IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i14p5849-d1431716.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Digital Framework for the Implementation of the Circular Economy in the Construction Sector: Expert Opinions

Author

Listed:
  • Rabia Charef

    (Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts 1, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK)

Abstract

The construction sector plays a significant role in resource consumption and waste generation, making the transition to a circular economy (CE) imperative for sustainability in this sector. This paper focuses on developing a framework for implementing CE principles in the construction sector, guided by expert opinions and insights. The main objective of this study was to enhance existing theoretical frameworks by incorporating feedback from construction experts to improve practical utility and applicability in real-world construction practices. By addressing key areas for enhancement, the revised framework facilitates the adoption of CE practices throughout the asset lifecycle, considering buildings from cradle to cradle. This research’s methodology involved a comprehensive literature review to identify gaps in current frameworks related to CE implementation in the construction sector. Unstructured interviews with twenty construction experts were conducted to gather insights and recommendations for framework improvement. Data analysis highlighted the importance of integrating CE principles at various stages of the asset lifecycle, such as design, construction, and end-of-life phases. The key recommendations from experts include incorporating sustainable approaches, aligning with BIM models, and considering whole-life design aspects to promote circularity in the construction sector. By incorporating expert feedback and industry insights, the framework aims to guide practitioners toward more sustainable and resource-efficient construction practices, contributing to the broader field of CE implementation in the built environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Rabia Charef, 2024. "A Digital Framework for the Implementation of the Circular Economy in the Construction Sector: Expert Opinions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:14:p:5849-:d:1431716
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/14/5849/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/14/5849/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Saman Davari & Meisam Jaberi & Adam Yousfi & Erik Poirier, 2023. "A Traceability Framework to Enable Circularity in the Built Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-23, May.
    2. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    3. Rabia Charef & Jean-Claude Morel & Kambiz Rakhshan, 2021. "Barriers to Implementing the Circular Economy in the Construction Industry: A Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-18, November.
    4. Kebir Mohammed Jemal & Marzhan Kabzhassarova & Ramazan Shaimkhanov & Dinara Dikhanbayeva & Ali Turkyilmaz & Serdar Durdyev & Ferhat Karaca, 2023. "Facilitating Circular Economy Strategies Using Digital Construction Tools: Framework Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Caroline Samberger & Sanaz Imen & Katerina Messologitis & Arthur Umble & Joseph G. Jacangelo, 2024. "Assessing circularity of wastewater treatment systems: A critical review of indicators," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(2), pages 262-276, April.
    2. Chun-Chih Chen & Chi-Hui Lai & Nai-Ren Guo & Shu-Ming Wu, 2024. "Exploring the Consumer Acceptance of Circular Housing from the Perspective of SOR Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-26, April.
    3. Pina Puntillo, 2023. "Circular economy business models: Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the waste management sector—Empirical evidence and theoretical implications," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 941-954, March.
    4. Tina Wiegand & Martin Wynn, 2023. "Sustainability, the Circular Economy and Digitalisation in the German Textile and Clothing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-30, June.
    5. German Arana‐Landin & Waleska Sigüenza & Beñat Landeta‐Manzano & Iker Laskurain‐Iturbe, 2024. "Circular economy: On the road to ISO 59000 family of standards," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 1977-2009, May.
    6. Abdulmajeed Almadhi & Abdelhakim Abdelhadi & Rakan Alyamani, 2023. "Moving from Linear to Circular Economy in Saudi Arabia: Life-Cycle Assessment on Plastic Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, July.
    7. Hu, Xueyue & Wang, Chunying & Elshkaki, Ayman, 2024. "Material-energy Nexus: A systematic literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    8. Sergio Cappucci & Serena Nappi & Andrea Cappelli, 2022. "Green Public Areas and Urban Open Spaces Management: New GreenCAL Tool Algorithms and Circular Economy Implications," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-25, June.
    9. Monia Niero & Charlotte L. Jensen & Chiara Farné Fratini & Jens Dorland & Michael S. Jørgensen & Susse Georg, 2021. "Is life cycle assessment enough to address unintended side effects from Circular Economy initiatives?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(5), pages 1111-1120, October.
    10. Jaroslaw Golebiewski & Josu Takala & Oskar Juszczyk & Nina Drejerska, 2019. "Local contribution to circular economy. A case study of a Polish rural municipality," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 21(3), pages 771-791.
    11. Franco Fassio & Chiara Chirilli, 2023. "The Circular Economy and the Food System: A Review of Principal Measuring Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, June.
    12. S. Bhattacharya & R. Ajwani-Ramchandani & Shishir Kumar Jha & C.J. Chiappetta Jabbour & V.G. Venkatesh, 2023. "Prologue for the Virtual Special Issue on Social Circular Consumption- Exploring the Role of the Bottom of Pyramid," Post-Print hal-04458204, HAL.
    13. Eugenia Rossi di Schio & Vincenzo Ballerini & Jan Kašpar & Manuela Neri & Mariagrazia Pilotelli & Edoardo Alessio Piana & Paolo Valdiserri, 2024. "Applicability of Face Masks as Recyclable Raw Materials for Self-Made Insulation Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-15, March.
    14. Mia B. Münster, 2024. "Adaptive Reuse: Atmospherics in Buildings Repurposed as Coffee Shops," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-32, February.
    15. D. D’Amato, 2021. "Sustainability Narratives as Transformative Solution Pathways: Zooming in on the Circular Economy," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 231-242, June.
    16. Florian Fizaine, 2021. "La croissance verte est-elle durable et compatible avec l’économie circulaire ? Une approche par l’identité IPAT," Post-Print hal-03884377, HAL.
    17. Vibeke Grupe Larsen & Valentina Antoniucci & Nicola Tollin & Peter Andreas Sattrup & Krister Jens & Morten Birkved & Tine Holmboe & Giuliano Marella, 2023. "A Methodological Framework to Foster Social Value Creation in Architectural Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-25, January.
    18. Steliana Rodino & Ruxandra Pop & Cristina Sterie & Andreea Giuca & Eduard Dumitru, 2023. "Developing an Evaluation Framework for Circular Agriculture: A Pathway to Sustainable Farming," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-24, October.
    19. Gunasekara, Lahiru & Robb, David J. & Zhang, Abraham, 2023. "Used product acquisition, sorting and disposition for circular supply chains: Literature review and research directions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    20. Germán López Pérez & Isabel María García Sánchez & José Luis Zafra Gómez, 2024. "A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of eco‐innovation on financial performance: Identifying barriers and drivers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 1321-1340, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:14:p:5849-:d:1431716. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.