Tetteh, P A; Osei-Kyei, R and Tam, V W Y (2025) Strategies for sustainable financing of circular infrastructure projects: A systematic review. Construction Innovation, 25(7), pp. 235-267. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: The transition to circular infrastructure projects already encounters several barriers; however, access to funding has emerged as a critical barrier. Stakeholders within the infrastructure sector are seeking strategies to offset this financial challenge while maintaining financial performance. The purpose of this study is to explore sustainable financing strategies for circular infrastructure projects. Design/methodology/approach: Using Scopus as the main search engine, 31 relevant studies were selected based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol. Findings: The study identified and grouped sustainable financial strategies based on the life cycle stages into access to funds, quality of financial resources, cost management practices, government financial support, technology and innovation and project organizational initiatives. The strategies were aligned with the 10R framework of circular economy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Subsequently, the study proposed a conceptual framework of sustainable financing strategies that could be adopted by relevant stakeholders to promote circular infrastructure projects. Originality/value: The study underscores the significance of circularity in infrastructure projects, and by implementing the sustainable financing strategies presented, this study promotes sustainability in the infrastructure sector. The study provides a conceptual framework that serves as a guide to stakeholders on circular infrastructure projects, enabling them to attain greater financial performance.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | circular economy; circular infrastructure projects; financial performance; project life cycle; SDGs; sustainable financing strategies |
| Index terms: | financial strategy, infrastructure sector, financing, United Nations, meta-analysis, sustainable development goal, infrastructure project, methodology, financial performance, systematic literature review, cost management, conceptual framework, life cycle, circularity, circular economy, strategy, funding |
| Subjects: | research evaluation and metrics, infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, economic analysis, management, accounting and finance, business analysis, theoretical framing, sustainable design, institutional frameworks, financial and cost management, sustainable materials, value management, research methods |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Governance |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here