Bibliometric and thematic insights into a decade of circular economy research in construction

The construction sector is one of the largest contributors to global resource consumption and waste generation, making it a critical focus area for circular economy (CE) strategies. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of CE-related research in the construction field over the period 2015–2024. Using data retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and analyzed through VOSviewer and Excel, a total of 2,738 relevant publications were identified following systematic filtering and manual screening. The results show a significant increase in publication activity since 2019, with strong contributions from countries such as China, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Journals like Journal of Cleaner Production and Sustainability dominate in both publication volume and co-citation influence. The co-authorship and institutional networks reveal the emergence of interdisciplinary and cross-national collaborations, reflecting a growing global interest in sustainable construction practices. Three key research clusters were identified: (i) policy implementation frameworks and strategic barriers to CE adoption, (ii) lifecycle assessment and environmental decision-support systems, and (iii) material innovation and reuse practices in circular construction. Hotspots within these themes include digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and material passports, environmental metrics like lifecycle assessment (LCA) and Whole Building Circularity Indicator (WBCI), and the emergence of bio-based and recyclable construction materials. Despite advancements, several key challenges remain, including methodological fragmentation, regional policy misalignment, data inconsistency, and limited representation from developing regions. Current gaps include insufficient integration between digital tools and CE metrics, lack of unified circularity indicators, and underexplored social and economic dimensions of CE strategies. Future research should focus on standardising LCA models, validating circular indicators in practice, and addressing context-specific implementation barriers through cross-disciplinary and global collaboration. The study concludes with a proposed research agenda aimed at accelerating systemic transitions through digital innovation, institutional coordination, and inclusive policy frameworks. This study also provides actionable insights into emerging research priorities and regional gaps, supporting scholars, industry stakeholders, and policymakers in aligning construction practices with CE principles. Mapped a decade of circular economy research trends in construction. Identified key themes: policy frameworks, digital tools and material circularity. Revealed gaps in regional policies, interdisciplinary collaboration and implementation strategies.