Current understandings of innovation in construction portray it as linear, deterministic phenomena centered around novel objects and technologies deployed in sequentially-organized supply chains. This study aims to develop an enriched understanding of construction innovation as non-linear, socio-material and dynamic phenomena in complex networks by formulating a novel conceptual apparatus of complex adaptive supply networks (CASNs) expanded through actor-network theory (ANT) concepts.

This combined CASN/ANT apparatus is mobilized in the context of a qualitative case study involving a housing construction supply network in Australia making use of offsite manufacturing (OSM) techniques.

The study shows that innovative technologies such as novel OSM products can play an important though not necessarily deterministic role in the evolution of CASNs. The study also explicates the process by which the enrollment of non-human agents and the resulting CASN evolution are linked: innovative technologies shape human and non-human interactions in ways that redefine task delegation, role definition and schemas that are fundamental to the shape of CASNs.

Findings provide a compelling empirical basis for arguing that CASNs must be conceptualized as heterogeneous systems and that innovation in construction must be understood as non-linear, socio-material and dynamic, rather than linear and driven by technological determinism. The study also interrogates limiting notions of supply chains and supports the notion of alternative inter-organizational forms to understand construction project work.

This study addresses the integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies with circular economy (CE) principles in the UAE construction sector, aligning with the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021–2031 (UAECEP). It explores how digital tools can facilitate sustainable construction practices by enhancing resource efficiency, reducing waste and supporting circularity across the building life cycle.

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to identify frameworks that integrate I4.0 technologies with CE principles. Based on the review, a conceptual framework was developed and refined to meet the UAE construction sector’s specific needs, focusing on applying digital tools at different stages of construction.

Integrating I4.0 tools, including building information modeling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), can enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste and promote sustainability in the UAE’s construction sector. The framework aligns digital transformation efforts with the UAECEP, indicating these technologies’ applicability in design, construction, operation and end-of-life stages. Key challenges include high initial costs, technical limitations and the need for regulatory support.

This study offers a novel framework tailored to the UAE construction sector, bridging the gap between policy objectives and practical implementation. It provides strategies to overcome local challenges through stakeholder collaboration and digital innovation, contributing to the UAE’s sustainability goals.

This study reviews policies, green building regulations, key performance indicators (KPIs) and management methods related to construction and demolition waste (CDW) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It aims to develop a holistic framework based on the 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) principles to assess the current status of circular economy (CE) deployment and identify key determinants for efficient CDW management.

A mixed-method approach was used, including desk-based searches, systematic literature reviews and searches of official government websites to review existing CDW management policies and methods in the UAE. Scholarly databases were reviewed to identify CDW management challenges from a 3R perspective. A conceptual CE framework based on the 3R principles was developed using the study's findings.

The study provides a comprehensive review of CDW management in the UAE, analyzing associated management challenges in the construction sector. It proposes a holistic 3R principles-based framework, emphasizing strategic steps in the building lifecycle, site waste management (SWM) plans, drivers for circular construction and systematic adoption guidelines for effective CE deployment to achieve sustainable CDW management in the UAE construction sector.

This study explores existing policies and challenges in CDW management in the UAE and offers a 3R principles-based framework for CE deployment in the construction sector. It provides valuable insights for manufacturers of recycled products and for integrating circularity into construction projects’ design and procurement processes.

This study aims to present state-of-the-art research on circular economy (CE) implementation in construction and demolition waste management (CDWM) within the construction sector.

A mixed-method (scientometric and critical analysis) review strategy was adopted, involving scientometric and critical analysis to uncover the evolutionary progress within the research area, investigate key research themes in the field, and explore ten issues of CE in CDWM. Moreover, avenues for future research are provided for researchers, practitioners, decision-makers, and planners to bring innovative and new knowledge to this field.

A total of 212 articles were analyzed, and scientometric analysis was performed. The critical analysis findings reveal extensive use of surveys, interviews, case studies, or mixed-method approaches as study methodologies. Furthermore, there is limited focus on the application of modern technologies, modeling approaches, decision support systems, and monitoring and traceability tools of CE in the CDWM field. Additionally, no structured framework to implement CE in CDWM areas has been found, as existing frameworks are based on traditional linear models. Moreover, none of the studies discuss readiness factors, knowledge management systems, performance measurement systems, and life cycle assessment indicators.

The outcomes of this study can be utilized by construction and demolition sector managers, researchers, practitioners, decision-makers, and policymakers to comprehend the state-of-the-art, explore current research topics, and gain detailed insights into future research areas. Additionally, the study offers suggestions on addressing these areas effectively.

This study employs a universal approach to provide the current research progress and holistic knowledge about various important issues of CE in CDWM, offering opportunities for future research directions in the area.

The construction industry can be characterised as a sector of the economy that uses planning, design, construction, maintenance and repair, and operation to transform various resources into physical facilities in both developed and developing countries. Residential and non-residential structures, as well as heavy construction, are among the types of public and private facilities built, and these physical facilities play an important and visible part in the development process. Major participants in the construction industry include the design team (architects, engineers and quantity surveyors), management consultants, general contractors, heavy construction contractors, special trade contractors or subcontractors, and construction workers, as well as the owners, managers and users of the built facility. Building financing and insurance businesses, land developers, real estate agents and material and machinery suppliers and distributors, to name a few, are all involved in construction, yet they are categorised as independent but connected industries. Cost is a major factor that affects and determine the choice and engagement of these processes and stakeholders, and the same has been a measure of project success from the time immemorial.