Research Trends and Thematic Evolution of Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis in Construction and Demolition Waste

A circular economy (CE) and industrial symbiosis (IS) are increasingly recognized as key strategies for transforming construction and demolition waste (CDW) into valuable secondary resources. However, existing research remains fragmented, with limited integration across these interconnected domains. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric review of 966 articles included in the Scopus database from 2000 to 2026 to explore the transformation, intellectual frames, and new trends within the CE–IS–CDW nexus. The results show that the field has transitioned from an early exploratory phase to rapid expansion, with research output accelerating significantly after 2018 and peaking at over 220 publications annually in recent years. The study identifies four significant thematic clusters: CE and sustainability transitions; CDW and recycling practices; life cycle and environmental assessment; and emerging IS and industrial ecology frameworks. Although this has increased, the discipline is still conceptually fragmented and has not integrated CE and IS throughout the entire building life cycle; furthermore, it still has regional differences, especially in the Global South. This is the first systematic bibliometric analysis of the CE–IS–CDW nexus that provides an overview of its conceptual evolution, thematic structure, and fragmentation. This study, in contrast to previous reviews of individual research areas, maps the linkages and gaps between CE and IS in CDW management, offering novel insights for cross-disciplinary research and policy making. Its findings can also offer useful information to policymakers and stakeholders in the industry to recover more resources, enhance industrial symbiosis, and facilitate the shift toward more circular and sustainable construction systems.