Short answer
Integrate digital functions that support assessment, planning, data collection, and estimation into design processes to enhance circular economy practices in construction.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Environmental Impact Assessment Review (2025)
- Method
- Systematic Literature Review
- Sample
- 125 papers
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Specific digital functions, such as 'assess', 'auto-plan', 'collect', and 'estimate', are crucial enablers for implementing various circular economy strategies within the construction sector. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Environmental Impact Assessment Review. Using Systematic literature review with 125 papers, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate digital functions that support assessment, planning, data collection, and estimation into design processes to enhance circular economy practices in construction.
Digital Functions Drive Circular Economy in Construction
Specific digital functions, such as 'assess', 'auto-plan', 'collect', and 'estimate', are crucial enablers for implementing various circular economy strategies within the construction sector.
Environmental Impact Assessment Review · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Ten distinct digital functions were identified as supporting circular economy practices in construction.
- 02Fifteen circular economy strategies were mapped against these digital functions.
- 03Functions like 'assess', 'auto-plan', 'collect', and 'estimate' are frequently utilized.
- 04Significant research gaps exist in applying digital technologies to building lifespan extension, large-scale reuse/recycling, and robust data management.
Application
Design takeaway
Integrate digital functions that support assessment, planning, data collection, and estimation into design processes to enhance circular economy practices in construction.
How to apply
When designing a new building or renovation, consider which digital tools can best support the 'assess' phase for material sourcing, the 'auto-plan' phase for deconstruction, and the 'collect' phase for tracking materials throughout their lifecycle.
Project actions
- 01When proposing a design solution, clearly state which digital functions your chosen tools will provide to support circularity.
- 02Consider how your design can address the identified research gaps, such as extending building lifespan or improving material tracking.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a structured framework for understanding digitalization's role in circular construction.
- +Identifies specific digital functions and circular strategies, offering actionable insights.
Limitations
The availability and cost of digital tools offering these specific functions can be a barrier. The effectiveness also depends on user training and adoption within construction teams.
Reliability & validity
The systematic review methodology enhances reliability by providing a structured approach to literature analysis. Validity is supported by the critical review lens and the identification of specific functions and strategies, though the scope is limited by the reviewed literature.
Think critically
To what extent do the identified digital functions truly represent novel capabilities, or are they existing functionalities being applied in a new context for circularity?
Design Principles
"Leverage granular digital functions to strategically implement circular economy principles in construction projects."
Understanding the granular digital functions that support circularity allows design practitioners to select and integrate appropriate digital tools more effectively. This targeted approach can optimize resource use, minimize waste, and extend the lifespan of built assets, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
What This Means for Your Design
Digital tools can help construction projects be more sustainable by using features that help assess materials, plan for reuse, collect data, and estimate needs, but more work is needed on making buildings last longer and managing data better.
How to use in your project
- 1.Cite this research when discussing the role of digital technologies in achieving circular economy goals within your design project.
- 2.Use the identified digital functions and circular strategies as a framework for analyzing existing products or proposing new design solutions.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the critical role of specific digital functions, such as 'assess', 'auto-plan', 'collect', and 'estimate', in enabling circular economy practices within the construction sector. By mapping these functions to various circular strategies, it provides a framework for understanding how digitalization can support sustainability goals. Future design projects should consider leveraging these functions and addressing identified research gaps in building lifespan extension and data management for enhanced circularity.
Source
Environmental Impact Assessment Review
Deciphering how digital functions enable circular economy practices in construction: A critical review of recent progress and future outlook
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about digital functions drive circular economy in construction?
- Integrate digital functions that support assessment, planning, data collection, and estimation into design processes to enhance circular economy practices in construction. Evidence: Environmental Impact Assessment Review (2025).
- Why does "Digital Functions Drive Circular Economy in Construction" matter for design?
- Understanding the granular digital functions that support circularity allows design practitioners to select and integrate appropriate digital tools more effectively. This targeted approach can optimize resource use, minimize waste, and extend the lifespan of built assets, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Integrate digital functions that support assessment, planning, data collection, and estimation into design processes to enhance circular economy practices in construction.
- What were the main findings?
- Ten distinct digital functions were identified as supporting circular economy practices in construction.. Fifteen circular economy strategies were mapped against these digital functions.. Functions like 'assess', 'auto-plan', 'collect', and 'estimate' are frequently utilized.. Significant research gaps exist in applying digital technologies to building lifespan extension, large-scale reuse/recycling, and robust data management.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Literature Review with 125 papers.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Environmental Impact Assessment Review.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a new building or renovation, consider which digital tools can best support the 'assess' phase for material sourcing, the 'auto-plan' phase for deconstruction, and the 'collect' phase for tracking materials throughout their lifecycle.
- What are the limitations?
- The review's findings are based on existing literature, and the practical implementation and effectiveness of these digital functions in real-world construction scenarios may vary. The focus is primarily on published research, potentially overlooking emerging or undocumented practices.