Digitally enabled modular construction for promoting modular components reuse: A UK view

The UK construction sector is facing multiple challenges associated with low productivity, unreliable project delivery, poor performance, skilled labour shortages, and resource inefficiency. To address these the Government industry have been promoting modular construction; a method that can improve efficiency productivity in via prefabrication of volumetric elements or structural components building off-site their assembly on-site. In this study we highlight while help deliver sustainability credentials entire value chain, at present sector's activities are concentrated on using to upstream i.e. design, manufacture construction. This appears be divorced from need promote stages occurring downstream (i.e., disassembly end-of-life management) chain. Such divergence could hamper industry's efforts reduce its environmental economic impacts future, points an integrated, holistic approach improving sector. support our argument, provide overview current state UK, outline key obstacles rolling out construction's mainstream use. We posit presents opportunity integrate practices achieve sector, suggest development digitally enabled construction, whereby smart technologies combined instrumental supporting vision. A smart, regime operationalise collection storage components' lifecycle information, build capabilities needed maintenance, recovery reuse components, reduction waste. For take precedence it imperative think ‘end’ right beginning design stage, foster improved collaboration between all stakeholders involved • Description state-of-the-art prefabricated UK. Modular maintenance waste management. Prefabricated components’ information capture circularity. supported by digital communication. Digitally promotes