Leveraging Digital Platforms for Circular Economy Implementation in the AECO Industry: Insights from Public-Private Partnerships

Abstract

Digital platforms are increasingly adopted in the built environment to advance circular economy goals, yet their capacity to align policy and technology remains unclear. This paper examines how platforms enable or obstruct alignment in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. A mechanism-oriented systematic literature review (SLR) of 24 studies identifies three alignment failures: lifecycle misalignment, platform–governance decoupling, and mobility-driven flow disruption. A three-tier coding framework—covering lifecycle stages, governance roles, and data flows—supports the analysis. Rather than calling for more platforms, the paper argues that circular transformation requires viewing platforms as institutional infrastructures that coordinate actors, data, and policy. It concludes with a conceptual alignment model, inviting empirical validation and adaptation, especially in regions with limited capacity and fragmented governance.