THE KNOWLEDGE STRUCTURE AND RESEARCH TRENDS OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN CONSTRUCTION: A GLOBAL BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW

Abstract Purpose: This study investigates the developmental trajectory, knowledge architecture, and worldwide distribution of circular economy (CE) scholarship in the construction sector. It seeks to systematically trace publication patterns, reveal dominant research streams, and identify emerging directions within a fast-growing and multidisciplinary field. Design/methodology/approach: A bibliometric review structured around the PRISMA framework was undertaken using records retrieved from the Scopus database. From an initial pool of 5,005 documents, screening procedures produced a final sample of 3,512 peer-reviewed articles published in the last decade (2015-2026). Bibliometric techniques, including performance analysis, citation analysis and keyword co-occurrence network mapping using VOSviewer, were applied to evaluate research growth patterns, influential contributors and thematic structures. Findings: The results reveal sustained and accelerated growth in CE research in construction, particularly after 2020, indicating increasing conceptual consolidation and a shift toward application-oriented studies. The research landscape is characterised by a structured and collaborative network of authors, institutions and countries, with the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia and China leading in productivity and citation impact. Four major thematic clusters are identified: construction and demolition waste management, lifecycle sustainability and environmental assessment, digital circularity enabled by emerging technologies, and circular supply chains and business models. Despite increasing participation from developing regions, research influence remains concentrated within established research systems. Originality/value: The research delivers a broad bibliometric overview of CE research in construction and contributes fresh insight into the field’s intellectual foundations, thematic progression, and global knowledge networks.