Civil engineering today faces the challenge of responding to climate change, rapid urbanization, and the need to reduce environmental impacts. These factors drive the search for more sustainable approaches and the adoption of digital technologies. This article addresses three principal dimensions: advanced low-impact materials, resilient structural designs, and digital tools applied throughout the infrastructure life cycle. To this end, a systematic search was conducted considering studies published between 2020 and 2025, including both experimental and review works. The results show that materials such as geopolymers, biopolymers, natural fibers, and nanocomposites can significantly reduce the carbon footprint; however, they still face regulatory, cost, and adoption barriers. Likewise, modular, adaptable, and performance-based design proposals enhance infrastructure resilience against extreme climate events. Finally, digital tools such as Building Information Modeling, digital twins, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and 3D printing provide improvements in planning, construction, and maintenance, though with limitations related to interoperability, investment, and training. In conclusion, the integration of materials, design, and digitalization presents a promising pathway toward safer, more resilient, and sustainable infrastructure, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the concept of smart cities.
Ligarda-Samanez et al. (2025) studied this question.