From Construction 4.0 to Construction 5.0: A Sustainable Transition Framework for Ecuador
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The digital transformation of the construction sector has given rise to two interconnected paradigms: Construction 4.0, driven by automation and cyber-physical technologies, and Construction 5.0, focused on sustainability and human-centered innovation. This study conducts a systematic narrative review with a comparative approach, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, based on a corpus of 38 studies published between 2015 and 2025. The findings reveal that Construction 4.0 has reached high technological maturity levels (TRL 7–9), achieving significant improvements in productivity, efficiency, and occupational safety, yet remaining limited in social and environmental integration. Conversely, Construction 5.0 is at an early stage (TRL 3–6), emphasizing human–machine collaboration, circular economy practices, and digital ethics. Building upon these insights, a transition framework toward Sustainable Construction 5.0 in Ecuador is proposed, structured around four interdependent dimensions: technological, human, environmental, and policy–institutional. The framework aims to guide public policies, innovation strategies, and digital adoption processes in the Latin American context, linking digital transformation with human well-being and environmental sustainability. The study contributes an integrative perspective to accelerate the sustainable digital transition of the construction sector in developing countries.
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