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Circular Digital Built Environment: An Emerging Framework

Author

Listed:
  • Sultan Çetin

    (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 134, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Catherine De Wolf

    (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 134, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
    Chair of Circular Engineering for Architecture, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH Zürich), Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland)

  • Nancy Bocken

    (Maastricht Sustainability Institute, School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University, Tapijn 11 Building D, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Digital technologies are considered to be an essential enabler of the circular economy in various industries. However, to date, very few studies have investigated which digital technologies could enable the circular economy in the built environment. This study specifically focuses on the built environment as one of the largest, most energy- and material-intensive industries globally, and investigates the following question: which digital technologies potentially enable a circular economy in the built environment, and in what ways? The research uses an iterative stepwise method: (1) framework development based on regenerating, narrowing, slowing and closing resource loop principles; (2) expert workshops to understand the usage of digital technologies in a circular built environment; (3) a literature and practice review to further populate the emerging framework with relevant digital technologies; and (4) the final mapping of digital technologies onto the framework. This study develops a novel Circular Digital Built Environment framework. It identifies and maps ten enabling digital technologies to facilitate a circular economy in the built environment. These include: (1) additive/robotic manufacturing, (2) artificial intelligence, (3) big data and analytics, (4) blockchain technology, (5) building information modelling, (6) digital platforms/marketplaces, (7) digital twins, (8) the geographical information system, (9) material passports/databanks, and (10) the internet of things. The framework provides a fruitful starting point for the novel research avenue at the intersection of circular economy, digital technology and the built environment, and gives practitioners inspiration for sustainable innovation in the sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Sultan Çetin & Catherine De Wolf & Nancy Bocken, 2021. "Circular Digital Built Environment: An Emerging Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-34, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6348-:d:568260
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. 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.
    4. Chauhan, Chetna & Parida, Vinit & Dhir, Amandeep, 2022. "Linking circular economy and digitalisation technologies: A systematic literature review of past achievements and future promises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
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    7. Fabio De Felice & Antonella Petrillo, 2021. "Green Transition: The Frontier of the Digicircular Economy Evidenced from a Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-26, October.
    8. Broccardo, Laura & Zicari, Adrián & Jabeen, Fauzia & Bhatti, Zeeshan A., 2023. "How digitalization supports a sustainable business model: A literature review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    9. Anosh Nadeem Butt & Branka Dimitrijević, 2022. "Multidisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Collaboration in Nature-Based Design of Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-23, August.
    10. Ayaz Ahmad Khan & Rongrong Yu & Tingting Liu & Ning Gu & James Walsh, 2023. "Volumetric Modular Construction Risks: A Comprehensive Review and Digital-Technology-Coupled Circular Mitigation Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-34, April.
    11. Simina Teodora Hora & Constantin Bungau & Paul Andrei Negru & Andrei-Flavius Radu, 2023. "Implementing Circular Economy Elements in the Textile Industry: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-24, October.
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    14. Charlotte Ducuing & René Herbert Reich, 2023. "Data governance: Digital product passports as a case study," Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, , vol. 24(1), pages 3-23, March.

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