Smart City Gnosys
Smart city article details
| Title | Embedding Circular Economy In The Construction Sector Policy Framework: Experiences From Eu, U.S., And Japan For Better Future Cities |
|---|---|
| ID_Doc | 22697 |
| Authors | Marzani G.; Tondelli S.; Kuma Y.; Cruz Rios F.; Hu R.; Bock T.; Linner T. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Published | Smart Cities, 8, 2 |
| DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/smartcities8020048 |
| Abstract | Highlights: What are the main findings? Varied integration of Circular Economy in construction sector policies in the EU, U.S., and Japan. Limited acknowledgment of digital technologies in CE Policies, despite their potential. What are the implications of the main finding? Need for Policy Harmonization and Cross-Sectoral Collaboration. Policymakers should integrate digital tools more systematically into CE strategies, leveraging research-driven insights to enhance urban resilience, optimize resource use, and support a more efficient and inclusive built environment. The transition towards a Circular Economy (CE) in the construction sector is essential to achieving sustainable, inclusive smart cities. This study examines the integration of CE principles into construction policies across four key global contexts: the European Union (focusing on Italy and Germany), the United States, and Japan. Through a comparative policy analysis, the research identifies best practices, implementation barriers, and the role of digitalization in advancing CE strategies. In Europe, CE is embedded in policy frameworks such as the Green Deal and the New Circular Economy Action Plan, driving the shift toward sustainable urban development. The United States, while in the early stages of CE adoption, is fostering circular initiatives at local levels, particularly in waste management and building deconstruction. Japan’s policy landscape integrates CE within a broader strategy for resource efficiency, emphasizing technological innovation. The findings highlight the necessity of a research-driven approach to inform policies that leverage digital tools, such as Building Information Modeling and Digital Product Passports, to enhance material traceability and urban circularity. This study contributes to the global effort of designing smart cities that are not only technologically advanced but also environmentally and socially sustainable through the adoption of CE principles in the built environment. © 2025 by the authors. |
| Author Keywords | Circular Economy; circular smart cities; construction sector; digital technologies; policy scan |
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