Transitioning to smart circular construction: A conceptual framework for circular economy implementation through Construction 4.0 technologies

The integration of Construction 4.0 technologies, such as digital technologies, with circular economy (CE) concepts, offers significant potential to advance smart circular construction (SCC). Yet, the literature lacks a cohesive understanding of the measurable, value-driven outcomes, termed smart circular values, that can guide SCC's systemic adoption. This study addresses this gap by developing a conceptual framework for strategically deploying Construction 4.0 technologies to enhance material circularity in the construction sector, grounded in the human-centric, resilient, and sustainable principles of Industry 5.0. A systematic literature review of 96 peer-reviewed articles was conducted to map interdependencies between Construction 4.0 technologies and CE concepts. Using a novel operationalisation technique, the direct clustering algorithm, technologies were grouped according to their support for CE concepts, revealing five distinct smart circular values: smart energy management, smart construction methods, smart resource optimisation, smart tracking and tracing, and smart waste management. These values form the foundation for defining SCC and reveal distinct, technology-enabled pathways for its realisation. Potential adverse impacts of adopting Construction 4.0 technologies were also identified to guide implementation strategies and inform assessments of the net benefits of SCC adoption. Overall, the framework outlines key adoption priorities, highlights pressing challenges, and emphasises the importance of organisation-level assessments to accelerate progress toward a more circular built environment.