Collaborative Intelligence and Construction 5.0: Digital Twins, AI, and Human-Centered Approaches for Sustainable Built Environment

About this Research Topic

Background

The construction sector is experiencing a paradigm shift toward Construction 5.0, where digitalization, sustainability, and human-centric innovation converge. The rapid adoption of Digital Twins (DTs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and integrated platform ecosystems is enabling unprecedented opportunities to optimize resource use, strengthen lifecycle data integration, and foster cross-sectoral collaboration.

This transformation, however, goes beyond automation and efficiency it hinges on building trust, inclusivity, and ethical frameworks for human AI collaboration. As cities, buildings, and infrastructure become increasingly interconnected, innovative methods are needed to manage complexity at various scales, from individual structures to entire urban systems. Integrating circular economy principles, resilience strategies, and interoperable standards is essential in addressing energy transitions, climate adaptation, and social equity.

By repositioning Construction 5.0 as a framework for collaborative intelligence that bridges technological advancement and human values, this Research Topic invites original contributions demonstrating how DTs, AI, and interdisciplinary teamwork can accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable and adaptive built environment.

Aims and Scope

The goal of this Research Topic is to advance collaborative intelligence in Construction 5.0 by examining the synergies between digital technologies and human-centered approaches for sustainability.

We seek to showcase:

o How AI-enabled Digital Twin ecosystems support transparent, ethical, and data-driven decision-making, balancing environmental, economic, and social objectives;
o The integration of platform ecosystems including BIM, GIS, IoT, and lifecycle data to support adaptive and resilient construction sectors;
o Approaches that emphasize explainable AI, trust-building mechanisms, and cross-sectoral demonstrators linking construction to energy, mobility, and urban resilience.

This collection aims to share conceptual frameworks, methodological innovations, transformative case studies, and technological demonstrators that outline practical pathways to sustainable construction practice. Ultimately, we endeavor to promote a shared vision where data, intelligence, and people collaborate to deliver long-term resilience and circularity.

Call for Contributions

We invite submissions addressing advances in Digital Twin ecosystems, AI applications, and collaborative platforms for the built environment. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

o Conceptual and theoretical frameworks advancing Construction 5.0
o Methodological innovations for multi-scale sustainability assessment
o Applied case studies demonstrating collaborative DT platforms
o Integration of AI, IoT, BIM, and GIS in construction and facility management
o Cross-sectoral demonstrators in energy, housing, mobility, and urban resilience

Submissions should emphasize interdisciplinary, collaborative, and human-centered dimensions of Construction 5.0. Both empirical and design science research are encouraged. Manuscripts must clearly articulate implications for sustainability, circular economy, and trust in human–AI systems, and are encouraged to provide reproducible methods, scalable insights, and evidence of stakeholder collaboration.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Construction 5.0, Collaborative intelligence, Digital Twins, AI in construction, Sustainable built environment, Human–AI collaboration, Circular economy, Interoperable digital platforms

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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