Digital Platforms for Circular Modular Construction: Benefits, Barriers, and Practical Pathways

Unofficial AI-generated summary based on the public title and abstract. Not an official translation.

🔬研究者:Provides a structured literature review on digital technologies for circular construction, identifying research gaps in governance and scalability.

🏢実務担当者:Useful for construction firms exploring digital tools for material traceability and reuse; highlights implementation barriers to anticipate.

🏛政策担当者:Relevant for developing regulatory frameworks and incentives for circular construction and digital infrastructure.

This study examines the role of digital platforms in supporting the integration of Circular Economy (CE) principles within Modular and Offsite Construction (MOC). While MOC is often associated with waste reduction and production efficiency, its long-term sustainability depends on deliberate strategies to extend material lifecycles, enable reuse, and ensure institutional and market acceptance. The study adopts a narrative literature review approach, drawing on English-language sources published between 2015 and 2025, primarily identified through Google Scholar and Scopus and expanded through iterative reference tracing across themes related to CE, MOC, digital technologies, material traceability, and social dimensions of construction. The review examines the roles of Building Information Modeling (BIM), sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT), Computer Vision (CV), blockchain, and material passport systems in supporting traceability, component reuse, and stakeholder coordination when integrated within interoperable data infrastructures and governance arrangements. The analysis identifies potential contributions, including improved lifecycle data integration, enhanced quality control processes, and more consistent documentation of reused components. However, most reported applications remain context-specific and are predominantly documented through pilot projects, demonstrators, or vendor-led initiatives rather than established industry practice. Frequently reported barriers include high implementation costs, limited interoperability, data governance challenges, regulatory uncertainty, and organizational resistance to reuse and automation. The study highlights that digital integration alone is insufficient to ensure circular outcomes. Progress toward CE–MOC adoption is shaped by governance arrangements that connect technical capabilities with institutional frameworks, market incentives, and social considerations. By outlining enabling conditions and limitations identified in the literature, this study provides insights for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to advance circular construction and emissions reduction through coordinated, evidence-based approaches.

• semanticscholar https://doi.org/10.55845/joce-2025-3260first seen 2026-06-23 06:18:23