Accelerating the transition to a circular economy in the built environment requires robust methodologies for identifying, assessing, and managing reusable materials. Localized Material Banks (LMBs) have emerged as a promising strategy for organizing material flows at the urban scale by serving as spatially defined inventories of construction elements recovered from demolition, renovation, or surplus. To enable their effective implementation, a digital framework combining Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), and sustainability metrics is proposed. GIS provides the spatial foundation for mapping material stock, integrating data from remote sensing, BIM models, LiDAR scans, and pre-demolition audits. MCDA methods such as AHP and TOPSIS allow for systematic prioritization of reuse options based on material condition, accessibility, quantity, environmental benefit, and transport logistics. Complementary sustainability tools—including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and circularity indicators—offer deeper insight into the environmental and economic value of reuse strategies. The approach is further strengthened through integration with real-time and emerging technologies such as IoT sensors, blockchain for material traceability, and digital twins for scenario simulation and planning. Together, these tools support data-driven, traceable, and scalable reuse workflows aligned with climateneutral and resource-efficient construction goals.
Papadopoulou et al. (2025) studied this question.