Harnessing AI for Circular and Socially Sustainable Construction Planning and Management

Dear Colleagues,

The transition to a circular and socially sustainable economy demands more than improved resource efficiency. It requires intelligent, data-driven systems capable of holistically evaluating environmental, economic, and social value. Traditional decision-making frameworks are often inadequate for managing the complexity of circular economy (CE) initiatives, particularly when these initiatives intersect with digital platforms and infrastructure systems.

This Special Issue responds to the urgent need for advanced decision support tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and expert systems. These technologies offer the potential to accelerate circular transitions while enhancing social value outcomes. In particular, this issue explores AI-enabled frameworks for social value assessment, the development of smart circularity indicators, and decision support systems that integrate circular principles through advanced analytics.

Key areas of interest include the alignment of circular economy business models with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), integration of CE principles into Building Information Modeling (BIM), lifecycle sustainability assessments, and applications of Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies in achieving net-zero, resilient, and nature-based infrastructure solutions.

This issue also welcomes research on circular skills development, curriculum innovation, and systems thinking approaches that empower stakeholders to make informed, socially responsible decisions. By connecting digital innovation, sustainability governance, and social equity, this Special Issue seeks to define the next frontier in AI-driven circular economy practice.

Dr. Olabode Ogunmakinde
Dr. Temitope Omotayo
Dr. Eeydzah Aminudin
Prof. Dr. Bankole Osita Awuzie
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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