Advancing Sustainable Construction Through Lean and Digital Technologies

Abstract

Question: Q1: How does integrating lean construction with Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) improve project delivery and sustainability performance across regions? Q2: What barriers most strongly shape adoption, and what strategies help overcome them? Purpose: This paper examines how lean methods combined with emerging digital technologies can improve construction performance while supporting sustainability objectives and alignment with relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research Method: A mixed-methods design was used, combining a systematic literature review (2000–2025) with a global case study analysis spanning Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Findings: Lean–digital integration improves workflow reliability, reduces rework and material waste, and strengthens real-time decision-making. Regional patterns show stronger maturity in parts of Europe, while other regions face barriers tied to skills, organizational culture, and interoperability. The study also links lean–digital practices to SDG-aligned outcomes, particularly responsible resource use and improved infrastructure sustainability, and proposes practical adoption strategies (training, phased implementation, and stakeholder engagement). Limitations: The case evidence is drawn from documented projects and secondary sources, and the analysis focuses on reported outcomes rather than controlled comparisons. Regional generalizations may not capture variability between sectors, firm sizes, and procurement models. Implications: Future research should validate standardized performance frameworks that combine lean metrics with sustainability indicators and should examine lifecycle impacts beyond construction, particularly during operations and maintenance using IoT-enabled digital twins and AI-based analytics. Value for authors: The paper provides decision-ready guidance on how to pair lean tools (e.g., Last Planner System (LPS), Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Just-in-Time (JIT)) with BIM, AI, IoT, and Digital Twins to reduce waste, improve planning reliability, and track sustainability performance using measurable indicators that support SDG-oriented reporting and delivery. Keywords: Lean Construction 4.0; BIM; Digital twins; Artificial intelligence; Internet of Things; Sustainability; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Project Management; Industry 4.0 Paper type: Full paper.