Measuring circularity in the construction industry: A systematic literature review from the stakeholder perspective

Abstract

The implementation of the circular economy (CE) in the construction industry has become a feasible solution for achieving sustainable development while reducing environmental impact. It is essential to systematically monitor, manage, and evaluate circularity within the construction industry based on the needs and interests of stakeholders, as this can provide evidence for circular practices. However, the integration of CE increases complexities in the stakeholder network of the construction industry. Many stakeholders lack clarity about their roles, requirements, and aspirations in circular projects, leading to ineffective, hesitant, and ambiguous utilization of various circular measurement methods. To address those problems, this paper adopts a systematic literature review approach to conduct a comprehensive and critical review of measuring circularity from a stakeholder perspective. The paper categorizes stakeholders into 7 key groups and identifies their needs and dilemmas at specific stages of the circular project life cycle. Additionally, this study reviews the current development of circularity measurements at different stages of the circular project life cycle and discusses how well they align with stakeholders' needs and dilemmas. Finally, this study finds that there have been various attempts, but several essential prerequisites for comprehensive measurement are missing or incomplete. Several recommendations for measuring circularity that align more closely with stakeholder needs and address their current dilemmas are proposed. These findings are intended to enhance the evaluation, regulation, and oversight of CE in the construction industry, as well as to promote CE implementation.