International Society for Smart Construction and Production (SCP) – Task Group
Topic: Circularity in Construction through Smart Technologies
Chair
Prof. Jian Zuo, Adelaide University, Australia.
Co-Chair
Dr. Daniel Oteng, Adelaide University, Australia.
Members
[To be confirmed]
Background
The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to global waste and resource consumption, accounting for a significant share of carbon emissions and material extraction worldwide. Transitioning toward a circular economy, where materials and resources are kept in use for as long as possible, presents both a critical challenge and a transformative opportunity for the sector. Smart technologies, including digital twins, Building Information Modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence, blockchain, and advanced sensing systems, are emerging as powerful enablers of circularity by enhancing visibility, traceability, and decision-making across the entire construction lifecycle. This Task Group establishes a collaborative platform to advance research, innovation, and industry practice at the intersection of circular economy principles and smart construction technologies, contributing to a more resource-efficient, low-carbon, and resilient built environment.
Objectives
Digital Twins and BIM for Circularity: The Task Group will explore the application of digital twins and BIM as foundational tools for enabling circular construction practices. This includes advancing material, and digital product passports, lifecycle tracking, and end-of-life planning through integrated digital workflows that support reuse, refurbishment, and deconstruction strategies.
Waste Reduction and Material Reuse: The task group will promote research and practice around minimising construction and demolition waste through smart monitoring, prefabrication, and closed-loop material flows. The Task Group will identify and share emerging strategies that transform waste streams into recoverable, high-value resources.
AI and Machine Learning for Lifecycle Analysis: The Task Group will harness the power of AI and machine learning to improve lifecycle assessment, predictive modelling of material performance, and optimisation of resource flows across construction projects. These tools will be applied to generate data-driven insights that support circular design decisions and procurement strategies.
Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Recognising that technology adoption alone is insufficient, the Task Group will also examine the policy, standards, and regulatory conditions that either enable or hinder circular construction practices. It will engage with policymakers, standards bodies, and industry groups to advocate for frameworks that incentivise circularity and smart technology integration.
Planned Outputs
Webinars
- The Task Group will organise a series of quarterly webinars focused on smart technologies driving circularity in construction, covering topics such as digital material passports, AI-enabled waste analytics, and circular procurement.
- Webinars will feature expert speakers from academia, industry, and policy, sharing research findings and practical case studies from diverse global contexts. The sessions will be recorded and made freely accessible, ensuring ongoing knowledge availability to a broad international audience.
Workshops at IPC conferences
- The Task Group will convene a dedicated workshop at IPC Conferences, focused on the role of smart technologies in advancing circular construction practices.
- A call for papers will be issued on topics including digital twins for end-of-life planning, AI-driven material reuse, and policy enablers for circular construction, with best paper awards recognising outstanding contributions.
Publications
- Selected papers from the IPC Conferences will be published in a dedicated section of the conference proceedings, highlighting advances in circularity and smart construction technologies.
- The Task Group will also produce white papers and synthesis reports summarising global trends, research gaps, and evidence-based recommendations for circular construction practice.
Educational Resources
- The Task Group will develop and disseminate open-access educational materials, including case studies, best practice guides, and digital toolkits, designed to support the adoption of smart circular construction technologies across the industry.
- Training workshops will be offered to construction professionals and educators, building the capacity needed to implement circular strategies supported by advanced digital tools.
Industry Collaboration
- The Task Group will develop partnerships with industry stakeholders, including contractors, material suppliers, and technology providers, to pilot and evaluate smart circularity solutions in live construction projects.
- A knowledge-sharing platform will be established for industry professionals to exchange experiences, document challenges, and showcase successes in adopting circular construction technologies, supporting the continuous refinement of best practices.
Research Activities
- The Task Group will undertake longitudinal research to assess the real-world impact of smart technologies on material efficiency, waste reduction, and carbon outcomes across construction projects.
- Ongoing studies will examine the interplay between technological innovation, organisational readiness, and regulatory conditions in enabling circular construction at scale.
- Research findings will be used to develop evidence-based recommendations for industry practice, inform policy development, and identify priority areas for future investigation.