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How Circular Economy Can Contribute to the Sustainability of Megaprojects: An Overview of Research Hotspots and Developing a Research Agenda

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Complexity and Sustainability in Megaprojects (MERIT 2022)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering ((LNCE,volume 342))

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Abstract

Megaprojects with high levels of complexity and innovation face many sustainability challenges, including environmental concerns, economic resources, and social impacts over decades. Due to the large scale of these projects and their significant consequences for the communities, scientific production focusing on different aspects of megaprojects has been increasingly developed. This research aims to first, present a general overview of the main research themes and hotspots within the literature on megaprojects, and second, provide the potential of the circular economy (CE) in supporting the megaprojects. To do so, a systematic review using keyword co-occurrence analysis was conducted on the megaproject scientific production. The results revealed five major research themes in megaproject-related research, including (i) construction and built environment, (ii) mega events and urban environment, (iii) risk management, (iv) project management, and (v) sustainability and governance. Moreover, challenges and prospects of incorporating the CE in megaprojects were provided and discussed. The findings shed light on the body of knowledge of megaproject research and can support policymakers, officials, and practitioners involved in the megaprojects toward the CE transition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management, Corso Unione Sovietica, University of Turin, 218 Bis, 10134, Torino, Italy

    Zahra Shams Esfandabadi, Dario Cottafava, Laura Corazza & Simone Domenico Scagnelli

  2. School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Dr, Joondalup, 6027, Australia

    Simone Domenico Scagnelli

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  1. Zahra Shams Esfandabadi
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  2. Dario Cottafava
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  3. Laura Corazza
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  4. Simone Domenico Scagnelli
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Correspondence to Zahra Shams Esfandabadi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. DIG, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

    Edoardo Favari

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze economiche e sociali, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy

    Franca Cantoni

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Shams Esfandabadi, Z., Cottafava, D., Corazza, L., Scagnelli, S.D. (2023). How Circular Economy Can Contribute to the Sustainability of Megaprojects: An Overview of Research Hotspots and Developing a Research Agenda. In: Favari, E., Cantoni, F. (eds) Complexity and Sustainability in Megaprojects. MERIT 2022. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 342. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-30879-6_1

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