Circular economy in the building sector: a systematic review of environmental, economic, and social dimensions

The building sector - accounting for the consumption of 40 % of natural resources and 36 % of energy and the emission of 33 % of greenhouse gases - has a critical role in the global energy and environmental footprint. Circular economy (CE) is increasingly being deemed critical for sustainability in the building sector. The paper aims to provide a detailed analysis of the state of affairs with regard to the research on CE practices in the building sector. It systematically reviews the literature on circular economy in the building sector, focusing on its environmental, economic, and social dimensions. It also aims to identify research gaps and provide recommendations for future studies to enhance sustainability in construction. Its methodology follows the PRISMA Statement protocol, beginning with a preliminary review to pinpoint gaps, followed by the formulation of research questions and keyword selection related to CE. It uses the Scopus database to search for relevant literature. Subsequently, it examines the titles and abstracts of the identified studies to determine their eligibility for systematic analysis. A detailed analysis of the 38 selected studies reveals a predominant focus on environmental dimensions - While all of the selected studies cover the environmental dimensions, economic and social dimensions are addressed in only 22 and 10 of these studies respectively. This disparity emphasizes the need for more comprehensive studies addressing all three dimensions of sustainability, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable building practices and CE principles in the building and construction sector.