IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i15p6735-d1708949.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Towards Sustainable Construction: Systematic Review of Lean and Circular Economy Integration

Author

Listed:
  • Abderrazzak El Hafiane

    (Laboratory of Industrial Techniques, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30050, Morocco)

  • Abdelali En-nadi

    (Laboratory of Industrial Techniques, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30050, Morocco)

  • Mohamed Ramadany

    (Laboratory of Industrial Techniques, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30050, Morocco)

Abstract

The construction sector significantly contributes to global environmental degradation through intensive resource extraction, high energy consumption, and substantial waste generation. Addressing this unsustainable trajectory requires integrated approaches that simultaneously improve operational efficiency and material circularity. Lean Construction (LC) and Circular Economy (CE) offer complementary frameworks for enhancing process performance and reducing environmental impacts. However, their combined implementation remains underdeveloped and fragmented. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of 18 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025, selected using PRISMA 2020 guidelines and sourced from Scopus and Web of Science databases. A mixed-method approach combines bibliometric mapping and qualitative content analysis to investigate how LC and CE are jointly operationalized in construction contexts. The findings reveal that LC improves cost, time, and workflow reliability, while CE enables reuse, modularity, and lifecycle extension. Integration is further supported by digital tools—such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), and digital twins—which enhance traceability and flow optimization. Nonetheless, persistent barriers—including supply chain fragmentation, lack of standards, and regulatory gaps—continue to constrain widespread adoption. This review identifies six strategic enablers for LC-CE integration: crossdisciplinary competencies, collaborative governance, interoperable digital systems, standardized indicators, incentive-based regulation, and pilot demonstrator projects. By consolidating fragmented evidence, the study provides a structured research agenda and practical insights to guide the transition toward more circular, efficient, and sustainable construction practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Abderrazzak El Hafiane & Abdelali En-nadi & Mohamed Ramadany, 2025. "Towards Sustainable Construction: Systematic Review of Lean and Circular Economy Integration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-42, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6735-:d:1708949
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6735/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6735/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Soo Huey Teh & Thomas Wiedmann & Stephen Moore, 2018. "Mixed-unit hybrid life cycle assessment applied to the recycling of construction materials," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 7(1), pages 1-25, December.
    2. Shanggang Hei & Hong Zhang & Shen Luo & Ruizhe Zhang & Chao Zhou & Meng Cong & Hongyu Ye, 2024. "Implementing BIM and Lean Construction Methods for the Improved Performance of a Construction Project at the Disassembly and Reuse Stage: A Case Study in Dezhou, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-25, January.
    3. Vivek Kumar Singh & Prashasti Singh & Mousumi Karmakar & Jacqueline Leta & Philipp Mayr, 2021. "The journal coverage of Web of Science, Scopus and Dimensions: A comparative analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(6), pages 5113-5142, June.
    4. Tasseda Boukherroub & Audrey Nganmi Tchakoutio & Nathalie Drapeau, 2024. "Using Lean in Deconstruction Projects for Maximising the Reuse of Materials: A Canadian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-20, February.
    5. Yunxin Chen & Dong Qiu & Xiaomin Chen, 2024. "Integrating Lean Construction with Sustainable Construction: Drivers, Dilemmas and Countermeasures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-23, October.
    6. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    7. Cristina Ciliberto & Katarzyna Szopik‐Depczyńska & Małgorzata Tarczyńska‐Łuniewska & Alessandro Ruggieri & Giuseppe Ioppolo, 2021. "Enabling the Circular Economy transition: a sustainable lean manufacturing recipe for Industry 4.0," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(7), pages 3255-3272, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Muhammad Ehtsham & Giuliana Parisi & Flavia Pedone & Federico Rossi & Marta Zincani & Eleonora Congiu & Chiara Marchionni, 2025. "AI-Powered Advanced Technologies for a Sustainable Built Environment: A Systematic Review on Emerging Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-45, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chamari Pamoshika Jayarathna & Duzgun Agdas & Les Dawes, 2023. "Exploring sustainable logistics practices toward a circular economy: A value creation perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 704-720, January.
