Sustainable construction projects management in the AEC industry: analysis and visualization

Abstract

Within the last decade, sustainable construction projects (SCPs) management has become a hot topic in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry covering from building materials to the construction process. This study aims to systematically analyze literature concerning SCPs management between 2000 and October 2022 to improve the researchers’ overall understanding of SCPs management. From an objective analysis of co-occurrence keywords obtained by scientometric analysis, this study visualizes and conducts a detailed discussion about active studies and research trends. After discussing environmental, economic, and social sustainability indicators and their integration, the methods for improving SCPs management are summarized by a theoretical model. These methods include waste management, energy management, construction materials management, low-carbon management, green rating system, sustainable design, lean construction, knowledge management, capability building, value management, and implementation of new technology. Finally, future research directions are proposed, such as the social sustainability of different phases, the improvement of green rating systems, the development of green technologies, the collaboration of normative guidelines from different countries, and so on. This scientometric review explains the state-of-the-art research of SCPs management and encourages more interdisciplinary research involving relevant sustainability areas.