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Applications of Digital Technologies in Promoting Sustainable Construction Practices: A Literature Review

Author

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  • Yuanyuan Li

    (School of Management Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China)

  • Xiujuan Zhao

    (School of Management Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China)

  • Chunlu Liu

    (School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Zhigang Zhang

    (School of Management Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China)

Abstract

In recent years, the applications of digital technologies in sustainable construction have gained increasing interest. However, no comprehensive literature review has been conducted. Thus, this paper analyzes 990 relevant articles in this regard published from 2014 to 2023 by using CiteSpace (version 6.3.R1) and HistCite (version Pro 2.1) and identifies the most influential journals, institutions, and regions. The knowledge base was detected through a cluster analysis, which concentrates more on seven core themes: barriers, energy efficiency and building energy performance, life cycle assessment, computer vision, renovation, building sustainability assessment, and management. A citation analysis revealed that the applications of digital technologies were based in four dimensions of sustainable construction: environmental, social, and economic performance and green building assessment are the current hotspots. Finally, the potential future research trends in this field were proposed: (1) strengthening research on the application of more digital technologies; (2) expanding the use of digital technologies in the Operation and Maintenance (O & M) and demolition phases; (3) deepening the research on multi-objective optimization; and (4) exploring how to overcome obstacles. The findings provide highly valuable information for researchers with current research ideas and future directions in this field. This paper also has the potential to deepen practitioners’ comprehension of optimal digital technologies for bolstering construction sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuanyuan Li & Xiujuan Zhao & Chunlu Liu & Zhigang Zhang, 2025. "Applications of Digital Technologies in Promoting Sustainable Construction Practices: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:487-:d:1563899
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Sungwoo Lee & Sungho Tae & Seungjun Roh & Taehyung Kim, 2015. "Green Template for Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings Based on Building Information Modeling: Focus on Embodied Environmental Impact," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(12), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Wang, Junqi & Jiang, Lanfei & Yu, Hanhui & Feng, Zhuangbo & Castaño-Rosa, Raúl & Cao, Shi-jie, 2024. "Computer vision to advance the sensing and control of built environment towards occupant-centric sustainable development: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Dacan Li & Xiaoyu Zhang & Albert D. Lau & Yuanyuan Gong, 2025. "The Impact of Smart City Construction on the Spatial Distribution of Urban Carbon Emissions Based on the Panel Data Analysis of 277 Prefecture-Level Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-28, May.

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