A systematic review of the critical success factors for implementing circular economy in construction projects

The transition to a circular economy in the construction industry provides enormous opportunities to decouple construction activities, processes, and practices from finite consumption of natural resources and environmental externalities. Circular construction leverages the interconnected models of narrowing, slowing, and closing resource loops to minimize extractive and wasteful use of natural resources, eliminate waste and pollution from the outset, and retain construction products and materials in use for a longer duration. However, construction practitioners have struggled to implement circular economy principles into construction projects successfully. This study systematically reviewed the critical success factors for implementing circular construction projects. The results revealed 51 critical success factors for circular construction projects, clustered into six typologies: technological (n = 10, ∑ = 93, μ = 9.30), supply chain (n = 14, ∑ = 84, μ = 6.00), organizational (n = 9, ∑ = 82, μ = 9.11), institutional (n = 7, ∑ = 43, μ = 6.14), stakeholder success (n = 7, ∑ = 73, μ = 10.43), and management success factors (n = 4, ∑ = 27, μ = 6.75). A Pareto analysis revealed 30 vital critical success factors for circular construction projects. Thus, the study established the first comprehensive set of critical success strategies for circular construction projects and enriches the knowledge of construction organizations and project team members on how best to implement circular economy principles in construction projects.