    2. Antonios Kargas & Eleni C. Gkika & Anastasios Sepetis, 2024. "Exploring Digital Transformation Intensity and Its Relationship with Sustainability: Greek Managers’ Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-19, July.
    3. D’Amico, Gaspare & Arbolino, Roberta & Shi, Lei & Yigitcanlar, Tan & Ioppolo, Giuseppe, 2022. "Digitalisation driven urban metabolism circularity: A review and analysis of circular city initiatives," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    4. Alessandra Neri & Marta Negri & Enrico Cagno & Simone Franzò & Vikas Kumar & Tommaso Lampertico & Carlo Andrea Bassani, 2023. "The role of digital technologies in supporting the implementation of circular economy practices by industrial small and medium enterprises," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4693-4718, November.
    5. Manoj Kumar Mishra & Chetan Sharma & Shamneesh Sharma & Sunil Kumar & Arun Lal Srivastav, 2025. "Exploring Antecedents, Consequences, Research Constituents and Future Directions of Circular Economy: A Predictive Analysis in the Preview of Text Mining," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(2), pages 9568-9602, June.
    6. Cannas, Violetta Giada & Pozzi, Rossella & Saporiti, Nicolò & Urbinati, Andrea, 2025. "Unveiling the interaction among circular economy, industry 4.0, and lean production: A multiple case study analysis and an empirically based framework," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    7. Usama Awan & Robert Sroufe & Karoly Bozan, 2022. "Designing Value Chains for Industry 4.0 and a Circular Economy: A Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-20, June.
    8. Pina Puntillo, 2023. "Circular economy business models: Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the waste management sector—Empirical evidence and theoretical implications," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 941-954, March.
    9. Tina Wiegand & Martin Wynn, 2023. "Sustainability, the Circular Economy and Digitalisation in the German Textile and Clothing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-30, June.
    10. German Arana‐Landin & Waleska Sigüenza & Beñat Landeta‐Manzano & Iker Laskurain‐Iturbe, 2024. "Circular economy: On the road to ISO 59000 family of standards," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 1977-2009, May.
    11. Abdulmajeed Almadhi & Abdelhakim Abdelhadi & Rakan Alyamani, 2023. "Moving from Linear to Circular Economy in Saudi Arabia: Life-Cycle Assessment on Plastic Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, July.
    12. Hu, Xueyue & Wang, Chunying & Elshkaki, Ayman, 2024. "Material-energy Nexus: A systematic literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    13. Sergio Cappucci & Serena Nappi & Andrea Cappelli, 2022. "Green Public Areas and Urban Open Spaces Management: New GreenCAL Tool Algorithms and Circular Economy Implications," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-25, June.
    14. Dima Jamali & Georges Samara & Lokman I. Meho, 2024. "Determinants of research productivity and efficiency among the Arab world’s accredited business schools," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 74(4), pages 2511-2543, December.
    15. Monia Niero & Charlotte L. Jensen & Chiara Farné Fratini & Jens Dorland & Michael S. Jørgensen & Susse Georg, 2021. "Is life cycle assessment enough to address unintended side effects from Circular Economy initiatives?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(5), pages 1111-1120, October.
    16. Flavio Eduardo Fava & Lucílio Rogério Aparecido Alves & Thiago Libório Romanelli, 2025. "Economic Feasibility and Decarbonization Incentives of Sugarcane Biogas Production Pathways," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-17, February.
    17. Thomas Dobbelstein & Carina Lochner, 2023. "Factors influencing purchase intention for recycled products: A comparative analysis of Germany and South Africa," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 2256-2277, August.
    18. Güler Koştı & İsmail Kayadibi, 2025. "A bibliometric analysis of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for human resource management," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19, December.
    19. Ahmed Ashraf Zaidi & Rahul Chandra, 2025. "A Study on Indian Consumers’ Willingness to Participate in Circular Fashion Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) Approach of Multi-criteria Decision Making and Binomial Logistics Regression," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(4), pages 3401-3429, August.
    20. Jaroslaw Golebiewski & Josu Takala & Oskar Juszczyk & Nina Drejerska, 2019. "Local contribution to circular economy. A case study of a Polish rural municipality," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 21(3), pages 771-791.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6735-:d:1708949. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.