Towards digital and circular construction ecosystem

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School of Engineering | Master's thesis

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Mcode

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en

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87

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Abstract

This thesis explores the current state of the construction sector from the perspectives of the circular economy and digital transformation. It examines key drivers such as national and EU legislation and assesses Finland’s role in this context. The objective is to analyze how digital data and technologies, particularly the Digital Building Logbook (DBL), can reduce information loss and discontinuities through-out the building lifecycle. The work combined an extensive literature review and case study as methods, linking policy and research with practice. The literature review outlines the general state of the sector, while the case study demonstrates the potential of DBLs through scalable guidelines for lifecycle information management in the City of Lohja. A concrete outcome is a roadmap and data development models for Lohja, showing how to digitize building information and manage it throughout the lifecycle. These guidelines stress defining a clear digital transformation strategy, identifying relevant data, and adopting collaborative and interoperable processes. Key findings show that digital real estate data is central to circularity, efficiency, and competitiveness. DBLs can foster collaboration, interoperability, and knowledge-based decision-making, but success requires shared terminology and cross-sector cooperation to overcome industry fragmentation. While digitalization, data, and technology are not sufficient alone, they act as vital enablers when combined with purposeful implementation and collaboration. This thesis provides timely insights to support the transition to a sustainable, digitally managed construction sector. It synthesizes insights from legislation, research, and practice, offering a foundation for future development, and a vision of a competitive circular industry along with the changes needed to achieve it.

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Supervisor

Tähtinen, Katja

Thesis advisor

Hovi, Janne
Kuittinen, Matti

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